New International Air Routes Redefine Global Travel in 2025

Strengthening Global Connectivity

A New Era of Seamless Global Travel

The year 2025 marks a decisive shift in global aviation, as airlines expand aggressively to meet demand for long-haul travel. Rising tourism, business mobility, global events and international student movement are driving network decisions across continents. This momentum aligns with Brand USA’s landmark tourism vision for 2026, when the United States celebrates America’s 250^th anniversary, the Route 66 Centennial, and becomes a major host of global sporting and cultural events.

Travellers will not only benefit from expanded access across North America, Europe and Asia in 2025, but also from the flood of new attractions, luxury hotels, cultural experiences and improved international air service Brand USA is preparing for the coming year. With destinations unveiling new museums, theme parks, entertainment districts and significant rail enhancements, the United States is set to be one of the most compelling global travel destinations of the decade.

As Fred Dixon, President & CEO of Brand USA, said, “With America250, the Route 66 Centennial, and the FIFA World Cup all converging in 2026, the United States is entering a once-in-a-generation moment… We welcome visitors from around the world to discover the stories, places, and experiences that define the USA.”

The Big Picture: Why These Routes Matter

The launch of new long-haul routes carries profound implications for tourism, trade and global mobility. For destinations, these links stimulate local economies and elevate international visibility. For airlines, they reflect strategic diversification, particularly towards secondary and mid-sized U.S. cities witnessing cultural resurgence, tech growth and tourism reinvention.

This shift complements the broader U.S. tourism landscape. Across the country, cities are preparing major openings, from Dollywood’s world-first hybrid coaster, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in LA, and the OCVIBE entertainment district in Anaheim, to luxury hotel debuts in Santa Cruz, Tampa and Idaho. Combined with improved access via airlines and Amtrak, the U.S. is strengthening its role as a global travel powerhouse.

Major Airline Expansions Transforming International Connectivity

KLM Expands Global Footprint

KLM is widening its network in 2025 with enhanced connectivity through Amsterdam Schiphol, enabling smoother travel between Europe, North America and Asia. This includes expanded services to Salt Lake City, Utah, which supports travellers accessing the American West, an area set to welcome the new Rocky Mountaineer Canyon Spirit rail journey in April 2026.

China Airlines Connects Taipei and Phoenix

China Airlines’ new Taipei–Phoenix route creates one of the most important Asia–US West Coast connections of the year. Beginning December 2025, and followed by STARLUX Airlines in January 2026, travellers gain direct access to Arizona’s dramatic desert landscapes, championship golf, wellness resorts and gateways to the Grand Canyon.

Air Canada Strengthens North American Access

Air Canada’s mid-2025 additions to Toronto–San Antonio and Montreal–Cleveland/Columbus streamline access to emerging U.S. cities with thriving technology, healthcare and manufacturing sectors. These improvements arrive as San Antonio prepares to reopen the Alamo Promenade in 2026 and as Ohio undergoes a cultural reinvention with major expansions, such as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame project.

Aer Lingus Launches Dublin–Raleigh Service

Aer Lingus’ Dublin–Raleigh flight opens a significant transatlantic corridor to North Carolina’s Research Triangle, launching just as the region gears up for new theme parks, cultural attractions and the milestone 50^th anniversary of Austin City Limits across the broader U.S. South.

British Airways Adds London–St. Louis

British Airways’ return to St. Louis re-establishes a long-awaited Midwest–Europe corridor. This coincides with the region’s tourism momentum, including expanded Amtrak services, major museum openings, and significant trail developments as part of America’s 250^th anniversary celebrations.

Trends Shaping the Aviation Landscape

Aviation in 2025 and 2026 is shifting towards point-to-point long-haul connectivity, fuelled by the rise of efficient aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787. Airlines are increasingly connecting travellers to secondary U.S. destinations, reflecting the surge of interest created by Brand USA’s massive slate of upcoming cultural and entertainment milestones.

This era also introduces innovative tourism experiences across the U.S., including:

• Universal Kids Resort in Texas
• Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster in California
• Santa Monica’s 150^th anniversary celebrations
• Route 66 Remixed digital art corridor in Albuquerque
• America250 exhibitions across Washington, DC
• New luxury resorts from Montana to Idaho and Hawaii

Together, these developments are redefining what global travellers can expect in the coming years.

What This Means for Travellers

The combined impact of 2025 airline expansions and 2026 U.S. tourism developments is set to be genuinely transformative for travellers. Journeys will become smoother, with shorter, more convenient transit times, alongside a broader network of one-stop options through major global hubs. Travellers will gain greater access to emerging U.S. cities and attractions, enhanced by upgraded long-haul cabins and new premium economy offerings that strike a balance between comfort and affordability. Complementing air travel, improvements in railway services and road-trip experiences across the country will make exploring America more seamless than ever. For Indian travellers in particular, these new global routes, combined with Brand USA’s landmark attractions, unlock unprecedented access not only to iconic cities but also to revitalised regions such as the Pacific Northwest, the Gulf Coast, inland California, the Great Rivers area of Illinois, and the cultural hubs of the American South.

Forward Look: The Future of International Air Connectivity

The following 12–24 months will see rapid acceleration across both aviation and U.S. tourism. Asia–US flight growth, Europe–Southern US links and transatlantic routes to tech-forward American cities are expected to expand further. Meanwhile, destinations across the United States are racing to complete new museums, entertainment districts, luxury hotels, major transport projects and cultural celebrations ahead of the 250^th anniversary in 2026.

These shifts highlight how global mobility, Brand USA’s initiatives, and the world’s most-anticipated cultural openings will shape travellers' experiences of the United States in the years to come.