Home»AIRLINE NEWS» American Airlines Announces New Flights To Budapest, Athens, And More For Summer 2026
Published on
August 8, 2025 |
By: TTW News Desk
American Airlines will broaden its international footprint in Summer 2026 by introducing six new routes serving vital markets in Europe and South America. This expansion not only deepens the airline’s footprint across the Atlantic basin but also provides U.S. travelers and those in Europe with additional, convenient nonstop choices. The new flights promise heightened schedule flexibility and streamlined connections for vacationers and business travelers alike.
The nonstop links will launch from Philadelphia (PHL), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), and Miami (MIA) and will span Budapest, Prague, Athens, Milan, Zurich, and Buenos Aires. These added markets complement the airline’s already robust transatlantic and South American portfolio and reinforce American’s commitment to increasing global service breadth and frequency.
American Airlines will for the first time offer seasonal service to both Budapest and Prague, thereby establishing nonstop access to the strategic and historically rich markets of Central Europe.
Philadelphia to Budapest and Prague
Commencing May 21, 2026, American Airlines will launch daily nonstop service from Philadelphia to Budapest and Prague, utilizing the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to bolster access to two culturally and historically rich capitals. The new Budapest route will represent the carrier’s inaugural service to Hungary, further underlining the increasing traveler interest in the nation’s famed thermal baths and UNESCO World Heritage sites. The nonstop service to Prague will also constitute the first direct link from Philadelphia, enabling convenient same-day arrivals to the Czech Republic’s storied cityscape of bridges, castles, and vibrant arts.
Dallas Fort Worth to Athens and Zurich
On the same date, American will add daily nonstop flights from Dallas Fort Worth to Athens and Zurich, employing the 787-8 for the Greek capital and the 777-200 for the Swiss metropolis. The new Athens route will meet surging demand for direct access to Greece’s storied coastline and island-hopping itineraries, while the Zurich service will connect U.S. travelers to the heart of the Swiss financial center, ski regions, and broader European high-speed train networks. Together, the new flights will affirm American’s role as a premier gateway for travelers seeking the Mediterranean and Central European experience.
Through the addition of these new links, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport will solidify its position as a pivotal gateway for travelers journeying to Southern Europe. For travelers to Greece, the new Athens service will elevate the number of U.S. cities with nonstop flights to five, streamlining travel to the ancient capital. Zurich-bound passengers will benefit from a seamless connection to the Swiss financial heart, since these direct flights will now depart from one of the nation’s largest travel hubs.
Miami will acquire daily year-round service to Milan’s Malpensa Airport starting March 29, 2026. The new flight will further cement American Airlines’ extensive network at Miami International Airport, already among its most vital hubs. Milan’s rich cultural scene, fashion heritage, and robust business environment will now be within nonstop reach of South Florida, tightening the transatlantic bond between the U.S. and Italy.
The flight will close a longstanding gap in transatlantic connectivity, offering a direct link between Miami and Milan that eliminates the inconvenience of layovers and provides business and leisure travelers with a streamlined option.
Service Expansion to South America
In conjunction with its planned growth throughout Europe, American Airlines is set to broaden its footprint in South America. Beginning May 21, 2026, the airline will add a seasonal extension to its Dallas-Fort Worth to Buenos Aires (EZE) service, operating weekly across the Continental summer travel period and concluding on August 3, 2026. This additional capacity is designed to accommodate robust demand for travel between the United States and Argentina while reinforcing American Airlines’ strategic positioning as a leading carrier for the South American market.
By complementing existing Miami schedules with added Dallas-Fort Worth frequencies, American Airlines will provide the itinerary flexibility and connectivity that business and leisure passengers require when travelling to Buenos Aires.
Dedicated Options for Sports Travelers
In service to international sports marquee events in 2026, American Airlines will similarly offer a limited-time seasonal service connecting Dallas-Fort Worth and Zurich (ZRH) and will grow frequencies from Miami and Dallas-Fort Worth to Buenos Aires (EZE). The Zurich flights will operate from May 21 through August 4, 2026, and will be the only nonstop link between the two cities. This offering is tailored for sports enthusiasts travelling to Zurich for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and a calendar of associated global tournaments.
American Airlines will bolster its service to Buenos Aires during next summer’s peak season by adding up to three additional daily departures from Miami, providing travelers to Argentina with greater flexibility and connection options.
To further elevate the passenger experience on long-haul sectors, the carrier will increase the premium seat count on flights to Asia and Europe. Effective March 29, 2026, Dallas/Fort Worth will introduce daily Boeing 777-300ER service to Tokyo Haneda, raising the number of premium seats by more than 45 percent compared to the summer of 2025. Los Angeles, meanwhile, will double its Haneda footprint, operating two daily 777-200 flights.
