A recent analysis by the global travel app Skyscanner reveals a clear picture of the travel preferences of German air travelers and simultaneously uncovers significant gaps in the current range of direct flight connections. The study of so-called "unsung routes" – high-demand flight routes that are not currently served without a stopover – reveals a remarkable desire for destinations in Southeast Asia, as well as other intercontinental destinations. The data collected by Skyscanner, which includes searches between September 1, 2024, and March 1, 2025, for travel periods in 2025, offers airlines and airports valuable insights into the untapped potential of the German travel market.
A detailed analysis of the top six routes from Germany's largest airports paints a clear picture of preferences. From Frankfurt, Denpasar on Bali, Indonesia, ranks first among the unserviced routes, followed by Manila in the Philippines, Kerala in India, Lahore in Pakistan, Sydney in Australia, and Koh Samui in Thailand. From Munich, the list of the most sought-after non-existent direct flight destinations also leads to Southeast Asia: Phuket in Thailand, followed by Denpasar/Bali, Manila, Cancun in Mexico, Sydney, and Koh Samui.
A similar pattern emerges for Berlin Airport. Here, Denpasar/Bali also ranks at the top of the unserviced routes, followed by Phuket, Hanoi in Vietnam, Bangkok in Thailand, Cancun, and Mauritius. Travelers from Düsseldorf most frequently request direct flights to Bangkok, followed by Denpasar/Bali, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, and Cape Town in South Africa.
Destinations in Southeast Asia are also highly popular for travelers from Hamburg: Bangkok tops the list, followed by Denpasar/Bali, Cape Town, Phuket, Hanoi, and New Delhi in India. The data for Stuttgart and Hanover show a somewhat different preference. From Stuttgart, Madrid in Spain is the most frequently cited unserviced direct flight route, followed by Bangkok, Cairo in Egypt, Denpasar/Bali, Marrakesh in Morocco, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. For Hanover, Madrid also tops the list, followed by Bangkok, Alicante in Spain, Cairo, Valencia in Spain, and Phuket.
The comprehensive analysis of the data highlights a strong trend toward destinations in Southeast Asia. Bali emerges as the most frequently requested destination without direct flights from Frankfurt and Berlin, while Phuket takes the top spot for Munich. Overall, Bali, along with Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, are among the most sought-after flight routes that currently offer no direct connections from German airports. These findings are consistent with observations from the travel industry, which notes the continued high popularity of these tropical destinations among German vacationers. The cultural diversity, scenic beauty, and tourism infrastructure of these regions attract numerous travelers year after year.
Skyscanner travel expert Friederike Burge emphasizes the importance of this data for the aviation industry: "Skyscanner's data on unserved flight routes clearly shows that German travelers dream of a tropical vacation. Southeast Asia is particularly popular. The most popular destinations are Bali in Indonesia and Thailand – places that are on many people's bucket lists." The analysis therefore provides airlines and airports with a valuable basis for strategic decisions when planning and expanding their route networks. Identifying these high-demand but unserved routes enables the industry to specifically address traveler needs and create new, attractive direct flight connections. This could not only increase passenger satisfaction but also open up new growth potential for the airlines and the airports involved. Establishing direct flights to these destinations could also significantly reduce travel times and increase travel convenience for German vacationers.
and 