10 exciting new flight routes taking off from the UK

1. Luxor, Egypt

Why we're excited

Basically an open-air museum, Luxor is the place to wander past tombs where pharaohs were buried with their treasures and sip sundowners while floating past temples that have stood for over 3,000 years.

And now that TUI's launching direct flights and a swanky new river cruise, you can tick off your ancient Egypt bucket list without having to connect through Cairo.

The Valley of the Kings is the headline act. This is where Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered and there are plenty more ornately decorated burial chambers to explore.

If you book on to TUI’s new cruise, you can check out massive temples like Karnak or the Temple of Hatshepsut by day, then return to your floating hotel for dinner and a drink on deck while watching local life unfold along the riverbank. Plus, with two Egyptologists on board each sailing, you'll actually understand what you're looking at.

Who's flying there now?

TUI Airways launched direct flights from Manchester and London Gatwick on 7 November 2024, operating weekly on Thursdays until 24 April 2025. The service will return for winter 2026, operating on Tuesdays from 4 November 2025.

2. Cape Town, South Africa

Why we’re excited

If you've been put off by Cape Town’s sky-high flight prices, here's some good news: Norse Atlantic has shaken things up by breaking the BA and Virgin Atlantic duopoly on direct flights.

And trust us, this city deserves to be more accessible. Where else can you start your morning watching the sunrise from Table Mountain, spend the afternoon tasting world-class wines at historic vineyards in Stellenbosch, then end the day watching the sunset from Camps Bay beach with a plate of fresh seafood?

Nature lovers can also fill their boots. There's penguin-spotting at Boulders Beach, hiking in the Cape Peninsula (the views along Chapman's Peak Drive are worth the trip alone) and, if you're here between July and November, you can add whale watching to the mix.

The best bit? Our winter is their summer and because it’s almost in the same time zone as us, there’s no jet lag to contend with.

Who's flying there now?

Norse Atlantic Airways launched flights from London Gatwick on 28 October 2024, operating three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Fares start from £499 return.

3. Las Vegas, USA

Why we're excited

You might know about the Strip's greatest hits (think the Bellagio fountains, the High Roller observation wheel, the endless buffets) but Vegas has taken things up a notch lately. The city's gone all in on entertainment beyond gambling, from residencies by the world's biggest music stars and world-class sporting events to mind-bending immersive art experiences at AREA15.

And Norse Atlantic has made visiting Sin City even more appealing thanks to cut-price fares that’ll leave you with plenty for the tables.

What else can you expect? The perfect base for exploring some of the most dramatic landscapes in the US. You can hike through the red rock formations of Valley of Fire State Park (just an hour from the Strip), kayak in the Black Canyon, or take a day trip to the Grand Canyon's West Rim – the one with the glass-bottomed Skywalk jutting out over the canyon.

Time it right in winter and you can even hit the slopes at Lee Canyon, just 45 minutes from all those casino lights.

Who's flying there now?

Norse Atlantic Airways began service from London Gatwick on 12 September 2024, operating three times weekly with their specially designated "lucky" flight number Z0777.

4. Sal, Cape Verde

Why we're excited

While everyone flocks to the Canaries for spring and winter sun, you could be lounging on Sal's pristine and crowd-free beaches. That’s thanks to easyJet’s new flights to the Cape Verdean island of Sal – the airline’s first venture into Sub-Saharan Africa.

The island feels otherworldly, with lunar landscapes that NASA could use for Mars practice and or waters so salty in its salt mines that you can't help but bob like a cork.

The watersports here are incredible too (it's one of Africa's top kitesurfing spots), but it's just as good for doing absolutely nothing on those endless white sand beaches.

Unlike many long-haul winter sun spots, you're only looking at a six-hour flight and minimal time difference – so no jet lag to eat into your holiday. Plus, with year-round temperatures hovering in the mid-20s and barely any rain, it's about as close to guaranteed sunshine as you can get.

Who's flying there now?

easyJet will launch flights from London Gatwick to Sal on 31 March 2025, operating three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the summer season. Fares start from £131.99 one way.

5. Rimini, Salerno and Olbia, Italy

Why we're excited

BA's going all-in on Italy for summer 2025, launching three new routes that'll make some of the country's best beaches easier to reach.

It's part of the airline's biggest-ever expansion of Italian destinations – it will now fly to 19 different spots across the country, more than any other European nation in their network.

First up is charming Rimini. You can wander through a historic centre that's been around since Roman times, head to the trendy marina for aperitivo and lounge on some 15km (9 miles) of wide, sandy beach.

Then, there’s Salerno, which might just be the smartest way to tackle the Amalfi Coast. Instead of battling through Naples Airport and facing that white-knuckle transfer along the coast road, you can fly straight into Salerno's brand-new airport. You're perfectly positioned for exploring Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, with the bonus of being able to retreat to Salerno itself.

Finally, there's a new route to Olbia in Sardinia from London City to complement existing Heathrow flights. This north-eastern corner of Sardinia is home to some of the Med’s most beautiful beaches.

Who's flying there now?

British Airways is launching Heathrow to Rimini flights three times weekly from 15 May (from £131 return), Gatwick to Salerno three times weekly from 22 May (from £168 return) and London City to Olbia twice weekly from 25 May (from £116 return). All services will run through summer 2025.

