Business Class Flight Deals from Chicago to Athens from $1662

Planning Your Trip

If you plan on flying to Athens from Chicago, the first thing you need to decide is the airport you’ll fly from. Chicago has two international airports: the O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and the Midway International Airport (MDW). Flights to Athens depart from both, but each airport offers a different experience and a different selection of services and airlines.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

O’Hare is the only airport in Chicago that offers non-stop flights to Athens operated by United Airlines and American Airlines from May to September. Such flights take a bit over 10 hours. Alternatively, you can get on a one-stop business-class flight with a layover in a big European hub. If you fly business class from O’Hare, you’ll get access to exclusive airline lounges, such as the United Polaris Lounge or the American Airlines Flagship Lounge. Here you can spend your time working in a private workspace, enjoy fine dining options, or get ready for your flight in a spa-like shower.

However, as one of the busiest airports in the world, O’Hare can become crowded during peak hours, which leads to long security lines and occasional delays. In addition, winter weather often affects flight schedules, increasing the likelihood of disruptions.

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

Midway is smaller and easier to navigate than O’Hare. There are fewer passengers, the security lines are shorter and the check-in and boarding processes are faster. Midway might be more convenient for you if you’d like to avoid crowds and long lines. However, there are no direct flights from the Midway International Airport to Athens. Most of the flights to Athens departing from Midway have two layovers: one in a U.S. city and one in a European city. One-stop flights from Midway are usually operated by Delta and have a layover in Atlanta.

Also, you won’t get any premium business-class services at Midway. There are no international airline lounges or high-end amenities.

Alternative Routes from the U.S. to Athens

There are many options to choose from when it comes to flights to Athens. You can depart from Chicago or other major U.S. cities that also offer convenient flights.

One of the most popular airlines serving the Chicago–Athens route all year round is Lufthansa. Flights from Chicago O'Hare to Athens with Lufthansa typically take about 13 hours and include a layover in Frankfurt or Munich. Frankfurt Airport is one of Europe's largest hubs, featuring premium shopping, spa services, and even sleeping pods for longer layovers. During the layover in Frankfurt, you can visit the Frankfurt Airport's Squaire, a modern shopping and entertainment complex. It is directly connected to Terminal 1 of the Frankfurt Airport through a pedestrian connecting corridor.
Business-class tickets for such flights from Chicago to Athens with Lufthansa start at $4,350 when booked 4-5 months in advance, but may cost as high as $10,000 if booked last minute. Besides, the prices depend on the season when you travel.

If you’d like to depart from another U.S. city, there are several big hubs from which you can take a business-class flight to Athens. Among these are the Los Angeles International Airport and the Boston Logan International Airport.

If you fly out of Los Angeles and want a flight with a layover in a European city, you can choose a flight with Iberia. The total journey to Athens takes at least 14 hours and they typically have a layover in Madrid. The Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is home to a variety of high-end shopping boutiques and restaurants. So, if you’re looking for a gourmet dining experience, you can visit the Kirei by Kabuki restaurant, which offers a fusion of Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine. If you have a long layover and need to relax, you can head to the Air Rooms Madrid hotel, which is located inside the airport and offers you private sleeping spaces and showers for a quick refresh.
Such flights from Los Angeles to Athens, operated by Iberia, usually cost between $5,500 and $11,000, depending on the season and how early you book the ticket.

You can also take a flight to Athens from Boston and have a layover in Europe. For instance, you can choose one operated by Swiss International Air Lines, with a layover at the Zurich Airport. The journey to Athens will take at least 12 hours, but it depends on how long your layover is. The Zurich Airport is known for hosting The Circle, a modern shopping and entertainment district with designer brands boutiques, gourmet food, and even wellness services. If you have a longer layover, you can also visit the Airport Park, an outdoor area perfect for a relaxing walk before your next flight.
Business-class tickets for this route cost around $4,500, but prices may be as high as $12,000 if you want to book a flight at the last minute.

Choosing the Best Airline

There are multiple airlines operating flights from Chicago to Athens, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Air France, KLM, ITA Airways, SWISS, Air Canada, British Airways, Scandinavian Airlines, Iberia, and others. Out of these, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta offer the most flights for this route throughout the year.

