Good news: There are many new routes to Europe for vaccinated Americans looking to travel this summer and beyond. As the region opens up just in time for warmer weather, lower COVID-19 case numbers, and rising vaccination rates, people are eager to pack their bags and discover Europe’s incredible destinations.
With countries like Iceland, Greece, and Croatia leading the way in easing restrictions, more of their EU neighbors are following suit and making it easier for vaccinated travelers to enter as well. As a result, demand for flights has skyrocketed seemingly overnight since official announcements have been made. In turn, airlines are adding new routes to these re-opened countries, which is great news for eligible travelers.
12 Routes to Europe for Vaccinated Americans
Iceland
Boston (BOS) to Reykjavik (KEF) — Delta
This summer, Delta is resuming service between Iceland and New York and Minneapolis, along with a new route that recently launched on May 20 from Boston. The daily service departs Boston at 10:25 pm and arrives to Reykjavik at 7:45 am. Flights return from Reykjavik at 10:15 am, arriving back in Boston at noon. It’s about a 5.5 hour flight each way; Delta will be competing head-to-head with Icelandair.
Chicago (ORD) to Reykjavik (KEF) — United
United launches its first-ever service from Chicago to Reykjavik on July 1, 2021. Daily service should take about 6 hours 15 min eastbound and 6 hours 45 min westbound. Flights depart Chicago at 7:45 pm, arriving in Reykjavik at 7:00 am. Return departure from Iceland is at 10:30 am, arriving back to Chicago at 12:15 pm. This is seasonal service and runs through October 3, 2021. United also flies nonstop to Reykjavik from its hub in Newark.
Greece
New York (JFK) to Athens (ATH) — American
Since early June, American Airlines flies nonstop from New York to Athens, Greece. The 9.5 hour flight operates daily through October, departing New York at 6:00 pm, arriving to Athens at 10:35 am. Return flights will be around 11 hours, departing Athens at 12:45 pm, arriving back in New York at 4:50 pm.
Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Athens (ATH) — United
From July 1st, United Airlines will fly nonstop from Washington to Athens. The daily seasonal service will operate through October 3 as a complement to United’s resumption of its Newark-Athens route. The new flights from Washington will last 9 hours 45 min eastbound, departingDulles Airport at 5:20 pm, arriving in Athens at 10:05 am. Westbound flights should take 11 hours, departing Athens at 12:05 pm, arriving back in Washington at 4:05 pm.
Atlanta (ATL) to Athens (ATH) — Delta
Delta announced a new daily nonstop service from Atlanta to Athens on July 2, 2021. The flight will allow connections from over 140 cities across the U.S. The eastbound flight departs Atlanta at 4:25 pm, arriving in Athens at 10:00 am. The return flight clocks in at 12 hours 15 min, departing Athens at 12:35 pm, and arriving back in Atlanta at 5:50 pm. Seasonal flights run through October and will complement Delta’s New York-Athens service.
Croatia
Newark (EWR) to Dubrovnik (DBV) — PRAGUSA
New airline PRAGUSA plans to launch two new routes between Dubrovnik and the United States this month. One will be nonstop service from Newark, starting on June 21, 2021. Flights will operate three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
Los Angeles (LAX) to Dubrovnik (DBV) — PRAGUSA
The second route planned by the upstart airline PRAGUSA will be from Los Angeles to Dubrovnik, starting June 22, 2021. This route will fly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Fares are being advertised from $790 in Economy, $3,890 in Business Class, and $9,900 in First Class (from LAX only).
New York (JFK) to Dubrovnik (DBV) — Delta
Delta will operate its first flight between the United States and Croatia on July 2, 2021, when it launches new nonstop service from New York to Dubrovnik. Flights depart New York at 8:00 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, arriving the following morning in Dubrovnik at 11:15 am. Flights return from Dubrovnik at 1:30 pm on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, arriving back in New York at 5:30 pm.
Newark (EWR) to Dubrovnik (DBV) — United
United Airlines is adding a new nonstop flight from Newark to Dubrovnik, starting July 1, 2021. United will also fly four times per week, departing Newark on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. These flights will return from Dubrovnik on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. United says the flight times will allow connections to over 65 cities from its Newark hub.
Italy
Boston (BOS) to Rome (FCO) — Delta
Delta plans to launch a new daily service from Boston to Rome on August 5, 2021. The flight will depart Boston at 5:15pm, arriving in Rome 8 hours 30 min later at 7:45 am. Flights return from Rome at 10:00 am, arriving back in Boston 10 hours later, at 2:00 pm.
SkyTeam partner Alitalia will also resume flying this route on July 1. The new Delta flight will be part of Delta’s COVID-tested, quarantine-free flights to Italy, which include Atlanta to Rome, New York to Milan, New York to Rome, New York to Venice, and Atlanta to Venice. Both American and United are also flying these special flights from their respective hubs to Italy.
UK
New York (JFK) to London-Heathrow (LHR) — JetBlue
JetBlue begins its transatlantic journey on August 11, 2021, with its first-ever flight to Europe. Flights from JFK to Heathrow will operate daily and last approximately 7 hours on the eastbound and 8.5 hours on the westbound. Between August 11 and September 7, flights depart New York at 9:48 pm, and starting September 8, departure times change to 10:09 pm. In both cases, you’ll arrive in London at 10:10 am. Flights return from London-Heathrow at 6:10 pm, arriving back in New York at 9:43 pm.
New York (JFK) to London-Gatwick (LGW) — JetBlue
In addition to the Heathrow service, JetBlue will launch daily nonstop flights from New York to Gatwick on September 29, 2021. These flights will depart New York a little earlier, at 7:48 pm, arriving in London at 7:55 am. Flights will return from London-Gatwick at 12 noon, arriving back in New York at 3:33 pm.
