Flying to Greece? Here are the Non-Stop Flights from the US to Greece in 2024

In 2023, Greece had its biggest year of tourism – ever. More tourists visited Greece from January – September than had visited in all 2022! In total, more than 33 million tourists visited Greece.  Plus, there was more tourist earnings for the southern European nation by August than all of 2022 (over $21 billion). For 2024, it looks like it will be as big of a tourist year so if you are wanting to go to Greece, here is the list of non-stop flights from the US to Greece to help you maximize every hour of vacation!

The Non-Stop Flights from the US to Greece in 2024

Greece made a huge comeback after Covid in travel with a huge bounce in the numbers from 2019. Greece has worked very hard to welcome foreigners in yet again and made a lot of improvements in their airports and travel networks to be easier for travelers. And you can tell.

Let’s jump to the list of non-stop flights from the US to Greece!

*Flight links: I am including links to Google Flights for each airline from the airports they are flying from. I have set the date at a 7 day trip, feel free to mess around with it to suit your schedule so you can find the best prices! Also, some times may shift by 15-20 minutes as the schedule continues later into the year (from what I have listed below)

American Airlines

Link: Google Flights for American Airlines to Greece

American Airlines is throwing it in on travel to Greece in a big way – again!. For the third year in a row, they will be flying from Chicago, New York (JFK), and Philadelphia. However, this year, they are starting their flights to Greece earlier than in 2023.

Note that some flight schedules may shift slightly as it goes through the summer but these are the times for the beginning of these routes. Also note that all flight start dates are current as of January 21.

Philadelphia – Athens

The Philadelphia – Athens flight will begin May 6. This route will be operated on a Boeing 787 as flight AA 758 (or AA 759 on the return).

This flight will have the following schedule from the start date:

• Departing Philadelphia – 6:30PM and arriving in Athens at 11:00AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 30 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 1:00PM and arriving in Philadelphia at 5:00PM the same day – an 11 hour journey

This flight will operate until September 4 and will operate daily until then.

Chicago – Athens

The Chicago – Athens flight will begin May 6. This route will be operated on a Boeing 787 as flight AA 160 (or AA 161 on the return).

This flight will have the following schedule from the start date:

• Departing Chicago – 3:00PM and arriving in Athens at 9:25AM the next morning – a 10 hour and 25 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 11:30AM and arriving in Chicago at 3:05PM the same day – a 11 hour and 35 minute journey

This flight will operate until October 26 and will operate daily until then.

New York – Athens

The New York – Athens flight will begin March 31. This route will be operated on a Boeing 777 as flight AA 334 (or AA 333 on the return).

This flight will have the following schedule from the start date:

• Departing Philadelphia – 5:50 and arriving in Athens at 10:25AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 35 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 12:30PM and arriving in Philadelphia at 4:20PM the same day – an 10 hour and 50 minute journey

This flight will operate until October 26 and will operate daily until then.

Delta Air Lines

Link: Google Flights for Delta Air Lines to Greece

Delta has normally had the edge on other carriers with two flights to Athens during the peak summer months. Three years ago, they added Atlanta to Athens direct and in 2022, they added Boston to Athens direct.

They have two flights out of JFK operating throughout the summer so you can pick whether you want an earlier or later departure.

New York – Athens

And, they are the first American carrier with non-stop flights to Greece as they start flying to Greece out of JFK on March 11.

This New York – Athens flight starts out as a daily right away. This flight is operated on a Airbus A330 as flight DL 202 (or DL 203 on the return).

This flight will have the following schedule (on an Airbus A330-900neo) from the start date until March 25:

• Departing New York (JFK) – 4:50PM and arriving in Athens at 8:30AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 40 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 10:45AM and arriving in New York at 4:00PM the same day – a 11 hour and 15 minute journey.

From April 1, the schedule will change to the following and will be operated on an Airbus A330 (the schedule does shift by up to an hour and a half later in the year):

• Departing New York (JFK) – 3:30PM and arriving in Athens at 8:05AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 35 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 11:35AM and arriving in New York at 3:45PM the same day – a 11 hour and 10 minute journey.

