Greece is the Word: United Airlines Expands Service to Athens and More North American Cities

Greece is the Word: United Airlines Expands Service to Athens and More North American Cities - New Nonstop Flights from Chicago and Newark to Athens

United Airlines has exciting news for travelers looking to visit the ancient ruins and endless beaches of Greece. This summer, United will launch new nonstop flights from both Chicago and Newark to Athens. These new routes provide more options for east coast travelers to easily access the Greek capital and all it has to offer.

For Chicagoans, this is the first ever nonstop flight between the Windy City and Athens. As the airline put it, this new service "opens up a whole new world" for travelers departing Chicago O'Hare. Previously, travelers had to connect through another European city like Frankfurt or Munich. But now, you can fly directly from Chicago to Athens in just under 11 hours aboard United's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.
According to United, over 135,000 customers flew from Chicago to Greece in 2019, meaning this direct flight has been a long time coming. Greece is an immensely popular destination for American tourists, thanks to its stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and world-class cuisine. Islands like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete are on many travelers' bucket lists. Now, getting there from Chicago just got a whole lot easier.
On the east coast, United is adding a second daily nonstop between Newark and Athens. This gives travelers departing Newark even more flexibility when planning a trip to Greece. Whether you're looking to maximize your time on the islands or catch an early flight home, two daily nonstops provide ample options.

United says customer demand for Greece has been steadily increasing, making this extra flight a necessity. Pre-pandemic, over 250,000 customers flew from the New York City area to Greece each year. For 2022, United expects demand to meet or even exceed those 2019 figures.

These new routes come just in time for what many expect will be a huge boom in American travel to Europe this summer. After two years of pandemic restrictions, travelers have pent-up demand to cross the Atlantic and explore abroad once again. Greece is sure to be one of the top destinations, thanks to its idyllic landscapes and Mediterranean climate.
For east coasters departing Newark, Athens also serves as a convenient jumping-off point to access the Greek Islands. You can catch a quick connecting flight to islands like Mykonos, Santorini or Paros. Of course, nothing beats arriving directly in Athens and taking the time to explore the Acropolis, visit ancient ruins, and dine on moussaka before heading to the islands.

What else is in this post?

1. Greece is the Word: United Airlines Expands Service to Athens and More North American Cities - New Nonstop Flights from Chicago and Newark to Athens
2. Greece is the Word: United Airlines Expands Service to Athens and More North American Cities - United Adds Second Daily Flight from New York to Athens
3. Greece is the Word: United Airlines Expands Service to Athens and More North American Cities - More Options for Travelers on the East Coast to Visit Greece

Greece is the Word: United Airlines Expands Service to Athens and More North American Cities - United Adds Second Daily Flight from New York to Athens

For east coasters, United's new second daily nonstop flight between Newark and Athens is a major win. This extra flight gives travelers so much more flexibility when planning a trip to Greece out of the New York City area. Whether you're trying to maximize time exploring ancient sites or just want an early flight home, two daily nonstops means you've got options.

According to United, over 250,000 customers flew from the New York area to Greece in 2019 alone. That massive demand makes this second flight an absolute necessity. United expects 2022 figures to meet or even exceed pre-pandemic levels, as travelers have pent-up demand after two years of restrictions.

For many, Athens serves as the ideal jumping off point to access the Greek Islands. You can catch a short connector flight from Athens to islands like Mykonos, Santorini or Paros. Of course, some may prefer arriving right in Athens and taking a few days to see the Acropolis, visit ruins, and eat moussaka before heading to the islands. With two daily nonstop options, you've got flexibility to do whatever fits your ideal Greece itinerary.
Frequent United travelers out of Newark now have even more chances to put their miles to use on this popular route. More award seat availability makes it easier to experience Greece in lie-flat business class seats. United flyers connecting through Newark also benefit, with greater odds of finding award seats to Athens on one of the two daily flights.
For many, the convenience of a nonstop flight makes all the difference. Newark travelers used to face annoying connections in cities like Frankfurt or Zurich. But now, you can jump on a nonstop Boeing 787 Dreamliner and arrive in Athens just 10 hours later, without leaving your seat.

Travelers and United crew alike are thrilled that this new flight opens up Athens and Greece to so many more people. The ease of a nonstop makes this dream trip suddenly accessible to new groups of travelers, whether they're looking to explore ancient ruins or lounge on the beaches.
For new visitors, the nonstop flight means more time spent soaking up Greek culture, food and sunshine. You avoid losing vacation time to lengthy connections in other European hubs. And for return visitors, the nonstop allows you to maximize your time in Greece, without exhausting travel there and back.
While allure of Greek Islands often steals the spotlight, Athens itself is an amazing destination. Spending a few days exploring the Acropolis, visiting ancient sites, seeing markets and trying authentic dishes is the perfect way to begin a Greek getaway. United's new second daily flight makes this a reality for many more New Yorkers.

Greece is the Word: United Airlines Expands Service to Athens and More North American Cities - More Options for Travelers on the East Coast to Visit Greece

United's new direct flights from the east coast to Athens are a game-changer for travelers hoping to experience the magic of Greece. Previously, east coasters had painfully limited options. You either suffered through lengthy connections in Frankfurt or Zurich, or paid up for the few existing direct flights offered only during peak summer.

But United's new routes from Newark and Chicago open the doors to Greece for so many more east coast travelers. As United put it, this new Chicago flight "opens up a whole new world" for Windy City residents hoping to walk among ancient ruins. Meanwhile, the second daily Newark flight means New Yorkers can conveniently visit Greece any time of year.
For new travelers, these direct options eliminate the exhaustion of lengthy European connections. You can fly in comfort from your hometown and wake up in Athens - no changing planes means no hassle. This opens up Greece to populations who found the journey too daunting before. Families, older travelers and those with disabilities benefit greatly.

For returning visitors, these flights allow maximizing your time in Greece. Why waste precious Greek sunrises making connections when you could be beachside awaiting your frappe? Direct flights give you the most bang for your drachma.
And beyond just Athens access, these routes provide a smooth jumping-off point to the Greek islands. Catch a short connector from Athens to Santorini or Mykonos with minimal fuss compared to past multi-leg journeys.
East coasters rejoice at now having Greece firmly within reach thanks to United. As one Newark traveler put it, "I've been dying to walk among those ancient columns, but the journey always felt so grueling before. Now I can visit Greece with fresh energy to soak it all in."

A Chicago resident planning her girls' trip said, "Connecting through Frankfurt with 3 excited teenagers was my nightmare. Now we can fly direct to Athens and have a stress-free start to our Greek adventure."