Off the Beaten Path: Discover New Airline Routes Taking Flight in 2023
Off the Beaten Path: Discover New Airline Routes Taking Flight in 2023 - Budget Airlines Broaden Horizons
Budget airlines have long been associated with short haul, no frills travel, but these scrappy companies are steadily expanding their route maps to include far-flung destinations once considered the domain of legacy carriers. For budget-conscious jetsetters, this development opens up a world of possibilities.
Take Norwegian Air, a maverick budget airline known for disrupting the transatlantic market with its rock bottom fares between the U.S. and Europe. In recent years, Norwegian has ventured beyond the North Atlantic to launch an array of long haul routes connecting Europe with the Middle East, Asia and South America. Travelers can now fly Norwegian nonstop from London to Buenos Aires for a fraction of what it costs on British Airways. Norwegian's affordable fares to exotic locales like Tokyo, Delhi and Dubai also give its bigger competitors a run for their money.
Of course, Norwegian isn't alone in pushing the boundaries of budget air travel. Level, a low-cost subsidiary of International Airlines Group (IAG), now flies nonstop from Barcelona to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Buenos Aires and Punta Cana. Level's basic economy fares make these marathon flights attainable for budget-conscious travelers who previously could only dream of crossing an ocean or continent for so little.
WOW Air, an Icelandic budget airline known for $99 fares between the U.S. and Europe, recently expanded into Asia with new routes between Reykjavik and Delhi. The airline plans to connect North America and India via Iceland. Though not the shortest route across the globe, WOW's cheap fares open up an affordable way to travel between the two countries.
Closer to home, ultra low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines has been adding dozens of new routes from its hubs this year, many of them to underserved cities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Cities like San Salvador, Belize City, Punta Cana and Cancun have traditionally only been accessible to U.S. travelers via connections. Frontier's new nonstop routes from U.S. hubs into these markets deliver vacation-goers to the beach quicker and cheaper than ever before.
Off the Beaten Path: Discover New Airline Routes Taking Flight in 2023 - Underserved Cities Finally Get Direct Flights
For years, smaller cities and secondary markets in the U.S. have suffered from a lack of nonstop flight options, forcing local travelers to endure lengthy layovers and connections through congested hubs just to reach major business and leisure destinations. But in 2023, that is finally changing thanks to an influx of point-to-point flying by low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers aiming to tap into underserved markets.
Take Louisville, Kentucky, for example. Long an airport dominated by UPS cargo operations and connections through Atlanta on Delta, Louisville International Airport struggled to offer its local passengers nonstop flights to prime destinations. But that is rapidly changing thanks to investment by no-frills discounter Allegiant Air. The airline has recently introduced nonstops from Louisville to major Florida leisure markets like Orlando, Tampa Bay and Destin/Ft. Walton Beach. These flights allow Kentuckians to reach the Sunshine State’s theme parks and beaches without enduring a layover in Atlanta.
Allegiant is also injecting some low-fare competition into monopoly routes out of Louisville previously only operated by legacy carriers. In November 2022, the airline launched cheap nonstop flights to Boston, breaking Delta’s stranglehold on the route. A roundtrip flight to Beantown can now be had for under $200 on certain dates – an amazing value.
Louisville is just one example of the point-to-point revolution reaching underserved cities across America. Frontier Airlines has been on a similar expansion push, launching routes like Miami-St. Louis, Denver-Branson, Las Vegas-Spokane and Cancun-Nashville. These flights give local residents direct access to major airline hubs and popular vacation destinations without having to connect.
Ultra-low-cost carrier Breeze Airways is also getting in on the action, linking underserved city pairs on the East Coast like Norfolk-Pittsburgh, Charleston-Akron/Canton and Jacksonville-New Haven with nonstop flights starting at just $39 one-way. Breeze's exclusive focus on point-to-point flying means even more direct flights for cities stuck in the shadows of large airline hubs.
Off the Beaten Path: Discover New Airline Routes Taking Flight in 2023 - Airlines Tap Into Untapped Markets
From France to Finland, airlines are tapping into untapped markets in 2023, launching new routes to connect major hubs with secondary cities and countries historically overlooked. This presents opportunities for travelers to not only visit new destinations, but also take advantage of lower fares driven by increased competition.
Take French capital Paris, the crown jewel of Air France's network. The airline has connected Paris with all major European and global cities for decades, but largely ignored smaller markets in Eastern Europe. That changed in late 2022 when Air France unveiled plans to launch flights from Paris to the Romanian city of Sibiu starting in summer 2023. While likely unfamiliar to many travelers, Sibiu is considered the cultural heart of Transylvania and gateway to storybook Saxon villages like Sighisoara. Air France's new route makes the entire region easily accessible to Parisians and creates an affordable link between Western Europe and this overlooked pocket of Eastern Europe.
