Opa! New Flights Connect Charlotte and Athens, Greece
Greece is celebrated as the cradle of democracy, the Olympic Games, and many of history's greatest philosophers; it also occupies a cherished spot in the hearts of numerous families in the Charlotte region.
Alex Kastanas Holladay, her husband Ryan, and their four-year-old son are among the many passengers taking advantage of American Airlines' new seasonal service from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Athens International Airport (ATH), beginning on June 5, 2025.
Alex's parents and in-laws are joining her and her husband on a trip to Greece for their son’s baptism. “We are departing at different times from CLT, but all booked on the same return flight, which will be a great help on such a long daytime flight with a four-year-old,” said Kastanas Holladay.
For years, the Kastanas family has visited Greece each summer to visit their extended family. This year, they are excited to fly nonstop from CLT to Athens, with a flight time of approximately 10 hours and 20 minutes.
“As a child, my memories of traveling to Greece are of very long flights with very tedious connections, most often in other countries, feeling so close to our destination but separated by a frustrating layover and another three- to four-hour flight,” she added. “This new route means less anxiety and less time in transit, meaning more time with the family that we’re traveling there to be with – and less hesitation to book the travel in the first place!”
Charlotte’s Greek Community
Charlotte has a rich Greek history. According to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the first Greeks settled in the Queen City around 1910.
The city also hosts one of the largest Greek festivals in the United States. The Yiasou Festival, which began in 1978, occurs each September at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral on East Boulevard in Charlotte’s Dilworth neighborhood. The festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors throughout its three-day duration.
Many families in the larger Charlotte Greek community keep strong ties to their homeland and often travel to visit family and friends. The Greek tourism industry, in general, has boomed since the pandemic.
Tourism Booming, Market Demand Up
According to global data website Statista, Greece welcomed a record 40.7 million international travelers in 2024, a 12.8% increase from the previous year. Athens had the largest number of visitors.
American Airlines' new service to Athens will complement the airline's existing routes from Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK) and Philadelphia (PHL). The airline announced this new seasonal route from Charlotte last September, and it is set to operate from June 2025 to September 2025.
“American Airlines continuously evaluates customer demand to ensure we offer flights to the right places at the right times. This is especially true for our second-largest hub at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), where we proudly offer nonstop service to more than 170 destinations worldwide,” said Ralph Lopez Massas, American’s Senior Vice President of CLT Operations. “New service to Athens (ATH), one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations, allows our customers to experience the rich culture and cuisine of Greece, explore ancient ruins and enjoy the beautiful Greek islands. “
The flight from Charlotte to Athens marks CLT’s longest nonstop air service yet, spanning approximately 5,500 miles.
Do Like the Locals Do!
Kastanas Holladay offered this advice on how to experience Greece like a local.
“Go slow! Ruins are great to see, but they start to look the same after a while,” she said. “Instead of packing your days with sightseeing, plan time to take a walk through the neighborhood around your destination – stop and have a coffee and a pastry, watch the Yiayias (grandmothers) and Pappous (grandfathers) strolling and chatting,” she said. “Savor your time like a Greek would!”