This flight will operate until December 15.

They also will begin a second flight from JFK with the following schedule (as flight DL 212 on the outbound and DL213 on the return). This flight will be operated by an Airbus A330-900neo. It will commence May 9 and will jump right into a daily flight.

• Departing New York (JFK) – 8:20PM and arriving in Athens at 1:15PM the next morning – a 9 hour and 55 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 3:30PM and arriving in New York at 7:35PM the same day – a 1 hour and 5 minute journey

This flight will operate until October 26.

Atlanta – Athens

The Atlanta – Athens flight will begin much earlier this year with a March 30 starting date. This route will be operated on an Airbus A350 as flight DL 222 (or DL 223 on the return). On April 11, it will begin operating with an Airbus A350 which will account for a few minute difference in the schedule. Note that, for some reason, Delta does not operate this flight from Athens to Atlanta on the Fridays of June 2, 9, 16 and July 1-2. The outbound from Atlanta is still operating on all days, however.

It will operate as a daily non-stop from the beginning. This flight will have the following schedule from the start date:

• Departing Atlanta – 4:55PM and arriving in Athens at 10:35AM the next morning – a 10 hour and 40 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 12:55PM and arriving in Atlanta at 5:45PM the same day – a 11 hour and 50 minute journey

This flight will operate daily until October 26.

Boston – Athens

A new one that Delta had added in 2023 is their Boston to Athens flight. This flight will begin April 11 and this year, it is a daily flight. It is operated on an Airbus A330 as flight DL 240 (or DL 241 on the return).

• Departing Boston – 5:05PM and arriving in Athens at 9:20AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 15 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 10:20AM and arriving in Boston at 1:50PM the same day – a 10 hour and 30 minute journey

This flight actually is the shortest duration flight from the US to Greece. This flight will operate until October 26.

Emirates

Link: Google Flights for Emirates Flight to Greece

Review of Emirates in Economy between Greece and the US

Now we get to the airline that the big three US airlines really do not like – Emirates! Not only do they typically offer a year-round schedule but they also do it with (normally) better service onboard as well as an actual first class cabin. Their business class is equipped with a slightly angled-lie flat seats (at the headrest) but is still very comfortable. Plus, I have found their economy class cabin to be better than the US airlines as well.

Also, Emirates will often have even better prices than the big three, especially on one way flights.

Newark – Athens

The Newark – Athens flight is currently operating and operates daily through the end of their schedule. The flight is operated on a Boeing 777 which means no shower for first class passengers (that is only on the A380). It is flight EK 210 from Newark and EK 209 on the return and is part of the route from Newark – Athens – Dubai.

This flight will have the following schedule from the start date:

• Departing Newark – 11:55PM and arriving in Athens at 4:00PM the next morning – a 9 hour and 10 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 5:35PM and arriving in Newark at 9:20PM the same day – a 10 hour and 45 minute journey

Unless you are in the tri-state area, the arrival time in Newark will likely mean you have to stay the night. Still, with a late departure time on both ends, it gives Newark-area travelers a great opportunity to get a full-day of work in before leaving the US and to maximize time on the ground in Greece before returning.

Norse Atlantic Airways

Link: Google Flights for Norse Atlantic Airways to Greece

This year, low cost carrier Norse Atlantic Airways is tackling the US market to Greece. Know that you don’t get an overhead bag at the base price and be expected to pay for pretty much everything along the way but if you want the cheapest prices (possibly – make sure you check the other carriers, especially Emirates), they could be an option for you. I will say they have incredibly cheap flights from Athens – coming in even at peak times for just $249 one way.

New York (JFK) – Athens

The New York – Athens flight will begin May 30. This route will be operated on a Boeing 787 as flight N0 504 (or N0 503 on the return). It operates out of New York on Monday – Thursday and Saturday. It will operate until October 26.

