American Airlines explains direct flights to Budapest, Prague – VIDEO
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American Airlines has announced its widebody summer schedule for 2026, highlighting two new Central European destinations: Budapest and Prague. Starting in May 2026, the new nonstop flights will operate out of the airline’s Philadelphia hub, offering direct connections between U.S. travelers and these popular tourist cities.
Why Budapest and Prague? American Airlines explains
Brian Znotins, American Airlines’ Vice President of Network Planning, discussed the decision on the airline’s Tell Me Why program. He noted that Budapest and Prague have become increasingly popular destinations among American’s partners—British Airways via London and Iberia via Madrid—in recent years.
Two key data points especially influenced the airline’s decision:
Roughly 25% of passengers booked open-jaw tickets, flying into Budapest and departing from Prague, or vice versa. This indicated that tourists often combine both cities in their Eastern European itineraries.
On the American Airlines website, Budapest and Prague ranked among the top five most searched European destinations that previously lacked direct service.
“Our goal is always to help passengers reach their favorite destinations faster and more conveniently. A nonstop service from Philadelphia not only benefits travelers from the city and surrounding area but also makes Budapest and Prague easily accessible from across the United States,” Znotins emphasized.
As reported yesterday, details on fares and schedules for the new direct flight from Budapest are now public.
Restarting after the pandemic
The airline had previously flown to Budapest in 2019, but the post-pandemic landscape has reshaped decision-making criteria. “What we flew five or six years ago no longer matters. The world has changed, and so have travel habits. Now we’re focused on what’s best for the airline and for travelers in 2026,” said Znotins.