In 2021, Greece was one of the first countries to open its borders to vaccinated and tested travelers, giving the nation a unique opportunity for expansion by major U.S. airlines American, Delta and United to launch new routes and increase capacity on existing ones.
Data obtained by Aviacionline through the Statistics of Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH), prior to the pandemic, the United States was the main long-haul market and the 10th largest international market of Athens (ATH) where 586,219 passengers were mobilized in 2,344 air operations.
New York was the Greek capital’s main destination in North America where 450,013 travelers transited from Newark (EWR) and John F. Kennedy (JFK) airports.
For the 2022 summer schedule, North American operators continued to increase their offerings and introduce new, unprecedented services, Athens will be connected to seven U.S. destinations including New York (JFK), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), Boston (BOS), Newark (EWR), Washington Dulles (IAD) and Atlanta (ATL).
Scheduling for the summer season is as follows:
American Airlines
On May 5, the largest U.S. airline resumed operations between New York (JFK) and Athens (ATH) with daily flights on 273-seat Boeing 777-200ERs in three classes, the new service is part of the Northeast Alliance expansion with Jetblue.
Flight Itinerary
- Flight AA334 JFK 19:00 – ATH 11:40+1
- Flight AA333 ATH 14:05 – JFK 18:05
From May 27th, service between Hartsfield Jackson Airport (ATL) and Athens (ATH) increases to daily flights.
From the Greek capital, the Dallas-based carrier also offers daily service from Chicago O’ Hare (ORD) and Philadelphia (PHL). Data obtained by Aviacionline through Cirium, American Airlines will have an offer of 11,088 seats per week between the U.S. and Greece.
Delta Air Lines
On May 6, brought back its seasonal service from its mega hub in Atlanta (ATL) and Athens (ATH), this service resumed last year’s northern summer. Delta currently offers a non-stop connection between the Greek capital and New York (JFK).
Flight Itinerary
- Flight DL222 ATL 17:35 – JFK 11:40+1 Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
- Flight DL223 JFK 13:55 – ATL 18:50 Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
On May 26, the company will bring a new service between Athens (ATH) and Boston (BOS), and on May 27, it will start the second frequency between the Greek capital and New York (JFK), all flights will be operated between Airbus A330-300 with refurbished cabins and A330-900neo.
Delta will offer 11,832 seats per week between the U.S. and Greece and will be the leading U.S. airline in this market this summer.
See also: Delta expands transatlantic operations by summer 2022
United Airlines
On May 6, the Chicago-based carrier resumed its unprecedented service between Washington Dulles (IAD) and Athens (ATH), which opened in 2021, will have daily flights on 243-seat, three-class Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners.
Flight Itinerary
- Flight UA982 IAD 17:10 – ATH 09:55+1
- Flight UA983 ATH 11:50 – IAD 15:45
On the same day, United increases capacity on the route between Newark (EWR) and the Greek capital by replacing the Boeing 767-400ER with a 318-seat Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, representing a more than 30% increase in seating capacity.
The airline will offer 7,854 seats per week between the United States and Greece.
See also: United Airlines announces largest transatlantic expansion in its history
