easyJet launches 13 winter routes from the UK: what will change for travel to Europe and beyond

The low-cost carrier easyJet has announced the sale of 13 new winter routes from 10 UK airports. For tourists, this means more direct options to Europe's Christmas markets, Arctic Norway, ski-resort Switzerland, Hungary, Morocco, and Egypt. The most notable news is the emergence of Nuremberg as a new easyJet destination, as well as the launch of a direct connection between Scotland and Tromsø, and a new international flight from the Isle of Man to Geneva.

The announcement was published on June 25, 2026, and concerns the 2026/2027 winter schedule. According to the carrier, new flights are already available for booking via the easyJet website and mobile app, and some destinations are also sold as part of easyJet holidays packages. This is not a one-off promotion for a single destination, but a second wave of expansion over two weeks: together with the previous package of winter flights, the number of newly announced routes has reached 26.

For the travel market, this news is important for several reasons. First, easyJet is strengthening regional airports rather than just large London hubs. Second, the schedule combines different types of demand: Christmas markets, short city breaks, winter sun, ski trips, and Northern Lights journeys. Third, new flights are appearing against a backdrop of high competition for winter tourists, as travelers increasingly book shorter but more frequent trips and seek direct flights from their nearest regional airport.

Which routes is easyJet launching

The central element of the announcement was Nuremberg. easyJet is including this German city in its network for the first time and is launching flights from three British airports. From Manchester Airport (MAN), flights to Nuremberg are set to start on November 2 and operate every Monday and Friday. From London Gatwick (LGW), flights are planned from November 19 on Thursdays and Sundays, and from London Luton (LTN) — from November 23 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Nuremberg fits logically into the low-cost carrier's winter strategy. The city is known for its historic center, Franconia's cultural heritage, and one of Europe's oldest Christmas markets. For tourists, it is not only a standalone destination for long weekends, but also a convenient point for traveling through Bavaria and neighboring regions of Germany. There is already a separate page for Nuremberg Airport (NUE) on the website, which is convenient for planning a flight and checking basic airport information.

London airports will also receive several other destinations. From Luton, flights to Rabat in Morocco are set to start on November 5, twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays. From London Southend, easyJet is adding Lyon from December 3, also on Thursdays and Sundays, and from January 4 — Sharm El Sheikh on Mondays and Fridays. For Lyon, this is another convenient option for a winter city break and access to the Rhône-Alpes region, and for Egypt, an additional winter sun offer from the London market. For travel planning, you can refer to the pages of Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) and Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH).

A separate block concerns Central Europe. easyJet is opening three new flights to Budapest: from Bristol (BRS) and Belfast International (BFS) from November 17 on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and from Liverpool (LPL) — from November 19 on Thursdays and Sundays. This strengthens Budapest as a winter destination for short trips, thermal baths, gastronomic tours, and holiday weekends. A page for Budapest Airport (BUD) is available on the website, which can be useful for checking the route and further connections.

Scotland gets Tromsø, Glasgow — Krakow, Manchester — Vienna

For the Scottish market, the most interesting is the launch of the Edinburgh (EDI) - Tromsø flight from November 30. According to easyJet's plan, the flight will operate twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. In the release, the carrier calls it the first direct service between Scotland and Tromsø. This is important for tourists planning trips for the Northern Lights, winter excursions, coastal cruises along Norway, or active recreation above the Arctic Circle.

Tromsø is long positioned as one of Norway's main Arctic tourist centers. A direct flight from Edinburgh reduces logistics for travelers from Scotland and Northern England, who previously often had to fly with connections through Oslo, London, or other hubs. For Ukrainian readers, this news also has practical meaning: if a trip to Norway is combined with the UK or purchased as part of a European route, the new flight can reduce the number of connections. At the same time, it is worth checking entry or transit documents for the UK and the rules of stay in the Schengen Area in advance.

