Negotiations are already in the final stages: direct flights between Budapest and New York could be back this year

Before COVID, there were direct flights to three US cities from Budapest Airport, and it seems that negotiations are in the final stages to resume direct flights between the US and Hungary. Zoltán Guller, President of the Hungarian Tourism Agency (MTÜ) and member of the Board of Directors of Budapest Airport, provided travellers with an update.

American tourists in Budapest, Hungary

Guller told Index that the statistics are clear: the average daily spend of American tourists in Budapest hotels is the highest, HUF 142,000 Hungarian (USD 362), more than double that of Italians, for example. According to their age composition and interests, American visitors are attracted more by culture and programmes than, for example, the party district. It is also interesting to note that before COVID-19, Budapest welcomed only 40,000 fewer American tourists than British ones, even though the distance is much more significant and, according to Guller, they would have been ahead of them if it had not been for the pandemic.

He said the tourism department’s clear and priority goal is to make America the number one foreign market for Budapest. Direct flights could achieve this by the end of the year or by 2026.

China already has 21 flights to Hungary

Guller cited China as a good example for direct flights, as one of the world’s top sending countries, with 21 flights a week to 7 megapolises from the Hungarian capital, making Budapest the regional market leader. This is one of the reasons why the number of visitors from Asia doubled in 2023 compared to last year, and in 2024, China became Hungary’s 14th most important foreign market and Budapest’s 11th.

As we wrote earlier, new Hungarian airline starts service in February from Budapest, read details HERE.

First step: Direct flights between New York and Budapest

For Hungarian tourism, it would be very important for the aforementioned American tourists to be able to arrive in Hungary without having to make a transit. Before the pandemic, there were connections from three cities – Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York – to Budapest, but they had not been reopened in recent years. Mr Guller said three airlines are currently in talks to reopen direct flights to several US cities this year. He stressed that negotiations are very intense in the case of New York and that as soon as a formal agreement is reached, it will be announced.

United States is more attractive as a destination

It should not be forgotten that direct flights between the United States and Hungary will not only benefit US travellers and business people. A direct flight can make the US more attractive as a destination for travellers from Hungary and neighbouring countries (fewer transfers, shorter travel times), which will increase inbound tourism and, with it, the revenues generated by the tourism industry. The US tourism sector, including accommodations, restaurants, shops, entertainment and cultural institutions, will benefit directly from this. There could also be a potential impact on economic relations and trade, as direct air connectivity could facilitate business travel, making face-to-face meetings and negotiations faster and more flexible. More convenient transport can also make US-Hungarian economic cooperation more attractive for companies, boosting trade and investment. Cultural and educational cooperation can also be enhanced, as direct flights will facilitate the mobility of students, teachers, and researchers, which can stimulate links between universities and research institutes. Last but not least, direct flights will also make it easier to foster diaspora and family ties, since direct flights are important for communities of Hungarian origin living in the United States: it will be easier for families and friends living in both countries to visit each other. By strengthening ties, the diaspora can also participate more actively in economic and cultural programs and further build Hungarian-American relations.

As we wrote on the weekend, Attention! Wizz Air canceled and modified at least 20 popular flights from Budapest, read details HERE.