8 New Airline Routes that Will Upgrade Your Travel (+ Where to Stay When You Land)
Updated: Aug 21
By Refined Travel By Ashley
New year, new airline routes. Condé Nast recently announced the latest itinerary additions to take advantage of in the new year — and I concur. With new direct flights from the US to some of the world’s most spectacular destinations, airline travel has never been easier.
Read on for the latest airline routes to add to your 2024 travel plans, plus where to stay when you land, of course. If there’s anything I learned in 2023, it’s that the hotel makes the vacation.
New York → Belize (3x per week)
Direct flights from JFK to Belize City mean stunning jungle paradise and a pervasive relaxing vibe in no time (or, more precisely, about four-and-a-half hours). Where to stay? I love Turtle Inn for an intimate beachfront hideaway owned by the Coppola family, and Itz'ana Belize Resort & Residences for a rejuvenating, immersive experience. (The latter’s sister property, Ka’ana, is also an excellent choice.)
Turtle Inn:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
Itz’ana and Ka’ana:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
Los Angeles → Guatemala (daily)
Craving more tropical bliss? Travelers can now travel directly from LAX to Guatemala City. Casa Palopó, a 15-room Relais & Châteaux property on the shores of Lake Atitlán, is the perfect place to stay. The hotel was in fact once a private home, and today, it is a hyper-local, delightful and authentic place to unwind.
Casa Palopó:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
Several major US cities → Tulum’s new airport (!)
It finally happened: Tulum has opened an airport. Translation? Easy nonstop flights to this Mexican paradise. There are several hotels to choose from, but a few favorites are Be Tulum, Our Habitas Tulum and Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, all of which offer that chic barefoot luxury I love.
Be Tulum:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
Habitas Tulum:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
New Jersey → Algarve (4x per week)
Portugal is having a moment, and I’m here for it. 2023 seemed to be the year where the world really started to understand its magic, and 2024, I believe, will be the year it truly shines. Starting in May, you’ll be able to depart on a direct flight from Newark straight to the Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region renowned (and beloved) for its beautiful beaches. Head to Pine Cliffs Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort or to Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort to make the most of your Portuguese sojourn.
Pine Cliffs Hotel:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
Anantara Vilamoura:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
Raleigh-Durham → Paris (weekly)
Weekly direct flights from RDU to CDG come just in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now it’s as convenient as ever to get to the French capital, although I recommend traveling to Paris either before or after the Games, when things will be a bit calmer (and when hotels will have better prices and availability). For a stylish and discreet stay, Château Voltaire, a handsome boutique property beloved by savvy travelers and locals alike, is the obvious choice.
Château Voltaire:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
San Francisco → Manila (daily)
The Philippines is another under-the-radar gem I expect will soon get the attention it deserves. It’s stunningly beautiful, the people are exceptionally friendly and it's free from a lot of the tourist traps seen in the more popular destinations of the region. The Peninsula Manila is a sophisticated oasis in the heart of the country’s vibrant capital.
The Peninsula Manila:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
New York → Palermo (2x per week)
Sicily experienced quite the travel boom following the juicy second season of HBO’s “The White Lotus.” New York’s JFK airport recently introduced a direct flight to Sicily’s capital city, the perfect home base for exploring the island (minus the toxic drama, of course). I love Susafa, a seasonal countryside retreat that seriously respects its natural surroundings, and Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte stunner overlooking the Gulf of Palermo.
Susafa:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
Villa Igiea:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
Detroit → Istanbul (3x per week)
With mesmerizing architecture, fragrant bazaars and a dynamic history, Istanbul enchants. This city never gets old (trust me). To level up your vacation, head to Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus or Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At The Bosphorus, five-star options right on the eponymous strait.
Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
Fora Perks at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul:
Refined Travel by Ashley Perks: This hotel offers exclusive perks not available to the public. Contact me for more information!