From Glasgow (GLA), flights to Krakow (KRK) are set to begin on November 13 on Mondays and Fridays. Krakow remains one of Poland's most recognizable destinations for short cultural trips, Christmas markets, and routes through southern Poland. Manchester, besides Nuremberg, will receive a new flight to Vienna (VIE) from November 19, also up to twice a week on Mondays and Fridays. Such a schedule is convenient for long weekends: departing at the beginning or end of the working week allows planning a short trip without taking full vacation time.

Isle of Man gets easyJet flight to Geneva

Another notable point is the Isle of Man - Geneva route. easyJet plans to launch it on December 19, once a week on Saturdays. In the company's announcement, it is emphasized that this will be the first international route for easyJet from the Isle of Man and the only direct connection between the island and Switzerland. For the local market, this is a small change in frequency, but symbolically important: the island gets a direct winter exit to one of the key Alpine aviation hubs.

Geneva Airport (GVA) is a popular entry point for trips to the Swiss and French Alps. Therefore, the flight may be interesting not only for business or family trips, but also for ski tourism. At the same time, tourists should remember that a weekly frequency is less flexible than several flights a week: if a flight is rescheduled or tickets for the required date are sold out, a backup option may require a connection through another British airport.

Why this news is important for tourists

At first glance, the announcement of 13 new flights may seem like local British news. In reality, it clearly shows a broader trend in winter tourism. Airlines are increasingly distributing demand across several niches: holiday markets, affordable city breaks, southern sun in January, skiing, the Arctic, and routes from regional airports. This allows carriers to fill planes not only in peak summer months, but also in periods when tourists seek shorter, price-sensitive trips.

For passengers, the main benefit is direct flights from a closer airport. If a traveler lives near Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool, Belfast, Edinburgh, or Glasgow, a new route may remove the need to travel to London. This saves time, reduces the risk of missed connections, and often makes a short trip more realistic. For the regional tourism business, this is also a plus: direct flights increase the visibility of destinations in search, in package tours, and in the plans of travelers who previously did not consider more complex routes.

At the same time, it is worth reading the terms carefully. The announced easyJet fares are listed as "from" prices for a one-way flight including taxes, but the actual cost depends on the dates, demand, luggage, seat selection, payment method, package booking, and other additional services. Some flights start in November or December 2026, and Sharm El Sheikh — in January 2027. Therefore, when booking, it is necessary to check not only the price, but also the flight calendar, days of operation, arrival time, hand luggage rules, and connections with ground transport.

What to check before booking

Before buying tickets for the new routes, it is worth taking a few practical steps. First, check if the flight is already displayed in the booking system for the required date, rather than just in a general announcement. Second, compare the ticket cost including luggage: for winter trips, ski equipment, or long journeys, the cheapest fare is not always the most advantageous. Third, evaluate transport after arrival. Nuremberg, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow, and Lyon are well-suited for city trips, while Tromsø, Geneva, or Sharm El Sheikh often require additional planning of transfers, hotels, and excursions.

Separately, documents should be checked. Routes from the UK may be useful for those who are already in the country or planning a complex European route, but entry, transit, visa, and electronic permit rules depend on citizenship, status of stay, and the specific route. For travel to the Schengen Area, Morocco, Egypt, or through the UK, one should not rely solely on airline information: final requirements should be verified with official government sources and the carrier's terms before payment.

Conclusion

The new winter expansion of easyJet is not just adding a few flights to the schedule. It strengthens the role of regional British airports, opens new direct options for popular winter scenarios, and gives tourists more flexibility when planning short trips. The three most practical significance blocks are: Nuremberg as a new easyJet destination for the Christmas season, Edinburgh - Tromsø as a direct Arctic route from Scotland, and Isle of Man - Geneva as a new winter exit to Switzerland.

For travelers, the main advice is simple: treat the announcement as a good opportunity, but check the details before booking. Start dates, frequency, fares, luggage, and ground logistics can significantly affect the actual convenience of the route. If these elements align with the plans, the new easyJet flights can make winter travel 2026/2027 noticeably more accessible and simpler for those starting from the UK or building a route through its regional airports.