Lots of new flight routes are opening up across the USA this year, making 2018 an excellent one for stateside exploration. Here's a look at just some of the most exciting new domestic routes within the country, offering direct access to plenty of new destinations for many residents across the USA.

Beginning in June 2018, nonstop flights between Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas will be operated by American Airlines every Saturday.

If you're flying from Texas, on arrival in Asheville be sure to head out to explore its greatest asset: the great outdoors. Surrounded by a million acres of woodland, the mountain city offers hundreds of miles of trails through gorgeous national forests. One activity that truly takes you into the wilderness is foraging with No Taste Like Home: gather wild edible plants, mushrooms and more, then enjoy “find dining” at a local restaurant.

Early May will see the first flights on the much-awaited JetBlue service between Worcester Regional Airport in Massachusetts and JFK International, New York. The service will be daily, with initial fares going from as little as $34 one way.

The city of Worcester, in central Massachusetts, has plenty to offer all sorts of visitors, from sixty verdant city parks to an array of impressive museums. Don’t miss the Worcester Art Museum, with nearly 38,000 objects, from Roman mosaics and Japanese prints to European art and an enormous collection of arms and armour.

Direct American Airlines flights between Rick Husband Amarillo International in Texas and Phoenix Sky Harbor International in Arizona will begin in April 2018. The service will be daily.

If you're going to Amarillo, visit the Route 66 Historic District where you’ll find over a mile of restaurants, bars, antique shops and art galleries housed in historic buildings. Outdoor enthusiasts should head for the awe-inspiring Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the second largest canyon in the USA, with 30,000 acres of dramatic landscape to explore, whether on foot, by horse, with a car or on a mountain bike.

2018 looks like it’s going to be Myrtle Beach’s year, as two airlines have just announced brand new flight routes to the resort on the coast. Sun Country Airlines will launch twice-weekly flights between Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and Myrtle Beach between April and June 2018, while Spirit Airlines will be launching nonstop flights between the destinations three times a week, also from April 2018.

Myrtle Beach is an ideal holiday destination for all the family, with 60 miles of uninterrupted shoreline, excellent amusement and water parks and plenty of activities from horse riding on the beach to helicopter rides over the ocean. Don’t miss Broadway at the Beach, the enormous, 350-acre entertainment centre with everything you could want: restaurants, shops, live shows, an aquarium, a water park, fantasy golf, a zip line, a mirror maze and more.

From April 2018, United Airlines will connect Wilmington International Airport, North Carolina to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Illinois, with two direct flights daily.

There’s lots to do in Wilmington no matter who you’re travelling with. Families will love the busy ocean boardwalk, fun water parks and fascinating aquariums. History buffs will enjoy touring the preserved civil war fort and historic homes. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy the great outdoors either with a round of golf or on a beautiful biking trail.

New York will be better connected than ever come April 2018, because that’s when United Airlines launches flights from Newark Liberty International to Elmira Corning Regional Airport. The service will see two flights daily between the two destinations.

Elmira is the place where Mark Twain wrote Huckleberry Finn and many other works, in a little study at his sister-in-law’s summer home. Check out the Chemung County Historical Society for exhibits about Twain and his time in Elmira, as well as several other exhibitions on a variety of historical topics.

Wilmington International Airport, North Carolina is not only getting direct flights to Chicago, Illinois in April 2018, but also nonstop flights to Washington Dulles International Airport. Two flights a day will be launching between the two destinations courtesy of United Airlines.

The capital of the USA is one of the most exciting places in the country: there’s an enormous list of world-famous monuments and buildings to see, including the White House, Lincoln Memorial, the United States Capitol and the Washington Monument. Rack up your step count and try to take it all in on foot, or be a proud tourist and hop on a double-decker tour bus to take in all the grandeur of the capital.

From June 2018, United Airlines will fly a seasonal, daily nonstop flights between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Fresno Yosemite International in California.

This one's great for Chicagoans, as once in Fresno, you’re just over an hour’s drive from Yosemite National Park. Whether you’re a nature lover or not, you'll be inspired by the spectacular landscapes in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. See enormous trees while strolling in picturesque sequoia groves, stand below dramatic cliffs and looming waterfalls on long hikes, or try a river rafting trip in Yosemite Valley.

From June 2018, daily flights will begin for the summer between Los Angeles International and Glacier Park International Airport in Montana, courtesy of United Airlines.

Kalispell, Montana is a gateway to the incredible Glacier National Park, where you can spot amazing wildlife including grizzly bears, Canada lynxes, wolverines and even mountain lions. There’s an abundance of nature-focused activities to enjoy, from boating and biking to cross-country skiing and hiking, with consistently beautiful mountains, lakes, valleys and more to admire along the way.

June 2018 will also see the launch of daily direct seasonal flights between Los Angeles International and Missoula, Montana, with United Airlines.

The new service will give tourists greater access to Yellowstone National Park, accessible via a four-hour drive from Missoula International Airport. There are plenty of epic adventures to enjoy here, from skiing and snowshoeing to horse riding and fishing. One particularly picturesque option is to take a guided snowmobile during the winter months to visit popular park destinations under the beautiful cover of thick snow.

Starting from January 2018, Southwest Airlines will be offering a daily direct service between Tampa International Airport and San Diego in California, with initial fares from just $99.

Tampa is an ideal destination to visit with the kids in tow, with a wide array of family-friendly activities on the menu. The Florida Aquarium is a particular highlight for anyone with an interest in the mysteries of the underwater world. With 7,000 animals and plants to see in the facility and plenty of fun tours to take, from dolphin cruises to face-to-face meetings with penguins.

From April 2018, a new daily nonstop service will be launched between Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport in California and St. Louis Lambert, Missouri. The new service will be operated by Southwest Airlines.

Once you get to the bustling city of St. Louis, take your pick of things to do. You could check out the enormous Gateway Arch for yourself, and take a ride to the top for amazing views. For more hair-raising thrills, jump out of your skin on some terrifying rides at the Six Flags St. Louis amusement park. Once you’re exhausted from all those rollercoasters, get a drink at the city’s busy bar and entertainment districts.

From May 2018, Southwest Airlines will offer daily direct flights between Sacramento and Orlando.

While of course Orlando is famous for its many world-class theme parks, it's not just about rides. As well as shopping, golf and great spas, there’s also the beautiful Harry P. Leu Gardens: 50-acres of botanical gardens with over a thousand rose bushes and a butterfly garden.

From April 2018, Frontier Airlines will launch a new direct route between Seattle–Tacoma International in Washington and Colorado Springs. The airline has also launched a number of other new services, with new departures from Colorado Springs also flying to San Antonio, Texas, San Jose, California and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Seattle has plenty to offer visitors of all ages. Art aficionados will adore the striking works at the Chihuly Garden and Glass and anyone looking for unbeatable city views should have a meal in the Space Needle’s rotating restaurant.