As the winter chill sets in, thoughts are turning to sunnier climes and city breaks. In a significant boost for travellers, London Stansted Airport has unveiled a series of major route expansions for 2026, with budget giants easyJet and Ryanair leading the charge.
This expansion promises greater choice, convenience, and competitive fares for both leisure and business passengers flying from the Essex-based hub.
Budget Airlines Expand Stansted Network
easyJet is set to launch a convenient new direct service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport. Starting on March 5, 2026, the flight will take approximately one hour and 20 minutes, eliminating the need for inconvenient connections through other European hubs.
Fares are expected to start from around £60 for the direct route, opening up easy access to the French capital's iconic attractions.
Not to be outdone, Ryanair is significantly boosting its presence. The airline will add a substantial 600,000 extra seats on its route from Stansted to Glasgow, effective from March 29, 2026.
Furthermore, Ryanair will inaugurate a brand-new twice-weekly service to Malmö in Sweden from April 1, 2026. With journey times of around one hour and 50 minutes and promotional fares from £27.99, it offers a affordable gateway to Southern Sweden and nearby Copenhagen.
More Carriers Join the Stansted Growth
The expansion is not limited to the two low-cost leaders. Both Jet2 and TUI are adding to their Stansted portfolios for the summer season.
Jet2 is enhancing its summer programme with more flights to Jerez in Spain from May 1, 2026, a destination famed for flamenco and sherry. It will also increase frequency to Samos, Greece (from May 7) and La Palma, Canary Islands (from October 26).
TUI is introducing a new seasonal route from Stansted to the Greek island of Kos, commencing on May 7, 2026.
In a major development for long-haul connectivity, Turkish Airlines will begin operations at London Stansted for the first time on March 18, 2026. The carrier will offer 15 weekly departures to its Istanbul hub, providing seamless connections to over 350 global destinations.
A Major Boost for Passenger Choice
Ciaran Brannigan, Commercial Director at London Stansted, welcomed the announcements. He stated the new airlines and routes for 2026 would provide passengers with 'greater choice, value and convenience', underlining the airport's commitment as a key gateway to Europe and beyond.
This wave of new services solidifies Stansted's position as a crucial airport for UK aviation, offering passengers an increasingly diverse range of direct destinations and competitive pricing, particularly from the budget sector. For travellers planning their 2026 escapes, the options from Essex have just become considerably more exciting.