United Airlines

• Lounge Access: Generally, United offers two business class options, which are business class and Polaris. United Polaris is the option you’ll find on most of its long-haul international flights. Thus, for your trip from Chicago to Athens, you’ll also be a Polaris passenger. This means you’ll get access to their exclusive United Polaris Lounge at the O’Hare International Airport, renovated and reopened in spring 2025. Also, you’ll get access to the five United Club Lounges at ORD. No matter what gate your flight is departing from, there surely is a United Club lounge nearby. There are two in Concourse B, one in Concourse C, one in Concourse E, and one in Concourse F. All of them feature a full-service bar, a buffet of light snacks, and free Wi-Fi. Although there isn’t a big difference between the amenities they offer, the United Club lounge in Concourse C, which is also the newest, is usually the favorite among travelers, as they like the food selection there the most.
• Seats: The United Polaris business class seats have a 1-2-1 layout, which means you’ll have direct aisle access no matter what seat you choose. All the seats recline fully and usually come with plush bedding designed by Saks Fifth Avenue. Moreover, the seats in the middle row have adjustable dividers between them so that you have as much privacy as you need.
• Dining: The dining experience on United Polaris flights features multi-course meals with regional specialties. Your main meal will be served after takeoff and includes mixed nuts, an appetizer, a salad, bread, and a made-to-order ice cream sundae for dessert. You’ll also be offered midflight snacks and you can choose a premium wine to enjoy during the flight.
• Amenity kit: United’s Polaris amenity kit features luxury skincare products from Therabody (eye serum, facial spray, hand cream, lip balm), socks, an ergonomic eye mask, and noise-reducing earplugs. This amenity kit is exclusive to United Polaris flights and you won’t get it on any others.
• Loyalty Program: Through United's MileagePlus program, you can earn miles based on the ticket type and your MileagePlus status. Tickets issued by United earn 5 miles per dollar on the base fare. For a business class flight from Chicago to Athens, you may earn between 7,000 to 12,000 miles. You can later use the miles you gained for award flights, seat upgrades, and other benefits. Award flights in business class from the U.S. to Europe typically require at least 60,000 miles one-way.
• A nonstop business-class flight with United from Chicago to Athens will cost you between $6,500 and $10,000, depending on how early you book it. If you’d like a flight with a layover, it might cost you around $5,300 when booked 4 months in advance and up to $9,500 when booked a few days before the flight.

United Airlines is a great choice for you if you want access to multiple lounges at the airport and a personalized dining experience on a non-stop flight from Chicago to Athens.

American Airlines

• Lounge access: If you fly business class with American Airlines, you’ll get access to the Flagship Lounge at O’Hare, where you can treat yourself to some champagne from the champagne bar, order a meal, and relax before your flight. If you’d like to get some work done, you can take a seat in a dedicated workspace inside the lounge. Besides, you can access the three American Airlines Admirals Club located in Terminal 3. The one in Concourse H/K features showers and 2 conference rooms of 8 seats each that you can use. The lounge in Concourse L also has a conference room, but it’s smaller than the one from Concourse H/K, with only 4 seats.
• Seats: Most often, American Airlines uses Boeing 787 planes on its Chicago-Athens route. The business class seats on these planes are positioned in a 1-2-1 configuration, so every passenger has direct aisle access. No matter what seat you choose, you’ll get adjustable lighting, generous storage space, and a personal entertainment system, all meant to create a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience for you.
• Dining: Flying business class with American Airlines, you can enjoy a multi-course meal service accompanied by fine wines and various beverages. And since American Airlines is all about reflecting the culinary traditions of your destinations, you can expect some touches of Greek cuisine on the menu.
• Amenity kit: American Airlines creates its business-class amenity kits in collaboration with luxury brands like Joanna Vargas and Relevant. The amenity kit you’ll get on your long-haul flight to Athens will include skincare products, a high-quality sleep mask, and designer toiletries.
• Loyalty program: If you travel with American Airlines, consider signing up for their AAdvantage loyalty program. Using it, you’ll earn miles every time you purchase an American Airlines ticket. The number of miles depends on the ticket type and your status within the loyalty program. For example, as a base member, you’ll earn 5 miles per dollar spent. This means that if you buy a business-class ticket for $3,500, you will earn 17,500 miles. You can redeem your miles when buying flights, upgrades, and other rewards. One-way business class award tickets to Europe may cost as low as 57,500 miles, but each offer is individual.
• Prices: A business-class flight from Chicago to Athens may cost you around $5,800 if you book it a few months in advance and up to $10,000 if you’re in a rush to book a ticket for the nearest dates available.

