Budget airline to launch more cheap UK flights to holiday hotspot with 300 sunny days per year
BRIT holidaymakers will get more budget flights to Turkey as airline SunExpress launches a wave of new routes.
A service from Glasgow Airport to Antalya and Dalaman is among the extra flights.
Earlier this year, SunExpress announced a new route between Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Antalya.
Both of these new routes are slated to launch in April 2025.
SunExpress is also set to extend its operations at Stansted Airport, where the airline is almost doubling its weekly flights.
For next summer, SunExpress will operate 26 flights from Stansted Airport per week.
This includes two new routes to Dalaman and Kayseri.
As the capital of the Cappadocia region, Kayseri has plenty of attractions to keep holidaymakers entertained, including hot air balloon rides.
Newcastle International Airport is also getting a twice-weekly service to Dalaman, following an Antalya service in 2024.
The budget airline already operates routes from nine airports across the UK, including Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, London Gatwick, London Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, and London Stansted.
London Gatwick Airport, Manchester Airport and Birmingham Airport will also get additional Sun Express services for next summer.
This means Sun Express will have 1.9million seats for the UK market for next summer, which is an increase of 20 per cent.
SunExpress was founded in 1989, and is a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines.
Just like most other budget airlines, SunExpress offers a range of ticket fares, including the SunEco option, which is its basic package.
For an added fee, passengers can upgrade to SunClassic and SunPremium, with added benefits set to include an increased baggage allowance, pre-flight seat selection, an onboard meal service ad the ability to amend bookings.
What is there to do in Antalya and Dalaman?
Home to many waterparks and child-friendly resorts, Antalya is the most visited place for Brits heading to Turkey.
With its Mediterranean climate and prime location along the Turkish Riviera, Antalya might take the top spot for the year-round destination.
Antalya boasts more than 300 sunny days a year, along with pleasant summers and moderate winters.
The resort town has hundreds of hotels, so there is something for every budget, from luxurious five-stars to self-catered accommodations.
Many hotels in Antalya offer budget-friendly all-inclusive holidays, so they’re perfect to keep your spending in check.
Although the destination is known for its waterparks and sports, there is much more to explore.
Historical attractions in Antalya include the Aspendos Theatre and the ancient city of Perge.
One of Dalaman’s most famous attractions is the rock tombs of Fethiye, built into the huge cliff faces.
But just like Bodrum, Dalaman also has a beautiful coastline lined with beach hotels like the 4H Holiday Village AQI Turkiye and Sunway Hotel.
What is is like to visit Dalaman?
TRAVEL writer Ben O’Driscoll recently visited Dalaman – here’s what he thought.
We had long heard good things about Turkey, but only recently discovered for ourselves what a great destination it is for a family holiday.
It has everything: Golden beaches, friendly people, hot weather, excellent food and unbeatable prices.
We went on a turtle-watching boat trip and were blown away by the area’s sheer beauty.
The trip took us up the Dalyan river, past ancient tombs to the most beautiful lake you can imagine.
We saw just the one turtle but the bird life among the reeds was breathtaking. When you are there, it is easy to see why the area was such a favourite with Alexander the Great.
You can stop at the famous mud baths along the river, which for thousands of years have promised bathers eternal youth.
We also visited Turtle Beach, set amid miles of unspoilt Aegean coastline, and saw a sanctuary where they nurse injured turtles back to health.
You can read more about Ben’s visit to the Dalaman Coast, here.
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