American Airlines is launching new nonstop service to three European destinations next summer, a move that has people in Greater Philadelphia excited about the many ways that will be great for business.

Beginning in summer 2024 and into October 2024, passengers will be able to fly nonstop between Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH); Naples, Italy (NAP); and Nice, France (NCE). Flights to the three new European destinations went on sale August 20, 2023, for travel to Nice beginning May 6, 2024; Naples starting June 5, 2024; and Copenhagen inaugurating June 6, 2024. The news was part of the airline’s largest Transatlantic expansion in four years. It marks the first time PHL passengers will be able to fly nonstop from Philadelphia to those European destinations, the Airport shared.

The addition of the summer 2024 flights to Copenhagen, Naples, and Nice brings the list of European destinations accessible with American Airlines nonstop flights from Philadelphia to 14 and adds to an already expansive list. American flies daily nonstop year round from Philadelphia to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dublin, Lisbon, London (with two flights daily), Madrid, Paris, Rome, and Zurich. The airline offers seasonal service to Athens and Venice. This year is the first time American will be operating Barcelona and Lisbon year round nonstop from Philadelphia.

Beyond the excitement of convenient travel to new locations, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia (the Chamber) is eager to welcome inbound travelers who will have the chance to experience firsthand the region’s quality of life, including accessibility, art and culture, history, restaurants, neighborhoods, and nightlife.

“A great experience during a business or leisure trip can result in a business expansion or location opportunity down the road, or talent choosing to live and work here,” said Claire Greenwood, Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Economic Competitiveness for the Chamber. “We are delighted by American Airlines’ announcement of this new service and the ability to show visitors how readily accessible Greater Philadelphia is. We want them to see that when you locate, expand, live, or work here, you are part of a destination accessible to the world,” she said.

It’s a sentiment echoed by Atif Saeed, Chief Executive Officer, City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation, who oversees Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE). 

“Not only is American Airlines’ addition of nonstop service to Naples, Nice, and Copenhagen good news for passengers looking to explore new European destinations, it is also fantastic for the Greater Philadelphia business community,” Saeed said. “PHL is the only American hub serving these destinations, which should create new and exciting business opportunities, both from European companies coming into the U.S. and domestic industries looking to make connections with these international markets.”

The news also means additional domestic travelers connecting to and from Copenhagen, Naples, and Nice through American’s Philadelphia hub. “We have the opportunity to bring in 60 flights domestically, all at the same time, and they all connect to Copenhagen. And that’s why we’re going to be so awesome in Copenhagen because we can get so many people from across the U.S. efficiently into the market,” said Brian Znotins, Senior Vice President of Network Planning for American Airlines.

“When you fly from Philadelphia, it’s really about the entire U.S. – can we sell to the entire U.S.,” Znotins added. “In this case, for the summer, we’re looking to get people from all over the country to these new destinations, and Philadelphia does that better than any of our other hubs.”

PHL is a large hub airport located seven miles from downtown Philadelphia. In 2022, the airport served more than 25.24 million passengers. Twenty-seven airlines offer nearly 323 daily departures to more than 120 destinations worldwide.

For more information about Greater Philadelphia and its accessibility and quality of life, visit the Chamber’s Select Greater Philadelphia website. Tickets for the new services are now on sale at aa.com or through American’s mobile app.

Join the Chamber on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 for State of Aviation: Developments & Opportunities. Hear from a panel of experts, including Atif Saeed, as they discuss PHL and PNE Airports’ Capital Development Program, ways to address workforce shortages and development issues, Standard & Poor’s upgrades, and cargo investment, among others.