Your Summer 2026 Europe Trip Just Got Easier With 5 New Direct American Airlines Routes

From the East Coast, Philadelphia is getting two new exciting routes: Philadelphia to Budapest will be the only nonstop flight from the US to Hungary, offering access to historic thermal baths, cafe-lined boulevards, and neo-Gothic architecture without a layover. There will also be a daily Philadelphia-to–Prague flight, giving travelers new flights for a two-city trip through Central Europe. Both will start in mid-May 2026.

For flyers farther south, there will be a new flight from Dallas–Fort Worth to Athens, making it the fifth US city from which travelers can fly directly to Athens on American Airlines. There will also be a new seasonal flight between Dallas and Zurich, likely to help World Cup–bound soccer fans heading to the Dallas–Houston games in summer 2026. And from Miami, American is launching a flight to Milan, Italy’s fashion capital, beginning March 29, 2026. It revives a direct route not flown by any airline since before the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting the ever-growing demand in Italy as a tourist destination.

American recently announced additional news, beyond just the new flights. The airline will increase premium seating to Tokyo by more than 45 percent next summer, while flights between Dallas and Buenos Aires, Argentina, will now run through the majority of summer (until early August).

American’s strategy is likely based on the growing trend of airlines attempting to court high-value travelers, especially as a few of the new cities are global centers of business. It also supports airline claims that it expects delivery of backordered Boeing jets to finally start rolling in, after years of manufacturing delays. It also supports already-announced news from Philadelphia International Airport that it’s spending about $540 million to improve terminals, add gates, and modernize the airport ahead of the 2026 World Cup in summer 2026.

Each of the new cities has plenty to do to fill an entire trip, so for some travelers, the question may not be whether to visit, but which to visit first.

Fisherman Bastion at sunrise. Photo: Mistervlad/Shutterstock

• Flight debuts: May 21, 2026
• Duration: 9 hours (From Philadelphia)
• Availability: Daily, May 21, 2026 through October 5, 2026

From its Danube-spanning bridges to its centuries-old thermal baths, Budapest blends impressive imperial architecture with bars and clubs in open-air ruins. In the summer, you’ll find outdoor concerts, river cruises, and endless options for exploring the city’s lively cafe culture in full swing.

Something unique to do: Skip the crowded Széchenyi Baths and visit Veli Bej, a restored 16th-century Ottoman bathhouse with original architecture and far fewer tourists.

Photo: Martin M303/Shutterstock

• Flight debuts: May 21, 2026
• Duration: 8 hours, 51 minutes (from Philadelphia)
• Availability: Daily, May 21, 2026 through October 5, 2026

Prague is nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” thanks to its Gothic and Baroque skyline. Add to that beer halls, and the cobblestoned Old Town Square, and there’s plenty of fodder to fill an Instagram account. And from Prague, you can connect by train to Berlin, Budapest, and beyond. Go in late May or early June for milder weather and fewer crowds than midsummer.

Something unique to do: Head beneath Prague’s Old Town Hall to explore medieval cellars and passageways dating back to the 12th century, hidden just below the bustling square. You can book guided tours online.

Kerameikos in Athens, Greece. Photo: saiko3p/Shutterstock

• Flight debuts: May 21, 2026
• Duration: 12 hours, 59 minutes (from Dallas–Fort Worth)
• Availability: Daily, May 21, 2026 through summer 2026 (end date not specified)

Athens is a bucket-list destination for anyone interested in history, from the Parthenon’s marble columns to the markets in Monastiraki. The city is a living museum and a modern-day hub for tourism and culture, plus a jumping-off point for visiting other, less-busy islands within Greece. Fortunately, the seasonal service from Dallas syncs up with the peak island-hopping months.

Something unique to do: Visit the ancient Kerameikos cemetery at sunset for an atmospheric and semi-eerie glimpse into the city’s past, far from the crowds at the Acropolis.

Photo: Michael Derrer Fuchs/Shutterstock

• Flight debuts: May 21, 2026
• Duration: 10 hours, 59 minutes (from Dallas–Fort Worth)
• Availability: Daily, May 21, 2026 through August 4, 2026

Zurich is a gorgeous hub for mountain adventure in Europe, known for its pristine lakes, art museums, and quick access to recreation in the Alps. It’s an excellent summer destination for travelers that want an elegant city break with the convenience of the mountains just an hour away. Switzerland is also well-connected on a massive rail network, making it an ideal basecamp for a high-elevation summer adventure.

Something unique to do: Swim at Frauenbad am Stadthausquai, a historic women-only floating bath on the Limmat River. It transforms into a chic co-ed bar at night.

Photo: nito/Shutterstock

• Flight debuts: March 29, 2026
• Duration: 10 hours, 22 minutes (from Miami)
• Availability: Daily, year-round beginning March 29, 2026

Milan may be best known for its runways and luxury labels, but the city offers much more for travelers: think Renaissance piazzas, da Vinci’s famed Last Supper, and quick rail escapes to the shores of Lake Como. With new year-round service from Miami, travelers can reach northern Italy without a connection, and those who visit in spring or autumn will find smaller crowds and often more favorable prices.

Something unique to do: Take the rooftop walkway tour of the Duomo di Milano to wander among its ornate spires and statues, with views stretching to the Alps on clear days.