Brand New Flight Route from London Offers Unusual New Christmas Holiday Destination

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If 2024 has proven one thing so far, it’s that the travel industry has finally rebounded from those dark years of Covid. More new destinations hit our newsfeeds every day. And there’s no other group of traveler that’s more true for than British travelers.

With the sad events in the Middle East raising a question mark over some much-loved winter destinations like Egypt, this exciting new route couldn’t come at a better time. There’s no end of places you can go for winter sun, but sometimes we all need something a little different. This unusual holiday destination certainly ticks that box.

Exciting new flight route for Christmas 2024

Landing just in time for Christmas 2024, this brand new route by British Airways will run year round. Launching on November 4, 2024, the new flight will run four times every week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

This exciting new service will run from London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. Long considered the gateway to Arabia, Jeddah makes for an unusual holiday destination for your Christmas getaway. It’s about six-hour journey to Jeddah which is an ideal destination whether you’re looking for a quick weekend break or a longer holiday to delve into Saudi Arabia’s immersive culture.

BA’s new flights to Jeddah offer incredible value

Jeddah is a new route for British Airways, but with competition from Saudi Arabia’s state-owned flag carrier Saudia, prices are cheaper than you might think. This new competition makes Jeddah more accessible for British travelers and is great news for frequent flyers.

With excellent reward flight availability, this new route gives Oneworld frequent flyers the opportunity to travel directly to Jeddah from Europe. It’s good news for those passengers who enjoy a drink onboard, too, as, unlike Saudia, British Airways will still be offering complimentary alcoholic on flights to and from Jeddah.

What’s more, with the launch of Saudi Arabia’s new airline Riyadh Air less than a year away, flight availability is only going to get better. And that means that fares are likely to drop in price even more.

Is Jeddah worth visiting?

Jeddah probably isn’t the first place that pops into your head when planning your Christmas 2024 holiday. But that’s what makes it all the more exciting. A break from the ordinary, a trip to this unusual holiday destination is an adventure into a whole other world.

Known best as the gateway to Mecca, Jeddah is an up and coming tourist hotspot. And that’s all the more reason not to postpone your visit – get there before everyone else does. There’s a good reason Saudi Arabia was labelled the best place to visit in 2024 – and Christmas is still technically 2024!

A few years ago, Saudi Arabia wasn’t easy to visit. But now, British citizens (along with those of most Western countries) are eligible for a visa on arrival. You can do this at Jeddah Airport or, to make the arrival process even easier, you can get an Electronic Visa Waiver before you travel. The online application process is similar to the U.S. ESTA program and will save you time when you land.

What to see & do in Jeddah

Filled with stunning architecture, Jeddah is a mishmash of cultures. With influences from its days in the Ottoman Empire, ancient Persia and modern oil-rich Saudi Arabia, Jeddah is easily one of the country’s most beautiful cities.

As we’ve mentioned, Jeddah is best known as the gateway to Mecca. Whilst non-Muslims aren’t able to enter the holy city, a wander through the UNESCO recognized Al Balad district will take you to Mecca Gate. Nowadays, most Hajj pilgrims arrive in Jeddah by air, but in years gone by, they came by ship. Entering through Mecca Gate, their pilgrimage would continue on foot.

In total contrast, Jeddah’s modern Corniche is a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s prosperity. With the 17th highest GDP and 19th largest economy in the world, Saudi Arabia’s wealth is mainly thanks to the oil industry.

Take a saunter along Jeddah Corniche to the Island Mosque, a stunning whitewashed building, to get a feel of life on the Red Sea. The Corniche is strewn with street vendors, serene gardens and sculptures. You’ll also find plenty of al-fresco cafes where you can enjoy traditional Saudi coffee.

To make the most of your time in Jeddah, check out our top recommendations for Saudi Arabia’s seaside playground.

Enjoy world-class dining on the Red Sea

Despite Jeddah only recently coming onto the radar of most leisure travelers, the throngs of pilgrims arriving on the Red Sea coast every year have transformed Jeddah into a world-class culinary destination.

Jeddah offers an amazing array of cuisines. From traditional Saudi delights such as masoub (a little like bread and butter pudding) and mutabbak (stuffed pastry) to influences from neighboring Lebanon and Jordan, Jeddah has it all.

And if you fancy something from further afield, Jeddah has plenty of Asian and Western restaurants too.

The Gateway to Arabia

Jeddah may be perfect for an unusual holiday destination with a difference. But it’s also the gateway to the mysterious lands of the Arabian peninsula which lie beyond.

As Saudi Arabia’s commercial center and second largest city, Jeddah is well connected with the rest of the country. From here you can head out into the desert landscapes made famous by Lawrence of Arabia, explore the grandest sand dunes the world has to offer, lush green mountains, mud brick fortresses and ancient ruins that are akin to only Petra.

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