Exciting New Airline Routes for January 2016 and Beyond
Each month, airlines around the world launch and announce dozens of new flight routes and service changes — and today, TPG Assistant Editor Matt Zuzolo shares just a few of the latest flights that will take to the skies this month or in the near future. Keep in mind that exact flight details (e.g., flight schedules, aircraft and more) could change based on travel dates.
NEW ROUTES LAUNCHED IN JANUARY 2016
Los Angeles (LAX) – Doha (DOH) on Qatar Airways (launched January 1, 2016)
Details — Qatar Airways started 2016 with the launch of a new route between Los Angeles and its main hub in Doha, Qatar. The new flight is operated by a 777-200 aircraft, and marks the first time QR service will be provided from the West Coast. The airline will also be launching service to Boston (BOS) and Atlanta (ATL) later this year.
Schedule (daily):
- QR740 Los Angeles 3:10pm Departure ⇒ Doha 6:10pm (+1) Arrival
- QR739 Doha 7:45am Departure ⇒ Los Angeles 1:10pm Arrival
New York (JFK) – Palm Springs (PSP) on JetBlue (launched January 2016)
Details — Earlier this month, JetBlue started a new seasonal route between New York and Palm Springs. The Airbus A320 flight includes standard JetBlue features like free Wi-Fi and complimentary snacks. At present, the airline is expected to operate this seasonal service until May.
Schedule (five times per week, Thursday through Monday):
- B6149 New York (JFK) 7:30pm Departure ⇒ Palm Springs (PSP) 10:40pm Arrival
- B6150 Palm Springs (PSP) 11:35pm Departure ⇒ New York (JFK) 7:29am (+1) Arrival
New Domestic American Airlines Routes (launched January 5, 2016)
Details — American Airlines launched several new flights around the US this month, connecting New York (LGA) to various cities in the Midwest, as well as Washington D.C. (DCA) to Atlanta (ATL).
New routes:
- New York (LGA) — Cincinnati (CVG)
- New York (LGA) — Indianapolis (IND)
- New York (LGA) — Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP)
- Washington Reagan (DCA) — Atlanta (ATL)
New Frontier Airlines Service to Florida (launched January 5, 2016)
Details — Budget-carrier Frontier Airlines launched new flights to Orlando (MCO) and Fort Myers (RSW), Florida, this month from four cities in the midwestern US. Please keep in mind that since Frontier is a low-cost carrier, you might end up getting hit with extra fees if you decide to book.
New Routes
- Orlando (MCO) — Kansas City (MCI)
- Orlando (MCO) — Milwaukee (MKE)
- Southwest Florida (RSW) — Detroit (DTW)
- Southwest Florida (RSW) — Indianapolis (IND)
Philadelphia (PHL) – Doha (DOH) on Qatar Airways' A350 (launched January 1, 2016)
Details — Qatar Airways launched the first A350 flight to the US late last year as a charter flight from New York City to Doha — you might've seen this viral video of its aborted take-off. Now, the new aircraft is officially flying a commercial route between Philadelphia and Doha.
NEW ROUTES ANNOUNCED IN JANUARY 2016
New American Airlines Service from Los Angeles (LAX) (launching June 2016)
Details — American Airlines recently announced that it will be adding a ton of new service to destinations across the US. Most of these new flights will be daily service (with some flights operating multiple times per day), while others are less frequent, seasonal and/or weekend service only.
New Routes:
Daily Destinations:
- Los Angeles (LAX) — Seattle (SEA) - 5x Daily
- Los Angeles (LAX) — Portland, Oregon (PDX) - 3x Daily
- Los Angeles (LAX) — Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) - 2x Daily
- Los Angeles (LAX) — New Orleans (MSY) - Daily
- Los Angeles (LAX) — Kansas City (MCI) - Daily
- Los Angeles (LAX) — Omaha (OMA) - Daily
- Los Angeles (LAX) — Hartford (BDL) - Daily
Seasonal Destinations
- Los Angeles (LAX) — Anchorage (ANC) - Daily
- Los Angeles (LAX) — Durango, Colorado (DRO) - Weekend
Summer Schedules
- Los Angeles (LAX) — Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC) - Daily
- Los Angeles (LAX) — Montrose, Colorado (MTJ) - Weekend
- Los Angeles (LAX) — Vail, Colorado (EGE) - Weekend
New American Airlines Seasonal Service to New England (launching June 2016)
Details — In addition to bolstering its service in California, American Airlines will also add seasonal service to several destinations in New England this summer until early August. These flights will operate from New York (LGA) and are one of the fastest ways to reach some of New England's far-flung vacation hotspots.
New Routes:
- New York (LGA) — Bangor, Maine (BGR) - 2x Weekly
- New York (LGA) — Martha's Vineyard (MVY) - 3x Weekly
- New York (LGA) — Nantucket (ACK) - 3x Weekly
Los Angeles (LAX) – Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) on Southwest (launching April 12, 2016)
Details — Southwest Airlines has plans to continue its international expansion in Latin America later this year. The airline announced in January that it would be adding a new daily flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Costa Rica (LIR).
Schedule (daily):
- WN6920 Los Angeles (LAX) 2:40pm Departure ⇒ Liberia (LIR) 9:10pm Arrival
- WN6918 Liberia (LIR) 9:15am Departure ⇒ Los Angeles (LAX) 2:15pm Arrival
New Emirates A380 Service to the US (launching 2016)
Details — Emirates is expanding its A380 flights in the US this year. The airline will be introducing the behemoth to service in Washington D.C. (IAD) in February, as well as adding a second daily service from Los Angeles (LAX) in July.
TAM A350 Service to the East Coast (launching July 2016)
Details — Brazilian airline TAM will start flying its new A350 aircraft to the US later this year. Travelers flying to Sao Paulo (GRU) from New York (JFK) and Orlando (MCO) will be able to experience the new aircraft starting in July 2016.
Which of these routes are you most excited about?
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.