Planning a European getaway is thrilling, but one of the first choices you’ll face is which airline to fly. With so many flights from the U.S. to Europe, balancing ticket prices, onboard comfort, and convenient connections can feel like piecing together a travel puzzle.
Whether you’re looking for luxury in the skies or budget-friendly fares, knowing the strengths of each airline can help you start your trip stress-free. Explore our updated guide to the top airlines connecting the U.S. to Europe in 2025, with practical tips to help you choose the right carrier.
For last year’s insights, see our 2024 transatlantic airline guide.
What to Look for in the Best Airline to Fly to Europe from the USA?
Choosing the right airline can make or break your long-haul flight experience. Here are the key factors to consider before booking:
- Comfort and Onboard Experience:
Long flights are easier with good seat pitch, entertainment, and meals. Airlines that offer extra legroom or upgraded economy options make a big difference. - Pricing and Hidden Fees:
The ticket price isn’t the whole story. Baggage charges, seat selection, and meal fees can quickly add up—especially on budget airlines. - Flight Options and Connections:
Nonstop flights save time, but sometimes a well-timed layover can give you better deals or a chance to explore another city. - Loyalty Programs and Upgrade Potential:
Frequent travelers should check miles, status perks, and lounge access. Sticking to one alliance can pay off in upgrades and freebies. - Reliability and Service:
On-time performance and helpful staff can make your trip smoother. Delays and poor service can derail your vacation mood fast. - Baggage Allowance and Policies:
Some airlines include a free checked bag, while budget carriers may charge for everything. Heavy packers should compare baggage policies first. - Seat Configuration and Space:
A few extra inches of seat width or a 2-4-2 layout instead of 3-3-3 can make long flights more bearable. Premium economy is a game-changer for many travelers. - Wi-Fi and Connectivity:
Need to work or stay connected? Check in-flight Wi-Fi availability and cost, as some carriers now offer free messaging or streaming options. - Layover Airports and Amenities:
Not all layovers are equal. Airports like Istanbul, Munich, or Amsterdam offer better lounges, food, and even sleep pods for long connections. - Safety and Airline Reputation:
While all major airlines are safe, highly rated carriers can give peace of mind to nervous fliers.
Top Airlines for Flights from the U.S. to Europe in 2025
Now that you know what to look for, here are the airlines that stand out for comfort, pricing, and overall experience when flying to Europe from the USA.
Full‑Service & Hybrid Airlines: Comfort, Loyalty, and Reliability
Delta Air Lines
- Known for reliability, strong route coverage, and upgraded in-flight entertainment.
- Summer 2025 Onboard Refresh:
New seasonal meals in Delta One, including spinach‑ricotta rotolo, artichoke ravioli, and shrimp & grits by James Beard-award-winning Chef Mashama Bailey. The menu evolves monthly to reflect customer preferences. Delta Newsroom - Wine Program: Rotational wine menus every three months with luxury Champagne (Taittinger) and Une Femme canned wines available across cabins.
- Comfort Enhancements: Delta One’s Missoni-designed bedding and amenities provide elevated rest on long-haul routes.
- Expanded Delta Comfort+ Features: Meal pre‑selection added for international and long-haul flights, plus fresh snack options like Farmer’s Fridge on long sectors and the return of Cheez-It® crackers and Garden Salsa SunChips.
- Signature Snack & Burger Options: Shake Shack cheeseburgers available in First Class on flights over 900 miles, now expanded to multiple hubs.
Air France
- Continuing to expand its U.S. network in Summer 2025, adding extra frequency to New York–JFK (7 daily flights, most featuring the new La Première suites) and operating four weekly flights from Paris‑CDG to Orlando beginning May. Air France Press Release
- New La Première Suite: Debuted in April 2025 on select Boeing 777‑300ERs flying from CDG to New York‑JFK, with rollout continuing to Los Angeles, Singapore, and Tokyo‑Haneda over the summer. Each suite spans five windows and features a chaise lounge that converts into a two‑meter bed, dual 32″ 4K screens, noise‑cancelling headphones, and private storage. FTN News
- Premium and Economy Upgrades: All 777‑300ERs with La Première also receive redesigned business cabins with sliding doors, improved Premium (former Premium Economy) and Economy Comfort seating, Wi‑Fi upgrades, and refreshed cabin materials for enhanced comfort across all classes. FTN News
- Strong Loyalty Access: Part of the SkyTeam alliance, offering seamless connections with partner airlines such as Delta and KLM—plus increased popularity among U.S. travelers seeking upgraded experiences and routes.
Lufthansa
- German efficiency meets long‑haul comfort with strong punctuality and service. Seattle and Los Angeles remain among its most popular U.S. gateways, offering seamless connections to Europe through Frankfurt and Munich hubs.
