Thomson Airways has welcomed one of its state-of-the-art Dreamliner aircraft to Bristol Airport as it prepares to launch two new routes to Cancun in Mexico and Sanford in Florida for Thomson and First Choice customers from summer 2017.

The move to introduce the new routes – which will go on sale later this month – is part of the holiday company’s strategy to ensure customers across the UK can fly from their local airport and stay at the best hotels in some of the most exciting destinations.

The Dreamliner has reduced flight times, on average, by 22 minutes since it was introduced in 2013 and has helped Thomson Airways to offer a host of new and exciting holiday options – with holidaymakers in Bristol and the South-West now able to look forward to jetting off to Florida and Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

They will enjoy a choice of nearly 100 hotels across the two new destinations including Thomson’s flagship Sensatori Resorts and Thomson’s Sensimar Resorts.

News of the new long-haul routes comes as Thomson Airways also revealed it is to launch three new European routes from Bristol in 2017.

Holidaymakers will be able to fly direct to Catania, Italy, Chania in Greece, and the Catalonian city of Girona in Spain.

On top of this, the introduction of additional flights to Gran Canaria, Pula in Croatia and Paphos in Cyprus will allow sun-seekers to choose ten or 11-night breaks to provide greater flexibility and choice alongside the traditional seven or 14-night holiday.

Mark Hall, director of product for Thomson and First Choice, said: “We are committed to taking customers on holiday from their local airport and we’re excited to be able to introduce these direct long haul routes from Bristol.

“We were the first UK airline to take delivery of the 787 Dreamliner, which has enabled us to open up new destinations for Thomson and First Choice customers and fly them there in style.

“It also means our customers can have access to our portfolio of unique hotels, which they can only book through us, flying direct from Bristol airport.”