Prague Airport is making a big improvement to its long-haul flight options with the introduction of a new direct flight to Philadelphia, USA. American Airlines officially inaugurated this route today at Prague Airport, with notable attendees including Karel Havlíček, the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and Minister of Industry and Trade, Ivan Bednárik, the Minister of Transport, and Nicholas Merrick, the US Ambassador to Prague. This new service will operate daily until October 5 of this year.
The new direct flight between Prague and Philadelphia marks an important step in enhancing long-haul travel options from Prague Airport to various global destinations. “The United States represents a vital market for Czech businesses. Thus, having a direct route from Prague to Philadelphia provides more than just easier travel. It also enhances access to investors, business collaborators, and fresh technological advancements, while attracting high-profile visitors to the Czech Republic. Additionally, Philadelphia serves as a significant hub for North America, meaning this flight not only strengthens one specific destination but also enhances the entire connection between the Czech Republic and the American market. This serves as a practical example of the synergy among transportation, industry, trade, and tourism,” stated Karel Havlíček.
“This new direct connection greatly enhances travel options for individuals from the Czech Republic, making the United States much more reachable. Moreover, Prague will act as a gateway to Europe for many more Americans. The range of direct long-haul flights from Václav Havel Airport Prague continues to grow. I’m thrilled that we’ve recently confirmed a route to Hanoi starting this autumn. Moving forward, our priority is to establish direct links to cities like Shanghai or Delhi. Long-haul routes are a key focus that the Ministry of Finance, as the sole shareholder of Prague Airport, will pursue under my guidance,” mentioned Minister of Finance Alena Schillerová.
Furthermore, Philadelphia stands as a crucial transfer hub on the East Coast of the United States. This new route will therefore provide travelers from Prague with easy access to an extensive list of other North American cities. “We value the excellent collaboration with our esteemed partner, American Airlines, and all other supporters involved in launching this new route. Our estimates suggest that over 57,000 passengers will take advantage of this connection in both directions during this summer season. We believe this route will soon attract a steady flow of passengers, potentially creating favorable conditions for expansion throughout the summer and into the winter,” shared Jiří Pos, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Prague Airport.
The regular schedule for the long-haul flight between Philadelphia and Prague operates daily until October 5 of this year. The airline will utilize a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner for this route, which has a total seating capacity of 234. Flights from Philadelphia will depart at 6:00 p.m. local time, arriving in Prague at 8:15 a.m. the next day. The return leg from Prague will leave at 10:15 a.m., landing in Philadelphia at 1:05 p.m. local time.
“Our global customers are increasingly looking for unique travel experiences, whether that involves pristine beaches or the historical, cultural, and vibrant environment offered by cities like Prague,” said José A. Freig, Vice President of International and Inflight Dining Operations at American Airlines. He added: “With this new route, our clients in the Czech Republic will also gain access to one of our rapidly growing US hubs in Philadelphia, from where they can visit over 100 locations across the United States and beyond.”
“The United States has long been one of our most significant long-haul markets, and the interest from American tourists in the Czech Republic is continuing to rise. Last year, nearly 580,000 American visitors stayed in local accommodations, amounting to over 1.5 million nights. On average, they spend about 3.6 days here, with the longest stays occurring in the Karlovy Vary Region. They frequently visit Prague but are gradually discovering other beautiful areas of the Czech Republic as well. American travelers primarily seek cultural experiences, local cuisine, and a lively urban atmosphere. Their overall spending while visiting the Czech Republic averages more than five thousand crowns per person daily. Thus, we view this new direct flight between Prague and Philadelphia as a crucial advancement for promoting inbound tourism and enhancing commercial and cultural connections between our two countries,” emphasized František Reismüller, Director of the Czech Tourism Board – CzechTourism.
To promote this new route, the foreign representative of CzechTourism in the US organized a series of presentation and networking activities in Philadelphia focused on showcasing the Czech Republic as a desirable travel destination. One notable event, “From Cheesesteaks to Czechia – Now Nonstop from Philadelphia to Prague,” was held with significant backing from Prague Airport and in cooperation with the Czech Consulate General in New York, CzechInvest, and American Airlines. This gathering brought together representatives from tourism, businesses, media, and community organizations with the goal of portraying the Czech Republic as not only a great tourist spot but also a valuable partner for trade and investment. Another part of the agenda took place directly at Philadelphia International Airport during the official launch of this new route. Complementary marketing campaigns are being run in collaboration with Prague Airport and the online travel agency partner, Expedia.
Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of American independence, being the location where both the Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution were drafted and approved. Visitors can explore Independence Hall, where these significant documents were adopted, and soak in the rich history. The iconic Liberty Bell, once used to summon lawmakers, is also a must-see. Additionally, Philadelphia boasts a vibrant cultural scene, showcased through thousands of large street murals that reflect local stories, as well as the Museum of Art, which contains over 240,000 exhibits. Visitors can also climb the famous Rocky Steps leading to the museum entrance, recognized from the iconic Sylvester Stallone film, offering a wonderful view of the city centre.
Tickets for flights between Prague and Philadelphia are available for purchase on the American Airlines website.
About American Airlines Group
American Airlines is a leading global airline, offering thousands of daily flights to more than 350 destinations across over 60 countries. The airline plays a founding role in the Oneworld alliance, which provides services to over 900 destinations worldwide. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. are traded on the Nasdaq stock market under the symbol AAL. During the summer travel season from May 21 to September 8, American Airlines anticipates transporting 75 million passengers on 750,000 flights, which would surpass their previous record set in 2019. The summer travel season commences with Memorial Day weekend, where the airline plans to serve over 4.2 million travelers across more than 40,000 flights between May 21 and May 26. The busiest day during this weekend is expected to be Friday, May 22.