American travelers eager to return to Europe this summer don’t have many options because of border closures and other COVID-19 restrictions, but a few destinations are opening to vaccinated visitors.
And U.S. airlines are preparing for pent-up demand for international trips by adding flights.
United Airlines early Monday said it will offer new flights to Croatia, Greece and Iceland beginning in July. The countries are open or soon will be open to fully vaccinated travelers.
Delta Air Lines recently announced plans to begin daily service from Boston to Iceland in May and resume Iceland flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Minneapolis.
And American Airlines in June will add flights from New York to Athens, Greece. Outside Europe, American is starting service from New York and Miami to Israel, another country that will begin welcoming vaccinated travelers in May, starting with tourist groups.
All are in addition to the resumption of select international flights that were canceled during the pandemic and are slowly returning as more Americans are vaccinated, COVID-19 cases shrink in many areas, and restrictions around the globe are eased. Nearly half of U.S. adults have gotten one vaccine dose and 30% are fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Americans want to travel, and they want to travel abroad,” Delta Air Lines President Glen Hauenstein said on the airline’s earnings call Thursday.
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