New Budapest–USA flight: exciting new details have emerged, surge of tourists to Hungary expected
After more than six years, direct air service between Hungary and the United States is set to resume. Tickets are now available for American Airlines’ nonstop flights launching next May, though the prices appear steep for the Hungarian purse. Industry experts expect a significant increase in American tourist arrivals as a result—a welcome development, since U.S. travellers are known to be big spenders in Hungary.
No more red-eye departures
According to a post by Budflyer, booking has opened for American Airlines‘ new Budapest route, though tickets for Premium Economy are not yet available. Economy and Business Class seats, however, are already on sale. Ticket prices between Budapest and Philadelphia range from HUF 363,000 to 500,000, which is considered pricey by Hungarian standards. For now, flights are scheduled through 5 October, as those are the available booking dates.
The flight schedule has also been released: Planes will depart Philadelphia at 6:50 PM local time, arriving in Budapest at 9:55 AM the following day. Departures from Budapest will be at 11:25 AM, landing in the U.S. city at 3:00 AM Eastern Time the same day. The weekly seat capacity between the two cities will be approximately 3,200.
Flights will operate daily using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, which have 234 seats. One major advantage is that passengers won’t have to deal with early morning departures in either direction. According to Budflyer, British Airways will also place its code on the flight under BA1620/BA1621.
Direct Budapest-USA link expected to boost tourism
A report by turizmus.com highlights that this is the first direct U.S.-Hungary flight since service was suspended over six years ago, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Philadelphia was chosen in part due to its more than one hundred onward connections to other U.S. cities and the Caribbean.
Olivér Csendes, CEO of Visit Hungary, emphasised that the route’s launch is driven by business considerations and a long planning process—not political agreements, as some might speculate due to the Trump-Orbán relationship. Visit Hungary believes its own promotional efforts have significantly boosted both tourism and business travel interest from the U.S. in recent years.
Both the number of American tourists and their overnight stays in Hungary have risen in recent years, with double-digit growth across various segments. In Budapest, the U.S. ranks as the fourth most important source market, giving this new direct route strong potential according to industry experts.
American tourists are big spenders
Another noteworthy detail: American tourists tend to prefer premium accommodations in Budapest. Their average per capita spending is the highest at HUF 112,000.
Olivér Csendes added that the direct flight could attract more international events to Hungary and further boost river cruise and film industry tourism. Budapest may become a more common starting point for Danube cruises, for instance. Visit Hungary anticipates high occupancy rates for the new route.
Hungarian market players are also eager to see confirmation from the airline that it plans to continue operating the route through 2027 and 2028.
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