- Unlimited Free Chatting: Starting June 2025, Lufthansa now offers unlimited free messaging on intercontinental flights in all travel classes. Passengers can send and receive texts, photos, and messages via their favorite apps using personal devices. The service is supported by Mastercard and accessible by logging into FlyNet with a Miles & More account or a registered Lufthansa Group Travel ID. New users can also register during their flight.
- Cabin Options and Comfort: Lufthansa offers Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class cabins, with lie‑flat seats and exceptional service on long‑haul routes.
- Alliance Benefits: As a Star Alliance member with strong ties to United Airlines, Lufthansa allows passengers to earn and redeem miles easily across its extensive global network.
American Airlines
- Offers convenient direct flights to top European cities including Dublin, Madrid, Paris, Venice, and Naples, with extensive U.S. coverage for easy connections.
- Flagship Experience: Premium cabins like Flagship Business and First feature lie‑flat seats, elevated dining, and premium lounge access.
- AAdvantage® Loyalty: Allows travelers to earn and redeem miles easily, with upgrade opportunities and elite perks on Oneworld partner airlines.
- Top AAdvantage® Summer Redemptions: The most popular destinations for summer 2025 award travel are London (LHR), Orlando (MCO), and Boston (BOS), reflecting strong demand for both transatlantic and domestic leisure trips.
Turkish Airlines
- Renowned for exceptional in‑flight catering and spacious cabins, Turkish Airlines continues to expand its U.S. footprint, now serving 14 destinations including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Francisco, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Boston, Newark, Seattle, Detroit, and the newest addition, Denver (launched June 2024).
- Layover Advantage: Istanbul Airport offers luxury lounges, shopping, a free Istanbul tour, and sleep pods.
- Complimentary and Tiered Internet Service: Turkish Airlines offers complimentary internet access for Business Class passengers and Miles&Smiles members, with different quotas depending on membership tier and cabin:
- Business Class + Miles&Smiles Elite / Elite Plus: Unlimited Internet
- Business Class (all passengers): 1 GB and Unlimited Messaging
- Miles&Smiles Elite / Elite Plus: 400 MB and Unlimited Messaging
- Miles&Smiles Classic Plus: 250 MB and Unlimited Messaging
- Miles&Smiles Classic: Unlimited Messaging
- Passengers can register for Miles&Smiles before the flight or via the onboard Wi‑Fi login page to access these benefits. Paid and complimentary passes may vary by aircraft type and flight duration.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- KLM will operate to 161 destinations in Summer 2025, including 95 in Europe and 66 intercontinental—a 4% capacity increase over Summer 2024. KLM Newsroom
- New U.S. Routes in 2025: Direct service from Amsterdam to San Diego begins May 8 with three weekly flights. KLM also continues its winter-launched Portland route and has increased Amsterdam–Las Vegas service to daily. FTN News
- Greater North American Capacity: KLM is offering approximately 10% more seats to North America versus 2024, making connections to the U.S. more frequent and flexible.
- New Aircraft & Expanded Fleet: Three new Boeing 787‑10s join KLM’s intercontinental fleet, supporting long-haul routes with refreshed cabins including Business, Premium Economy, and Economy Comfort.
- SkyTeam Alliance Benefits: U.S. travelers enjoy seamless connections and mileage perks with partners like Delta and Air France through SkyTeam.
Iberia
- Ideal for Spain-bound travelers with direct flights to Madrid and other Spanish cities.
- Highlight: Affordable Premium Economy option and Oneworld alliance perks with American Airlines.
- Iberia now serves 8 direct U.S. destinations—New York (JFK), Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco—and in June 2024 added Denver to its network. Iberia Press Release
- New Washington DC Service: Resumed on April 12, 2025 using the ultra-long-range Airbus A321XLR, increasing from 4 to up to 7 weekly flights in summer.
- Madrid–Orlando Launch: Starting October 26, 2025, Iberia will introduce its first nonstop Madrid–Orlando route, operating four weekly flights with A330 aircraft—marking its tenth U.S. destination. FTN News
- Innovation in Aircraft: Iberia operates the world’s first A321XLR on routes like Boston and Washington—efficiency meets transatlantic service. Simple Flying
- Capacity Growth: In summer 2025, Iberia will operate ~140 weekly flights to the U.S.—a 14% increase over 2024—and offer around 1.1 million seats, making it the largest U.S. market in its intercontinental network. Iberia Press Release
British Airways
- Extensive route network with numerous nonstop flights to London and beyond.
- Perks: Excellent loyalty program, solid Premium Economy, and well-rated business-class service.
- Tip: Partnered with American Airlines for better route flexibility under Oneworld.
