Transavia & Air France: 10 New Direct Routes to Try This Summer 2026

The gateway to the canyons and the Mojave Desert

This is the headline addition from Air France for summer 2026. According to Air Journal, the airline will connect Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Las Vegas three times a week on an Airbus A350-900, its most modern long-haul aircraft, featuring high-speed WiFi and the new sliding-door Business suites.

Las Vegas thus becomes Air France’s 19th American destination. But beyond the Strip and the casinos, it is above all an outstanding gateway to the American West: Red Rock Canyon is 30 minutes away, Valley of Fire 1 hour, Zion National Park 2.5 hours, and the Grand Canyon 4.5 hours. According to Milesopedia, Air France is banking on this « urban exploration meets outdoor adventure » positioning.

Detailed Schedule

• On-site budget: 170 to 330 per day depending on comfort level
• Best time to visit: April-May or September-October (avoid the 45C/113F summer heat)
• Essential: car rental to explore the national parks

A crossroads of cultures with the best value for money in Europe

Sarajevo is arguably the most exciting destination in this 2026 batch. According to Transavia‘s official press release, the commercial director highlighted this route as emblematic: « We are committed to offering ever more original destinations, and Sarajevo is a perfect example. »

The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a fascinating city where Ottoman mosques stand alongside Catholic cathedrals, synagogues, and Orthodox churches, all within a few hundred meters of each other. According to Voyages et Vagabondages, Bosnia and Herzegovina is not part of the European Union, which keeps it off the mass tourism circuit.

Sarajevo’s other major draw is the immediate proximity to nature. Within 30 to 60 minutes, you can reach mountain hikes, spectacular viewpoints, and traditional villages. With a backpacker budget of 30 per day according to Dollar Flight Club, it is one of the most affordable cities in Europe.

• On-site budget: 45 to 120 per day (accommodation: ~40/night, meals: 5-8)
• Best time to visit: May-June and September-October
• Ideal duration: 3 to 5 days (7 with a day trip to Mostar)

The Peloponnese: deserted beaches and legendary ancient sites

Here is a destination that will delight lovers of deserted beaches and ancient history. Araxos airport drops you right in the northwestern Peloponnese, an area still largely untouched by mass tourism. According to Hellenica, the Peloponnese is a magnificent region that reveals itself to those who take the time to explore it.

With its 1,200 km of coastline, towering mountains, and archaeological sites, the Peloponnese brings together everything Greece has to offer, according to Vivre a Athenes. Olympia, the legendary birthplace of the Olympic Games, is accessible as a day trip. You can also reach Zakynthos by ferry from the port of Kyllini, according to LuxairTours.

• On-site budget: 60 to 160 per day (cheaper than the Cyclades)
• Best time to visit: June and September (moderate heat, accessible beaches)
• Essential: rent a car right at the airport

Gateway to Bulgaria’s Sunny Coast

Burgas is a wonderful surprise for summer 2026. Located on the western coast of the Black Sea, Bulgaria’s fourth-largest city is the gateway to the « Sunny Coast. » According to Ou-et-quand.net, the cost of living there is 37% lower than in France.

Beyond the beaches, it is the access to the treasures of Sozopol and Nessebar that makes the difference. According to Radiscovery Travel, Nessebar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its medieval churches, while Sozopol charms visitors with its cobblestone streets and wooden houses. Lake Burgas (Lake Vaya), the largest natural lake in Bulgaria, is a paradise for birdwatchers.

• On-site budget: 21 to 43 per day (full meal for under 10)
• Best time to visit: June to August for beaches, April-May for mild weather
• Currency: Bulgarian lev (BGN) — bring cash for small shops

300 bronze gnomes and 100 bridges across 12 islands

Nicknamed the « Polish Venice, » Wroclaw is a vibrant cultural city that is well worth a visit. According to Aerobernie, this new route from Paris-Orly is great news for discovering a side of Poland less touristy than Krakow.

Criss-crossed by the Oder River and its 12 islands connected by over 100 bridges, Wroclaw is famous for its 300 bronze gnome figurines scattered throughout the streets — an urban treasure hunt born from an artistic resistance movement in the 1980s. European Capital of Culture in 2016, the city offers a fascinating blend of Germanic, Austrian, and Polish influences. According to Ulysse, this is the perfect opportunity to discover a lesser-known side of Poland.

• On-site budget: 50 to 130 per day (local beer: ~2.50, meals: 8-15)
• Best time to visit: April to June (lively terraces, 15-25C)
• Ideal duration: 3-4 days for a perfect city break

A piece of Catalonia lost in the Mediterranean

Nicknamed « Little Barcelona » for its Catalan roots, Alghero offers a more authentic Sardinia than the Costa Smeralda. According to Ulysse, this fortified town where Catalan is still spoken in some families promises a truly immersive experience.

Beach-wise, Spiaggia delle Bombarde offers crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling, Maria Pia stretches out its white sand lined with umbrella pines, and the legendary La Pelosa (45 minutes away) is so popular that you need to book your spot online in summer. The Neptune’s Grotto is a must-see: 654 steps lead down to this geological wonder that is two million years old (14 entry).

