GNTO Throws Festive Bash for Inaugural Athens-Chicago Flight Passengers

To celebrate United Airlines’ inaugural Chicago-Athens flight, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) hosted a lively event at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, showcasing the best of Greece’s tourism offerings.

Reflecting Greece’s strong appeal for US travelers, the new seasonal flight launched on May 23 and will run until August 26, with daily departures from both cities.

During the event, representatives from the GNTO’s US branch welcomed passengers from Greece with complementary gifts. The celebration also featured Greek music and dances to entertain the attendees.

Present at the welcoming event were Konstantinos Harokopos, the head of the Greek tourism board’s branch in the US, along with the branch’s Deputy Head, Yannis Plexousakis. Also in attendance were Emmanuel Koumbarakis, the Consul General of Greece in Chicago, Alexis Giannoulias, the Greek-born Secretary of State of Illinois, and officials from United Airlines.

Traditional Greek dance at the event.

United flights increase by 30%

United Airlines’ decision to launch a new direct flight from Athens to Chicago ahead of the summer season marked a significant 30 percent increase in the company’s flights to Greece in 2024.

Thie new schedule now offers its third connection between Greece and the US, complementing the existing daily flights from the Greek capital to New York/Newark and Washington/Dulles.

“The introduction of the Athens to Chicago O’Hare route underscores United’s leadership position among US airlines as the largest carrier in the Atlantic, providing direct flights from 37 transatlantic destinations for the summer of 2024,” United officials said earlier this week.

According to the GNTO, United Airlines stands as one of the leading US carriers, boasting an extensive domestic and international network, with major hubs at O’Hare Airport, Denver International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Deputy head of the US EOT Service, Yannis Plexousakis, the Consul General of Greece in Chicago, Emmanuel Koumbarakis, Head of Greek tourism board’s branch in the US, Konstantinos Harokopos, and United Airlines officials.

Additionally, American Airlines offers its own direct flight connecting Chicago with Athens.