Many airlines have announced new routes for 2017. Some are to sunny international destinations like Cuba and Key West, while others increase travelers’ options at busy hubs. Below are the most exciting new offerings announced so far this year and a rundown of the cards to get so you can fly those routes for free.
Air Berlin Begins Overseas Service from SFO and BOS and Increases Service in the U.S.
Based in Germany, air berlin is expanding their existing services to North America. Most recently, they launched flights to San Francisco, CA (SFO) and Boston, MA (BOS) and increased frequencies to other destinations. It’s yet another way for you to cross the Atlantic Ocean and redeem your miles.
Frontier’s Foray Into Overpriced Routes
Frontier Airlines has some ambitious expansion plans for 2016.
Starting this spring, the discount carrier will add a plethora of new routes to cities where it sees unrivaled potential to undercut the industry’s biggest players.
SAS Now Flies From Boston to Copenhagen
SAS, the largest airline in Scandinavia, is introducing new daily nonstop service between Boston and Copenhagen. This route begins March 2016, but tickets are available now.
Baltimore to Orlando From Spirit Airlines
There’s nothing better than a sunny holiday during the winter, and Spirit Airlines is offering just that with its new route between Baltimore and Orlando. These daily flights take off on January 7, 2016.
Delta Adds Five Daily Flights Between Denver and Los Angeles
Starting on June 1, 2016, Delta will fly five times a day between Denver and Los Angeles. Although this is an important nonstop route for Delta’s corporate clients, it’s also a great addition for those traveling for pleasure. Denver’s ski slopes and Los Angeles’ sunny beaches are enough to entice visitors from either city.
JetBlue Is Heading to the Turks and Caicos Islands
JetBlue has recently added a new route to the sunny Caribbean destination of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Flights leave daily from Fort Lauderdale.
Spirit Airlines Will Fly From Seattle to Los Angeles
Spirit Airlines is adding another route to its lineup with two daily flights between Seattle and Los Angeles starting on March 24, 2016. That will bring the carrier’s total number of cities served from Los Angeles up to fourteen.
Delta Introduces Nonstop Flights Between Raleigh-Durham and Paris
Delta‘s rolling out new nonstop transatlantic service from Raleigh-Durham to Paris. The route starts on May 12, 2016, but you can book tickets now.
JetBlue Is Taking Off to Quito, Ecuador
Do you want to check out beautiful colonial architecture, sip some handcrafted Agua de la Vida or zip line through the jungle? If so, you’re not alone. Quito is quickly becoming a hot destination for travelers, and now you get there with JetBlue.
American Airlines Adds Los Angeles to Auckland
American Airlines will be flying daily from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand starting in May 2016.Auckland is trending with travelers for a lot of reasons. Its iconic Sky Tower offers killer views of the Viaduct Harbour, and Auckland Domain, a park built around an extinct volcano is a must-see. Mission Bay Beach is located so close to downtown you could also get in a beach holiday while in the city.
United Airlines Goes To Xi’an, China
Do you want to see the impressive Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an, China? If so, you’ll be excited to learn that United Airlines will be the first U.S. carrier to offer a trans-Pacific route flying directly to the city. Starting on May 8, 2016, flights will leave three times a week from United’s San Francisco hub. The seasonal route will run until October 27, 2016.
Airberlin Flying From Dallas to Dusseldorf
Next spring, airberlin will be heading from Dallas–Fort Worth to Dusseldorf, an art and fashion mecca in the heart of Germany. Dusseldorf has a lot to offer, including elegant shops, gorgeous gardens and lovely river walks.
Alaska Airlines Is Flying From Orange County to Los Cabos
Alaska Airlines has been adding more and more routes to its lineup recently, so the carrier’s latest addition, a flight between Orange County and Los Cabos, comes as no surprise. Southern Californians get ready for nonstop action to the land of beaches, water sports and margaritas.
Fly From Los Angeles to Tokyo on American Airlines
American Airlines will be flying nonstop to Tokyo from Los Angeles starting on February 11, 2016. Tickets are on sale now. Tokyo’s endless skyscrapers and frenetic pace draw countless visitors, but its modern side is balanced with age-old Japanese traditions, such as sushi, sumo wrestling and tranquil garden retreats. American’s new route will make it even easier to explore everything Japan’s capital city has to offer.
JetBlue Opens Up Antigua and Barbuda
JetBlue is continuing its expansion into the Caribbean with a new route between New York and the dual-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. It comes as no surprise considering the islands’ 365 beaches and recent designation as the Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination by the World Travel Awards.
Fly to Santa Rosa or Reno/Tahoe From Orange County on Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is adding more destinations from Orange County with flights to Santa Rosa and the Reno/Tahoe area. These new routes come after the announcement by the airline that it’s also adding flights to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta from Orange County.
Miami to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines is now flying out of Miami to Istanbul. Tickets start at $599, and members of Miles&Smiles, the carrier’s frequent flyer program, can get award seats and upgrades on this route at a 25 percent discount.
Aer Lingus Expansion Means More Flights to Dublin
Aer Lingus is adding three new routes from the U.S. to Ireland in 2016. The flights will depart from Newark, Los Angeles and Hartford and arrive in Dublin. This will mark the biggest expansion for the carrier since its launch in 1985.
Aeromexico Adds Seasonal Flights Between Mexico City and Denver
Aeromexico is taking to the skies over Colorado and offering seasonal service between Denver and Mexico City. Daily flights will run from December 14 through April 4, with two flights a day during the holiday rush between December 18 and January 11.