What is the most exciting new airline route of the year?
Ask 10 different travelers and you may receive 10 different opinions. This question is not an easy answer, but – as you might expect from TPG, we’re happy to share our thoughts on this.
Our aviation team looked at all new routes launched in the first half of 2025 and we presented this top 15 list. (Hint: They largely reflect our forecasts late last year.)
The more you know: The best time to book the cheapest flights
We stopped naming winners – back at the end of the year, but it was a new route that attracted us.
Listed in alphabetical order of airlines, here are the top 15 for the first half of 2025 and why they were chosen.
Watch the map: The 2023 “The Sexiest New Route” award is awarded… | and 2024…
Aer Lingus
Indianapolis and Nashville to Dublin
These routes usually don’t stand out as candidates for the “most exciting list.” However, Air Irish’s new 2025 routes are worth noting as they use the new Airbus A321XLR, a narrow narrow jet, especially for long-range. As more and more operators become operators of the A321XLR, they are looking for more “long and thin” routes.
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Faithful
Belleville, Illinois to Gulf Coast
If you are a fan of unusual airline routes, the new flight from Allegiant Air is as obscure as it arrives. But this highlights the type of niche Allegiant cultivated this century: expanding to small airports outside large metropolises or small airports without commercial airline services. And, spoiler alert: there are more.
Alaska Airlines (and Hawaiian Airlines)
Seattle to Tokyo
Seattle to Tokyo is usually not a groundbreaking route. But when this is the first long-distance overseas route your airline has ever made (like Alaska Airlines), it will attract more attention. Alaska first made the flight with the Airbus A330 of merged partner Hawaiian Airlines, but this will eventually take the state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliners, first of all Hawaiian uniforms, but ultimately with Alaska uniforms.
And, please stay tuned. The airline will soon launch a brand new flagship international experience as it plans to set off twelve long-haul routes from Seattle in the coming years.
American Airlines
Carlsbad, California to Phoenix
Earlier this year, the United States became the only major airline brand from McClellan-Bamal Airport (CLD), California, about 35 miles north of San Diego. While Carlsbad may not be the airline’s most “exciting” new destination, it highlights Americans’ strategy to engrave niches without direct competition from their main competitors. Other recent similar products include Provo Municipal Airport (PVU) in Utah and Cod Cod Gateway Airport (HYA) in Hai’anis, Massachusetts.
Miami to Turks and Caicos South Caicos
When it launched the route earlier this year, the United States became the only major airline at the airport, which otherwise had only small regional operators flying within the Turkish and Caicos states. Historically, American travelers flying to Turks and Caicos had to fly to the larger Providenciales International Airport (PLS). It’s not by chance that the unique New Island service in the United States will connect travelers to the brand new Bonvoy Marriott Resort, which has led us to list the most exciting hotel openings in 2025.
Philadelphia to Edinburgh, Scotland
Not long ago, some industry observers wondered if the era of Philadelphia was numbered as the major international hub of the United States. Put these questions aside. The Americans have returned to Philadelphia from New York, which can count the route to Scotland and serve Milan.
We should note: Philadelphia will also receive international services next month
Cloak in the air
Boston to Eastlip, New York
Cape Air is an unlikely candidate on our list, attracting “palace plot” more than anything else. Long Island’s connection to Boston seemed lost when Jetblue abruptly ended the route less than two weeks after it started. Cape Air isn’t that – announcing its own turbo service on this route to help partially backfill the JetBlue’s discontinuation link.
Delta gas line
New York to Sicily
Sicily has soared in recent years, thanks in large part to the White Lotus – but there is no regular uninterrupted flight from the United States to this Italian island. This changed that change when Delta and United added services to Sicily. Delta has announced a new route number one, launching services to the city of Catania, which is less than Sicily.
NEOS
New York to Bari, Italy
Those seeking a companionship route destination can promote the Italian airline’s new service to the Puglia region of Italy, a region known for its proximity to the Adriatic Sea, delicious food and historical medieval architecture. NEOS claims that the route is the first uninterrupted service between the United States and the capital of Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI), the Puglia region of Italy.
United Airlines
Newark to Bilbao, Spain
It has long been one of the few destinations for European radar, and Bilba O is often difficult to connect with our travelers. This summer, Manchester United launched 757 seasonal Boeing 757 from Newark.
Newark to Madeira, Portugal
European holidaymakers near the northwest coast of Africa have long been known for their wines, solid volcanic landscapes and confusing climates. It’s hard for most Americans to get there – until Manchester United starts uninterrupted flights from Newark.
Newark to Nuuk, Greenland
United’s top candidate for the new service “Route of the Year” to Nuuk in Greenland led the aviation headlines in early June. As you might expect, TPG is a historic inaugural flight, the first regular service from American Airlines to Greenland.
Ulaanbaatar from Tokyo to Mongolia
Another top candidate for the “Route of the Year” you can almost cut and paste the above text for Greenland to provide Manchester United’s new service to Mongolia. However, unlike Manchester United’s Greenland Services, the new service comes not from the United States, but from the Manchester United hub at Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT). One-stop service is available from several cities in the United States. And, yes, TPG is also at this inauguration.
Washington arrives in Carl, Senegal
Manchester United chooses to offer new services in Senegal to strengthen its Washington hub at Dulles International Airport (IAD). Although the new route to South Africa and Morocco has caused the biggest sensation in recent years, the new West African service from Manchester United has stood out in the new route in 2025 so far.
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