Every long-haul service to Asia will come equipped with sleeping attire, memory foam mattress toppers, multicourse dining, and an expanded selection of award-winning wines, aligning the travel experience with the carrier’s emphasis on comfort.
America’s Summer 2026 expansion reaffirms its commitment to enhancing international reach. Launch routes to Budapest, Prague, Athens, Milan, Zurich, and the newly expanded Buenos Aires schedule collectively deliver greater choice and convenience to the airline’s passengers as travel demand continues to rise.
These new routes further enhance American Airlines’ extensive global network while consolidating its status as a frontrunner in transatlantic and intercontinental service. Ongoing growth is accompanied by a sustained dedication to delivering superior service and premium cabin offerings, guaranteeing that every traveler enjoys a smooth and gratifying journey from departure to arrival.
(Source: American Airlines, U.S. Department of Transportation, Airlines for America, International Air Transport Association)
Home»AIRLINE NEWS» American Airlines Expands Philadelphia’s Reach with New Flights to Budapest and Prague Starting Summer 2026: All You Need To Know
Published on
August 8, 2025 |
By: TTW News Desk
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is about to see an exciting new addition to its international flight routes. American Airlines has announced it will begin offering direct flights from Philadelphia to Budapest and Prague starting in summer 2026. The new routes are set to enhance Philadelphia’s growing network of international flights, giving travelers more convenient options to visit two culturally rich European destinations.
A Step Toward More Global Connectivity
With these new direct flights, American Airlines is positioning Philadelphia as a central hub for travelers looking to explore Europe. The airline’s Vice President of PHL Operations, Lakshman Amaranyaka, emphasized that this expansion is part of a broader effort to connect Philadelphia with more global destinations. He stated that the addition of Budapest and Prague will not only provide travelers with access to the unique attractions in Hungary and the Czech Republic but also increase the airline’s offerings across the Atlantic.
Budapest: The Heart of Europe’s History and Culture
Hungary’s capital city of Budapest boasts of its unique thermal baths, stunning architectural sites, and an intriguing historical heritage. The city is also well known for the river Danube which divides Budapest into two parts, Buda and Pest, featuring the grand Hungarian Parliament Building and Buda Castle which along with several other sites offer history, relaxation, and adventure. Travelers from the United States will be pleased with the news that American Airlines is the only airline that offers nonstop flights to Budapest.
Prague: A City of Fairytale Charm
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is known for its iconic medieval architecture, including the famous Prague Castle and the historic Charles Bridge. The city’s fairy-tale atmosphere is complemented by a vibrant cultural scene, with world-class music, art, and food. Prague’s appeal to tourists grows each year, and with this new nonstop service, American Airlines is making it easier than ever for Philadelphia residents to experience the magic of this Central European city.
Expanding European Connections from Philadelphia
This is the third consecutive summer that American Airlines has expanded its European destination offerings from Philadelphia. The airline added Nice, France, and Copenhagen, Denmark to its route network in 2024. This year, Milan and Edinburgh also became directly accessible from PHL. These changes highlight American Airlines’ efforts to further develop its European network and strengthen its position in the international market, thus bringing greater appeal to Philadelphia International Airport.
The flights to Budapest and Prague will operate on Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which offer a comfortable flying experience with advanced amenities. American Airlines will begin accepting ticket bookings for these flights on August 11, 2025. Passengers can purchase tickets on the airline’s website or via the American Airlines app.
PHL’s Continued Growth as an International Gateway
The incorporation of Budapest and Prague further augments PHL’s stature as a global gateway. “Atif Saeed, CEO of PHL, noted the incorporation of these routes would give travelers from Philadelphia added nonstop travel options on a wider selection of as well as popular European stops. The Growth of PHL Airport has been steady over the years, and the new routes represent yet another leap towards establishing it as a primary U.S. hub for international travelers.
American Airlines adding nonstop service from Philadelphia to Budapest and Prague is a boon not only for Philadelphia travelers, but for the wider region as well. The new service is anticipated to help stimulate the local economy as well as create jobs and tourism in both Budapest and Prague. The new routes are expected to generate flights for a diverse array of travelers, including business travelers, tourists, and travelers visiting friends and family.
Premium Experiences for Philadelphia Travelers
In addition to expanding its European flight options, American Airlines is offering new premium services for Philadelphia travelers. For flights to London, the airline has introduced Flagship Suite seats, providing a more luxurious and private flying experience. These seats will also be available for flights to Zurich, starting in September 2025. This enhanced premium experience further underscores American Airlines’ commitment to offering Philadelphia passengers a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss These New Routes
For travelers based in Philadelphia, there are new updates on travel options. New flights add considerable flexibility as you can now directly travel to stunning cities like Prague and Budapest. Accessing these cities is considerably more customer friendly now that the flights are non-stop.