6. Tbilisi, Georgia

Why we're excited

Imagine starting your day in a centuries-old thermal bath carved into a cliff, lunching on dumplings in a Soviet-era market, then spending the evening hopping between natural wine bars in converted mansions. This is Tbilisi, Georgia's capital and a European city that feels a world away from the big-hitters.

The Georgians have been making wine for 8,000 years (yes, they invented it) and they do it differently here, aging wine in huge clay pots buried in the ground. The food's just as unique, with cheese-filled bread boats (khachapuri), hearty dumplings (khinkali) and flavours you won't find anywhere else. The best bit? You can feast like royalty for what you'd pay for a sandwich in Greggs.

The city itself is a gorgeous mix of old and new – wooden balconied homes and ancient bathhouses in the old town, bold modern architecture by the river and gold-domed churches perched on hillsides.

You're also surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains, so you can add on a few days visiting mountain villages, monasteries carved into cliffs, or even hit the slopes at Georgia's emerging ski resorts.

Who's flying there now?

British Airways will launch four weekly flights from London Heathrow starting 30 March 2025, with connections from eight UK regional airports.

7. Tromsø, Norway

Why we're excited

Kicking yourself for missing the northern lights in the UK this winter? Here's your chance to see them properly.

Tromsø sits right in the sweet spot of the northern lights' oval, making it one of the world's most reliable places to catch nature's light show. And unlike many Arctic destinations, it's surprisingly accessible, at just a three-and-a-half-hour flight from London.

The city is at its most magical during the polar night, when the sun doesn't rise for several weeks between late November and January. Instead of daylight, there’s an ethereal blue twilight and streets twinkling with fairy lights.

Pop into a cosy café to warm up with a hot chocolate, browse the Christmas market in the main square, or head out of town for some proper Arctic adventures – think dog sledding, whale watching (you can spot orcas and humpbacks here), or snowshoeing through pristine wilderness.

Even if you're not usually an outdoorsy type, watching the northern lights dance above the striking Arctic Cathedral is worth wrapping up warm for.

Who's flying there now?

British Airways launched twice-weekly flights from London Heathrow on 1 December 2024, with an optimized schedule for three- and four-night trips.

8. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Why we're excited

The food scene alone is worth the trip to KL (as the locals call it). Thanks to its mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian influences, you can hop from curry houses to dim sum joints to street-side noodle stalls, all in one day.

And while parts of the city are super modern you'll still find plenty of traditional neighbourhoods like Kampung Baru, where wooden houses sit in the shadow of those glittering towers.

It’s also brilliant as a gateway to the rest of Malaysia – you're just a short hop from the orangutan-filled rainforests of Borneo, colonial-style Penang and the powder-white beaches of Langkawi.

You can even head up to the cool hills of the Cameron Highlands for tea plantations and strawberry farms, or down to Melaka for some UNESCO-listed history and more incredible food.

Who's flying there now?

British Airways was set to relaunch its daily Heathrow flights last year, but it’s been pushed back to April 2025. The delay comes down to some technical issues with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines on their Boeing 787 fleet – apparently, the engine manufacturer is struggling to supply replacement parts. Once it's up and running, we'll finally see this key Southeast Asian connection restored after its pandemic suspension.

9. Toronto, Canada

Why we're excited

Toronto's one of those rare cities that actually lives up to the 'something for everyone' cliché – think New York energy with a distinctly Canadian vibe… and cleaner streets.

Highlights include browsing vintage finds in Kensington Market, dining on dim sum in one of North America's largest Chinatowns and watching a Blue Jays baseball game.

Food lovers especially are in for a treat. This is one of the world's most diverse cities and it shows in the restaurants. You can hop from Pakistani kebab houses to Korean food halls, Italian trattorias to Canadian classics (poutine is everywhere, even on pizza).

The city's gorgeous in summer when neighborhoods like The Beaches come alive with festivals and outdoor patios, but it's also fun in winter when you can go ice skating at rooftop bars or duck into cosy pubs in the Distillery District.

Niagara Falls is just 90 minutes away, but there's also wine country in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ice fishing on Lake Ontario and autumn colours in Algonquin Provincial Park – if you time it right.

Who's flying there now?

Virgin Atlantic will return to Canada for the first time in over a decade, launching daily flights between London Heathrow and Toronto Pearson International Airport from 30 March 2025. The route will be operated using their A330neo aircraft.

10. Accra, Ghana

Why we're excited

While it’s not your typical holiday destination – Virgin isn't even offering package deals here – Accra serves as an incredible gateway for more intrepid travellers and those visiting friends and family.

Ghana has some of West Africa's most compelling experiences, from the sobering history of the Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site central to the trans-Atlantic slave trade, to the stunning Kakum National Park with its famous canopy walkway suspended above the rainforest.

Along the coast, you'll find pristine beaches like those at Labadi and Kokrobite, while inland, the Aburi Botanical Gardens and Lake Volta (the world's largest man-made lake) are stunning natural escapes.

You’re sure to find the country's rich culture shines through in its traditional Kente cloth weaving villages, vibrant festivals and the warm hospitality of its people.

Who's flying there now?

Virgin Atlantic is returning to Ghana for the first time since 2013, launching daily flights from London Heathrow starting 1 May 2025. The service will operate on Boeing 787 Dreamliners, featuring the airline's latest cabins including their signature onboard bar.