International travel is becoming more accessible thanks to the world's leading airlines. Find out about the top five airlines by number of international destinations, as well as their features to choose the most convenient option for your next trip

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

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International travel has become more affordable than ever. Thanks to modern medium- and long-haul aircraft, most cities in the world can be connected by one or two flights. At the same time, the world's largest airlines connect more than 200 cities from their base airports. The five best airlines in terms of international connectivity are described below with a link to the Simple Flying rating.

The best destinations for first-time solo travelers can be found here.

Turkish Airlines: the largest network of international routes

Turkish Airlines is the world leader in terms of the number of international destinations:

● 266 international destinations

● serves 130 countries

● 52 domestic destinations

● a fleet of 428 aircraft

The airline's main hub is Istanbul International Airport (IST). Turkish Airlines operates flights to Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. In the United States, Turkish Airlines flies to 14 cities, including New York, Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Houston, and Miami.

This year, the airline added Melbourne (Australia) and Denver (Colorado, USA) to its network. The flight to Melbourne is operated three times a week with a stopover in Singapore. The route to Denver became the longest for Denver International Airport - 6130 miles (9866 km).

The longest non-stop flight of Turkish Airlines is from Istanbul to Mexico City, covering a distance of 11,408 km.

Ryanair: the low-cost leader in European air travel

Ryanair ranks second in terms of the number of international destinations:

● 229 international destinations

● serves 37 countries

● 5 domestic destinations

● a fleet of 583 aircraft

Although Ryanair is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, the airline has established numerous hubs across Europe. Ryanair focuses on European routes, but also operates flights to Africa and Asia.

Interestingly, Ryanair is the second largest intercontinental carrier to Africa, despite serving only one country - Morocco. In the summer of 2024, Ryanair expanded its presence in Morocco by launching 35 new routes.

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British Airways: connecting all continents

British Airways ranks third in terms of international connectivity:

● 196 international destinations

● 76 countries served

● 13 domestic destinations

● a fleet of 297 aircraft

British Airways is one of the few airlines that operates flights to all six inhabited continents. The main hub is London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The airline serves more than 25 destinations in the United States.

The longest non-stop flights of British Airways are:

1. London (Heathrow) - Santiago: 11,630 km

2. London (Heathrow) - Singapore: 10,886 km

3. London (Gatwick) - Mauritius: 9,726 km

Lufthansa: a key hub for European transportation

Lufthansa ranks fourth in the ranking:

● 197 international destinations

● serves 73 countries

● 17 domestic destinations

● fleet of 310 aircraft

Lufthansa's main hub is Frankfurt Airport (FRA). The airline operates flights to Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. In the United States, Lufthansa serves about 20 destinations.

In 2024, Lufthansa started operating new flights:

● Munich - Seattle (May 31)

● Frankfurt - Minneapolis (June 4)

● Frankfurt - Rally Durham (June 6)

Air France: fifth in terms of international connectivity

Air France rounds out the top five international carriers:

● 177 international destinations

● 83 countries served

● 21 domestic destinations

● fleet of 275 aircraft

Air France's base airport is Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). The airline operates flights to Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America.

New Air France routes in 2024:

● Paris - Salvador (Brazil): from October 28, three times a week

● Paris - Male (Maldives): seasonal route from December 20 to January 5, 2025

Travel insurance: an integral part of international travel

When planning an international trip, don't forget about travel insurance. It will protect you not only from financial expenses in case of illness or injury abroad, but also from other troubles, such as lost luggage at the airport or communication costs. Quality insurance will provide you with peace of mind and financial protection, allowing you to enjoy your travels without worry. You can take out insurance for traveling around the world from a reliable insurance agent online on the Visit Ukraine portal.

We remind you! A trip to Europe does not always cost a lot of money. There are beautiful budget cities in the EU that can be compared to the most expensive destinations. Read more about them in our previous article - the top 10 cheapest cities to visit in Europe in 2024.

Photo: UnSplash

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