Both Budapest and Prague offer a mix of modern attractions and historical sites, appealing to a wide range of interests. These cities are growing in popularity, and now, with American Airlines offering direct flights, there’s no better time to visit.
Final Thoughts
The expansion of American Airlines’ operations in Philadelphia with the addition of direct flights to both Budapest and Prague opens up even more possibilities for American travelers to visit Europe. The nonstop flights will undoubtedly enhance tourism and business travel to and from Central Europe starting in the summer of 2026. Don’t forget to mark August 11, 2025, on your calendar to purchase tickets for these flights.
Rate of decline on a year-over-year monthly basis has started to moderate.
New data from multiple sources show that the trend of British Columbians travelling less across the border to the U.S. is continuing–by land and by air.
Data from the Cascade Gateway Border Data Warehouse identifies this trend has been in effect for six consecutive months on a year-over-year basis.
It tracks southbound traffic by vehicles with B.C. licence plates at four land-border crossings and found a 28-per-cent annual decline in crossings in July: from 187,661 to 135,620.
This follows year-over-year monthly declines in that traffic of:
43 per cent in June;
47 per cent in May;
51 per cent in April;
43 per cent in March; and
29 per cent in February.
This is part of a larger trend of Canadians avoiding travel to the U.S.–perhaps in part as a reaction against U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies and threats to Canadian sovereignty.
The Vancouver Airport Authority this week released data for June that found a 4.6-per-cent rise in overall passengers year-over-year but a 1.1-per-cent decline in travel on flights between that airport and American destinations.
Other ways of tracking travel similarly show fewer Canadians in the U.S.
According to Airalo, which sells eSIM cards for electronic devices, demand from Canadians for U.S. eSIMs is down 28 per cent since November 2024.
The company this week told BIV that there was a 16.3-per-cent decline in demand for those eSIMs in the last three months of 2024, followed by a steeper 26.1-per-cent drop in the first three months of 2025.
Flair Airlines CEO Maciej Wilk told BIV in late July that he has heard some speculate that visits to the U.S. have fallen off a cliff, but the reality is more nuanced.
“Don’t get me wrong–this is still a very significant drop, and this requires a reaction,” he said. “However, it’s not that the transport market has collapsed entirely.”
He said his airline was one of the first in Canada to react to this market shift, and that in late February and early March it “redeployed a lot of our capacity to mostly the Canadian domestic market.”
One change, for example, was to increase its frequency between Vancouver and Calgary to five times per day, up from three times per day.
Reductions in flights to the U.S. included halting its seasonal flights to Palm Springs before April, instead of in April, Wilk said.
The pivot has not been a complete shutdown.
“We suspended Palm Springs and Phoenix, but we’re still flying to Fort Lauderdale, to Orlando, to Los Angeles and to San Francisco, so all of those destinations are staying.”
Other airlines have done similar things.
Air Canada’s, for example, launched inaugural flights between Vancouver International Airport and Manila on April 1, and its executives spoke about reducing U.S. flights during a call with analysts earlier this year.
The airline’s non-stop Vancouver route to Washington, D.C., for example, no longer exists.
Instead that route has been “modified” so it can be done via a stop in Toronto, Air Canada spokeswoman Angela Mah told BIV in April.
Air Canada, WestJet, American and More Airlines Face New Travel Disruption as Over Dozens of Flights Cancelled at Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada Impacting Routes Including Vancouver, Copenhagen, San Francisco and more
Home»AIRLINE NEWS» Air Canada, WestJet, American and More Airlines Face New Travel Disruption as Over Dozens of Flights Cancelled at Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada Impacting Routes Including Vancouver, Copenhagen, San Francisco and more
Published on
August 8, 2025 |
By: TTW News Desk
Image Credit Air Canada
At this time, Toronto Pearson International Airport is undergoing considerable operational challenges, with 138 noted flight delays and 12 flight cancellations reported across various airlines. The majority of delays and cancellations are on routes to and from major cities, including Vancouver, San Francisco, Chicago, LaGuardia, New York, and even international cities like Copenhagen and Regina, San Francisco, and Charlottetown. Air Canada appears to be the most affected, with 64 delayed flights and 5 cancellations, alongside other United Airlines, Air Canada Rouge and Jazz which also reported delays and cancellations on their routes. Passengers who are traveling to and from the impacted cities are advised to confirm their flight status before arriving at the airport.
