Flights between New York and Faro will continue in 2026 following United Airlines’ decision to keep the route active, the president of the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA) confirmed on Tuesday. The seasonal connection will resume on May 15, 2026.
“It’s clear that the route is performing very well. United has already announced that it will continue in 2026,” said the regional tourism boss André Gomes, who highlighted that North American travellers are “not the traditional tourist looking only for sun and beach”.
“They also have a considerable capacity to spend in the region and are looking, above all, for authentic, more immersive experiences” that put them in touch with traditions and culture, he told Lusa news agency.
As Gomes explained, American travellers don’t just travel to the Algarve to see the region but instead are “long-haul tourists” who end up visiting the whole country. Many are also looking for a second home or even considering moving to the Algarve.
“Before, they often arrived through Lisbon or Porto and then came down to the Algarve. Now, they can start their visit here and get to know the country from south to north,” Gomes said.
Recent data from Portugal’s National Statistics Institute (INE) shows that in August 2025, the North American market grew by 9.8% in terms of overnight stays, while the Canadian market rose by 8.5%, making them two of the country’s fastest-growing source markets.
The Algarve also contributed the largest share of national tourism revenue that month – 36.3% of Portugal’s total – underscoring its role as a major driver of Portugal’s tourism economy.
The regional tourism boss noted that domestic tourism remains strong as well, with a 3.4% rise in Portuguese visitors in August compared with the previous year. “This contradicts the narrative that the Algarve is losing its appeal to Portuguese tourists or that it’s becoming too expensive,” he said.
“This clearly demonstrates the consolidation of the Algarve as the preferred holiday destination for so many thousands of Portuguese and international tourists, which has once again been the case this year,” he concluded.
United Airlines first launched its Newark–Faro service in May 2024, offering the Algarve’s Gago Coutinho Airport its first-ever direct transatlantic connection to the US.
