Cheapest Flights from Europe to the USA – Tips to Find Amazing Airfare Deals
Cheapest Flights from Europe to the USA - Tips to Find Amazing Airfare Deals - Leverage Budget Airlines for Cross-Atlantic Flights
When looking to fly from Europe to the United States, don't overlook budget airlines as a way to score cheap fares. Carriers like Norwegian, WOW air, and Primera Air offer stripped-down base fares that can be significantly less than what major airlines charge. Though you'll have to pay extra for seat assignments, checked bags, and other amenities, the potential savings can make it worthwhile.
Norwegian is currently the largest low-cost player on transatlantic routes, with an extensive network of flights between Europe and major U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Fares often start around $200-300 each way when booked in advance - a fraction of what legacy carriers charge. Norwegian operates modern Boeing 787 Dreamliners featuring free WiFi and power outlets at every seat.
WOW air also connects a number of European cities to U.S. hubs like Boston, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Though not as extensive as Norwegian's network, WOW offers extremely low promotional fares - sometimes under $100 one-way when booked months in advance. Expect to pay extra for every little thing, but don't let that deter you from seizing one of their incredible deals.
While still a relatively new player, Primera Air has expanded rapidly and now flies from London, Paris, and Brussels to several U.S. airports. Like other budget airlines, you'll pay more a la carte, but can snag base fares for $99 or less when booking early. Keep tabs on sales for the cheapest deals.
What else is in this post?
- Cheapest Flights from Europe to the USA - Tips to Find Amazing Airfare Deals - Leverage Budget Airlines for Cross-Atlantic Flights
- Cheapest Flights from Europe to the USA - Tips to Find Amazing Airfare Deals - Consider Alternative Hub Cities to Save on Airfare
- Cheapest Flights from Europe to the USA - Tips to Find Amazing Airfare Deals - Fly During Off-Peak Seasons for Big Savings
- Cheapest Flights from Europe to the USA - Tips to Find Amazing Airfare Deals - Use Flight Search Engines to Find Cheap Flights
- Cheapest Flights from Europe to the USA - Tips to Find Amazing Airfare Deals - Take Advantage of Airfare Sales and Promotions
- Cheapest Flights from Europe to the USA - Tips to Find Amazing Airfare Deals - Book Connecting Flights to Access Lower Fares
Cheapest Flights from Europe to the USA - Tips to Find Amazing Airfare Deals - Consider Alternative Hub Cities to Save on Airfare
When booking flights from Europe to the United States, don't limit yourself to only considering direct flights or connections through major hubs like London, Paris or Frankfurt. Looking at alternative airports in Europe and smaller hub cities in the U.S. can unlock substantial savings.
For example, when flying from Berlin to New York, rather than going through London or Frankfurt, check options connecting through Reykjavik, Iceland on Icelandair. The carrier's extensive network means you can transit there from several cities across Europe. Though Iceland itself seems out of the way, the distances are shorter than you'd think. And Icelandair regularly offers very competitive fares to the U.S., especially on the east coast.
You can also look at flying through Dublin, Ireland on Aer Lingus. Their base fares are often hundreds less than other major European carriers when headed to Boston, New York, Chicago, Washington D.C. and other east coast cities. The connection is relatively short and immigration is done in Ireland, meaning you arrive in the U.S. as a domestic passenger.
Within the U.S., look beyond the major coastal hubs. Cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Denver, and Phoenix can offer significantly lower fares, especially when connecting onwards to smaller cities. Frontier, JetBlue, and Southwest in particular have extensive networks through these alternative hubs.
Don't forget about budget carriers like Norwegian Air and WOW Air that connect smaller airports like Providence and Hartford directly to Europe. Though a bit less convenient than Boston or New York, the cost savings of flying into these secondary airports is tremendous.
Cheapest Flights from Europe to the USA - Tips to Find Amazing Airfare Deals - Fly During Off-Peak Seasons for Big Savings
One of the best ways to score cheap transatlantic flights is to travel during off-peak seasons. Flying when others aren’t vying for seats allows you to take advantage of lower demand. Late fall through early spring are generally the cheapest times to fly between Europe and North America.
Aim to travel between late October and mid-December to avoid the holiday rush. Fares typically spike for Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year's. January through March (excluding around Easter) is also a good bet for deals as it's off-season for leisure travel. The weather may be chilly, but you'll be warm with the savings!
Similarly, flying mid-September through October after the summer holidays concludes can yield savings. There is less competition from families and students. Plus you may get to experience more comfortable weather at your destinations.
Booking at least a couple months in advance is key to getting the cheapest fares during off-peak times. Prices usually start creeping up around 6 weeks out. Being flexible by a day or two on your travel dates can also help you save big if you can fly on less popular days.