Finnair is similarly venturing beyond the well-worn path to Helsinki. In May 2023, the airline will launch twice-weekly flights to Dallas/Fort Worth, becoming the first and only carrier providing nonstop service between Helsinki and Texas. Finnair promises the route will deliver fast connections throughout the American Southwest via its joint venture partner American Airlines. For Nordic travelers, it unlocks affordable access to cowboy culture in Dallas, the Live Music Capital of Austin, and parks of Big Bend.
These new routes prove airlines are taking the road less traveled, evaluating demand in ignored markets versus relentlessly competing in the same saturated city pairs. Often new routes are made possible thanks to new generation aircraft like the A320neo and 737 MAX, which feature extended range capabilities. Travelers stand to benefit through lower fares and the chance to visit unconventional destinations.
Off the Beaten Path: Discover New Airline Routes Taking Flight in 2023 - Cultural Hubs Become More Accessible
For decades, reaching Europe's cultural capitals like Paris, Rome and Madrid from the U.S. required lengthy transfers through congested hubs like London Heathrow, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. But thanks to an expanding array of point-to-point transatlantic flights by budget airlines, these iconic metropolises are now more easily and affordably accessible than ever before.
Take Paris, the City of Light. Long a fortress hub for Air France and Delta, direct flights to Paris from U.S. cities other than New York were sparse. But Norwegian Air shattered that monopoly, launching affordable nonstop flights to Paris from cities like Denver, Los Angeles, Oakland and Fort Lauderdale. These flights give West Coasters a convenient way to experience Parisian culture without enduring a tedious transfer at JFK. And Norwegian's cheap fares, often under $400 roundtrip, bring the romance of Paris within reach for budget-conscious travelers.
Rome's Colosseum, Spanish Steps and pasta have also become more accessible, thanks to new point-to-point flights by low-cost disrupters. Norwegian now flies direct to Rome from Los Angeles and Newark for under $500 roundtrip. Level, a low-cost subsidiary of IAG, offers nonstops to the Eternal City from Boston and New York in the $300s roundtrip. And in May 2023, budget airline Play will launch cheap flights to Rome from Washington D.C., putting la dolce vita within easy reach of our nation's leaders seeking Roman holiday.
The regal Spanish capital of Madrid is similarly benefiting from an influx of nonstop routes bypassing traditional hubs. In June 2023, Iberia will launch direct flights to Madrid from Washington D.C., competing with United's Dulles to Madrid nonstop. Level now flies direct to Madrid from Boston and New York for under $350 roundtrip, busting the monopoly held by Iberia and American. And ultra-low-cost Breeze Airways will start flying nonstop between Charleston, SC and Madrid this May, linking Holy City culture with Spanish culture at affordable fares.
While London has long been directly linked to U.S. cities, other British cultural gems like Edinburgh and Manchester faced sparse nonstop options, requiring connections in hub cities like London. But once again, disruptive budget airlines are filling this gap. Norwegian Air offers summer seasonal direct flights between Providence and Edinburgh for under $400 roundtrip, putting Scotland's majestic capital within easy reach of New Englanders. And United recently launched the only nonstop service between Denver and Manchester, linking the two regional economic centers.
Off the Beaten Path: Discover New Airline Routes Taking Flight in 2023 - Travelers Get New One-Stop Options
While nonstop flights are always preferable, sometimes a one-stop itinerary is the only affordable or practical option to reach your destination. In 2023, travelers will gain new one-stop routing choices thanks to strategic partnerships between airlines. These joint ventures allow seamless connections over a common hub between partner airlines, opening up faster and cheaper one-stop options.
Take the new pact between Delta and LATAM Airlines set to launch in 2023. The partnership gives Delta flyers access to dozens of new South American cities through LATAM's Lima hub, while LATAM passengers gain connectivity to U.S. cities through Delta's hub in Atlanta. Flying Atlanta-Lima-Santiago on this new routing shaves substantial time off the old way via Miami or Mexico City. And codesharing between the partners results in a single ticket, smoother connections, mile-earning and shared lounge access in Lima and Atlanta no matter which airline operates each leg. For anyone traveling between North America and destinations in the Southern Cone like Santiago, Buenos Aires and Montevideo, this new one-stop option will be a game-changer.
Joint ventures across the Atlantic are also unlocking convenient new one-stop options in 2023. Take American Airlines' partnership with British Airways and Iberia. Thanks to antitrust immunity, these oneworld partners can cooperate on fares, schedules and frequent flyer benefits across the Atlantic. By routing over London Heathrow, American flyers from cities like Chicago and Dallas can now reach German cities Munich and Dusseldorf on a single AA ticket with a quick connection. Beats the old complex way via Frankfurt or having to book multiple tickets.