- Celebrating its Washington–Seattle service’s 45th anniversary, British Airways reopened its Seattle-Tacoma lounge in February 2025 after a full refresh. The redesigned space now includes a full-service bar, a dedicated First-class dining area, focus pods for work or privacy, and 180-degree runway views with local Pacific Northwest artwork. BA Media Centre
- Free Messaging for Members: From April 2025, members of The British Airways Club (formerly Executive Club) can send unlimited free text messages via Wi‑Fi on board. This benefit is part of the airline’s wider £7 billion transformation effort. NY Post
- Loyalty Enhancements: The British Airways Club introduced a revamped tier-point system in April 2025. Members can now earn status through either spending or flight count (25 flights for Bronze, 50 for Silver), supported by a bonus tier point offer through December. BA Media Centre
Virgin Atlantic
- Stylish cabins and excellent service, particularly on London routes.
- Perks: Renowned Premium Economy and Upper Class with lie-flat seats and an onboard bar.
- Bonus: Partnered with Delta and Air France for easy transatlantic connections.
- Virgin Atlantic now flies to the U.S. from London Heathrow and Manchester, serving 11 U.S. destinations including Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), San Francisco, Boston, Washington D.C., and Orlando.
- New LAX Clubhouse (March 2025): Opened in Tom Bradley International Terminal, this wellness‑inspired lounge offers upscale amenities such as a Hollywood‑inspired Ruby Room cinema, The Royal Box VIP area, work pods, Zen Den with guided meditation, and curated California‑style dining. Access is available to Upper Class passengers, Flying Club Gold members, Delta One flyers, and SkyTeam Elite Plus travelers.
JetBlue Airways (Hybrid Scale Carrier)
- JetBlue has expanded its transatlantic network to include Amsterdam, Dublin, Edinburgh, London, Madrid, and Paris, offering a mix of low fares and premium Mint service for U.S. travelers seeking flexibility and comfort.
- Blue Sky Partnership with United: Starting fall 2025, JetBlue and United customers can earn and redeem TrueBlue points and MileagePlus miles on flights across both carriers. Travelers enjoy perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, preferred seating, and same‑day changes.
- Seamless Booking: Interline agreements allow flights to be booked on either airline’s website or app while maintaining independent operations.
- Future JFK Expansion: United is set to return to New York JFK by 2027 using JetBlue slots, enhancing connectivity for U.S. and transatlantic flyers.
Budget-Friendly Airlines: Save Big on Transatlantic Travel
Norse Atlantic Airways
- Launching a new direct route from Los Angeles (LAX) to Athens (ATH) on June 3, 2025, operating four weekly flights. This marks the first-ever nonstop connection between Athens and the U.S. West Coast, expanding Norse’s transatlantic network for budget-conscious travelers.
- Summer 2025 Capacity Growth: Norse will operate ten weekly U.S.–Athens flights—six from New York (JFK) and four from Los Angeles—doubling its transatlantic capacity compared to 2024.
- Cabin & Service: Flights are operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners featuring two cabins: Economy with modern IFE and a Premium cabin (2‑3‑2 layout) with 43″ pitch, complimentary drinks, and priority boarding.
- Affordable Long-Haul Option: Norse continues to position itself as a leading low-cost long-haul carrier, connecting underserved U.S. and European city pairs with competitive fares.
PLAY Airlines
- Once a popular low-cost option for U.S.–Europe travel with stopovers in Reykjavik, PLAY is exiting all U.S. routes by October 2025, including Baltimore, Boston, and New York Stewart. FTN News
- As part of its new strategy, PLAY is shifting focus to European leisure destinations like Split and Pula, Croatia, and pivoting toward wet-lease operations via its Malta-based subsidiary.
- Traveler Tip: If you want an Iceland stopover or ultra-low fares to Europe, book early in 2025 before U.S. service ends.
French Bee
- Operates affordable nonstop A350 services from Paris‑Orly to U.S. destinations including Newark, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, and the newly added Montreal route (started April 30, 2025).
- Summer 2025 U.S. Capacity Update: Flight frequencies and capacity will be trimmed for fall—e.g., Paris–Los Angeles reduced from 31 to 25 weekly flights; Paris–Miami and Newark also see cuts in September and October. AeroRoutes Report
- Customizable fare tiers let passengers add services like checked baggage, meals, seat selection, and priority boarding. Economy seats offer ~32” pitch; Premium cabins provide ~36” pitch with wider seating and value upgrades.
- Eco‑Friendly A350 Fleet: All flights use Airbus A350 aircraft, which reduce fuel consumption and emissions by ~25% compared to older widebodies.
Choosing Your Airline for Europe in 2025
With so many options, the right airline depends on your priorities. Full-service and hybrid carriers like Delta, Air France, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and KLM offer comfort, loyalty perks, and reliable schedules.
Budget-friendly airlines such as Norse Atlantic, French bee, and PLAY (until its U.S. exit in late 2025) provide lower fares but fewer amenities.
Before booking, weigh the importance of price vs. comfort, review baggage policies and fees,
and consider loyalty benefits or alliance perks if you plan to fly often. A thoughtful choice now can set the tone for your entire European getaway.
So, which airline will you choose for your European adventure this year? Let us know in the comments below.
