Connectivity continues to grow, with American Airlines launching its service between Budapest and Philadelphia, reconnecting Hungary to the USA with a nonstop flight.
Rebuilding transatlantic connections at Budapest Airport. American Airlines returns with a daily link to Philadelphia, making more than 100 destinations in North America and the Caribbean accessible from Hungary – Image, Budapest Airport.
The route is running for the summer season, from 21st May through to 8th September, using a Boeing 787-8. It marks a return to Budapest by American Airlines after a break of seven years.
Operations are:
DEPART PHL 17:30 ARRIVE BUD 08:10+1 DEPART BUD 10:05 ARRIVE PHL 13:30 Operates 21st May through to 8th September Booked Equipment; Boeing 787-8
With the resumption of this service, American Airlines will provide nearly 60,000 seats between the two cities this summer and offer excellent connecting options in Philadelphia for passengers travelling to other destinations in North America and the Caribbean. The return of this direct flight from Budapest is not only another milestone, but also the restoration of a long-awaited aerial connection. More than 630,000 air passengers travelled between Hungary and the United States in 2025.
In Quotes
François Berisot, the CEO of Budapest Airport, part of the VINCI Airports network, said:
“We are proud that years of persistent preparatory work have now yielded tangible results, and we are delighted to welcome American Airlines, one of the United States’ most important carriers, back among our partners. The resumption of the direct flight to Philadelphia is of paramount importance, not only for Hungarian tourism and the economy, but also for Budapest Airport; the Hungarian capital has returned to the map of transatlantic airlines. We are committed to further expanding Budapest’s connectivity and rebuilding the airport’s transatlantic route network, which provided direct access to several North American destinations before to the pandemic.”
José A. Freig, Vice President – International and Inflight Dining Operations, American Airlines, added
“Our customers are increasingly looking for exciting destinations that offer something new and different to what they can experience back home. For some, this is crystal clear waters, for others it’s history, culture and a cosmopolitan experience offered by cities such as Budapest,”
“With this new route, our customers in Hungary will also have access to one of our fastest growing U.S. hubs in Philadelphia, from where they can explore more than 100 destinations in the U.S and beyond.”
Opening new markets.
With Budapest coming back onto the American Airlines network (and the airport celebrating the fact), it’s an important step for Budapest Airport as it tries to rebuild transatlantic connections, with the other one being a route operated by Air Canada.
And markets matter as airports seek to gain connectivity, servicing both business and leisure traffic, and flights that connect its diaspora around the world.
For Budapest Airport, they will be looking to ensure that they have a successful Summer 2026 season, as I’m sure they would like a longer season in 2027… and of course, the prize of a year-round route.
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