American Airlines is a great option if you’re looking for seasonal nonstop flights, access to an exclusive lounge at the O’Hare International Airport, and a strong loyalty program that allows you to earn miles for future rewards.

Delta Air Lines

• Lounge access: If you choose to fly business class with Delta from Chicago O'Hare, you’ll have access to the Delta Sky Club in Terminal 5. Here you have a selection of fresh and healthy food options, including a special breakfast menu, a variety of premium beverage selections and signature cocktails you can choose to indulge in before your flight. Also, Delta Sky Club offers you access to showers if you need to freshen up before the flight. Delta operates flights from the Midway International Airport as well, but there aren’t any lounges for business-class passengers.
• Seats: Delta’s business-class cabin, known as Delta One, features lie-flat seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. All seats are equipped with personal storage spaces, adjustable lighting, and high-resolution entertainment screens. Thus, you’ll get enough privacy and comfort during your flight. On some planes, such as the Airbus A350-900 or Airbus A330-900 neo models, you can experience the Delta One Suite, which includes a full-height door for enhanced privacy.
• Dining: Flying business class with Delta, you’ll get to taste their chef-curated meals and a drink from their wide selection of complimentary beer, spirits, and fine wines. For the end of your meal, you can choose anything you want from the dessert cart, which features desserts like opera cake with chocolate ganache, fruit, and cheese trays. You can also relax with a cup of tea from Thrive Farmers, which is an ethical organization supporting farmers from the coffee and tea industry. Delta’s selection of teas includes best-in-class options like Earl Grey, Guizhou Green, Egyptian Chamomile, and Pacific Peppermint.
• Amenity kit: Flying with Delta, you’ll usually get a high-end Missoni amenity kit featuring Grown Alchemist skincare products, which will make your flight even more comfortable. The kits are thoughtfully curated to enhance your comfort and well-being during the flight.
• Loyalty program: Delta's frequent flyer program, SkyMiles, allows you to earn miles based on the distance flown and ticket class. For business-class flights, you can earn a significant number of miles per ticket. If you’re a general member, you’ll get 5 miles for each dollar spent with Delta. For example, if you buy a $3,500 ticket as a general member, you’ll get 17,500 miles in return. Miles can be redeemed for award flights, seat upgrades, and other travel-related benefits. The number of miles required for a business-class ticket from the U.S. to Europe varies, but it typically starts at around 75,000 miles one-way. For more detailed information, you can visit Delta's SkyMiles page.
• The prices for business-class flights with Delta from Chicago start at $6,000 but may get up to $10,000 if you don’t book a ticket in advance.

Delta Air Lines is perfect for you if you’re looking for privacy during the flight, high-end amenities, and a premium dining experience, especially if flying on planes featuring Delta One Suites.

Arriving at Your Destination

The Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (ATH) is the only international airport in Athens. This is where you’ll land at the end of your flight from Chicago. Although it’s the largest airport in Greece, it is smaller than many European international airports. It has only two terminals and a simple layout. Thus, it will be relatively easy for you to navigate it after arriving.

Since you’re a business-class traveler, your experience at the airport will be even more comfortable than for most passengers. First of all, you’ll be among the first passengers to exit the plane. Thus, you won’t have to wait in lines at the immigration and customs procedures, and you’ll save some time. Also, you might be eligible for priority baggage handling, which means that your luggage will be among the first to arrive on the carousel and you may retrieve it in 10-15 minutes after getting to the baggage claim area. Whether you’re eligible for this service depends on the airline you fly with, but it’s common practice. For example, airlines in the SkyTeam alliance, such as Delta, offer priority baggage handling as part of their SkyPriority services. As a business-class passenger, you are eligible for SkyPriority and you’ll see the logo of this program on your boarding pass.

Moreover, since you’re a business-class traveler, you might be eligible to go through the fast-track immigration lane at ATH. To confirm eligibility, you can contact the airline before booking.

Getting to the City Center

After you successfully navigate the airport, it’s time for you to finally get to the city. Athens is only 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the airport. The trip to Athens isn’t too long and, luckily, there are many transportation options you can choose from.

