What’s probably the most thrilling new airline route of the yr?
Ask 10 totally different vacationers and also you may get 10 totally different opinions. The query does not include a straightforward reply, however — as you may anticipate from TPG — we’re joyful to share our ideas on it.
Our aviation staff checked out all the new routes launched within the first half of 2025, and we got here up with this high 15 record. (Trace: They largely mirror what we predicted on the finish of final yr.)
The extra : The most effective time to guide flights for the most affordable airfare
We stopped in need of naming a winner — examine again for that on the finish of the yr — however these had been the brand new routes that intrigued us.
Listed in alphabetical order by airline, listed below are high 15 for the primary half of 2025, together with why they had been chosen.
Map watching: The award for ‘sexiest new route’ of the 2023 goes to … | And 2024 …
Aer Lingus
Indianapolis and Nashville to Dublin
These routes might not usually stand out as candidates for a “most enjoyable record.” However the Irish provider’s new 2025 routes are noteworthy since they’re being operated with its new Airbus A321XLR, a narrow-body jet with notably long-range. Search for extra “lengthy, skinny” routes to be added within the years forward as extra carriers develop into operators of the A321XLR.
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Allegiant
Belleville, Illinois to Gulf Shores, Alabama
Should you’re a fan of surprising airline routes, this new flight from Allegiant Air is as obscure as they arrive. But it surely highlights the kind of area of interest market that Allegiant has cultivated this century: increasing to small airports with little or no business airline service simply exterior bigger metros. And, spoiler alert: Extra are coming.
Alaska Airways (and Hawaiian Airways)
Seattle to Tokyo
Seattle to Tokyo isn’t usually a ground-breaking route. However, when it is your airline’s first-ever long-haul abroad route — because it was for Alaska Airways — it garners further consideration. Alaska first operated this flight with merger accomplice Hawaiian Airways’ Airbus A330s, however it will ultimately fly on state-of-the artwork Boeing 787 Dreamliners – first with Hawaiian’s livery, however ultimately with Alaska’s.
And, keep tuned. The provider is getting set to quickly unveil an all-new flagship worldwide expertise because it plans a dozen long-haul routes out of Seattle within the coming years.
American Airways
Carlsbad, California, to Phoenix
Earlier this yr, American turned the one main airline model working from California’s McClellan–Palomar Airport (CLD), situated about 35 miles north of San Diego. Whereas Carlsbad will not be probably the most “thrilling” new vacation spot for an airline, it underscores American’s technique of carving out area of interest markets with out direct competitors from its main rivals. Different current related additions embrace Utah’s Provo Municipal Airport (PVU) and Cape Cod Gateway Airport (HYA) in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
Miami to South Caicos within the Turks and Caicos
When it launched this route earlier this yr, American turned the one main airline on the airport, which in any other case has solely small regional operators flying inside the Turks and Caicos. Traditionally, U.S. vacationers flying to Turks and Caicos have needed to fly to the bigger Providenciales Worldwide Airport (PLS). Not coincidentally, American’s distinctive new island service will join vacationers to a brand-new Marriott Bonvoy resort that made our record of most enjoyable resort openings in 2025.
Philadelphia to Edinburgh, Scotland
It wasn’t that way back that some trade observers questioned if Philadelphia’s days had been numbered as a significant worldwide hub for American. Put these doubts apart. American has returned its transatlantic focus from New York again to Philadelphia, which may depend this path to Scotland in addition to service to Milan as proof.
We should always observe: Philly may also acquire worldwide service, subsequent month, that includes the airline’s brand-new Flagship Suites on its Boeing 787-9P Dreamliner
Cape Air
Boston to Islip, New York
An unlikely candidate for our record, Cape Air takes this spot extra for “palace intrigue” than the rest. When JetBlue abruptly ended this route lower than two weeks after beginning it, Lengthy Island’s connection to Boston appeared misplaced. Cape Air mentioned not so – asserting its personal turbo-prop service on the route to assist partially backfill JetBlue’s discontinued hyperlink.
Delta Air Traces
New York to Sicily
Sicily has soared in recognition lately — thanks in no small half to White Lotus — however there hasn’t been a daily nonstop flight from the U.S. to this Italian island. That modified this summer time when each Delta and United added service to Sicily. Delta introduced its new route first, unveiling service to Sicily’s lesser-served metropolis of Catania.
Neos
New York to Bari, Italy
These in search of an off-the-beaten-path vacation spot acquired a lift with this Italian provider’s new service to Italy’s Puglia area – an space recognized for its proximity to the Adriatic Sea, delectable meals and historic medieval structure. Neos claims the route is the first-ever nonstop service between the U.S. and Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI), the capital of Italy’s Puglia area.
United Airways
Newark to Bilbao, Spain
Lengthy touted as one among Europe’s under-the-radar locations, Bilbao has sometimes been tough to achieve for U.S. vacationers. That modified this summer time when United launched seasonal Boeing 757 nonstops from Newark.
Newark to Madeira, Portugal
Lengthy-popular with European vacationers, this island off the coast of the northwest coast of Africa is understood for wine, rugged volcanic surroundings and and a bewildering set of climates. It had been tough for many People to get to — till United started nonstop flights from Newark.
Newark to Nuuk, Greenland
A high candidate for “route of the yr,” United’s new service to Nuuk, Greenland, dominated aviation headlines earlier in June. As you may anticipate, TPG was onboard the historic inaugural flight – the first-ever common service by a U.S. provider to Greenland.
Tokyo to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
One other high candidate for “route of the yr,” you can nearly minimize and paste the above textual content for Greenland for United’s new service to Mongolia. Nonetheless, not like United’s Greenland service, this new service comes not from the U.S., however from United’s hub at Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT). One-stop service is out there from a number of U.S. cities. And, sure, TPG was onboard this inaugural flight too.
Washington to Dakar, Senegal
United selected to bolster its Washington hub at Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD) with new service to Senegal. Whereas new routes to South Africa and Morocco have generated probably the most buzz lately, this new West Africa service from United stands out amongst 2025’s new routes thus far.
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