Rio or Kiev? The most exciting new flight routes taking off from the UK this summer
Despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding Brexit, airlines are launching a raft of new routes from the UK this summer, making destinations as diverse as Kiev, Naples and Philadelphia a little easier to reach. From short hops to long-haul slogs, here are some the best routes set to launch this summer.
Osaka, Japan
Who? British Airways
When? March 31
How many times a week? Four, from London Heathrow
British Airways has reintroduced the only direct air service between the UK and Osaka, having last run the route in 1998. As well as providing an opportunity to experience Japan’s third largest city, the 12-hour and 20-minute service open up the entire Kansai region, in particular the temples and gardens of Kyoto, 15 minutes away by bullet train. “Colourful, food-loving, lively, humorous, nocturnal: these are all words that can be used to describe Osaka,” says Telegraph Travel destination expert Danielle Demetriou.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Who? Norwegian
When? March 31
How many times a week? Four, from London Gatwick
British Airways already operates flights to Rio from Heathrow, but this service marks Norwegian’s entry to the Brazilian market – and the first low-cost flight from the UK to Rio. The carrier launched its first service to South America last year with direct flights from Gatwick to Buenos Aires; it quickly increased the service from four flights a week to daily departures following strong demand.
Norwegian has also recently moved away from secondary airports in the US. Previously the low-cost carrier flew from Gatwick to Oakland and Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale. In the case of Oakland, the airline has now relocated to San Francisco, while on the East Coast it has relocated from Fort Lauderdale to Miami.
Philadelphia, USA
Who? American Airlines
When? April 2
How many times a week? Daily, from Edinburgh
Philadelphia can already be accessed from London Heathrow and Manchester, but American Airlines has just added Edinburgh to that list. The city was the site of the founding of the United States when the Declaration of Independence was signed there in 1776, followed by the Constitution in 1787. Today, its history is matched by its potential for fun, with its attractively conserved downtown area featuring informal restaurants and cool bars.
Pittsburgh, USA
Who? British Airways
When? April 2
How many times a week? Four, from London Heathrow
Pittsburgh is best known as the City of Bridges, with more than any other city in the world at nearly 450, but has more recently developed a reputation as a cultural and culinary hub.
“When Pittsburgh was ranked the best US city for foodies by the respected Zagat restaurant guide in 2015, many were surprised,” writes destination expert Adam Sommers. “Not so in the USA, where the city in the heart of Pennsylvania once known as Steel City has become not just a culinary and micro brewery hub but a centre for the arts as well.
“Home to its very own version of New York’s Brooklyn – Lawrenceville – quirky restaurants, galleries in converted warehouses and some stylish hotels are rising from the molten remains of this former industrial city.”
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Who? Ryanair
When? April 2
How many times a week? Twice, from London Southend
Cluj-Napoca remains under the radar for most holidaymakers, but that’s starting to change. Located in northeast Romania this pretty university city has a small but growing reputation for its lively nightlife, bohemian coffeehouses and gorgeous architecture, which runs the gamut from gothic churches to baroque castles.
Being the unofficial capital of Transylvania, the city is also a gateway to Dracula country. Needless to say these attributes have caught the eye of Ryanair, which has just launched twice-weekly direct flights to the city from London Southend.
Naples, Italy
Who? Ryanair
When? April 3
How many times a week? Twice, from Exeter Airport
The Irish airline is launching flights from Exeter Airport for the first time this month, making the south-west terminal the budget carrier’s 21st destination in the UK. Among the new routes is a twice-weekly flight to Naples, one of the most enigmatic cities in Europe – and birthplace of the pizza. From Exeter, Ryanair will also fly from to Malaga and Malta (both twice weekly).
Charleston, USA
Who? British Airways
When? April 4
How many times a week? Twice, from London Heathrow
British Airways will become the only airline in Europe flying direct to the South Carolina city when it launches this month. Flown using 787 Dreamliners it will be Charleston’s first transatlantic connection. The addition takes the number of US destinations reachable with BA to 29, following the introduction of flights to Nashville and New Orleans in 2018. Visiting for Telegraph Travel in 2014, Adam Ruck described Charleston as “wall-to-wall historic” thanks to its role in the Civil War.
Brest, France
Who? Ryanair
When? April 5
How many times a week? Twice, from London Southend
Another new base for Ryanair is London’s Southend Airport, from which it will fly 13 routes for the summer season. Among them is a twice-weekly service to the port city of Brest in the Brittany region of northwest France. Brest is best known for its picturesque harbour, the Pont de Recouvrance bridge and maritime military museum housed in the remarkable Château de Brest.
Kiev, Ukraine
Who? Ryanair
When? April 8
How many times a week? Twice, from Manchetser
Ryanair is set to launch a new route between Manchester and Kiev this month. The Ukrainian capital is lauded for its gold-domed churches, atmospheric old town and fine museums, while controversial day-trips to nearby Chernobyl are also becoming popular.
The new Manchester route follow the launch of two new Ryanair services from Stansted to Kiev and Lviv, a Unesco-listed city in Eastern Ukraine, whose fragrant coffee houses, rickety old trams and pretty architecture escaped the brutalism of the Soviet epoch.
Calvi, Corsica
Who? Air Corsica
When? May 18
How many times a week? Once, from London Stansted
Air Corsica launched flights to the UK in 2018, connecting Stansted with Ajaccio, Bastia and Figari. From May 2019, it will extend its services to the picturesque town of Calvi, located on the northwest coast of the French island, offering idyllic bays and mountain views. Legend has it that Calvi was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.
Islamabad, Pakistan
Who? British Airways
When? June 2
How many times a week? Three, from London Heathrow
British Airways will return to the Pakistani capital next summer for the first time in a decade. Flights to Islamabad were halted in 2008 amid security concerns in the wake of a terror attack at the city’s Marriott Hotel that left 54 dead. But from June 2, the British flag carrier will fly to the city three times a week from Heathrow on its 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Amongst other things, Islamabad is renowned for its bold architecture, hilltop gardens and diverse culinary scene.
And one for winter...
Los Cabos, Mexico
Who? Tui
When? November 8
How many times a week? Twice, from London Gatwick
Tui will offer the only direct flights from the UK to this exclusive Mexican resort when it begins the service in November. Los Cabos is located on Mexico's 1,000-mile-long Baja California peninsula and known for its white-sand beaches, golf courses and famous patrons, including the likes of George Clooney, Jennifer Aniston and Nicole Kidman.
Which new flight routes are you the most excited about? Which destinations would you like to see included on this list? We want to hear from you in the comments section below.
To join the conversation simply log in to your Telegraph account or register for free here.
