THE UK’s busiest and largest airport is launching a number of new routes over the coming months.
Last year, London Heathrow Airport saw around 84.5million passengers and is expecting to break the 85million mark this year.
And this spring and summer, the world’s most connected airport is launching several new routes.
These include three new British Airways routes: St Louis in Missouri, America; Guernsey in the Channel Islands and Tivat in Montenegro.
Flights to St Louis and Guernsey will both launch on April 19.
The St Louis route will be the only direct service in the UK, with four weekly flights heading out of Terminal 5 and cost from £529 return per person.
Read more on travel inspo
Dubbed America’s ‘gateway to the west’, the route will be launching as the famous Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary.
The stretch of Route 66 in St Louis, called ‘The Mother Road’ goes past landmarks including the Gateway Arch, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.
Winding through the city, drivers on the route can stop off at neon-lit diners and a number of roadside attractions including the Route 66 Rocker – a massive 12.8metre-tall rocking chair.
The Guernsey route will then operate daily, also from Terminal 5, and cost from £101 return per person.
The new connection means that Guernsey residents will now more easily be able to travel across the globe by flying from Heathrow.
Guernsey is the largest of the Channel Islands and is known for having a mix of French and British culture.
One top spot to see is St Peter Port, a pretty harbour with charming houses.
As for the route to Tivat in Montenegro – this will launch on May 14, from Terminal 3 and cost from £172 return per person.
Montenegro was recently named one of the most under-the-radar countries in the world, according to US News.
Tivat is found on the coast in the UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor and features a large marina full of luxury yachts and pretty beaches such as Plaza Ponta.
Heathrow is also dubbing Tivat “one of Europe’s trendiest summer hotspots” thanks to its Adriatic scenery and offering travellers the perfect blend of sun, adventure and culture.
Low-cost Spanish airline Vueling will be launching a new daily service to Seville on March 29.
The route will operate from Terminal 4 and cost from £36 one-way, per person.
Spain is always popular with Brits and Seville is no exception.
The historic Andalusian city is great for both families and weekend city breaks with historic sites including the Cathedral – which is the largest Gothic temple in Europe – with La Giralda tower which has amazing views of the city.
For a pretty souvenir, head to the Triana Neighborhood which is the historic district of the city and is known for its ceramics.
Another European route launching on the same day will be to Rome Fiumicino in Italy, with ITA Airways.
There will be two flights each day, operating from Terminal 2 costing from £138.24 return per person and the airport is about a half-an-hour drive from the city.
Rome, the capital of Italy, boasts several famous historical sites including the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon.
And whilst you are in the city, you can even head to another country – Vatican City – where you can see St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel.
A second US route launching soon will be to Seattle with Alaska Airlines.
Starting on May 22, the route will operate daily from Terminal 3 and cost from £523.04 return per person.
Seattle is one of America’s fastest-growing tech hubs and notable landmarks include the Space Needle observation tower and the Olympic Sculpture Park.
Foodies can also visit Chinatown, which is also home to the only pan-Asian art and history museum in America.
Pakistan International Airlines will also be launching two new routes by the end of March, marking the airline’s return to Heathrow after six years.
The first will be to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, on March 29, operating three times a week from Terminal 4, with return fares costing from £764.
The second route will be to Lahore, which is the second largest city in Pakistan.
The route will launch a weekly service on March 30, from Terminal 4.
There are several travel warnings in place for Pakistan, so it is worth checking the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice before travelling.
Ross Baker, Heathrow’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Every route launched from Heathrow gives passengers and businesses a new way to explore the world.
“Whether travelling for work or leisure, we are proud to collaborate with our airline partners to open up opportunities for passengers, exporters and importers.
“Greater connectivity is something passengers and businesses consistently say they want, which is why Heathrow expansion is so critical.
“It will add new routes and introduce more choice.
“Our plans will ensure the country gets the infrastructure it needs to stay competitive, connecting the whole of the UK to global growth.”
In other flight news, two popular holiday destinations including the ‘world’s best city’ will be getting new British Airways flights from the UK.
Plus, British Airways has cancelled all flights to Dubai until June amid ongoing Iran conflict.