Direct Flights Daily From New York to Athens Have Taken Off 

Just in time for peak season 2022, United Airlines has commenced its direct flights to and from New York and Athens daily. The non-stop flights will run from April 4 right through to October 30, with the airline also announcing it will start its seasonal direct flights from Washington D.C. to Athens on May 7. 

Flights depart Athens Airport daily at 12:15 pm, and arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport at 4:15 pm the same day. The return flight departs Newark daily at 5:15 pm, arriving in Athens at 10:10 am the following day. 

With the Washington route, flights will depart Athens daily at 11:50 am, arriving at Washington Dulles at 3:15 pm the same day. The return flight will depart Washington daily at 5:10 pm, arriving in Athens at 9:55 am the following day. 

Athens International Airport Communications & Marketing Director Ioanna Papadopoulou said that the United States market showed great resilience even during the pandemic period, and remains one of Athens Airport’s most popular and significant markets, thanks in great part to the large and active Greek-American community.

While United Airlines’ Director of Sales for the UK, Ireland, Israel & Off-line Sales Bob Schumacher expressed the company’s “enthusiasm of returning to Athens in 2022 with the restart of direct flights from Greece to the US.” The flights to the United States, he added, are supplemented with connections to over 95 destinations in the entire American continent. The daily to and from flights will be carried out by Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes, said Schumacher. 

Direct Flights to Greece From US and Canada, Extended for 2022

Direct flights to Greece from the United States and Canada will begin a lot earlier and end later this year, as Greece aims to extend its tourism season for 2022. 

Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias this week announced that direct flights from the United States to Greece will begin on March 7, earlier than any other year.

Following a meeting with US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt at the Ministry, Kikilias also revealed that this summer American Airlines will operate 14 direct flights every week between eight large US airports and Athens International Airport.

“This amounts to a vote of confidence in our country by a key market, which adds high value to Greek tourism,” said Minister Kikilias. 

Direct flights from Canada to Athens will also launch on April 2nd. This was announced by the Greek Tourism Ministry on Wednesday, following a meeting between Minister Kikilias and Canadian Ambassador Mark Allen.

The direct flights from Canada will extend to the end of November for the first time, which is also part of the Tourism Ministry’s aim to extend the tourism season in the country.

Kikilias emphasised that more international visitors from the United States and Canada are expected in Greece in 2022, following the recent lifting of mandatory coronavirus tests for fully vaccinated Americans, Canadians and Australians (which came into effect on February 12, 2022). 

Image Courtesy of Dymabroad 

Lufthansa’s New Flights to Greece for Summer 2022

Lufthansa has released its 2022 summer flight schedule, which offers an expanded portfolio of new European destinations, including direct flights from Munich to Kalamata, as well as new flights to the Greek islands of Samos and Skiathos.  

Lufthansa’s summer flight schedule will launch on March 27, 2022 and the airline also announced frequency increases on current routes and the resumption of services. It will now serve over 160 destinations in Europe, with more destinations from its Frankfurt and Munich hub.

According to Lufthansa officials, the number of intra-European connections from Frankfurt and Munich will almost reach the 2019 level with around 5,000 weekly flights.

In Europe, Lufthansa is offering six new holiday destinations from Munich- Kalamata in the Peloponnese, Menorca island in Spain, Varna on the Black Sea, Billund in Denmark and Bergen in Norway are new destinations in northern Europe. Starting in April, Air Dolomiti will also fly from Brindisi in Italy.

Starting with the 2022 summer flight schedule, the company’s Eurowings Discover will also be taking off from Munich with a summer schedule that features 12 Greek islands with the addition of sunny Samos in the Northern Aegean and stunning Skiathos in the Sporades.

Lufthansa also notes that it continues to offer all customers maximum booking security and flexibility. This enables risk-free vacation planning, as all fares can still be rebooked. Customers can find the latest information on entry requirements at Lufthansa.

Image: Samos Island