According to Air Journal, Transavia Holland will also connect Alghero from Amsterdam-Schiphol, proof of this destination’s growing appeal.

• On-site budget: 70 to 220 per day (B&B: 60-90/night)
• Best time to visit: May-June and September (less crowded beaches)
• Ideal duration: 6 to 9 days to explore Sardinia

The gateway to Alberobello, Matera, and the Adriatic coast

This is a strategic route for travelers in western France. According to ClassTourisme, Nantes residents will finally have a direct connection to Puglia, with no need to connect through Paris. At 35 one way, it is the lowest introductory fare among all the new Transavia routes.

Bari is the gateway to the trulli of Alberobello (UNESCO), the Castellana Caves, Matera (1 hour by car), Polignano a Mare and its spectacular cliffs, and Lecce, the « Florence of the South. » Bari’s old town (Bari Vecchia), where nonnas shape orecchiette pasta on their doorsteps along the Strada delle Orecchiette, is an experience of authenticity that has become rare in Europe.

• On-site budget: 65 to 190 per day (trattoria: 12-20, masseria: from 60/night)
• Best time to visit: May-June and September-October
• Essential: rent a car to explore Puglia

Ephesus, turquoise beaches, and Aegean cuisine 3 hours from Lyon

Turkey’s third-largest city, Izmir is a cosmopolitan metropolis often overshadowed by Istanbul but offering a more laid-back and less touristy Turkish experience. According to Air Journal, Lyon-based travelers will now be able to reach Izmir’s turquoise waters on a direct flight.

The Kemeralti bazaar is one of the oldest and most authentic in the country. Less than an hour away, the ancient site of Ephesus (UNESCO) rivals the greatest archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. The region also offers Alacati for windsurfing, Sirince for its artisanal vineyards, and Cesme for its turquoise beaches — a complete holiday destination. According to Aerobernie, Transavia is expanding options from regional bases to avoid tedious layovers.

• On-site budget: 40 to 70 per day (favorable Turkish lira exchange rate)
• Best time to visit: April to June and September-October
• Ideal duration: 7 to 12 days (city + coast + excursions)

Mount Etna, Sicilian Baroque, and street food just 2 hours away

At just 31 one way, the Lyon-Catania route is one of the best value-for-money offerings this season. According to Transavia‘s press release, this route complements the airline’s regional offering with direct access to eastern Sicily, at the foot of Mount Etna.

Catania is a raw, urban Sicily, far from polished postcard images. The combination of Etna + Sicilian Baroque architecture + local cuisine is a rare treat in the Mediterranean. The city is home to a legendary fish market (La Pescheria), flamboyant UNESCO-listed Baroque architecture, and access to Europe’s tallest active volcano. Taormina, Syracuse, and the Aeolian Islands are all within day-trip distance.

• On-site budget: 80 to 200 per day (street food: 3-5, trattoria: 12-20)
• Best time to visit: June or late August-September (warm sea)
• Ideal duration: 7 to 12 days to explore eastern Sicily

Street art, a thousand-year-old synagogue, and endless beaches

This is the only direct Montpellier-Djerba route, opening up southern France to Tunisia without a layover. According to Transavia, this route is part of the new services that round out the regional summer network.

Djerba is a blend of Mediterranean and North African charm: the labyrinthine souks of Houmt Souk, the El Ghriba Synagogue (one of the oldest Jewish places of worship in Africa), stretches of fine sandy beaches as far as the eye can see, and ubiquitous street art since the Djerbahood project transformed the village of Erriadh into an open-air museum with over a hundred murals by international artists.

• On-site budget: 40 to 70 per day (4-star all-inclusive hotel: from 50/night/person)
• Best time to visit: April to June and September to November (22-30C)
• Ideal duration: 5 to 7 days (beach + culture + desert excursion)

Expanded services, innovations, and new offerings

Alongside the new routes, several major developments are worth noting for the summer 2026 season:

Massive increase in Transavia frequencies

According to Transavia, flights from Paris-Orly to Venice are increasing from 7 to 14 weekly flights, Stockholm from 6 to 10, and Madrid from 28 to 34 flights per week. The domestic offering is also growing: up to 8 daily flights to Nice and 8 to Toulouse.

Transavia News on WhatsApp

According to Air Journal, Transavia has launched « Transavia News, » a WhatsApp channel dedicated to promotional offers and route opening announcements. A great way to catch the best fares before anyone else.

Air France: La Premiere expansion

Air France is rolling out its La Premiere cabin to four new destinations: Tel Aviv, Atlanta (from March 29, 2026), Houston (July 6), and Boston (July 20), bringing the premium network to fifteen international destinations.

6 additional Transavia routes

Beyond the 10 routes in our selection, Transavia has also announced: Montpellier to Malaga (from 43), Montpellier to Tangier, Lyon to Mykonos (from 49), Marseille to Oran (from 49), and Marseille to Seville (from 33).