Travelers looking for something a little off the beaten path have a new flight option to Italy's Puglia region, an area known for its proximity to the Adriatic Sea, delectable food and historic medieval architecture.
28.01.2025 - 21:15 / afar.com / John F.Kennedy / Mike Arnot
If you’re thinking of a European vacation this year, then you’ll have plenty of choices on how to get there. Major airlines are adding new routes en masse—at least 35 in all—for an increase of 7,000 seats per day over the Atlantic this summer compared to the same period in 2024, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
And while that’s up 4 percent year over year, it represents an even more impressive 10 percent gain over 2019. That translates into a net increase of 1.4 million additional airline seats for sale for travel from this June through August compared to the summer of 2019.
With that much extra capacity, airfares should be competitive, says Mike Arnot, a spokesperson for Cirium. “It’s a golden opportunity for Americans wanting to get to Europe, and inexpensively, where fares are concerned.” Added bonus, the dollar and euro are almost equal right now, giving U.S. travelers even more spending power once they get across the pond.
Among trending countries, the clear airlift winner is Italy, with 14 new routes from the United States taking off this year, no doubt inspired by the much-anticipated Jubilee, a Catholic tradition that takes place only once every 25 years and is expected to draw huge crowds. It will run through the start of 2026.
Delta Air Lines is one of the airlines that stands to benefit most: of its seven new Europe routes this year, four are to Italy, and as of this year it is the largest U.S. carrier in the Italian market.
United Airlines is not far behind, adding five European airports in what the carrier claims is the largest international expansion in its history. And it is also serving up some offbeat fare, such as its new twice-weekly flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to Nuuk, Greenland, starting June 14.
Another interesting development is American Airlines’ decision to introduce new flights from airports other than its major international hubs of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Dallas Fort Worth, including a new nonstop to Athens from Charlotte, North Carolina, starting June 5.
European carriers are adding new gateways in the USA, too. Aer Lingus will launch service connecting Dublin to Nashville and Indianapolis, smaller cities that have had little direct service to Europe in the past. And TAP Air Portugal is adding three new U.S. flights, including a weekly nonstop from San Francisco to the remote Azores archipelago.
Here are the most notable Europe flights making their debut this year.
Yes, we’re still dreaming about Sicily in the aftermath of White Lotus season 2 (and yes that was released in 2023). Thankfully, new flights to the dreamy Italian island have us covered.
Courtesy of Flo/Unsplash
In addition to Jubilee hot spot
Travelers looking for something a little off the beaten path have a new flight option to Italy's Puglia region, an area known for its proximity to the Adriatic Sea, delectable food and historic medieval architecture.
JetBlue Airways will exit one of the nation's most iconic business routes.
Want to get away to a less-visited but breathtakingly beautiful part of Italy? NEOS Airlines has you covered with the launch of the first-ever nonstop flight to the southern Italian state of Puglia in June.
Breeze Airways will ramp up its flying in a big way this spring and summer. The Utah-based low-cost carrier on Wednesday announced plans to launch service from three new airports by midyear.
A European getaway just got cheaper.PLAY Airlines, a discount carrier based in Iceland, recently announced a 25 percent discount on flights from the United States to Europe, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, London, and Paris. Best of all, the tickets can be purchased now for travel throughout the spring, fall, and winter travel seasons. The discounted fares are available in PLAY Basic, and the discount only applies to airfare, and not taxes or fees.
A tragic crash of an American Airlines regional jet Wednesday night at Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which ended a long accident-free run in domestic aviation, drew shocked reactions from safety experts and the flying public.
JetBlue has introduced its first premium credit card as it continues to become a leisure-oriented airline with upscale offerings.
The world's largest passenger plane, the superjumbo Airbus A380, will begin its first-ever regularly scheduled flights to Denver International Airport (DEN) in just over three months.
Planning a last-minute winter getaway? JetBlue just marked down dozens of fares across its network to popular leisure destinations like Florida, the Caribbean, and more.
From skiing and surfing to hiking and stargazing, there’s no limit of things to do in the adventurer’s paradise that is New Zealand. And if we needed another reason to break free from the chains of our desks, New Zealand has just loosened its visa restrictions for remote workers.
JetBlue Airways doubled down on its coming product improvements for travelers during a call with investors on Tuesday.
Hawaiian Airlines will finally send its flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner to New York.