NEW FLIGHT DESTINATIONSRio,
Brazil
Norwegian’s new flight to
Rio–thegood-time,ifnot
actual, capital of Brazil –
launches on31 March.
The first low-cost route to
connect the country with
the UK, the 11-hour flights
will depart London
Gatwick and arrive at Rio
de Janeiro’s Galeão
airport(from £440;
norwegian.com).Osaka,
Japan
Ahead of Japan hosting
the Rugby World Cup this
autumn, British Airways
will work with Japan
Airlines to run direct flights
from London Heathrow to
Kansai International near
Osaka. With four weekly
flights fromApril,snaffle
one just in time for cherry
blossom season(from
£788; ba.com).Charleston,
USA
The epitome of old-world
southern hospitality, the
city of Charleston in South
Carolina will welcome
more visitors still when BA
launches Europe’s first
direct flight there inApril.
At eight hours in the air, it’s
only a touch longer than
flying to NYC(departing
London Heathrow, from
£880; ba.com).Burgas,
Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast
will seem nearer come
May, when Jet2 launches
flights from London
Stansted to the gateway
city of Burgas. Surrounded
bymilesofgoldensand,
Burgas is close to resorts
like Nessebar, with its
medieval ruins and self-
explanatory Sunny Beach
(from £117; jet2.com).Rijeka,
Croatia
Less well known than other
Croatian cities, Rijeka has
excellent nightlife and
culture,andactsasthe
gateway to the similarly
under-the-radar Kvarner
Gulf. TUI Airlines’
seasonal flights start
23 Mayand will run until
17 October(from £245;
from Manchester and
London Gatwick).The most exciting routes launching in 2019
Every day, get inspired to travel at lonelyplanet.com/newsPHOTOGRAPH: MICHAEL HEFFERNAN/LONELYPLANET