Flight Disruption at Toronto Pearson International Airport
Today at Toronto Pearson International Airport, several airlines have reported significant delays and cancellations. Air Canada has been the most affected, with 64 delayed flights, making up 18% of its departures, and 5 cancellations, representing 1%. Air Canada Rouge experienced 4 cancellations (4% of its flights) and 11 delays (12%). United Airlines reported 2 cancellations (11% of its total flights) and 5 delayed flights (27%).
Jazz had 1 cancellation (0%) and 16 delays (12%). Other carriers with cancellations include British Airways (1 cancellation), Cathay Pacific (2 cancellations), and China Southern Airlines (1 cancellation), with 25-50% of their flights impacted. Lufthansa, Endeavor Air, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, Flair Airlines, PSA Airlines, Korean Air, KLM, and Egypt Air also had delayed flights, ranging from 1 to 2 delays each. Airlines like Porter Airlines, Republic, Air Transat, and WestJet saw fewer delays, with Air Transat and American Airlines having 7 delays each (18% and 6% respectively).
The most affected routes from Toronto Pearson International Airport today include flights to Vancouver, Copenhagen, Chicago, Regina, San Francisco, LaGuardia, New York, and Charlottetown, with numerous delays and cancellations reported across these destinations.
A Closer Look at the Disruptions
Airlines and the Extent of Delays The delays and cancellations have impacted a variety of airlines operating at Toronto Pearson. The delays are primarily due to a combination of factors, including weather conditions, air traffic control constraints, and operational challenges. Air Canada, the country’s largest carrier, has seen the highest number of delays, with 64 delayed flights, accounting for 18% of their total departures. Additionally, the airline had 5 cancellations today, contributing to 1% of their total flights. Other carriers with significant delays include Air Canada Rouge, United Airlines, and Jazz, which have also experienced notable disruptions.
A Breakdown of the Cancellations Among the 12 cancellations, Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge saw the most, with the former having 5 cancellations and the latter contributing 4. This is followed by United Airlines, which had 2 cancelled flights. Other carriers affected by cancellations include British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Ethiopian Airlines, with fewer cancellations reported across the board. While the situation at Toronto Pearson remains dynamic, travelers should expect potential ripple effects throughout the day.
How Major Airlines Are Handling the Disruptions
Air Canada’s Efforts to Manage Delays and Cancellations Air Canada, as the largest airline at Toronto Pearson, has been at the forefront of handling the disruptions. Despite the significant number of delays and cancellations, the airline is working to accommodate affected passengers by providing alternative flights and compensation where applicable. According to a statement from the airline, they are committed to minimizing inconvenience and ensuring that passengers reach their destinations as quickly and comfortably as possible.
United Airlines and Other International Carriers United Airlines has also seen substantial delays, with 27% of their flights delayed today. The airline, along with other international carriers such as British Airways and Lufthansa, has been actively communicating with passengers, advising them of any changes to their flight schedules. Passengers traveling on these airlines are advised to stay updated via the airline’s mobile app or website, as real-time updates on delays and cancellations are being provided.
Impact on Travelers and Tips for Navigating the Disruptions
Passenger Advice for Today’s Travel With such a high number of delays and cancellations, it is crucial for passengers traveling through Toronto Pearson to stay informed. Checking the status of your flight regularly is the best way to ensure you are prepared for any changes. Airlines are increasingly offering mobile alerts to notify passengers about gate changes, delays, and cancellations in real time, which can help reduce stress during the travel process. Passengers experiencing significant delays need to reach out to their airline representatives for assistance with rebooking or compensation.
Potential Long-Term Effects on Toronto Pearson’s Operations The ongoing delays and cancellations at Toronto Pearson could have a longer-lasting effect on travel operations, especially for flights departing in the next few days. The airport, which serves as a critical hub for both domestic and international flights, could continue to experience backlogs as airlines work to catch up on delayed schedules. Travelers are advised to allow extra time for check-in and security screening, as the volume of affected passengers may lead to longer wait times.
What’s Next for Toronto Pearson Airport?
Looking Ahead to a Busy Summer Season As summer approaches, Toronto Pearson International Airport is expected to see even more traffic, which may put further strain on airport operations. Airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet, and others, are working to increase their preparedness to handle the expected surge in passengers. However, today’s disruptions highlight the need for airlines and airport authorities to enhance operational efficiency, particularly during peak travel periods. Travelers should expect continued updates regarding airport operations as Toronto Pearson adapts to these challenges.
Preparing for Ongoing Disruptions
Traveling through Toronto Pearson International Airport today can be stressful due to a high number of delays and cancellations. With 138 delays and 12 cancellations, passengers are advised to keep up with real-time updates from their respective airlines and to remain flexible in case of further changes. Air Canada, United Airlines, and other carriers are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, but passengers should anticipate potential delays through the day. For those traveling internationally or domestically, staying informed is key to navigating this disruption successfully.
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