Cheapest Flights from Europe to the USA - Tips to Find Amazing Airfare Deals - Use Flight Search Engines to Find Cheap Flights
When searching for cheap flights from Europe to the United States, leveraging flight search engines can be a game-changer. These powerful tools aggregate data from airlines, online travel agencies, and other sources to provide a comprehensive view of available fares and options.
One of the standout flight search engines is Google Flights. With its intuitive interface and advanced filtering capabilities, Google Flights makes it easy to explore flexible travel dates, alternative airports, and even adjust your search parameters to find the most budget-friendly routes. Start by inputting your desired departure and arrival cities, and then use the calendar feature to quickly identify the lowest-priced travel days. This can uncover significant savings, as flight prices can fluctuate considerably based on the specific travel dates.
Beyond just browsing basic flight results, Google Flights also offers valuable insights. The "Explore Destinations" tool allows you to see a map of potential destinations and their associated flight prices, making it simple to identify the most cost-effective options. Additionally, the "Price Graph" feature gives you a visual representation of how prices vary over time, helping you pinpoint the best time to book your tickets.
Another helpful tool is the "Flexible Dates" function, which lets you compare prices for travel a few days before or after your preferred dates. This can be particularly useful when you have some flexibility in your travel schedule, as even a minor adjustment can lead to significant savings.
For those seeking even more flexibility, Skyscanner is another popular flight search engine worth considering. Skyscanner's "Whole Month" and "Everywhere" search options make it easy to identify the cheapest dates and destinations, respectively. This can be especially beneficial when you're open to exploring new places or have a more open-ended travel plan.
While search engines like Google Flights and Skyscanner are excellent starting points, it's important to remember that they don't always include every airline or low-cost carrier. For a comprehensive search, it's a good idea to also check the websites of individual airlines, as they may offer exclusive deals or routes not found on these aggregator sites.
Cheapest Flights from Europe to the USA - Tips to Find Amazing Airfare Deals - Take Advantage of Airfare Sales and Promotions
Keeping an eye out for airfare sales and promotions can be a game-changer when booking your transatlantic flights. Airlines are constantly running limited-time offers and flash sales, providing opportunities to score incredible deals on flights between Europe and the United States.
One of the best ways to stay on top of these promotional fares is to sign up for email alerts and newsletters from airlines, travel deal sites, and booking platforms. Carriers like Norwegian, WOW Air, and JetBlue frequently announce sales with base fares as low as $99 one-way. These offers are often only available for a few days or weeks, so it's crucial to act quickly when you spot a good deal.
Beyond airline-specific sales, you'll also want to monitor general travel deal sites that aggregate and curate the best flight discounts. These platforms scour the internet to identify mistake fares, pricing errors, and limited-time promotions that can yield massive savings. By setting up price alerts and notifications, you'll be the first to know when a particularly enticing offer arises.
It's also worth considering booking around major holiday periods when airlines need to fill seats. Flying on the actual holiday day or during the shoulder season around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's can unlock significant savings compared to peak travel times. Airlines are highly incentivized to offer discounted fares to fill these flights.
Lastly, don't overlook the potential of flash sales and limited-time promotions from online travel agencies (OTAs) and meta-search engines. Websites like Expedia, Priceline, and Google Flights occasionally feature deep discounts on transatlantic routes to drive bookings. Setting price alerts and monitoring these platforms closely can help you capitalize on these fleeting but lucrative opportunities.
Cheapest Flights from Europe to the USA - Tips to Find Amazing Airfare Deals - Book Connecting Flights to Access Lower Fares
When searching for inexpensive transatlantic flights, be open to considering itineraries with connections rather than nonstop routes. While the added layover may seem less convenient, the potential savings can be substantial.
Oftentimes, airlines will offer significantly discounted fares for flights that require a stopover, especially at their major hubs. This is because they are incentivized to fill seats on these connecting flights, even if the primary demand is for direct service.
For example, when flying from London to New York, you may find roundtrip fares for $600-800 on nonstop flights with major carriers. However, if you're willing to connect through a hub like Dublin, Reykjavik, or Frankfurt, you could potentially cut that price in half. The trade-off is a slightly longer overall travel time, but the savings can make it worthwhile.
Similarly, within the United States, routing your trip through cities like Chicago, Denver, or Phoenix instead of the typical coastal hubs like New York or Los Angeles can yield substantial discounts. Budget airlines like Frontier, JetBlue, and Southwest have extensive networks through these secondary airports, enabling them to offer rock-bottom fares.
It's worth noting that booking connecting flights does require a bit more flexibility and attention to detail. Make sure to leave adequate time between connections, especially if you need to clear customs and immigration at your layover point. Missed connections can be a headache to resolve, so build in a buffer to your itinerary.
Additionally, when booking connecting flights, be mindful of your airline's policies regarding baggage and rebooking in the event of delays or cancellations. Choosing to fly with a single carrier for your entire trip can simplify the process, as opposed to mixing and matching airlines.