Direct flight Nice-Madeira: Funchal joins the new summer 2026 destinations

Since June 6, 2026, a direct flight has connected Nice to Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. This opening is part of the development of the Nice-Côte d’Azur airport’s summer program, which includes ten new destinations this year and strengthens its international network.

Madeira is now among the destinations accessible by direct flight from Nice. Since June 6, two weekly rotations allow you to reach Funchal in 3 hours and 30 minutes of travel, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

This new connection comes in the context of the development of the Nice-Côte d’Azur airport network. Presented in spring, the summer 2026 program provides for the opening of ten new destinations and brings the overall offer to 130 destinations spread across 47 countries.

Compared to the previous season, eight additional destinations are offered from Nice. Two new countries also make their appearance on the map of available connections.

Madeira, a destination accessible without a connection from Nice

Located in the Atlantic Ocean, the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira attracts many visitors each year thanks to its mild climate, volcanic reliefs and natural landscapes.

Funchal, the main city of the archipelago, is the gateway to several emblematic sites. The levadas, former irrigation canals converted into hiking trails, cross much of the island. Visitors can also discover the Cabo Girão cliffs, the natural pools of Porto Moniz, and the Fanal forest, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Funchal’s historic center, the dos Lavradores market, botanical gardens and the CR7 museum complete the tourist offer available on the island.

Until now, travelers departing from Nice generally had to make a connection to reach Madeira. The new link now provides direct access to this destination during peak tourist season.

Ten new destinations from Nice

Funchal is one of ten new destinations included in the summer 2026 program of Nice-Côte d’Azur airport. Among the new additions are also Cagliari in Sardinia, Seville in Spain, Billund in Denmark, Bratislava in Slovakia, Cork in Ireland, Gdansk in Poland, Hanover in Germany and Newcastle in the United Kingdom.

These openings testify to a diversification of the network, with Mediterranean destinations but also cities located in northern Europe, increasingly sought after during periods of strong summer heat.

A direct connection to Boston also complements the season’s new additions and strengthens the long-haul offer from Nice.

In total, the summer 2026 program includes 18 changes. Ten concern new destinations. Three winter routes are maintained year-round and five existing routes welcome new operators.

A strategy focused on the international

The development of new connections confirms the international orientation of Nice-Côte d’Azur airport. Of the 130 destinations offered this summer, 112 are located outside of France. The long-haul offer now reaches 15 summer destinations. Seven links serve the United States, two Canada and six the Middle East.

This dynamic is also accompanied by an adaptation of infrastructure. The extension of Terminal 2 must make it possible to support the increase in traffic expected during the summer season.

For travelers on the Côte d’Azur, the opening of the Nice-Funchal connection thus offers a new gateway to Madeira while illustrating the gradual expansion of the international network from the Côte d’Azur.

Key points

• Direct flight Nice-Funchal available from June 6, 2026
• Two flights per week between Nice and Madeira
• Travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Connection operated until October
• Funchal is one of ten new destinations for summer 2026 from Nice
• The Nice-Côte d’Azur airport network now reaches 130 destinations in 47 countries.