• To get from the airport to Athens, you can take the metro. A one-way ticket will cost you €9 ($9.40) and it can be purchased at vending machines or counters at the airport metro station. The Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) departs from the airport every 30 minutes, daily from 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM. It will take you to Syntagma Square in central Athens in around 40 minutes. It’s a good option in case you’re not in a hurry and don’t have lots of luggage with you.
• You could also take a bus from the airport to the city. The X95 Express route is slightly slower than the metro and will reach Syntagma Square in central Athens in approximately one hour after leaving the airport if there’s light traffic. A one-way ticket costs €5.50 ($5.70) and you can buy it at the airport, at the ticket booth outside the Arrivals hall, between Exits 4 and 5. The bus departs from the airport every 15 to 20 minutes.
• If you don’t want to trouble yourself with buying tickets, waiting for the metro or bus, and then having to navigate the city on your own, you can take a taxi from the airport. You can take one on the spot or book it in advance. Regardless, you’ll only pay a flat rate of €40 ($42) for a day trip (5 AM – 12 AM) and €55 ($58) for a night trip (12 AM – 5 AM) to the city center.
• There’s also a more luxurious option that you might consider to get to Athens — private transfer. Such services need to be booked in advance, either with the company providing them or via a travel agency. Private transfers are a lot more comfortable than taking a regular taxi. The driver will meet you in the arrivals hall, pick up your luggage, and drive you to the city. The cars they use are also a lot more luxurious than regular taxis. Private transfer services may take you to Athens in 25-35 minutes, as their drivers focus on avoiding traffic and getting you to your destination as fast as possible. Prices for such services start at €40 ($42), depending on the service provider, the vehicle you choose, and the amenities you request for the ride.

Thus, if you want to get the most comfortable experience on your way to Athens, private transfers are the best option for you. But if you don’t want to trouble yourself booking these services in advance, you might consider taking a taxi from the airport or going for a ride on the metro or bus to Athens.

Tips for Business Class Fliers

Flying business class from Chicago to Athens is the perfect option if you want a comfortable journey, but what if you could experience the luxury without the sky-high price tag? The truth is, savvy travelers know a few insider tricks to get great business-class tickets for a scandalously good price. Whether it’s timing your booking just right, using miles from loyalty programs, or finding exclusive deals, there are plenty of ways to fly in style without emptying your wallet. Here are some that you might find useful when planning your trip to Athens.

Book at the Right Time for the Best Deals

Timing is everything when it comes to finding the best prices on business-class tickets. For example, a United business-class seat from ORD to ATH might be $5,000 if booked 3-4 months in advance but jump to $9,000 within two weeks of departure. You can also use platforms like Priceline to find incredible business-class deals from Chicago to Athens via its Express Deals and Name Your Own Price features. These features will help you find steeply discounted fares that airlines don’t advertise publicly.

Use Airline Miles and Points

Frequent flyer programs and credit card reward points can help you get a good deal on business-class tickets. Many airlines allow you to book flights using miles or a combination of cash and miles. For instance, instead of paying $4,000 for a round-trip business-class flight, you might be allowed to use 70,000 United MileagePlus miles and only pay $500 in taxes and fees.

Consider Booking a One-Stop Flight for A Better Price

Non-stop business-class flights are convenient but they often come at a significantly higher price. If you don’t mind a layover, you can find significantly cheaper tickets by choosing one-stop flights through major European hubs like Frankfurt, Istanbul, or London.

For example, a direct business-class flight on American Airlines from ORD to ATH might cost $7,000 round trip, while a one-stop flight via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines could be $4,500 — offering the same level of service at a lower price.

Use Corporate Travel Programs

If you travel for business and need to take frequent trips between Chicago and Athens, you might find airlines’ corporate travel programs useful. These programs often provide discounted fares, flexible booking options, and priority services for frequent business travelers. For example, United’s Corporate Preferred program offers waived change fees, extra baggage allowances, and access to their best lounges — perfect for business professionals who need flexibility and comfort.

Choose the Best Business-Class Cabin for Comfort and Privacy

Not all business-class cabins are created equal. Some airlines offer fully enclosed suites, while others have open configurations that may lack privacy. Before booking, it’s a good idea to check which airline offers the best business-class seat for you. For that, you can view the seatmaps of multiple planes on SeatGuru or skim through airline review websites.

Final Insights

Flying business class from Chicago to Athens is the best way to get a stress-free journey with luxury services at every step. And if you choose well, your flight will be as memorable as the destination itself. More than that, with the right airport, airline, and booking strategy, you can get the best business-class experience for a manageable cost. To score the best deals, you can check out Priceline’s exclusive offers or contact our experts who will help you get a great deal on business-class tickets. Let your next trip to Athens begin with the perfect business-class flight!