Athens-New York flights with American Airlines from May 6

American Airlines is launching its daily and seasonal direct flights from Athens to New York on May 6, the air carrier announced during a special event held at Athens International Airport on Tuesday.

At the event, American Airlines said it celebrated 15 years of flights between Athens and US airports. In April the airliner also launched daily direct flights from Athens to Chicago and Philadelphia.

The company added that its activity in Athens in 2022 will go up 47% compared to 2021 and 80% compared to 2019.

As of 15 March 2022, it is no longer a requirement for arrivals in Greece to complete a Passenger Locator Form.

Travellers are required to show one of the following on arrival:

• A valid vaccination certificate – there must have been at least 14 days, and not more than nine months, since the completion of your primary Covid vaccination. Booster jabs are not subject to the same time restrictions.
• A certificate showing proof of recovery from Covid
• Proof of a negative Covid PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival
• Proof of a negative Covid rapid antigen test from an authorised laboratory taken with 24 hours before arrival

These requirements apply to all travellers arriving in Greece who are aged five or over.

Arrivals into Greece may also be required to undergo a rapid Covid test on arrival. Travellers who test positive, plus those they are travelling with, will be required to self-isolate for at least five days in a quarantine hotel provided by the Greek state.

If you have no symptoms on day five, or your symptoms have improved (for example, having no fever for the past 24 hours without the use of medicine), you will be allowed to end quarantine.

Travellers leaving quarantine are also legally required to wear an FFP2 / N95 mask, or double masks (at least one of which should be surgical), in all public indoor and outdoor spaces for at least five days after the end of their quarantine.

If other passengers on your flight, bus, train or ferry later test positive, you may also be subject to self-isolation requirements. These will be mandatory and you should comply with the Greek authorities’ requirements.

What Covid rules are in place in Greece?

It is mandatory to wear a mask in all indoor public spaces in all areas of Greece. In certain areas, such as in supermarkets and pharmacies, and on public transport, it is a requirement to wear either double masks (at least one of which should be surgical), or an N95/FFP2 mask.

Proof of vaccination is needed to enter public spaces such as shops, restaurants and museums. Greece will accept the UK’s NHS Covid pass to demonstrate vaccination status.

Your final vaccine dose must have been administered at least 14 days prior to presenting your evidence of vaccination, and Covid recovery certificates are valid for 180 days from the 14th day after the date of the first positive test result.

If you are 18 years old or over and more than seven months have elapsed since you completed your initial vaccination course, Greece considers your vaccination status expired unless you have received a booster vaccine.

If you have not been fully vaccinated or do not have proof of recovery from Covid:

• Travel by aeroplane, train and bus is allowed subject to either a certified negative PCR test in the last 72 hours before the scheduled time of arrival at destination, or to a certified rapid (antigen) test within 48 hours of scheduled arrival at destination
• You will not be allowed to enter nightclubs, restaurants (indoors), theatres, cinemas, museums, exhibitions, conferences, gyms and stadiums
• You must present proof of a negative rapid test, taken up to 48 hours before entry, to visit other public spaces including shops and restaurants (outdoors)

Failure to comply with these rules may be met with fines of up to €5,000.

Unvaccinated children between the age of four and 18 require a negative self-test to enter public spaces such as shops, restaurants (indoor and outdoor) and museums.

READ MORE: “Covid-Pass to be suspended on May 1st,” announces Greece Health Minister.