United Airlines will today inaugurate flights between New York’s Newark Airport and Dubrovnik, connecting the two cities with a nonstop air service for the first time in just over three decades. It will be followed up by Delta, which will commence operations from JFK Airport to the Croatian coast tomorrow. United’s inaugural flight will depart this evening, New York time. The 214-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft is almost completely full, with just two seats left available in economy class as of this morning. Services will run three times per week, departing the Big Apple on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and arriving in Dubrovnik the following day. The seasonal operation is scheduled to be maintained until October 2.
The head of the Dubrovnik Tourism Board, Ana Hrnić, noted, “Throughout the pandemic, we have made great efforts to promote the city and to maintain the destination’s visibility with special emphasis on the US market. Our efforts have paid off. Seven weekly nonstop flights from the US are a huge success for Dubrovnik’s tourism. The American market is the second biggest in Dubrovnik, right after the UK. This year we expect excellent results from this extremely important market for us, and we hope to see continuous growth in the years ahead". The General Manager of Dubrovnik Airport, Frano Luetić, added, “This service will significantly contribute to the return of our American guests to Dubrovnik and Croatia as a whole in these difficult times”.
Delta Air Lines will inaugurate its service from JFK to Dubrovnik tomorrow, with flights to operate four times per week, departing New York each Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday with the 226-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. The seasonal route will be maintained until October 3. Overall, Delta will offer 24.406 seats between New York and Dubrovnik this summer, while United has 22.684 seats available. United will codeshare on Croatia Airlines’ flights between Dubrovnik and Zagreb, in order to offer better connectivity to and from the Croatian capital. Furthermore, its flights have been timed so as to connect onto 65 cities in North America. According to global data provider OAG, in 2019, over 20.000 passengers flew indirectly between Dubrovnik and New York.
This is a huge milestone for Dubrovnik. Well done!
ReplyDeleteOne of the best managed airports in ex-Yu without doubt.
DeleteDubrovnik definitely knows how to do the job
DeleteCommenters on this blog tend to give DBV management way too much credit.
DeleteThese flights are happening thanks to the big spike in demand from the US to Croatia this year, due to the fact that it took the other EU countries ages to reopen, while Croatia prudently remained open to Americans the whole time and was therefore a safer/more stable destination to plan summer vacations. In addition to that, US airlines have a lot of spare long-haul capacity this summer, owing to the ridiculous US ban on Schengen arrivals, which still keeps EU-US travel at less than 30% of 2019 numbers.
Literally the only thing DBV management did was grant the slots requested by the airlines. Hardly something to be praised to high heaven.
Well not really. The management said a few months ago that they contacted all three US airlines - American., United and Delta about flights. So they obviously did something right.
DeleteThey give them credit because DBV has done extremely well in the last 10 years and even more. Two new terminals, first airport in Croatia with air bridges, first airport to get transatlantic flights after 25 years in Croatia, they are an extremely profitable airport and it is actually a very good airport to use from a customer point of view. I mean they even have two business class lounges
DeleteIts a tradition on this blog to give credits to airport managments when opening new routes. You can se bunch of comments like Bravo BEG! "," Good job Skopje! " etc. so why not to congradulate to DBV this time.
Delete@Anonymous13:55
DeleteZagreb had transatlantic flights since 2012, not sure when you say first, what do you mean by that???
Actually ZAG had transatlantic flights much much much before 2012. It is since 1971 when JAT bought first B707's, and if we speak scheduled year-round transatlantic flights it would be 1976, when scheduled BEG-ZAG-JFK had started
DeleteNice to see full loads. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThis should be a route with great LF during the summer
DeleteI hope both continue to fly next year as well.
ReplyDeleteNow we wait for Pragusa One :D
ReplyDeleteI said it before and I will say it again - missed opportunity for Croatia Airlines.
ReplyDeleteOU should have attempted long haul flights at some point.
DeleteThis is actually good news for OU. It will fill some domestic routes from Dubrovnik.
