Planning a tapas crawl in Madrid or hunting for bouillabaisse in Nice just got infinitely easier. Delta Air Lines is launching nonstop service from Boston to both Spanish and French culinary hotspots starting May 2026, eliminating the connection headaches that have long plagued food-focused European travel. These routes represent the first direct U.S. carrier service to Nice and mark a bold expansion despite broader U.S.-Europe travel remaining sluggish.
Madrid and Nice: Direct Routes to Culinary Capitals
Madrid service kicks off May 16, 2026, with daily departures on Airbus A330-900neo aircraft featuring business, premium economy, and main cabin options. Nice follows May 17 with Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday flights using the same aircraft. The timing defies industry trends—overseas arrivals to the U.S. dropped 2.8% this past May, and transatlantic fares have fallen to pre-pandemic levels as European travel to America weakens.
Boston now connects directly to 12 European destinations through Delta, solidifying its position as what the airline calls a “premier global gateway.” The expansion includes increased Barcelona service to daily flights and four weekly Milan departures, creating a robust Northeast corridor to Europe’s food capitals.
From Jamón Ibérico to Bouillabaisse
Madrid delivers Spain’s sophisticated tapas culture, anchored by historic markets like Mercado de San Miguel and legendary establishments such as Sobrino de Botín, widely recognized as the world’s oldest continuously operating restaurant. The city’s late-night dining customs and bar-hopping traditions create a different rhythm than American food culture—one that rewards patience and social eating.
Nice offers something equally compelling but distinctly Mediterranean. The city serves as ground zero for Provençal cuisine, where morning markets like Cours Saleya overflow with local produce that appears on restaurant tables the same day. Salade niçoise, socca, and fresh seafood define a food scene that’s more about seasonal ingredients and seaside dining than Madrid’s social tapas culture.
Both routes eliminate stopovers for culinary travelers. Competition remains fierce in Boston, particularly with JetBlue, but Delta recently overtook its rival as the airport’s most active carrier. Food enthusiasts now have direct access to Europe’s distinctive regional cuisines, with the May launch timing perfectly for optimal European travel weather.
