Flying to Greece? Here are the Non-Stop Flights from the US to Greece [2022 Edition]

As the world opens up again following almost two years of closures and restrictions, Greece is one of the destinations many Americans are looking at for this summer. But, it’s not just you – airlines are looking at Greece this year as well as they look at launching more non-stop flights from the US to Greece than before. Here are those flights and why you really may want to consider non-stop options.

List of Non-Stop Flights from the US to Greece in 2022

Greece is currently open to Americans and they have dropped requirements for vaccinated individuals to test before coming to Greece. However, Greece is also quick to note that unvaccinated tourists are also welcome – they will just have to test before coming to Greece (that is a PCR test 72 hours before arrival or a rapid antigen test 24 hours before arrival).

Do not forget that all travelers to Greece MUST fill out this PLF (Passenger Locator Form) up to the day before their arrival in Greece!

At present (February 22), mask use is still required indoors and outdoors with a fine of €300 for those that do not do this. I can say, however, that police are not that quick to fine people for not wearing masks outdoors. Just be aware that a fine is possible. They are talking about removing the outdoor mask mandate in the next couple of months.

So, you want to fly to Greece? If you don’t want to stay in Athens the whole of your trip (and you really shouldn’t!), you can find some great deals to the various Greek destinations, including this one from Aegean that will let your kids fly free and give you an extra bag for free and this one that gives you 30% off Aegean flights!

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

*New this year: 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!

American Airlines

Link: Google Flights for American Airlines to Greece

American Airlines is throwing it in on travel to Greece in a big way. For the second year in a row, they will be flying from Chicago, New York (JFK), and Philadelphia. Like other airlines, American Airlines is starting their non-stop flights to Greece earlier this year.

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 February 24.

Philadelphia – Athens

The Philadelphia – Athens flight will begin April 5. 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 – 4:45PM and arriving in Athens at 9:15AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 30 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 12:00PM and arriving in Philadelphia at 3:45PM the same day – an 10 hour and 45 minute journey

This flight will operate until October 6 and will operate daily until then. This is 3 weeks earlier than last year’s schedule.

Chicago – Athens

The Chicago – Athens flight will begin April 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 – 1:40PM and arriving in Athens at 8:05AM the next morning – a 10 hour and 25 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 10:25AM and arriving in Chicago at 2:00PM the same day – a 11 hour and 35 minute journey

This flight will operate until October 6 and will operate daily until then. This is about two and a half weeks earlier than last year’s schedule.

New York – Athens

The New York – Athens flight will begin May 5. This route will be operated on a Boeing 777 as flight AA 334 (or AA 335 on the return).

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

• Departing New York (JFK) – 7:00PM and arriving in Athens at 11:35AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 35 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 2:00PM and arriving in New York at 6:05PM the same day – a 11 hour and 5 minute journey

This flight will operate until October 29 and will operate daily until then. This is just one day earlier than last year’s schedule.

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. Last year, they added Atlanta to Athens direct and this year, they have 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. Since Delta does not have any alliance partner in Greece, this will be important if you want to make sure you both have enough time to connect and pick up your bags between flights while also maximizing your time in Greece.

New York – Athens

And, they are the first American carrier with non-stop flights to Greece as they are already flying to Athens out of JFK! This flight has continued since last year.

This New York – Athens flight is already operating, though not daily until March 23. This route is operated on a Airbus A330 as flight DL 202 (or DL 203 on the return).

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

• Departing New York (JFK) – 5:40PM and arriving in Athens at 10:15AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 35 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 12:30PM and arriving in New York at 4:15PM the same day – a 10 hour and 45 minute journey.

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. It will commence May 26 but will not be a daily, operating on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday out of JFK.

• Departing New York (JFK) – 7:30PM and arriving in Athens at 12:30PM the next morning – a 10 hour journey
• Departing Athens – 2:45PM and arriving in New York at 6:55PM the same day – a 11 hour and 10 minute journey

This flight will operate until October 29.

Atlanta – Athens

The Atlanta – Athens flight will begin May 5. This route will be operated on an Airbus A330 as flight DL 222 (or DL 223 on the return).

It will operate on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesdays until it turns into a daily on May 26. This flight will have the following schedule from the start date:

• Departing Atlanta – 5:15PM and arriving in Athens at 11:20AM the next morning – a 11 hour and 5 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 1:20PM and arriving in Atlanta at 6:25PM the same day – a 12 hour and 5 minute journey

This flight will operate daily until October 29.

Boston – Athens

A new one that Delta has added for 2022 is their Boston to Athens flight. This flight will begin May 27 and it is not a daily flight, operating out of Boston only on Friday, Sunday, and Wednesdays. It is operated on an Airbus A330 as flight DL 240 (or DL 241 on the return).

• Departing Boston – 8:10PM and arriving in Athens at 12:30PM the next morning – a 9 hour and 20 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 2:45PM and arriving in Boston at 6:25PM the same day – a 10 hour and 40 minute journey

This flight actually is the shortest duration flight from the US to Greece which lets it depart later than every other US carrier flight to Athens. This should be nice for those that are trying to eke out every last minute they can before heading out on vacation while still getting them to Athens at a reasonable time of day, perfect for catching flights to the islands or to check in to your Athens hotel.

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 angled-lie flat seats which means that the newer business class cabins aboard American, Delta, and United would likely be preferable to that.

Plus, Emirates will often have even better prices than the big three.

Newark – Athens

The Newark – Athens flight is currently operating and operates daily into 2023 . 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.

United Airlines

Link: Google Flights for United Airlines to Greece

For the second 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 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 April 1, particularly early this year and operates on Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursdays until May 5 when it begins daily operation until October 29 . The flight is operated on a Boeing 767 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 – 5:15PM and arriving in Athens at 10:10AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 55 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 12:15PM and arriving in Newark at 4:15PM the same day – a 11 hour journey

Washington, DC – Athens

The Washington, DC (IAD) – Athens flight begins July 1 and operates daily until October 4 . 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 – 5:35PM and arriving in Athens at 10:20AM the next morning – a 9 hour and 45 minute journey
• Departing Athens – 12:05PM and arriving in Washington, DC at 4:05PM 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!

But, in 2022 (like 2021), it makes even more sense to choose a non-stop flight from the US to Greece because you do not know if countries will add more restrictions/closures due to Covid-19. It certainly appears that this may be all behind us but you never do know! Greece themselves recommend that you fly non-stop to Greece for this reason as well so it is something to think about! Not only that, but if there are closures/restrictions put into place, it could effect your long-haul flight from the US to the connection city – not so if you are flying directly to Greece.

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.

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.