DeleteInteresting, when some other posters write about OU and their missed chances in long haul, the guy spitting at me regularly when I say the same, keeps his mouth firmly shut. Is it because I list the real reasons why is that so and because I call him and his Party what they are? I let others participants make their own conclusions ☺
DeleteIf you think about me, no, i literally never spited on you. I just tried to show you a reality about long haul in Croatia and in general. On the other hand, when i said you about Aegeans position you spited at me calling me a liar and manipulator. And i even posted a text where Aegean CEOs talks about it, still you never apologized about spiting on me for no normal reason. You should also understand there is obviously more then one or two people not agreeing with your oppinions about long haul and OU.
DeletePozdrav this is DBV-New York not Zagreb-Delhi ;) Big difference. Besides who knows, you may be Anon 09:03 after all, just like you accuse others of having different personalities.
DeleteAwesome
ReplyDeleteWell done Dubrovnik!
ReplyDeleteGood luck United. Nice to see them finally in the region.
ReplyDeleteGood to see there are long haul flights to Croatia this year.
ReplyDeleteWonder who will be more successful, United or Delta?
ReplyDeleteHope American returns soon too.
ReplyDeleteThey will, next year
DeleteAmerican Airlines made a mistake by terminating Philly - Dubrovnik.
DeleteOr, American Airlines tried and noticed that it doesn't work well, even during the period where Dubrovnik's charm peaked, thanks to the GoT. That's why it pulled back, and the other two want to desperately try because there's a hysteria among the airlines to fly to leisure destinations this summer, hoping that people will rush to fill the planes and hotels for holiday. Remember, AA had 83% LF only in 2019, which is far from being promising for a seasonal transatlantic route.
DeleteYour jealous analysis makes no sense whatsoever considering American planned DAILY flights (they were scheduled and in the system) for 2020, as well as second destination in 2021. Concluding a route's success purely on load factor is hilarious. If it had excellent loads in premium cabin it could go half empty in economy and still be profitable. You also don't know what kind of charges, if any, they had in Dubrovnik.
DeleteCan't wait to see these two bird in DBV
ReplyDeleteRecovery of the aviation industry in the US has been remarkable. Great to see this new routes.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the fares like on this route. Is it expensive?
ReplyDeletePricey
DeleteNot really. DBV-EWR-DBV return ticket can be found for €715. That's a good price for high season.
DeleteWill they consider any other destination in the region?
ReplyDeleteWe may see United in Zagreb but that's about it. I doubt we would have seen either United or Delta in Dubrovnik had it not been for Covid and the entry restrictions elsewhere.
DeleteTogether with Dubrovnik, they also launching Washington - Athens.
Delete214 seater, 3pw in peak season, very good and safe choice for the start. And I guess, we can include some of OU ZAG transfer pax via DBV.
ReplyDeleteBut why not Zagreb?
ReplyDeleteNo demand.
DeleteBecause Americans want to go to the coast.
Delete@9.30
DeleteYes, I'm sure you know.
I think that they should have introduced Zagreb flights. In Zagreb they will have much more connections than in Dubrovnik, but I am happy for Dubrovnik anyway. It is good for Croatia in general.
DeleteHope to see some of US carriers in ZAG during the summer months in near future
DeleteThere was info published here some time ago about all traffic between the US and Croatia and numbers are bigger from ZAG then DBV. So please stop no demand mantra. It was the same mantra with LCC in ZAG and it changed and this will as well
DeleteIt would be better if they flew Newark - Zagreb - Dubrovnik - Newark.
DeleteWhat about Split? It is Croatia's second largest city, tourist destination and has a big catchment area? Any possibility for transatlantic flights from there?
DeleteSplit has a potential for seasonal long haul for sure, but it has huge problems with capacity on tarmac (there is no "real " widebody position, there is only a line which points where it should stay, and when you place widebody there it takes 2 or 3 positions for narrowbodies which is a lot if you consider there is only 12 positions) and probelms wity runway which only has 2550 meters. Only chanse for Split to get long haul is XLR and if Transat gets it they will probably launch Split.
DeleteNice :)
ReplyDeleteNot one but two US3 airlines. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteThis is very good for DBV in terms of reputation and attracting more carriers of the same type.
DeleteFrom next year, probably all three in DBV :)
DeleteCongratulation to Dubrovnik on this major win of confidence
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteI was surprised that American was the first to bite the bullet and start flights to Croatia. I would have thought it would be United considering its Star Alliance membership and potential for codeshare with Croatia Airlines. But it's good to see them come eventually, even more so during this crisis year.
