New Routes, New Adventures: Where Can We Fly in 2027?

The airlines have been busy, the departure boards are getting interesting, and my holiday wishlist is becoming increasingly unreasonable.

There is something rather exciting about a new flight route.

A destination that previously involved changing planes, an overnight stay or a questionable departure time suddenly becomes a direct flight from your local airport.

And while I will happily spend hours researching complicated itineraries, I appreciate that not everyone considers a six-hour connection an enjoyable part of their holiday. Strange, I know.

So, with airlines announcing new routes for winter 2026 and summer 20

27, I've been having a look at what's coming, where you can fly from and which destinations deserve a closer look.

And this time, we're going beyond Newcastle!

Newcastle: Four Destinations Worth Discovering

Let's start close to home, because easyJet has been rather busy expanding its Newcastle network.

Larnaca, Cyprus | From 31 March 2027

Sunshine, Mediterranean beaches, waterfront restaurants and enough halloumi to keep me extremely happy.

Larnaca is also a useful gateway for exploring more of Cyprus, wheth

er you're heading for Protaras, Ayia Napa or somewhere quieter.

The new service is scheduled for Wednesdays, making it particularly interesting for seven-night holidays.

Marrakech, Morocco | From 3 November 2026

Now we're talking!

Colourful souks, fragrant tagines, spectacular riads and a city that seems determined to engage every single one of your senses.

Perfect for travellers who enjoy culture, food, shopping and a little adventure beyond the hotel.

Just remember to leave some suitcase space for the shopping.

Reykjavík, Iceland | From 27 October 2026

Waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, geothermal lagoons and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.

Iceland is spectacular, but it rewards a little planning. Excursions, accomm

odation and meals can add up quickly.

And no, the Northern Lights are not included in the flight ticket. Nature remains remarkably uncooperative about scheduling.

Rovaniemi, Finland | From winter 2026

Snowy forests, reindeer, husky adventures and Santa Claus Village.

Rovaniemi is a wonderful choice for a magical winter escape, whether you're travelling with children or simply refuse to accept that Christmas magic has an age limit.

One important detail: check what's included in your package. Thermal clothing, excursions and Santa experiences aren't automatically included in every holiday.

Cozy Finnish village with snow, reindeer rides, and wooden houses under a clear winter sky.

Photo by Mitchell Henderson on Pexels

Scotland: Some Rather Interesting Additions

Scotland has some exciting new connections for summer 2027.

From Edinburgh, easyJet is introducing routes to Hamburg, Bilbao, Rome and Tivat in Montenegro.

Tivat particularly catches my attention. It's a gateway to Montenegro's spectacular coastline, with dramatic mountains, historic towns and beautiful bays.

From Aberdeen, new connections to Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca offer more options for city breaks and Mediterranean sunshine.

And there's also a new daily connection between Edinburgh and Southampton, making travel between Scotland and the south coast easier.

Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham: More Reasons to Explore

Liverpool to Girona

Girona is one of those destinations that deserves to be more than an airport you pass through on the way to the Costa Brava.

Think medieval streets, colourful riverside buildings, wonderful restaurants and easy access to Catalonia's coast.

Liverpool to Murcia

A useful new option for exploring southeastern Spain, with its historic cities, beaches and regional food.

Manchester to Bastia, Corsica

Now THIS is interesting.

Corsica offers beautiful beaches, mountain scenery, characterful towns and a distinctly different Mediterranean experience.

If you like discovering somewhere a little less obvious, I'd be looking closely at this one.

Birmingham to Milan Malpensa and Tivat

Fashion, food and Italian lakes from Milan, or Montenegro's dramatic Adriatic coastline from Tivat.

Two very different reasons to pack a suitcase.

Bristol and the South: A Few Surprises

Bristol to Burgas, Bulgaria

A gateway to Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, with sandy beaches and a range of resorts.

Bristol to Montpellier, France

A lovely option for southern France, combining an attractive historic city with Mediterranean beaches and excellent food.

Southampton to La Rochelle

A beautiful Atlantic coastal city with a historic harbour, seafood restaurants and easy access to nearby islands.

London Gatwick to Cagliari, Sardinia

Sardinia has some truly extraordinary beaches, but there's plenty beyond the coastline, from historic towns to wonderful local cuisine.

London Luton to Rennes

A new gateway to Brittany, ideal for exploring its medieval towns, coastline and rather excellent food.

London Southend to Rhodes

An additional option for Greek island sunshine.

And London Luton to Thessaloniki opens up more of northern Greece, with its lively food scene, waterfront and access to the Halkidiki peninsula.

A stunning aerial view of L'Île-Rousse coastline in Corsica, showcasing clear blue waters and lush greenery.

Photo by Tlanezi Rodriguez on Pexels

It's Not Just easyJet

Jet2 is expanding its summer 2027 programme too, including new Bournemouth connections to Paris, Jersey and Verona.

Verona is a particularly lovely option for combining an Italian city break with Lake Garda.

And that's the thing about new routes. They don't just make one destination more accessible. Sometimes they open up an entire region.

A New Route Doesn't Always Mean a Cheap Holiday

Here's the bit I always want people to remember.

A new direct flight is exciting, but it doesn't automatically make a holiday cheaper.

Before booking, consider:

Flight frequency: A once-weekly service may limit your holiday length.
Arrival times: A late arrival can mean paying for a hotel night you barely use.
Baggage: That tempting headline fare might not include everything you need.
Transfers: The destination airport isn't always particularly close to your chosen resort.
Seasonality: Some routes operate for only part of the year.
Package versus separate booking: Compare the complete cost, not just the flights.

And please don't assume that a flight advertised from £39 means your entire family can travel for that price during the school holidays.

If only!

So, Where Would I Go?

For sunshine and relaxation, Larnaca is an easy contender.

For food, culture and getting gloriously lost, Marrakech would be calling my name.

For scenery and extraordinary experiences, Iceland is hard to beat.

For pure winter magic, Rovaniemi deserves a place on the wishlist.

But I'd also be keeping an eye on Corsica, Montenegro and Girona. They're exactly the sort of destinations that make me want to open another browser tab and start planning.

Which, as anyone who knows me will appreciate, is a dangerous situation.

Your Next Adventure Might Be Closer Than You Think

One of the nicest things about expanding flight networks is having more choice from your local airport.

You shouldn't always have to drive halfway across the country just to start your holiday.

And whether you're dreaming of a Mediterranean beach, a Moroccan riad, a snowy Arctic adventure or somewhere completely different, there's more to choosing a holiday than simply finding a flight.

The airlines provide the routes. I provide the reasons to pack.

So tell me, which UK airport do you prefer to fly from, and where would you love to see a new direct route?

You might just give me my next research project.

Gerrie ♡

Raia Travel | Travel simple. Discover more.

Route information reflects airline announcements available in October 2026. Schedules, frequencies and availability may change. Always check current details before booking.