United Airlines has announced the extension of seasonal flights with daily direct connections from Athens to US for the summer of 2025.
The airline is increasing its weekly flights to New York/Newark from seven to ten. Additionally, it will launch flights to New York/Newark and Chicago’s O’Hare three weeks earlier than previous schedules.
United will utilize a state-of-the-art Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner for this route, offering over 30% more seats compared to the Boeing 787-8 that previously operated the service.
Along with the addition of a third daily seasonal direct route between Athens and Washington, the total number of seats offered by the airline on flights from Greece to the U.S. will increase by nearly 30 percent for the summer of 2025.
According to United announcement, the expansion of seasonal flights from Athens is part of United’s largest international expansion in its history, with the addition of 11 new flights and eight new destinations for its customers next summer.
United follows American expansion of flights to Athens
Last month American Airlines announced the launch of a new direct flight from Charlotte to Athens next year. Service will begin June 5, 2025 between Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Athens International Airport (ATH).
American will have four daily flights to Greece—more than any other airline, according to the company, already linking the Greek capital with New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago.
“New service to Athens gives our customers the opportunity to experience the rich culture and cuisine of Greece, step back in time among ancient ruins, and venture to the beautiful Greek islands,” Ralph Lopez Massas, American’s senior vice president of Charlotte operations stated in a news release.
Greece becoming a favorite destination for American travelers
Greece is a popular destination for American travelers. In recent years, it has become one of the favorite destinations for Americans due to its rich history, stunning landscapes, beautiful islands, and Mediterranean climate.
Bank of Greece data for 2023 show that travel traffic from the US increased by 29.2 percent compared to 2022, to 1.406 million travelers. This is a new historical record, the previous one having been recorded in 2019, with 1.178 million arrivals. Travel receipts from the US increased by 14% compared to 2022’s 1.367 billion euros.
The allure of ancient sites like the Acropolis in Athens, picturesque islands like Santorini and Mykonos, and delicious Greek cuisine have made Greece a top choice for American tourists.
In addition, Greece’s friendly atmosphere, relatively affordable prices compared to other European destinations, and improved travel accessibility have further boosted its appeal.
Related: Airlines Expand Destinations Amid Strong Demand for Travel