Airlines Bet on Niche Long-Haul City Pairs With Fuel-Efficient Widebodies

Airlines are launching several unconventional long-haul routes before year-end, using efficient widebody jets to test demand in markets previously considered too niche. Examples include United and Air Canada both starting seasonal service to Sapporo, Japan, and Delta opening the first U.S. nonstop to Saudi Arabia. These moves follow months of market research, though not all such bets are expected to succeed.