Leaving on a Jet Plane: Five destinations Best Reached by Plane
Transportation plays a key role in the trip planning process from both a logistical and emotional level. It is often one of the first vacation elements travelers book and there are few feelings better than the trip to an exciting new place. Destinations, however, are not all equal with some being much more difficult to reach than others. In fact, Booking.com reveals that 54% of global travelers plan to go to off the beaten path destinations this year.* With a mission of making it easier for everyone to experience the world, Booking.com has uncovered five destinations that are best reached by plane. These destinations are all bookable through Booking.com’s flights platform.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks, known as the Golden Heart of Alaska, is just south of the Arctic Circle and shy of 65 degrees latitude. Despite its extremely northerly location, the town offers travelers year round attractions ranging from a direct entryway to Denali National Park to the perfect conditions to see the northern lights. Visitors can enjoy a charming downtown and the opportunity to experience Alaska’s rich native cultural and art scene. Fairbanks Airport (code: FAI) can be reached from other major Alaskan cities and even directly from a few cities in the continental US.
Fun Fact: On average, the northern lights are visible in Fairbanks 200 days out of the year.
Where to stay: For travelers searching for an authentic Alaskan stay, A Taste of Alaska Lodge sits on 160 acres of land and offers guests one-of-a-kind views of the Alaska Range and Mount Denali. The Lodge offers various accommodation options including private rooms and large suites in the Main Lodge, as well as secluded free-standing residences throughout the property. All options include a daily breakfast. Consider picking up a car rental to explore the greater Fairbanks area and attractions.
Easter Island, Chile
Located a whopping 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers) west of Chile, Easter Island (also known as Rapa Nui) is one of the most remote communities in the world. To this day, the island preserves its Polynesian culture and its legacy is most apparent through the nearly 1,000 iconic moai statues across Rapa Nui National Park. The island also boasts panoramic vistas which travelers can see firsthand on a Sunset Horseback Riding Tour. Easter Island can be reached via daily nonstop flights of just over five hours from the Chilean capital of Santiago.
Fun fact: The island was given its name by Dutch admiral Jacob Roggeveen who was the first recorded European visitor to the island, landing on 5th April 1722, which happened to be Easter Sunday.
Where to stay: The Travel Sustainable property Hotel Hare Uta is characterized by its natural and traditional elements of the Rapa Nui culture. All the rooms on the property were inspired by the homes of the first inhabitants of the island. For travelers looking for a luxury option, the all-inclusive Nayara Hangaroa offers chic oceanview rooms.
Mongolia
Landlocked Mongolia is an undiscovered gem for adventure seeking travelers, possessing vast, untouched landscapes and an opportunity to learn about nomadic cultures. In fact, nearly one third of Mongolians are nomadic herders. The country is also home to the Gobi Desert, the sixth largest desert in the world, and known for dinosaur species discovery and its rich natural resources. Mongolia’s only international airport is located in the country’s capital of Ulaanbaatar and nonstop flights are available from countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Turkey.
Fun Fact: Mongolian shamanism has been around since the thirteenth century and is a fully comprehensive belief system encompassing medicine, religion, revering nature, and ancestor worship. Visitors to Mongolia can learn more about Mongolian shamanism on a Shaman Shrine Tour.
Where to stay: Yurt-style accommodations are on the rise around the world. This dwelling type is traditional to distinct nomadic groups throughout Inner Asia, particularly Mongolia. My Mongolia Eco Ger Camp gives visitors the opportunity to experience this lifestyle in the most authentic way.
A Coruña, Spain
Often overlooked by travelers given its remote location in the northwest corner of Spain, A Coruña sits beside the Atlantic Ocean and boasts an old town made up of Romanesque streets and medieval churches. The Tower of Hercules lighthouse also offers visitors one of the most spectacular sunset viewing points. For the foodies at heart, the region’s cuisine does not disappoint and visitors can enjoy famous Galician dishes through this gastronomic experience. A Coruña Airport can be reached from major cities across Spain and a few European gateways such as Geneva, London and Milan.
Fun Fact: When thinking of traditional Spanish music, flamenco usually comes to mind. The region of Galicia, however, has close cultural and historical ties to Celtic lands with bagpipes, fifes and drums playing a big part of the region’s sounds.
Where to stay: Centrally located, Travel Sustainable property NORO Plaza offers visitors spacious apartments in a classic 19th century building. Only a few meters from the Plaza de Maria Pita, this accommodation also offers guests a bike rental service.
Livingstone, Zambia
Located at the Zambia-Zimbabwe border, Livingstone’s call to fame is its proximity to the majestic Victoria Falls. In addition to this UNESCO World Heritage site, visitors also have direct access to world class game reserves, authentic African culture, and the Zambezi River where whitewater rafting is possible. Given Livingstone’s location at the southern extreme of Zambia, it is most easily reached by plane via nonstop flights from South Africa, Kenya or Lusaka, the country’s capital.
Fun Fact: Every minute, over 5 million cubic meters of water pour over Victoria Falls.
Where to stay: Experience world-class service at The River Club. Featuring an outdoor swimming pool overlooking the banks of the Zambezi River, this lodge offers 11 private individual suites situated in perfect harmony with its surroundings. For an option geared more towards safaris, the Travel Sustainable property David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa does the trick.
About Booking.com Flights
Booking.com offers an end-to-end branded flight product for our customers in 54 countries providing travelers with the broad choice and ease of comparing hundreds of flights from different airlines at the same time, combined with the unique features that are typically only available when booking directly with an airline such as increased customisation and flexibility.
Along with single and return flight tickets, travelers can also arrange more complex multi-city flight itineraries directly with Booking.com. Customers have access to unique ‘virtual-interlining’ tickets, allowing them to create a stress-free bespoke flight itinerary suited to their needs and their chosen destinations. And for those who are undecided or open-minded about their destination, customers can search for flights to and from multiple airports simultaneously to help inspire, save time and find great deals.
*Travel Trends 2023 research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 42,513 respondents across 33 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,008 from Canada, 2,000 from Mexico, 1,000 from Colombia, 2,000 from Brazil, 1,000 from Argentina, 2,000 from Australia, 1,000 from New Zealand, 2,000 from Spain, 2,000 from Italy, 2,000 from France, 2,000 from UK, 2,000 from Germany, 1,000 from Netherlands, 1,000 from Denmark, 1,000 from Sweden, 1,000 from Croatia, 1,000 from Switzerland, 1,000 from Belgium, 1,000 from Ireland, 1,000 from Portugal, 1,000 from Israel, 2,000 from India, 1,000 from China, 1,005 from Hong Kong, 1,000 from Thailand, 1,000 from Singapore, 1,000 from Taiwan, 1,000 from Vietnam, 1,000 from South Korea, 1,000 from Japan, 500 from UAE). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2023 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January and February 2023.