Jet2 have launched a brand new flight from Newcastle to Chambéry, France, making them the first airline to offer this route to travellers.
We might still be waiting for summer to arrive, but the budget airline is already expanding its winter schedule for 2025 to 2026.
Three new routes are coming as part of their ‘massive’ expansion, perfect for those looking for a festive break this December.
Two Christmas markets services from Bristol to Gdańsk and Berlin will start in November, as well as the first of its kind Newcastle International to Chambéry Airport route.
While Chambéry might not be top of your list, the Alpine city in south-east France could be ideal for skiers, thanks to its easy access to nearby resorts.
While Lonely Planet comments that ‘attractive’ Chambéry is ‘often forgotten by visitors to the French Alps’ there is plenty to do here.
Dubbed France’s ‘Italian town’, the place was under Italian rule from the 13th to the 16th centuries. As such, visitors will find colourful buildings, large squares and an abundance of vermouth, pasta dishes and polenta.
It’s Italian links have also led travellers to comment on Chambéry’s laid-back feel, with Conde Nast Traveller describing the place as having an ‘easygoing, aperitivo-o’clock vibe.’
Perhaps its most quirky feature is the network of ‘traboules’, or ‘the alleyways’, which are corridor-like passageways that run through and under Chambéry’s grand Old Town buildings.
And, you’ll also spot plenty of elephants on Chambéry’s streets — yes, really. The Fontaine Des Éléphants, was built to honour an esteemed military general, and features four large statues of the animals.
There’s also an elephant trail around the city, which takes you to the main tourist spots, each marked with a tiny elephant.
Flights are currently available to book on Jet2.com from Newcastle to Chambéry, starting on December 20 2025. One flight a week is currently scheduled to depart from the airport every Saturday at 2.40pm, with the cheapest available tickets currently priced at £69.
As well as the new routes, Jet2 are also adding 96,000 seats, which will be available to book for November 2025 to March 2026.
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Jet2 and Jet2 Holidays have also expanded their winter sun programme to a list of popular European tourist hotspots, including the Algarve, Canary Islands, Cyprus and Malta.
Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: ‘We are seeing continued demand for our award-winning flights and holidays and with winter 2025-26 looking so popular, we are in the position to respond with a massively expanded programme.
‘As well as offering three brand-new routes, we are also putting additional capacity on sale to popular destinations and extending the winter season.
‘Such an expansion would not be possible without customers choosing to travel with us in huge numbers, so I would like to sincerely thank our customers and independent travel agent partners for their continued support.’
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