For the hundreds of thousands of British expats who call Spain home, the "bridge" across the Bay of Biscay is more than just a flight path—it’s a lifeline. Whether it’s a spontaneous trip for a family milestone or a necessary commute for business, the ease of that journey defines the expat experience.
As we move into 2026, a series of major airline expansions and infrastructure shifts are coming together to make that bridge stronger, faster, and more accessible than ever before.
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The Great Jet2 Expansion: Gatwick Becomes a Hub for Spain
The biggest headline for the 2026 season is undoubtedly Jet2’s massive investment in London Gatwick. Launching in March 2026, Gatwick will serve as the airline's 14th UK base, bringing a staggering 29 routes to the table. For those living in the Spanish sun, this means 11 different airports will now have direct, high-frequency links to London’s second-busiest hub.
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The Mallorca Advantage: Palma will see up to ten flights per week to Gatwick, making "weekend trips" to the UK a realistic reality for island residents.
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Canary Island Connectivity: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote are all gaining multiple weekly slots, ensuring the islands aren’t left isolated.
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Mainland Access: Key coastal hubs like Alicante and Málaga will benefit from five and four weekly flights respectively, while regional gems like Girona and Reus are also included in the rollout.
Regional Links: Beyond the Major Hubs
While London often gets the most attention, 2026 is also the year of the "regional reach." Airlines are recognizing that many expats don't live near Madrid or Barcelona, and their families in the UK don't all live in London.
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Scotland to the Basque Country: A standout new route from British Airways Cityflyer will connect San Sebastián directly to Glasgow. Running from July to September, this twice-weekly service offers a rare and vital link for those in Northern Spain.
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The North of England: Ryanair is set to launch a new Manchester-to-Castellón route in June, opening up the "Orange Blossom Coast" to the UK's northern powerhouse.
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Luton’s Urban Surge: Wizz Air is pivoting toward city-dwellers, adding flights from London Luton to Seville, Bilbao, Valencia, and the traditional giants of Madrid and Barcelona starting in March.
Digital Borders: The Shift to Biometrics
It isn't just about where you can fly, but how you get through the airport. By April 2026, the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to be fully operational across major Spanish airports like Barajas and Málaga.
While the initial transition has seen some "bedding-in" pains, the end goal is a smoother journey. The system replaces manual passport stamping with a quick biometric scan (facial and fingerprint). Once your data is in the system, future crossings are designed to be significantly faster, reducing the long queues that have occasionally plagued post-Brexit travel.
The "Grace Period" for ETIAS
One potential cloud on the horizon for 2026 was the introduction of the ETIAS (the €7 pre-travel authorization). However, current timelines suggest a "soft launch" in late 2026 with a generous grace period. This means that for the vast majority of your 2026 travels, you can continue to fly using your passport alone, without the need for additional digital permits until at least early 2027.
Conclusion: A Year of Flexibility
With increased competition from low-cost giants and the opening of new bases like Gatwick, the outlook for 2026 is one of choice. More flight days, more regional airports, and the gradual automation of border controls mean that for expats, the distance between their two "homes" is feeling shorter than ever.