Birmingham Airport is lining up its most ambitious international expansion in over a decade, with plans under way to reinstate direct flights to the United States – a move that could provide a major boost for business travellers across the Midlands and the wider UK.
Once considered a vital link for transatlantic business, Birmingham last operated regular direct flights to the US in 2017, when United Airlines pulled its service to Newark Liberty International Airport. Since then, business and leisure passengers in the region have been forced to transit via London or Manchester – adding cost, time, and complexity to international itineraries.
The airport has revealed it is in “active discussions” with several long-haul carriers, including Delta Air Lines, about reinstating US-bound services. Industry sources suggest that a new direct route could be operational as early as summer 2026, pending regulatory approval and commercial agreement.
Speaking to Travelling for Business, Birmingham Airport chief executive Nick Barton confirmed that reconnecting the Midlands to the US is a strategic priority: “We know there is strong latent demand from business and leisure travellers alike for a direct US route from Birmingham,” Barton said. “It’s something our corporate partners and local business groups have been asking for, and we’re determined to make it happen as part of our wider expansion strategy.”
The move comes as Birmingham Airport embarks on a major £300 million infrastructure transformation, aimed at increasing annual passenger capacity from 12 million to 18 million by the early 2030s.
At the heart of the redevelopment is the installation of next-generation CT security scanners that will allow passengers to pass through security without removing liquids or electronics from their bags. The scanners are expected to cut queue times and improve throughput, easing the path for time-pressed business travellers.
In addition, the airport is upgrading its baggage handling systems, retail areas, and passenger lounges, with a particular focus on premium and fast-track services.
“This investment is not just about bricks and mortar,” Barton added. “It’s about delivering a world-class airport experience that supports our ambition to become a truly global hub for business and trade.”
Located just 10 kilometres southeast of Birmingham city centre and with excellent rail and road connections, the airport serves a catchment area of over 12 million people. Business travel demand is particularly high from the West Midlands, home to major corporations such as Jaguar Land Rover, HSBC UK, Deutsche Bank, Rolls-Royce, and PwC.
With the UK government continuing to position the Midlands as a high-growth region under its ‘levelling up’ agenda, improved international air connectivity is seen as crucial to attracting investment, talent and export opportunities.
The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has long campaigned for the restoration of US flights and welcomed the latest announcement.
“This is extremely encouraging news,” said Chief Executive Henrietta Brealey. “Transatlantic connectivity is critical for our regional economy – whether that’s exporting manufacturing components to North America, flying in clients for meetings, or sending our skilled workforce abroad. A direct US route from Birmingham will be a game-changer.”
Delta, the US carrier currently eyeing the Birmingham route, already operates direct services to the UK from its hubs in Atlanta, New York JFK, and Boston. A potential Birmingham–Atlanta or Birmingham–New York service would open up a wealth of one-stop connections across the Americas, ideal for international business itineraries.
While neither Delta nor Birmingham Airport would confirm the exact route or timeline under consideration, sources close to the discussions suggest Delta’s presence in Boston and Atlanta makes either city a likely launch partner.
The move would mark Delta’s return to Birmingham after an absence of more than two decades. The airline last operated from the airport in the early 1990s, before consolidating its UK operations around London.
“The business case for re-entry into Birmingham has grown considerably,” said one aviation analyst. “The airport now has the infrastructure, catchment area, and growth profile to support a transatlantic route. As Heathrow and Gatwick hit capacity constraints, regional airports like Birmingham become increasingly attractive.”
The push for transatlantic links comes amid a wider rebound in long-haul business travel. According to the Global Business Travel Association, international corporate travel volumes are forecast to return to pre-pandemic levels by late 2025, with pent-up demand fuelling a sharp increase in bookings to the US and Canada.
UK regional airports – including Bristol, Edinburgh, and Manchester – have all sought to capitalise on this trend by expanding their long-haul offerings. In May 2024, Bristol secured a direct New York route with JetBlue, while Manchester welcomed new seasonal services to Orlando and Los Angeles.
For Birmingham, the stakes are high. A successful return to US flights would not only restore a critical link for the regional economy but also help the airport cement its place in the global aviation map.
“We want Birmingham to be a natural first choice for international business travellers flying in and out of the UK,” Nick Barton concluded. “Reintroducing transatlantic flights is a crucial part of that vision – and we’re getting closer every day.”