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?