American Airlines to Make European Travel Easier Next Year With 5 New Direct Routes

While we gear up for fall leap peeping season, American Airlines is planning summer next year with an exciting announcement of five new direct routes to Europe for the 2025 travel season.

While you might think planning summer 2025 is premature, ​​the European Travel Commission reported a 7.2 percent increase in the first three months of 2024 compared to 2019, with over 120 million visitors flocking to the region during that window. Next year will likely see similar, if not higher, numbers. Planning now will give you more flight and accommodation options, saving you considerable money and up your chances of a smooth summer vacation.

The highlight for many will be the return of nonstop flights from Philadelphia (PHL) to Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI) starting May 23, 2025. This marks the airline’s return to this historic city, allowing travelers to reconnect with the Scottish capital after a six-year hiatus. And it’s just in time for summer celebrations. Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival — one of the world’s most successful comedy festivals — runs over August. May also marks the beginning of better weather in Scotland for wildlife viewing, hiking, and outdoor sports in general. Philadelphia will also have a new daily direct flight to Milan, Italy from May 23.

Traveling to Europe? Check out Matador’s European accommodations guides: These Athens Airbnbs Make for a Unique and Cozy Stay in Greece The Top Airbnbs With Views of the World’s Most Famous Archaeological Site The Finest Hotels in Madrid Close to All Must-See Sights and Cultural Attractions 11 Rome Airbnbs With a Gorgeous View of the Colosseum The 12 Best Mid-Range and Five-Star Hotels in Rome for a Luxurious Getaway The Finest Airbnbs Near the Trevi Fountain With Incredible Views of Rome The 8 Best Hotels in Edinburgh Close to the Must-See Sights Top Airbnbs in Edinburgh in the Old City, New City, and Circus Lane

Commencing July 5, 2025, a daily service from Miami (MIA) will be introduced to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport (FCO). This move strengthens the airline’s presence in Italy, as Rome is the country’s busiest airport and has excellent connections to both domestic and international destinations.

Travelers in the South who want to explore Greece and its many islands can look forward to a new daily route from Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT) to Athens (ATH), which will kick off June 5, 2025. This additional route positions American as the airline with the most gateways to Greece from the US.

American is also adding a new daily connection between Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) starting March 30. This will strengthen American’s position as the leading US carrier to Spain, and with connections available through their partner airlines, opens doors for further routes across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Building on this success of this season, American will extend its summer services launched in 2024 to Copenhagen (CPH), Naples (NAP), and Nice (NCE) next year, as well as the operation of popular winter seasonal routes from Miami (MIA) to Paris (CDG) into the warmer months. There will also be an extended service on routes from Philadelphia (PHL) to Athens (ATH) and Naples (NAP), and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Barcelona (BCN), giving you more flexibility and time to explore these incredible European destinations.

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