United Airlines today announced an expansion to its daily nonstop seasonal services from Athens to the U.S. for summer 2025. The airline is increasing service to New York/Newark from 7 to 10 weekly flights (subject to government approval) and also resuming three weeks earlier, services to both its New York/Newark and Chicago O’Hare hubs. Just a year after the original route launch in May 2024, United will also introduce a state-of-the-art Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner on its Athens to Chicago O’Hare service, offering over 30 per cent more seats compared with the Boeing 787-8 previously operating this route.
Together with United’s third daily nonstop seasonal route between Athens and Washington D.C., the airline’s overall seat offer from Greece to the U.S. will increase by nearly 30 per cent for summer 2025.
“We are delighted to announce the expansion of our services between Athens and the U.S. for 2025,” said Marcel Fuchs Managing Director International Sales, United Airlines. “The almost 30 per cent increase in our seat offer from Athens next summer is great news for our customers flying from Greece, as it provides even greater travel choice and more possibilities to connect via our U.S. hubs to 120 destinations across the Americas.”
The extended seasonal services from Athens are part of United’s largest international expansion in its history, adding 11 new flights and eight new destinations* for customers next summer. Starting in May 2025, United will launch five new flights from its hub in New York/Newark to destinations no other U.S. airline serves, including Bilbao, Spain; Palermo, Italy; Nuuk, Greenland and Madeira Island and Faro, Portugal. The airline is also adding three new routes from Washington D.C./Dulles, including its first-ever flight to Dakar, Senegal operating year-round and new seasonal flights to Nice, France and Venice, Italy.
United is also adding new flights from Tokyo-Narita to Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; and Koror, Palau – destinations no other U.S. airline serves. These new flights will seamlessly connect to United’s transpacific services operated at Tokyo-Narita to five hub locations in the continental United States.
Many of the new flights will be available for sale on United.com and on the United app in the coming weeks.
United is the largest airline in the world, as measured by available seat miles, and flies to more international destinations than any other U.S. carrier. In total, next summer United will offer 800 daily flights to and from 147 international destinations – including 40 that no other U.S. airline serves.
*Subject to government approvals.
Athens (ATH) – New York/Newark (EWR)
Flight | From | To | Depart | Arrive | Frequency | Aircraft | Dates of operation |
UA 125 | ATH | EWR | 10:25 | 14:05 | Daily | Boeing 787-10 | Begins 7 March 2025 |
UA 124 | EWR | ATH | 15:45 | 08:10+1 | Daily | Boeing 787-10 | Begins 6 March 2025 |
UA 117 | ATH | EWR | 16:00 | 19:55 | Tue/Thu/Sat | Boeing 767-300 Premium | 1 April – 25 October 2025 |
UA 116 | EWR | ATH | 21:00 | 14:00 | Mon/Wed/Fri | Boeing 767-300 Premium | 31 March – 24 October 2025 |
All times are local and are subject to change.
N.B. UA 124/125 operated with Boeing 767-400 from start of season through 30 April 2025 (from EWR), 1 May 2025 (from ATH) and once again effective from 26 October 2025 (from EWR), 27 October 2025 (from ATH) until end of season.
Athens (ATH) – Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
Flight | From | To | Depart | Arrive | Frequency | Aircraft | Dates of operation |
UA 423 | ATH | ORD | 12:35 | 16:20 | Daily | Boeing 787-10 | 2 May – 25 Sep 2025 |
UA 422 | ORD | ATH | 16:15 | 10:30 | Daily | Boeing 787-10 | 1 May – 24 Sep 2025 |
All times are local and are subject to change.
Athens (ATH) – Washington D.C. (IAD)
Flight | From | To | Depart | Arrive | Frequency | Aircraft | Dates of operation |
UA 983 | ATH | IAD | 11:45 | 15:45 | Daily | Boeing 787-8 | 31 Mar – 25 Oct 2025 |
UA 982 | IAD | ATH | 17:10 | 09:55+1 | Daily | Boeing 787-8 | 30 Mar – 24 Oct 2025 |
All times are local and are subject to change.
Onboard Products and Services
United’s seasonal services from Athens to Chicago O’Hare and a portion of frequencies from Athens to New York/Newark will be operated with Boeing 787-10 aircraft, featuring 44 United PolarisSM business class lie-flat seats with all aisle access, 21 United Premium PlusSM premium economy seats, 54 Economy PlusSM seats and 199 standard economy seats.
The revolutionary design of the Dreamliner offers customers many features for increased comfort such as large windows, spacious overhead storage and modern LED lighting to simulate a full day, helping passengers adjust their internal clock on the trans-Atlantic flight. In addition, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and smoother ride help customers feel rested on arrival.
Service from Athens to New York/Newark will be operated with Boeing 767-400 at the start and end of the season, and the new three weekly frequencies with premium Boeing 767-300 aircraft.
United’s seasonal service from Athens to Washington D.C. will be operated with Boeing 787-8 aircraft featuring 28 United Polaris business class lie-flat seats with all aisle access, 21 United Premium Plus premium economy seats, 36 Economy Plus seats and 158 standard economy seats.
United Polaris business class is a premium travel experience that prioritises relaxation and comfort, featuring quality inflight dining, amenity products and services from Therabody and Saks Fifth Avenue and full flat-bed seats.
United Premium Plus features a spacious seat with more legroom, elbow room and recline than a standard Economy Plus or economy seat, as well as an amenity kit, Saks Fifth Avenue blanket and plush pillow.
United Economy Plus offers added legroom and increased personal space. Located near the front of the economy cabin, the seats give the added benefit of a swifter exit from the plane on arrival. Economy Plus seating is available on all trans-Atlantic flights.
United economy offers complimentary food, soft drinks, juices, beer and wine, tea, coffee and inflight entertainment. On most aircraft, seats feature an adjustable headrest and a personal on-demand entertainment system.