New airline routes pop up every year, many of which connect U.S. cities to international destinations — whether far-flung or closer to home — for the first time. As the airline industry continues to boom post-pandemic, these new routes eliminate the need for time-consuming connections and attract globetrotting adventurers who are looking for their next excursion. For 2024, airlines have already announced a number of intriguing new international routes. Here are five upcoming airline routes jet-setters will surely be excited about.
Multiple U.S. Cities to Tulum, Mexico
Located on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Tulum has been one of the country’s fastest-growing tourism destinations in recent years. The historic coastal city attracts visitors with its white-sand beaches, well-preserved Mayan ruins, and access to nearby cenotes. Previously, travelers were required to fly into nearby Cancun and drive around two hours to reach Tulum. That will soon change, as Tulum’s brand-new Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport will begin offering international flights from late March and make access to this popular tourist destination easier than ever before.
A number of U.S. airlines have already announced flights into this new airport. Beginning March 28, 2024, American Airlines will offer four daily flights from Tulum to Charlotte, Dallas, and Miami. Delta Air Lines will also begin serving Tulum’s new airport the same day with daily nonstop flights to its hub in Atlanta. On March 31, United Airlines joins the fray with flights to Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and Newark. Other airlines — including low-cost carriers Spirit and JetBlue — have also announced flights, giving U.S. travelers a handful of convenient options for reaching this Mexican paradise.
Denver, Colorado, to Dublin, Ireland
Traveling to Ireland has historically been easier if you’re departing from the East Coast rather than the middle of the country, but that’s set to change in 2024. Beginning May 17, Aer Lingus will provide direct flights from Denver International Airport to Dublin, the capital of the Emerald Isle. This marks the first time that Ireland’s official flag-carrying airline will offer service to the Mile High City. The airline is set to operate the direct route four days each week: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Dublin is rich in history and culture, and it may be overwhelming to pack all of its worthwhile sites into a single trip. To make things simpler, start off by visiting Malahide Castle, which is just six miles from the airport. The incredible structure dates back to 1185, and offers self-guided tours of its awe-inspiring gardens. It’s also worth popping into the National Gallery of Ireland, which contains artwork from renowned painters such as Edgar Degas, Johannes Vermeer, and Diego Velázquez. Lastly, no trip to Dublin is complete without enjoying a frothy pint at the Guinness Storehouse, serving up the stout beer that the country is best known for.
Hudson Valley, New York, to Sørvágur, Faroe Islands
If you’ve never heard of the Faroe Islands, it might be time to change that. The stunning 18-island archipelago — a territory of Denmark territory — is situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, roughly halfway between Iceland and Norway. Given this remote location, traveling to the Faroe Islands from the U.S. hasn’t been easy. That changed in 2023 with the first-ever service from America to the Faroe Islands, and we’ve got good news for intrepid travelers: The route is returning this year.
For just five short weeks, from September 3 to October 9, 2024, Atlantic Airlines will provide direct flights to the Faroe Islands from Stewart International Airport, located in New York’s Hudson Valley. If you’re starting in New York Cityk, each ticket includes free shuttle service from Times Square to Stewart International Airport (about 1.5 hours each way). The flights will take approximately six to seven hours before landing at Vagar Airport in the town of Sørvágur.
This Nordic Paradise is all about immersing yourself in nature. Highlights include scuba diving through hidden grottos and getting up-close and personal with the local puffins, which outnumber humans by a two-to-one ratio. Be sure to visit Lake Sørvágsvatn — it forms an optical illusion when viewed from the right angle, appearing significantly higher above the Atlantic Ocean than it actually is.
Newark, New Jersey, to Faro, Portugal
(Editor’s Note: After publication, United Airlines announced its Newark-Faro route launch would be delayed to the 2025 summer season due to an ongoing review by the Federal Aviation Administration.)
Nicknamed the “California of Europe,” Faro is a Portuguese paradise popular for its sun-drenched beaches, thriving culinary scene, bountiful vineyards, and historic architecture. While trekking there from the States used to require a connecting flight in Europe, that’s no longer going to be the case. Beginning on May 24, 2024, travelers can board a direct flight on United Airlines from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, which is easily accessible from New York City. These flights will jet over to Faro – Gago Coutinho International Airport, which is located at the very southern tip of Portugal in the Algarve region along the Atlantic coast.
Upon arrival in Faro, you’ll be transported back in time as you wind through the old city’s cobblestone streets and gaze upon its medieval architecture. Faro is home to stunning mosques and cathedrals dating back as far as the 13th century, which boast a unique combination of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles. Must-try local cuisine includes decadent garlicky octopus, clams in white wine sauce, and a traditional type of cod known as bacalhau.
Dallas, Texas – Brisbane, Australia
In recent years, U.S. travelers have gained a number of new flight options for visiting the Land Down Under. That trend continues in 2024, with American Airlines announcing new nonstop flights from its hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Brisbane, located on Australia’s pristine Gold Coast. The 8,303-mile route will be the longest flight in American’s network once seasonal service begins on Oct. 27.
Brisbane — the capital of Australia’s Queensland state — is Australia’s third-largest city, home to about 2.5 million people. Nature lovers (especially surfers) can visit its miles of beaches and nearby islands, botanic gardens, and animal sanctuaries. The city is also home to cultural treasures like the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art. Compared to Sydney or Melbourne, Brisbane is also closer (about a two-hour flight) to the Great Barrier Reef — the largest reef system on Earth and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
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