10 New International Airline Routes We're Excited to Fly in 2025

31.12.2024 - 12:57 / cntraveler.com

In 2025, travelers are venturing further around the globe and staying in their destinations longer, signaling a move toward authentic and immersive experiences—a trend also known as “slow travel."

It makes sense then, that airlines are expanding their networks by introducing brand new routes to hard-to-reach destinations like Greenland, one of Condé Nast Traveler's best places to go in 2025, as well as increasing US flights to culturally rich African cities like Dakar, Senegal and Marrakesh, Morocco.

Whether you’re looking to fly across the world—say from Dallas to Australia—or take a short hop over to Canada to experience the natural beauty of Vancouver, the sky is (quite literally) your limit in the new year. Below, we’ve rounded up the new airline routes from the US that we are most excited to fly in 2025.

United Airlines is launching a wave of new routes, with none more thrilling than its direct service to Greenland. Starting on June 14, the airline will operate a twice-weekly service between Newark and the capital city of Nuuk during high season. Greenland, the world’s larg'[est island, recently opened a new airport in Nuuk in November and will inaugurate two additional new airports in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq in 2026.

One of the island’s most-visited destinations is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, where visitors can witness the calving glaciers and floating icebergs up close. Also worth visiting is the charming town of Qaqortoq, with its vivid houses; the Stone and Man art project, an open-air gallery with more than 40 sculptures carved directly into the bedrock; and the nearby Hvalsey Church ruins, which contains remnants of the ancient Norse settlements that once dotted the Greenlandic landscape.

The historic city of Catania on Sicily's eastern coast is a short drive away from Taormina.

With Delta Airlines’ new direct flight to Catania launching in May 2025, Sicily’s eastern coast will become more accessible than ever for US travelers. Situated centrally along this coast at the foot of Mt. Etna, Catania is a historic city founded by Chalcidian Greeks in the 8th century. Travelers can explore the city’s history by visiting the Piazza del Duomo, the Greek-Roman Theater, and La Pescheria fish market.

Just a short journey from Catania lies Taormina, a charming town with awe-inspiring views of Mt. Etna and the Ionian Sea. You can easily spend all of your time wandering along Corso Umberto, Taormina’s upscale pedestrian street. Spanning about a half-mile or a kilometer, it’s where you’ll find an array of chic boutiques and inviting cafés. For those seeking luxury stays, Taormina is the destination for you—with palatial hotels that include the Grand Hotel Timeo, Palazzo Vecchio