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Fall is fast approaching, and if you haven’t gone on an international trip this year, now is the perfect time to start planning.
Prices will start dropping, the summer crowds will dissipate, and most excitingly even, more flight routes will be launching from the U.S.
If Mexico, France, Italy, and the like don’t exactly appeal to you, and you’re craving for something other than tourism cliches, you’ll be thrilled to learn that, soon enough, you’ll be able to fly nonstop to 4 incredible, unexpected destinations fewer Americans have been before.
Without further ado, here they are, including a bustling coastal metropolis in the Southern Hemisphere and offbeat Caribbean islands yet to be ruined by overtourism:
Dallas, Texas to Brisbane, Australia
Dallasites who’ve always dreamed of traveling halfway across the world to beautiful, sun-drenched Australia yet weren’t keen on the idea of one-stop flights will enjoy a new direct connection to Brisbane, the up-and-coming sunny hotspot, with American Airlines.
From October 26, the airline will be operating its longest nonstop flight, totaling 15 hours gate-to-gate, and they have confirmed it’s a Boeing 787-9 equipped with 30 Flagship Business seats––not the new 51-seat fitting we were promised earlier this year, but we’ll take it.
Roundtrips start from $2,016 at the lowest airfare, and departures from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) are scheduled daily at 10:35 pm, touching down in Brisbane (BNE) at 6:30 am two calendar dates later; coming back, you can expect to take wing at 10 am, landing back home at 8:20 am.
As for Brisbane itself, it is one of the most vibrant cities in Australia, home to lush botanic gardens, honey-colored sandy beaches, and dozens of laid-back alfresco eateries lining azure waters––plus, it has just the perfect fall weather, with temperatures varying from 69°F to +76°F.
New York to St. Vincent and the Grenadines
If JFK’s your customary hub, and you routinely use it to jet off to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and the like, you’ll be thrilled to learn yet another paradisiacal island is now a short nonstop flight away thanks to JetBlue:
Starting October 9, the budget airline will be carrying passengers from the Big Apple to Argyle International Airport (SVD) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a tiny sovereign state in the Caribbean best-known for its many islets, white-sand beaches and volcanic nature.
It’s far less busy than the average Caribbean destination, and though it’s not necessarily more affordable, with the median price of a hotel overnight being $175, it offers some of that peace and quiet you can’t exactly find in Punta Cana or the Riviera Maya.
Flights will be operated on Wednesdays and Sundays, with departures scheduled for 9:29 a.m., landing in SVD at 2:19 p.m.––as for returning flights, they leave St. Vincent and the Grenadines at 3:54 p.m., touching down in JFK at 9 p.m.
Minneapolis to St. Marteen
If you’re based in Minneapolis-St. Paul instead, and you’re also seeking a Caribbean alternative to a jam-packed Jamaica or Aruba, it’s an offbeat St. Marteen where you’ll likely be headed later this year, thanks to Delta Air Lines’ latest addition:
Launching a little later than other routes on this list, on December 19, the MSP-SXM service is set to facilitate travel between Minnesota and the lesser-known tropical Caribbean gem, characterized by its colorful Mannerist architecture and unspoiled nature.
St. Marteen shares a 34 square-mile island with Saint Martin, an overseas territory of France, meaning you can easily travel from the Dutch to the French side and experience both cultures––like in (mainland) Europe, there are no customary border checks between them!
From MSP, you should expect to depart at 7:05 a.m., while landing in SXM at 2:40 p.m. As for the way back, flights will leave at 4:05 p.m., arriving back to Minneapolis at 8:10 p.m. A convenient long weekend once that freezing Midwest cold starts creeping in.
Newark to Marrakesh, Morocco
Last but not least, this one’s for those who want to go much further than an island in the Caribbean: from October 24 onward, you’ll be able to fly nonstop with United from Newark (EWR) to the enchanting Marrakesh, in Morocco.
A country lining the westernmost edge of North Africa, Morocco is known for its rich ancient heritage, desert medinas surrounded by medieval walls and unique landscapes, and Marrakesh may well be the gemstone in its diamond-encrusted Moorish crown.
Packed with centuries-old mosques built with an enviable symmetric precision, and hosting a maze-like Old Town, lively bazaars and casual restaurants serving $5 couscous, it is the perfect budget-friendly introduction to the Arab World.
So far, we know the long-anticipated route will be available on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Newark, while the aircraft deployed is the well-loved Boeing 767-300ER, equipped with Polaris Business Class––on the other hand, departure times have not been announced, as of right now.
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