In 2023, Delta flyers will gain one-stop access to Israel thanks to Delta's new partnership with Middle East airline Gulf Air. By routing through Gulf Air's Bahrain hub, Delta passengers from U.S. cities like New York and Atlanta will be able to reach Tel Aviv faster and cheaper than before. Tickets will include mileage earning and codeshares on both airlines. For anyone seeking one-stop access to the Holy Land from North America, this new linkage should be a godsend.
Off the Beaten Path: Discover New Airline Routes Taking Flight in 2023 - Point-to-Point Competition Heats Up
For decades, legacy network carriers like American, Delta and United dominated the skies, funneling travelers from smaller cities into their massive hubs like Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago before heading on to final destinations. This hub-and-spoke system allowed the mega-carriers to dominate markets and avoid head-to-head competition in most point-to-point city pairs.
But this is rapidly changing thanks to an influx of nonstop flights in direct competition on the same routes by low-cost carriers aiming to undercut the big guys. Take the hyper-competitive Los Angeles to San Francisco shuttle route, where United and their regional partners long shut out competitors. That ended when no-frills discounter JetBlue decided to take on the legacy head-to-head with its Mint business class product. For under $200 one-way, JetBlue now offers lie-flat seats on the short hop between SFO and LAX, a fraction of what United charges upfront for a similar experience.
Frontier is also jumping into the point-to-point fray on major routes, betting its rock bottom fares will stimulate traffic enough to avoid cannibalization. The airline started nonstop Denver to Phoenix flights last year, taking on Southwest and United. Frontier often offers the route for as little as $39 one-way. Similarly, Frontier now flies Los Angeles to Las Vegas, pitting its cheap fares against market leader Southwest.
International routes are also heating up thanks to low-cost competition. Norwegian Air provides an affordable alternative on Barcelona-New York, where legacy carriers American and Iberia once dominated. The disruptor's fares often come in under $250 roundtrip, less than half of what the big guys charge. Norwegian has similarly introduced competition on other transatlantic monoplies like London-Austin, Paris-Denver and Rome-Newark.
In South America, low-cost upstart JetSMART is challenging the supremacy of LATAM and Avianca on routes between Chile, Peru, Argentina, Brazil and Colombia. Offering base fares as low as $20 one-way, JetSMART has become the best way for backpackers and budget-conscious travelers to hop around highlights like Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro and Patagonia without breaking the bank.
Off the Beaten Path: Discover New Airline Routes Taking Flight in 2023 - Airlines Forge New International Partnerships
Strategic partnerships between international airlines are unlocking faster one-stop connections and other perks for globe-trotting travelers in 2023. Thanks to joint ventures and alliances, flyers now have access to more seamless routings between regions historically requiring tedious connections. These partnerships also open the door to earning and redeeming miles across multiple airlines, airport lounge reciprocity and coordinated schedules.
For leisure and business travelers journeying Down Under, the new Qantas-American Airlines partnership provides a game-changing new option. By routing through Los Angeles, American flyers from cities like Dallas, Chicago and Miami can now reach Sydney and Melbourne on a single Qantas codeshare flight. Similarly, Qantas passengers gain one-stop access to American's massive U.S. network through LAX. Earned elite status is also reciprocated, while Admirals Club and Qantas Business Lounge access is granted when crossing the Pacific. Compared to the old ways via San Francisco or Vancouver, this new linked offering provides shorter elapsed times and fewer hassles.
Across the Atlantic, Delta flyers are benefiting from newly expanded access to Israel thanks to a codeshare agreement with Gulf Air. By routing through Gulf Air's Bahrain hub, Delta passengers from U.S. cities like New York and Atlanta can reach Tel Aviv conveniently in one stop. Tickets include mileage earning on both airlines, while elite benefits are recognized. For anyone seeking one-stop access to the Holy Land from North America, this new linkage is a godsend.
In Latin America, Avianca and United's deepening relationship is a boon for travelers journeying between North and South America. Thanks to codeshares via Avianca's Bogota and San Salvador hubs, United passengers gain one-stop access to over 40 new intra-Latin America routes on a single ticket. Reciprocity for frequent flyer elite benefits also makes the journey smoother.
Joint ventures across the Atlantic between American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia are similarly proving mutually beneficial to premium flyers. By routing through London Heathrow, American passengers from cities like Chicago and Dallas now reach German cities Munich and Dusseldorf conveniently in one stop while earning miles. Azure passengers gain reciprocal lounge access and elite recognition across the oneworld transatlantic alliance.