Updates
Route Changes & Site Updates
What has changed in Madeira's flight network, and on this site — newest first.
Last updated:
This is a dated log of notable changes to Madeira’s direct flight network (FNC) and to madeiraflight.com, newest first. Recent highlights: United launched a seasonal Newark nonstop (June 2025, resumed May 2026), Azores Airlines added Funchal–Terceira (May 2026), British Airways moved London from Heathrow to Gatwick (October 2024), and Jet2 has announced a winter London Gatwick route from 26 October 2026.
Announced & upcoming
These changes have been announced but are not yet operating as of 29 June 2026.
- From 26 Oct 2026 — Jet2.com launches London Gatwick–Funchal (winter). [Announced] Jet2 adds a new winter route from London Gatwick, complementing its existing year-round London Stansted service and broad UK network. Not yet bookable as an operating service until late October 2026.
- Around Sep 2026 — Norwegian to add Oslo–Funchal. [Announced] A thin, roughly weekly winter “sun-escape” route from Oslo (OSL), reported to start around September 2026. Forward-looking and unconfirmed in execution — treat as low confidence until flights are in the schedule.
2026
- 16 May 2026 — United resumes Newark (EWR)–Funchal for summer. [Route resumed] United’s seasonal nonstop returned for the 2026 summer season, operating about three times a week on a Boeing 737 MAX 8. It is the only nonstop linking the New York area to Madeira.
- 7 May 2026 — Azores Airlines launches Funchal–Terceira (Lajes). [Route launched] A new archipelago-to-archipelago link, reported to start with one weekly flight on Thursdays, rising to twice weekly in the June–September peak. It adds to the established Funchal–Ponta Delgada service, taking Azores–Madeira capacity to up to roughly 12 weekly frequencies at peak.
- Summer 2026 (from late March 2026) — easyJet launches London Luton–Funchal. [Route launched] A new twice-weekly service (Wednesdays and Fridays) for the summer season, giving London a third easyJet-served origin alongside Gatwick (year-round) and a seasonal Manchester link.
- Summer 2026 — Jet2 Bournemouth–Funchal returns. [Seasonal route] The summer-seasonal Bournemouth service (roughly one weekly Monday departure) returned for 2026 after a successful 2025 launch.
2025
- Early 2025 — Azores Airlines ends Funchal nonstops to JFK, Boston & Toronto. [Route ended] The former nonstop Funchal links to New York-JFK, Boston (BOS) and Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) were dropped; these North American markets are now served one-stop via the airline’s Ponta Delgada (PDL) hub in the Azores. (Reported; date approximate.)
- 7 Jun 2025 — United launches Newark (EWR)–Funchal. [Route launched] United began the first scheduled nonstop to Madeira operated by a US carrier — a summer-seasonal Boeing 737 MAX 8 service, about three times weekly.
- 30 Mar 2025 — Ryanair launches Shannon–Funchal. [Route launched] A new summer-seasonal route on the Ireland side, operating about twice weekly in season. Ryanair remains the only operator linking the Republic of Ireland to Madeira, alongside its year-round Dublin service.
2024
- 27 Oct 2024 — British Airways moves London from Heathrow to Gatwick. [Route moved] BA transferred its London–Funchal service from London Heathrow to London Gatwick; the final Heathrow departure was 26 October 2024. The Gatwick route is year-round, at a reported six to seven flights a week, rising toward daily in peak season. There is no longer any direct Heathrow–Madeira service.
Site updates
- 29 Jun 2026 — Update log started. This changelog was published as the central record of notable Madeira route changes and edits to madeiraflight.com. Going forward, material route changes and significant corrections are recorded here, newest first.
Frequently asked questions
What is the newest direct route to Madeira?
The most recent new scheduled route is Azores Airlines' Funchal–Terceira (Lajes) link, which began on 7 May 2026 with one weekly flight, rising to twice weekly in the June–September peak. United's seasonal Newark nonstop also resumed for summer on 16 May 2026.
Did British Airways stop flying to Madeira from Heathrow?
Yes. British Airways moved its London–Funchal service from Heathrow to London Gatwick from 27 October 2024; the last Heathrow departure was 26 October 2024. The route is now year-round from Gatwick, at a reported six to seven flights a week.
Is there a direct flight from the United States to Madeira?
Yes, seasonally. United Airlines flies Newark (EWR)–Funchal nonstop about three times a week in summer on a Boeing 737 MAX 8 — the first nonstop to Madeira by a US carrier. It launched on 7 June 2025 and resumed for summer on 16 May 2026.
Can I still fly nonstop from New York JFK to Madeira?
Not as a nonstop. Azores Airlines' former Funchal–New York JFK nonstop was dropped in early 2025 and now connects one-stop via Ponta Delgada in the Azores. The New York area's only current nonstop to Funchal is United's seasonal Newark service.
When does Jet2's London Gatwick route to Madeira start?
Jet2.com has announced a new winter London Gatwick–Funchal service beginning 26 October 2026. It is announced, not yet operating, so confirm before booking. Jet2 already flies Madeira from London Stansted and across its wider UK network.