Travel restrictions are being lifted for vaccinated Americans wishing to travel to Europe this summer. Some countries such as Croatia, Greece, and Iceland lifted restrictions earlier and recently more European nations are following and easing entry requirements for vaccinated travelers.
The news has prompted airlines to add new routes to countries that are open to tourism, as the demand for these flights has skyrocketed since these announcements have been made. Here’s a look at some of the new ways you can fly over to Europe this summer.
Note: Entry requirements may vary slightly by destination, but it is generally required that you’ll need to provide either proof of vaccination, negative test, or recent recovery from COVID-19. For the latest requirements, go to travel.state.gov
Croatia
Newark (EWR) to Dubrovnik (DBV) on PRAGUSA
Believe it or not, we may see a brand-new airline fly across the Atlantic in 2021. PRAGUSA plans to launch two new routes between Dubrovnik and the USA in June. One of which will be new nonstop service from Newark, starting on June 21, 2021. Flights will operate three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. While the company plans to operate an all-Premium Economy Airbus A350 fleet in the future, it will lease an Airbus A330-300 with 281 seats to fly this route.
Los Angeles (LAX) to Dubrovnik (DBV) on 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, on a leased Airbus A340 with 263 seats. Tickets will go on sale for both of PRAGUSA’s new routes on May 24th, as stated on its website. 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) on Delta
Delta will operate its first flight between the U.S. and Croatia on July 2, 2021, when it launches new nonstop service from New York to Dubrovnik. The new flights will be operated on a 226-seat Boeing 767-300 that feature Delta One, Comfort+, and Main Cabin seating.
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. Eastbound flights will be about 9h 15m, while westbound flights clock in around 10 hours gate-to-gate. These flight times allow for several connections from all over the country.
Newark (EWR) to Dubrovnik (DBV) on United
United Airlines is also jumping on the Croatia bandwagon by adding a new nonstop flight from Newark to Dubrovnik, starting July 1, 2021. Like Delta, United will also fly a Boeing 767 aircraft 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.
Related: What Countries Are Open to Vaccinated Travelers?
Greece
New York (JFK) to Athens (ATH) on American
It seems like everyone wants to fly to Greece this summer and the airlines have responded by adding new flights. Starting June 3, 2021, American Airlines will fly nonstop from New York to Athens on a Boeing 777. The 9.5 hour flight will operate daily through October, departing New York at 6:00 pm, arriving in 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.
The new flight on American Airlines was announced last year in coordination with its new partnership with JetBlue. It will complement resuming seasonal American Airlines service between Athens and Chicago and Philadelphia.
Washington D.C. (IAD) to Athens (ATH) on United
Starting July 1, 2021, United Airlines will fly nonstop from Washington D.C. to Athens on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The daily seasonal service will operate through October 3 and will complement United’s resumption of its Newark-Athens route. The new flights from Washington will span 9 hours 45 min eastbound, departing Washington’s Dulles Airport at 5:20 pm, arriving in Athens at 10:05 am. Westbound flights are scheduled for 11 hours, departing Athens at 12:05 pm, arriving back in Washington at 4:05 pm.
Atlanta (ATL) to Athens (ATH) on Delta
If you’re looking to travel to Greece from the southeastern U.S., it will be a little easier in 2021. Delta begins new daily nonstop service from its largest hub in Atlanta to Athens on July 2, 2021. The flight will allow connections from over 140 cities across the U.S.
The Airbus A330 will fly eastbound for 10 ½ hours, departing 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.
Related: Win a Year of Free First-Class Flights for Two Anywhere in the World
Iceland
Boston (BOS) to Reykjavik (KEF) on Delta
Delta is resuming service between Iceland and New York and Minneapolis this summer along with a new route that just launched on May 20 from Boston to Reykjavik. The daily service will be operated by a 193-seat Boeing 757, departing Boston at 10:25 pm, arriving in 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 and Delta will be competing head-to-head with Icelandair.
Chicago (ORD) to Reykjavik (KEF) on United
United will start flying its first ever service from Chicago to Reykjavik on July 1, 2021. Daily service on a Boeing 757 will 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. On the return, you’ll depart from Iceland at 10:30 am and arrive back in Chicago at 12:15 pm. The seasonal service runs through October 3, and will compete directly with Icelandair. United also flies nonstop to Reykjavik from its hub in Newark.
Related: JetBlue Flights to London Now On Sale from $546 Roundtrip
Italy
Boston (BOS) to Rome (FCO) on Delta
Delta announced this new route way back in September 2019. It was initially planned to launch in 2020, but was delayed due to the pandemic. At the moment, Delta plans to launch a new daily service from Boston to Rome on August 5, 2021. Delta will fly a Boeing 767, departing Boston at 5:15pm, arriving in Rome 8 ½ hours 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.
Related: New Low-cost Airline Breeze Airways Opens Booking with Fares Starting at $39 One-Way
United Kingdom
New York (JFK) to London-Heathrow (LHR) on JetBlue
JetBlue begins its transatlantic journey on August 11, 2021, with its first-ever flight to Europe. The airline persisted and was able to secure slots at London’s most popular Heathrow Airport. Flights from New York-JFK to London-Heathrow will operate daily on its new Airbus A321 Long Range, which features 24 Mint Class Suites and 117 seats in Economy.
The flights are approximately 7 hours on the eastbound and 8.5 hours on the westbound. Between August 11 and September 7th, 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) on JetBlue
In addition to the Heathrow service, JetBlue will launch daily nonstop flights from New York to London-Gatwick on September 29, 2021. These flights will also be operated by the Airbus A321LR and 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.
JetBlue had also planned to launch service from Boston to London, but those plans have now been pushed back to summer 2022. Nonetheless, the new JetBlue flights between New York and London are two of the most anticipated routes of the 2021 season and will surely ramp up competition in one of the most popular flight markets in the world.
