2016 is an exciting year for travel. Many well known airlines, including low-cost and full service companies, have introduced new flight routes to popular destinations across Europe and the US, as well as some thrillingly exotic holiday spots.
Families will now be able to choose from a wider variety of holiday destinations without the fear layovers because, let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than hopping on and off planes with a tired toddler.
Costa Rica
From 4 May 2016, British Airways will fly directly from Gatwick to San Jose, twice weekly.
Do you dream of picturesque landscapes, exotic animal encounters and thrills that you and the kids will remember for years to come? Then Costa Rica should be at the top of your list.
Visitors to this colourful country in Central America will fall in love with its Latin culture, breathtaking scenery and hearty local cuisine. Costa Rica has something for everyone and thanks to BA’s new flight, exploring a distant but beautiful part of the world just got easier.
Find out more about Costa Rica
Price: Flights from £500pp return
Flying time: 10 hours 50 minutes
Book flights: ba.com
Reykjavik, Iceland
British Airways now flies three times a week to Reykjavik, Iceland from London Heathrow.
Iceland’s capital is renowned for its exciting combination of country charm and cosmopolitan living. Busy families will love letting their worries melt away at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, one of the most popular attractions in Iceland. And of course you can’t visit Reykjavik without hoping to see the Northern Lights. The best time to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis dancing across the night sky is from September to April, the colder months of the year. Reykjavik is not far from the UK, but you’ll feel like you’re in a magical, distant land.
Price: Flights from £55pp each way
Flight time: 3 hours
Book flights: ba.com
Paris
Good news for those living in the North – Easy Jet will launch services from Manchester to Paris this year.
Whether you want to spend a few days with the kids in Disneyland Paris, take in the view from the Eiffel Tower, or simply wander the Champs-Élysées and indulge in some famous French cuisine, Paris won’t disappoint.
Price: From £100pp return
Flight time: 2 hours
Book flights: easyjet.com
Sofia, Bulgaria
Ryanair are releasing several new flights in 2016 that will make city breaks much more accessible to families. We’re most excited about their new flight to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The new daily service will start in May and depart from London Stanstead.
Bulgaria may not be on your holiday radar, but it most definitely should be. Home to the river Danube and stunning mountains, Bulgaria is an unusual and beautiful destination for a family holiday. Vast parks offer refuge from the busy city streets, and ski slopes are just a bus ride from the city centre. Once you’ve spent time in Sofia, you’re bound to want to go back.
Price: From £150pp return
Flight time: 3 hours
Book flights: ryanair.com
Boston
From May, Icelandic low-cost airline WOW Air will fly from Bristol to Reykjavik three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from there passengers can join a service to Boston. Ok, it’s not direct, but with prices starting at £99pp one way, who can resist?
Boston is a city that is rooted in history as strongly as it looks to the future. You and your family can can enjoy the Freedom Trail – a fascinating three-mile stroll linking some of the most historic landmarks. For young travellers, the city is brought bang up-to-date by a host of inventive offerings like the Boston Children’s Museum, which offers everything from art studios and climbing spaces to bubble-blowing contraptions.
Find out more about fly-drive holidays in Boston and visiting Massachusetts with kids
Price: From £99pp one way
Flight time: 13+ with overlay
Find out more: wowair.us
Krakow, Poland
As of 2016, British Airways flies to Krakow four times a week from London Heathrow.
When European tourism plummeted during the recession, the only country to defy the odds was Poland. Tourism has risen steadily every year, proving the country’s value as a must-see destination. World Youth Day is held in Krakow from July 25–31 2016, making July a great month to visit – and you won’t be the only one, the Pope will also be there enjoying the celebrations. Regardless of when you choose to visit, your family will have a great time exploring this old, elegant city.
Price: Flights from £37pp each way
Flight time: 2 and half hours
Book flights: ba.com
Lima, Peru
The Peruvian capital has been neglected in terms of direct flights from the UK, but all that is about to change. From 4 May, British Airways will fly directly to Lima three times a week from London Gatwick and from October the service will run twice a week.
South America is bursting with vibrant culture and breathtaking landscape, including the famous Inca Trail and Machu Picchu – one of the great seven wonders of the world. Lima is an unconventional and special choice for adventurous families with older kids.
Price: Flights from £550pp return
Flight time: 11 hours
Book flights: ba.com