American Airlines has announced that it will relaunch its direct flight between Budapest and Philadelphia in May 2026. Tickets for the summer 2026 season will be available from 11 August 2025 on the official website of American Airlines and through its partners, according to a joint statement by Budapest Airport and Visit Hungary.
The route was previously popular among both Hungarian and American passengers, but its operation was suspended during the pandemic. With its return, the development of transatlantic tourism and business ties may receive new momentum.
According to the statement, the 234-seat Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft will operate daily between Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport between 21 May and 5 October 2026. American Airlines will provide 3,200 seats per week between the two cities, while offering excellent connections to more than 100 destinations across North America and the Caribbean. Philadelphia is one of American Airlines’ most important hubs.
François Berisot, CEO of Budapest Airport, underlined: ‘The relaunch of the direct Philadelphia flight carries immense tourism and commercial significance; we are proud to once again welcome American Airlines among our partners.’ He highlighted that the restart of the route was preceded by many months of preparatory work.
According to Olivér Csendes, CEO of Visit Hungary, the flight further strengthens Budapest’s position as one of Europe’s fastest-growing urban destinations. As he explained, the growth in US demand has been supported by targeted, data-driven promotional campaigns, designed on the basis of data from the National Tourism Data Supply Centre (NTAK) and other market sources.
José A. Freig, Vice President of International and Onboard Dining Operations at American Airlines, stressed that demand for travel to historic cities is steadily increasing. He believes more and more passengers are seeking destinations where they can explore rich cultural heritage and enjoy authentic experiences.
‘With this route, our Hungarian customers will have direct access to Philadelphia, one of our fastest-growing US hubs, from where they can travel onward to more than 100 destinations within the United States and beyond,’ he added.
The news was welcomed by Bryan Leib, senior fellow at the Budapest-based conservative think tank Centre for Fundamental Rights, who stressed in a post on X that the relaunch of direct flights is a major step forward in US–Hungarian relations. Leib recalled his meeting earlier this year with representatives of American Airlines, during which it was already clear that the leadership has a ‘strong interest in deepening the economic and cultural ties between’ the two nations. ‘They understood how direct flights from a major US carrier would make this possible,’ he concluded while congratulating Hungarian Minister of National Economy Márton Nagy for the deal.
As Hungarian Conservative reported, Leib sent a letter via email to the CEOs of Delta, United, and American Airlines in January 2025, suggesting they start exploring the possibility of creating non-stop flights from major US hubs such as NYC, Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington DC to Budapest, Hungary. He, in fact, first advocated for such flights as early as February 2024.
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