Norse Atlantic Airways will launch the first-ever nonstop service between Athens and Los Angeles on June 3, marking a milestone in transatlantic air travel and expanding Greece’s direct connectivity to the U.S. West Coast.
The new route will operate four times per week using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, with fares starting at $269 (259 euros) in both economy and premium cabins. The flight time is approximately 13.5 hours and includes a complimentary carry-on bag.
“This route is not currently served by other airlines. We saw demand in the market and an opportunity to grow in new long-haul segments,” said Norse Atlantic Airways Founder and CEO Bjørn Tore Larsen during a press conference in Athens. “Our goal is to make travel accessible and affordable for everyone, and Athens is an ideal destination for our network.”
According to data presented by Athens International Airport (AIA) Director of Communications and Marketing Ioanna Papadopoulou, more than 100,000 passengers traveled between Los Angeles and Athens via connecting flights in the past year.
The new direct Athens-LA route is also expected to enhance connectivity with San Francisco, which remains Athens’ second-largest unserved US market, with approximately 70,000 passengers in 2024.
“June 3 will be a big day for Athens Airport, as LA is our largest unserved market,” said Papadopoulou. “It was a clear decision that a dynamic airline needed to step in and launch this direct service. What further strengthens the potential of this route is the presence of one of the largest Greek-American communities in California, which is a key factor for its success.”
The airline’s decision to expand follows its 2024 launch of seasonal nonstop service between Athens and New York’s JFK Airport.
Between May 2024 and April 2025, Norse carried more than 59,000 passengers on the Athens–New York route.
In 2025, the airline is boosting its presence with the new Los Angeles route and adding 49,000 additional one-way seats, representing a 155 percent increase in capacity.
Flight frequency on the New York route is also doubling, with operations extended from mid-April through November.
When asked by the Greek Travel Pages (GTP) whether Norse plans to operate the Athens-New York route year-round, Larsen responded: “There are thoughts about year-round service. But it depends on demand and profitability. The season is getting longer, so it might happen.”
Strong momentum in US-Greece air traffic
Athens will become the fourth European city – after London, Paris, and Rome – to be linked by Norse to Los Angeles.
During the event, AIA’s Ioanna Papadopoulou highlighted that the launch of the Athens-LA route comes amid strong momentum in US-Greece air traffic.
In 2024, direct flights between the two countries surpassed one million round-trip passengers for the first time. In the first four months of 2025, passenger traffic is up 14 percent year-on-year, with airline seat capacity rising 10 percent.
“Despite global challenges, demand from the American market is strong,” said Papadopoulou. “Many travelers – 65 percent – connect through New York, so there’s clear room to grow direct connectivity. This new route to LA addresses that need.”
According to airport data, the number of direct flights between Greece and the US has more than doubled since 2019, from 46 to 103 at peak season. The average American traveler visiting Greece is 46 years old, stays 15 days (with 4 spent in Athens), and overwhelmingly visits for leisure.
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