If you've been thinking of trying a new destination for this year's winter break, you might find something that ticks the box with this season's new flight routes. From sun-baked beach towns to snow-capped ski resorts, your New Year's resolution to travel somewhere new might be realised earlier than expected.
New York City, USA to Georgetown, Guyana
American Airlines will connect New York (JFK) to Georgetown, Guyana with a new direct, daily flight. The forested South American country is slowly turning into an ecotourism destination and capital Georgetown, with its lively bars and restaurants, is the perfect gateway to a Guyana adventure. The new route will begin on 18 December.
Phoenix, USA to Chihuahua, Mexico
American Airlines is also adding a new, nonstop route between Phoenix and Chihuahua, Mexico's largest state. The airline already operates a direct flight to Chihuahua from its hub in Dallas Fort-Worth, Texas but now American passengers have even more options to get there. The new route will take off in December.
Dallas and Chicago, USA to St Thomas, US Virgin Island
Known for its sandy beaches and world-class snorkelling, St Thomas is the gateway to the Virgin Islands and where most tourists make first landing when visiting the region. From December though, it will be even easier for American travellers to visit its yacht-dotted shores with new, direct, Saturday-only routes from Dallas Fort-Worth and Chicago O'Hare airports with American Airlines.
Charlotte, USA to Grenada
Travellers from North Carolina can spice up their winter with a break in Grenada. American Airlines is introducing a new, nonstop route between Charlotte and the Caribbean island visited by Prince Charles and Camilla on a royal tour earlier this year. The seasonal service will begin in December.
London, UK to Sälen-Trysil, Sweden
Sälen-Trysil, otherwise known as Scandinavian Mountains Airport, is a brand new airport in Dalarna, Sweden (close to the Norwegian border), that's scheduled to open in December. Built as a gateway to about 250 of Sweden and Norway's most popular ski resorts, it will be the first airport in the world to be built without an air traffic control tower, using a virtual control tower instead. SAS will fly there from London, Heathrow and Copenhagen, Denmark from 28 December.
London, UK to San José del Cabo, Mexico
Travellers from England have more access to Mexico's beach resorts with a new direct route from London, Gatwick to San José del Cabo (the ‘mild’ sister of ‘wild’ Cabo San Lucas), courtesy of airline TUI. The new route will take off on 4 November.
Edinburgh, UK to Bucharest, Romania
Two of Europe's most atmospheric winter cities will be connected through a new flight route from Wizz Air. The budget carrier is also introducing new winter flights from the Scottish capital to Budapest, Hungary and the Polish cities of Warsaw and Gdańsk in mid-December.