Their schedule differs daily. Here is that it is:

• Monday
  • Departing New York – 1:30AM and arriving in Athens at 6:05PM the same day – a 9 hour and 35 minute journey
• Tuesday
  • Departing New York – 12:45PM and arriving in Athens at 5:20AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 35 minute journey
  • Departing Athens (on Tuesday AM) – 7:00AM and arriving in New York at 10:50AM the same day – a 10 hour and 50 minute journey
• Wednesday
  • Departing New York – 1:00PM and arriving in Athens at 5:35AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 35 minute journey
  • Departing Athens – 7:15AM and arriving in New York at 11:05AM the same day – a 10 hour and 50 minute journey
• Thursday
  • Departing New York – 1:10PM and arriving in Athens at 5:45AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 35 minute journey
  • Departing Athens – 7:30AM and arriving in New York at 11:20AM the same day – a 10 hour and 50 minute journey
• Saturday
  • Departing New York – 1:55PM and arriving in Athens at 6:30AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 35 minute journey
  • Departing Athens (on Sunday) – 7:30PM and arriving in New York at 11:30PM the same day – a 10 hour and 50 minute journey

Norse could be an interesting choice given their low cost and fluctuating schedule. I particular find the Monday schedule interesting given that it is possible to arrive in Athens the same day as departure – very unusual for a flight from the US to eastern Europe.

United Airlines

Link: Google Flights for United Airlines to Greece

For the fourth year in a row, United will be operating two flights from the US to Greece. This gives them an opportunity to take advantage of their Washington, DC hub at Dulles as well as out of Newark. Plus, they have another huge advantage over the other airlines – they are alliance partners with Aegean, the national Greek carrier, which means that a single reservation could allow you to simply transit Athens and fly anywhere in Greece – on a single award/revenue ticket.

Newark – Athens

The Newark – Athens flight begins March 30, and operates out of Newark on a daily schedule right away until December 2 this year . The flight is operated on a Boeing 787-10 and operates under flight number UA 124 from Newark and UA 125 on the return.

This flight will have the following schedule from:

• Departing Newark – 5:40PM and arriving in Athens at 10:10AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 30 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 12:25PM and arriving in Newark at 4:00PM the same day – a 10 hour and 35 minute journey

Washington, DC – Athens

The Washington, DC (IAD) – Athens flight begins much earlier this year on April 14 and operates daily until October 26 . The flight is operated on a Boeing 787 and operates under flight number UA 982 on the outbound and UA 983 on the return.

This flight will have the following schedule from the start date:

• Departing Washington, DC – 5:10PM and arriving in Athens at 9:55AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 45 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 11:45AM and arriving in Washington, DC at 3:45PM the same day – an 11 hour  journey

Why Consider Non-Stop Flights from the US to Greece?

There are a few obvious reasons you would want to pick non-stop flights from the US to Greece and those are things like:

• No connections in other European cities
• Fewer chances of having your luggage get misplaced/lost
• Quicker so you can start you vacation sooner!

With Covid restrictions behind us, this is not a reason to avoid connections but last year showed a great reason to fly non-stop as well – terrible baggage handling around Europe. For some travelers, it was weeks before they were reconnected with their luggage. While non-stop flights do not eliminate that potential problem (Emirates had lost a bag of mine on the Newark-Athens leg onetime and it took 5 weeks to reconnect with it!), it certainly lessens the likelihood of such a problem.

Bottom Line

Like never before, there are plenty of options if you want to fly direct to Greece from the US this summer! From Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Washington, Philadelphia, New York, and Newark you can take your pick and airline!

I will have another post on award travel but, for now, here are all the schedules! I give United the best score if you want to book an award ticket to someplace in Greece other than Athens since you will have access to the entire Aegean network. However, Delta has partnered with Greek carrier Sky Express for flights around Greece also so that gives travelers yet another option. Norse is a newcomer, going the low cost route with cheaper prices out of Athens and interesting schedules. Lastly, Emirates is a connection partner with Aegean as well so this can be helpful if you want to travel around Greece.

If you want the best comfort in economy, I would give the nod to Emirates since they are far and away the best in economy.