TL;DR
- TUI launched three new direct routes to Kos for Summer 2026: first-ever services from Bournemouth and Exeter, plus reinstated Stansted flights
- Kos saw a 16% rise in UK traveller popularity this year, ranking seventh among the fastest-growing destinations
- Packages start from £1,013 per person with flexible durations (3 to 14 nights)
- UK travellers are booking holidays 4.9 months ahead on average, creating a longer engagement window for agents
When TUI announced three new direct routes to Kos, it wasn’t just another schedule update. It was a response to something worth knowing about: British families are rediscovering the Greek islands, and they want to fly from airports closer to home.
Starting in Summer 2026, holidaymakers across Southern England will have direct access to one of Greece’s most loved destinations from Bournemouth, Exeter, and London Stansted. For the first time ever, Bournemouth and Exeter will connect straight to Kos, while the Stansted route returns after a six-year pause since 2019.
Greek Islands Are Back on UK Family Radars
The numbers tell the story. According to industry travel trends data from 2025, Kos saw a 16% rise in popularity among UK travellers, ranking seventh in the list of fastest-growing destinations. Crete came in third with a 44% increase, confirming that Greek islands are firmly back on the radar for British families planning their next escape.
Neil Swanson, Managing Director of TUI UK & Ireland, acknowledged the shift: “These new routes to Kos follow a rise in demand for this picturesque island, which is one of our customers’ favourite Greek destinations. By launching services from Bournemouth and Exeter for the first time, and reinstating our popular London Stansted route, we’re making it easier than ever for customers across the South of England to enjoy an unforgettable Greek island holiday.”
The island’s appeal isn’t hard to understand. With average summer temperatures around 27°C, golden beaches that stretch for miles, ancient ruins like the Asclepieion sanctuary, and relaxed harbour towns, Kos delivers the full Greek experience without the crowds of some other islands. Add in wallet-friendly prices (an average beer costs £3.50, ice cream around £2.60), and it’s easy to see why families keep coming back.
Three Routes, Three Different Booking Opportunities
Here’s what agents need to know about the new routes:
Bournemouth to Kos – First-ever TUI service with weekly flights. 7 and 14-night packages available. Sample package: 7 nights half-board at the five-star TUI BLUE Atlantica Belvedere Resort from £1,019 per person, departing 4 June 2026.
Exeter to Kos – First-ever TUI service with weekly Thursday flights starting May 2026. 7 and 14-night packages available. Sample package: 7 nights all-inclusive at the four-star Holiday Village Atlantica Mikri Poli Kos from £1,013 per person, departing 7 June 2026, with a free child place included.
London Stansted to Kos – Reinstated route (last operated in 2019) with twice-weekly flights on Mondays and Thursdays. Flexible durations: 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, or 14 nights, ideal for short breaks and extended escapes.
The variety of durations on the Stansted route is particularly useful. Families targeting school holidays can book the traditional 7 or 14 nights, while couples or empty nesters can take advantage of shorter 3 or 4-night breaks. For clients looking to split their annual leave, 10 or 11-night stays offer a middle ground that maximises time away without burning through all their holiday days in one go.
Regional Departures Create Real Booking Advantages
TUI’s expansion reflects something interesting happening across the UK travel industry. Regional airports are growing, and travellers want the convenience of departing closer to home. Andrew Bell, CEO of Regional & City Airports, confirmed this momentum at Routes World 2025 in Hong Kong, noting 25% year-on-year passenger growth across the group’s airports.
For agents, this creates a tangible booking opportunity. Clients in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, and across Southern England no longer need to factor in long drives to Gatwick or Heathrow. The friction of travel has been reduced, and that matters when families are weighing up whether to book or not.
UK Travellers Are Planning About Five Months Ahead
One of the most interesting trends emerging from 2025 data is how far in advance UK travellers are planning their holidays. According to research published in October 2025, British holidaymakers are booking trips an average of 4.9 months ahead, far outpacing the EMEA regional average of 3.4 months.
For agents, this creates a longer engagement window. Clients who start planning nearly five months out are more likely to value expert input, itinerary refinement, and upselling opportunities. They’re not scrambling for last-minute deals. They’re researching, comparing, and looking for someone who can help them get it right.
Gen Z and Millennials are particularly active in this early planning phase, booking 4.4 and 4.5 months ahead, respectively, with expectations to travel five to six times in 2026. Importantly, over 60% of Gen Z and Millennials are using AI tools to research or plan travel, compared to 35% of adults overall. This doesn’t replace the need for agents. It increases it. Clients arrive more informed, with higher expectations, and a clearer sense of what they want.
How Agents Can Position These Routes Now
With Summer 2026 inventory now on sale, here’s what to consider:
Target families in the South West and South East who have young children and historically booked closer destinations like Spain or Portugal. The new regional routes make Kos accessible to families who previously ruled out Greek islands due to complicated travel logistics.
Highlight the flexibility of the Stansted route’s varied durations (3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 14 nights). This isn’t just a “week at the beach” destination anymore.
Emphasise value. With packages starting from £1,013 to £1,019 per person, Kos offers competitive pricing. The island’s low cost of living means clients’ spending money goes further once they’re there.
Upsell experiences. Through TUI Musement, clients can add curated local experiences like volcanic excursions to Nisyros, sunset cruises, guided tours of Zia mountain village, and the Asclepieion sanctuary.
Leverage the early booking trend. UK travellers are planning 4.9 months ahead. If you’re contacting clients now about Summer 2026, you’re right in their sweet spot. This isn’t too early. It’s exactly when they’re thinking about it.
TUI’s three new routes to Kos for Summer 2026 reflect rising demand for Greek islands among UK families, the growing importance of regional airports, and a booking trend that sees travellers planning nearly five months ahead. The flights are bookable now, inventory is fresh, and clients are actively planning. Early engagement means better availability, stronger pricing, and more time to refine the itinerary. That’s the conversation worth having with clients this week.
Agent Advantage Insight
Clients in Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset can now fly to Kos without the Gatwick/Heathrow drive. That’s a genuine convenience upgrade worth mentioning when positioning Greek island options for Summer 2026.
