Etihad Airways to Connect Palma with Abu Dhabi from 2026: Great News for Mallorca’s Real Estate Market

Etihad Airways to Connect Palma with Abu Dhabi from 2026: Great News for Mallorca’s Real Estate Market

Mallorca continues to strengthen its position as a leading international destination. Starting in the summer of 2026, the prestigious airline Etihad Airways will launch direct flights between Palma de Mallorca and Abu Dhabi, further reinforcing the ties between the island and the Middle East.
This marks a historic milestone: it will be the first direct connection between Mallorca and Asia, opening the door to a new profile of international visitors and investors drawn by the island’s exclusivity, sustainability, and exceptional quality of life.

A Bridge to the Emirates and Beyond
The new route will begin on June 12, 2026, and run until mid-September, operating three times a week.
Flights will depart Abu Dhabi at 02:55 a.m. and arrive in Palma at 08:15 a.m., with the return flight leaving Son Sant Joan at 10:30 a.m. and landing in Abu Dhabi at 7:00 p.m.
Etihad will operate the route with an Airbus A321LR, featuring state-of-the-art cabins, lie-flat seats in Business Class, and private suites in First Class – reflecting the select and exclusive audience this connection is expected to attract.

Mallorca: A Destination of Luxury and Lifestyle
Etihad’s CEO Antonoaldo Neves described Palma as “the perfect addition” to the airline’s summer network. And rightly so: Mallorca combines world-class marinas, fine dining, unique natural landscapes, and vibrant cultural offerings – all within a safe and accessible environment.
This new route represents an opportunity to diversify Mallorca’s tourism markets, attracting travelers and investors from the Persian Gulf, Asia, and Oceania, who until now lacked direct flight options.

A Boost for the Premium Real Estate Market
For Mallorca’s real estate sector, this announcement is strategically significant.
Interest from Middle Eastern and Asian clients in exclusive properties, sea-view villas, and historic estates has been rising in recent years. The direct link to Abu Dhabi will make visits easier, stimulating international transactions and strengthening the luxury residential market.
Moreover, this route complements new connections such as Palma–Montreal, reinforcing the island’s positioning as a global destination to live, invest, and enjoy.

A Joint Effort for Greater Connectivity
The association Essentially Mallorca, which brings together more than 75 luxury tourism companies, welcomed the news as a result of effective cooperation between public and private sectors.
Its president, Jesús Cuartero, highlighted that these advances support Mallorca’s model of authentic, sustainable, and high-quality tourism.
The new direct flight between Palma and Abu Dhabi will not only bring Mallorca closer to new international markets but will also strengthen its image as a high-end real estate and tourism destination – an island that is increasingly connected, cosmopolitan, and ready to welcome those seeking more than a holiday: a place to live the Mediterranean lifestyle in style.