The Most Notable New Airline Routes This Week

Routes make the world go around. Welcome to the 131st weekly routes article! This week saw the launch of several exciting new airline routes, adding more travel options for passengers worldwide. Here are the highlights:

American Airlines Expands to Europe

On June 5, American Airlines inaugurated a new route from Philadelphia to Naples, followed by another from Philadelphia to Copenhagen the next day. These summer seasonal routes mark the first time American Airlines has flown to these destinations. The Naples route, ideal for cruise demand, operates daily on the 787-8, joining American’s existing Italian routes to Milan, Rome, and Venice. The Philadelphia-Copenhagen route, operating daily on the 787-9, is American’s only Scandinavian route since it ceased Chicago O’Hare-Stockholm service in 2001. This launch follows the recent start of Philadelphia-Nice flights in May.

Delta's First Non-Stop US-Taiwan Service

Delta Airlines has commenced its first non-stop flights from the US to Taipei, starting from Seattle on June 6. The 5,278 nautical mile route is served daily by the 281-seat A330-900. This new service complements Delta’s existing Seattle-Asia routes to Seoul Incheon, Shanghai Pudong, and Tokyo Haneda. Delta faces competition from EVA Air and soon China Airlines and Starlux, with Taipei seeing a significant increase in non-stop flights.

Emirates Begins Longest Route to Colombia

Emirates launched its new Dubai-Miami-Bogotá route on June 3, covering 8,126 nautical miles each way. The daily service on the 777-300ER aims to utilize aircraft more efficiently and tap into the Miami-Bogotá market, while also targeting passengers traveling from Bogotá to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Lufthansa Adds Two New US Routes

On June 4, Lufthansa began flights from Frankfurt to Minneapolis, followed by a new route to Raleigh Durham on June 6. The Minneapolis route operates five times weekly on the 787-9, while the Raleigh Durham route, the first to Germany from this North Carolina airport, operates five times weekly on the A330-300. These new routes came shortly after Lufthansa launched flights between Munich and Seattle.

Icelandair Returns to Halifax

After a six-year hiatus, Icelandair has resumed its route from Keflavik to Halifax. The service, which initially launched in 2007, operates three times weekly in the summer with the 737 MAX 8, providing the shortest scheduled Europe-Canada/US service by distance and time.

LOT Polish Airlines in Saudi Arabia

Thanks to Saudi Arabia’s Air Connectivity Program, LOT Polish Airlines has started flying between Warsaw and Riyadh, marking the first-ever flight between these capitals. The route, launched on June 4, operates three times weekly year-round on the 737 MAX 8.

Additional Notable Launches

Other notable launches include Delta starting seven new and returning routes from Atlanta, Qatar Airways resuming flights to Lisbon, ITA launching Rome-Accra, and Breeze Airways beginning service to Dallas/Fort Worth. Ethiopian Airlines has also introduced new routes, while Southwest, United, and other airlines have resumed or started various services.