Following the start of its joint business with British Airways and Iberia, American Airlines is to launch of a new non-stop daily service between Budapest (BUD) and New York (JFK) beginning 6th April 2011.

The flight will be American’s first Eastern European and Hungarian operation, with the country becoming the ninth destination in Europe American serves non-stop from the United States.

The new route connects American’s New York JFK hub to oneworld partner Malev’s Budapest hub and is one of the first launched since transatlantic anti-trust immunity was granted between five of the oneworld carriers. The service will enable passengers to connect to more than 35 destinations beyond New York JFK and from more than 25 destinations beyond Budapest across Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

“We are delighted to be launching this new route into Hungary and to be strengthening our existing European operations” commented Kurt Stache, Americans Vice President - International. “We are excited to be working closely with our partners at Malév and believe this new service to New York will prove to be very popular, providing a great connection not only to one of the worlds most beautiful cities but also to the many destinations we serve from JFK.”

American will fly the new route with its twin class 225 seat Boeing 767-300 aircraft, offering 30 lie flat business class and 195 economy seats.