ReplyDeleteThis is a huge deal. One of the biggest airlines in the world starting flights to DBV. Fantastic :)
ReplyDeleteI think that next up Dubrovnik should definitely target Canada or South Korea flights. After they secure one destination from each they should look into adding more points in the US.
ReplyDeleteRoutes from US to Dubrovnik definitely have potential. I don't think they should waiut with attracting more US flights.
DeleteGenerally flights from US and Canada should always do well to Croatia. Mix of leisure and diaspora passengers.
DeleteI hope Dubrovnik can somehow interest Air Transat to launch flights from Toronto.
DeleteI'm really interested to see how this will perform. Hope for the best and we see new US routes to DBV in 2022 :)
ReplyDeleteThis is the highlight of the year. Huge congratulation to Dubrovnik!
ReplyDeleteWon't this affect some airlines flying to DBV, particularly BA?
ReplyDeleteThis year hardly. I don't think BA has even resumed Dubrovnik yet. Net year possibly, but I assume airlines will respond with some competitive fares.
DeleteHope they move to the B787 eventually.
ReplyDeleteB767 is perfect equipment for this route.
DeleteCapacity wise yes. Fuel burning wise, maintenance wise, financial wise and comfort wise, Dreamliner would be much better option
DeleteVery nice. Hope this might trigger other US carriers to start across the country.
ReplyDeleteAmerican's arrival in 2019 triggered United to come.
DeleteIt will be interesting to see how many new American tourists will arrive in Croatia this year thanks to these flights.
ReplyDeleteThey have a limited a number of places to go on holiday.
DeleteMost of Europe has reopened to US passengers.
DeleteI hope this flight does great
ReplyDeleteIt will :)
DeleteReally glad for DBV!
ReplyDeleteDelta and UA will cannibalize each other
ReplyDeleteAgree. Too much capacity to New York.
DeleteWhat other city from the US could work to Dubrovnik? Other than New York and Philadelphia
ReplyDeleteLos Angeles
DeleteI think Delta could do well by launching flights from Atlanta. It is their mega hub.
DeleteChicago would do well in summer.
DeleteAre these United flights receiving some sort of subsidies from the tourist board?
ReplyDeleteThere's no need for subsidies, organic demand for travel to Croatia is huge this year.
DeleteThey all get money from "udruzeno oglasavanje" fund.
DeleteCongratulations Dubrovnik and a very good catch
ReplyDeleteBravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeleteWill there be a welcome ceremony?
ReplyDeleteOf course there will. It's the biggest event in the airpor's recent history.
DeleteDefinitely
DeleteHats down DBV
ReplyDeleteSo daily flights from Dubrovnik to New York. Who would have thought just a year ago.
ReplyDeleteWill UA and DL planes be at Dubrovnik at the same time?
ReplyDeleteYes! They will be arriving half an hour apart on Fridays and Saturdays.
DeleteYesterday was an interesting report about Dubrovnik in German tv .
ReplyDeleteCruise ships are back .
But these tourists are not allowed to go eating out or even go inside a shop .
They said if they get caught they will be denied to get back on their ship and instead have to fly home .
Doesnt sound like an exciting journey for me .
I don't understand. Are they allowed to go off the ship at all?
DeleteYeah but not on their own- only with a tour guide .
DeleteNo eating, no drinking and no shopping .
What are you talking about? As of today, covid passes are in effect for the entire EU. All vaccinated people can freely move. All restaurants and shops in Croatia are opened, with no restrictions. I am in Vilnius right now, and as of today we don't have to wear face masks inside the hotel any more and the restaurants are opened again. Why should be tourists with granted access to Dubrovnik (or anywhere else) be restricted from entering shops and restaurants? Make no sense whatsoever.
Deletetaking about Cruise ships passengers not "normal" tourist
DeleteHmmm...probably company guidelines.
DeleteIf just one person gets covid he will infect the whole ship and that would be the financial suicide for the cruise.
Understandable their fear.
Yes, that is the reason
DeleteWhen does the plane depart European time?
ReplyDelete1.20am
Delete