Cheapest Transatlantic Routes: How to Fly Between Europe and the Americas
AirHuntr Editorial
June 18, 2026
Crossing the Atlantic doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here's a route-by-route guide to the cheapest options.
Crossing the Atlantic doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here's a route-by-route guide to the cheapest options.
The Secret: Gateway Cities
The cheapest transatlantic fares are almost always to/from specific gateway cities. Flying into or out of one of these hubs — even if it's not your final destination — can save €200+.
Cheapest European departure cities:
- Lisbon (LIS) — TAP Air Portugal is aggressively competitive
- London Stansted/Gatwick — budget carriers, multiple US connections
- Paris CDG — Air France sales, multiple destinations
- Rome FCO — Alitalia/ITA sales, competition from low-cost on some routes
- Dublin — Aer Lingus flights (US pre-clearance, skips US immigration queue)
Cheapest US arrival cities:
- New York (JFK/EWR) — most competition
- Boston (BOS) — good prices especially from Portugal/UK
- Miami (MIA) — gateway to Latin America
- Chicago (ORD) — good from Northern Europe
Best Routes Under €400 Return
London → New York
Norse Atlantic from £180 one-way; expect returns from £300 on the right dates.
Lisbon → New York
TAP Air Portugal frequently has flash sales — €350–€500 return is common.
Paris → Montreal, Canada
Air Transat and Air France compete. Returns from €450 are possible.
Istanbul → New York
Turkish Airlines IST–JFK. Can hit €400–€500 return during sales.
Madrid → Mexico City
Aeromexico and Iberia compete. €500–€650 return is standard; sales go lower.
Budget Transatlantic Airlines
Norse Atlantic (NO): Routes from UK, France, Germany, Scandinavia to JFK, EWR, LAX, FLL, MCO. Prices from £99 one-way. Bags extra. Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner — comfortable for budget.
Play Airlines (OG): Iceland hub (KEF). Routes from Paris, London, Berlin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam to US destinations. Adds 1–2 hours via Reykjavik. Fares from €79 one-way.
Condor (DE): German charter-turned-scheduled. Budget transatlantic from Frankfurt to multiple US cities and Caribbean.
Points and Miles Strategy
For frequent travellers, earning and redeeming miles/points can produce transatlantic "free" flights:
- American Express Membership Rewards: Transfer to British Airways Avios, Air France KLM Flying Blue, or many others
- Chase Ultimate Rewards (US): Transfers to United, British Airways, Air France
- Best-value redemptions: Flying Blue flash sales (Air France/KLM) frequently offer 15,000–25,000 miles return transatlantic
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