If you’re planning a trip from the USA to Europe in 2023, you’ll want to make sure you choose the best airline for your needs.
With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which airline to book your flight with.
That’s why I’ve compiled my favorite list of the 7 best airlines to travel from the US to Europe.
From impeccable service to luxurious amenities, these airlines offer top-notch experiences that will make your journey across the pond comfortable & enjoyable.
I’ve taken into account factors such as safety, destinations, and customer reviews to ensure that my list includes only the best of the best.
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, the airlines below will provide you with an unforgettable experience that will leave you looking forward to your next Euro-Trip!
Top-Rated Airlines Connecting US To Europe
| From (USA) | To (Europe) | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Airlines | Atlanta (GA), New York (NY), Los Angeles (CA), Detroit (MI), Minneapolis (MN) | Geneva, London-Gatwick, Berlin, Rome, Frankfurt | 9.0 |
| Air France | New York (NY), Los Angeles (CA), Miami (FL), Atlanta (GA), Washington D.C. | Paris, Nice, Lyon | 8.5 |
| Lufthansa | New York (NY), Los Angeles (CA), Chicago (IL), San Francisco (CA), Houston (TX) | Various European destinations | 9.3 |
| British Airways | New York (NY), Los Angeles (CA), Miami (FL), Chicago (IL), Boston (MA) | London, Paris, Edinburgh | 8.1 |
| United Airlines | New York (NY), Los Angeles (CA), Chicago (IL), Washington D.C., San Francisco (CA) | Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Paris, Zurich | 8.7 |
| American Airlines | New York (NY), Los Angeles (CA), Miami (FL), Chicago (IL), Dallas (TX) | London, Paris, Madrid, Rome | 7.9 |
| Norwegian Air Shuttle | New York (NY), Los Angeles (CA), Miami (FL), Boston (MA), Orlando (FL) | Rome, Paris, Stockholm, Copenhagen | 7.2 |
#1: Delta Airlines
Delta Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world and a popular choice for travelers flying from the USA to Europe.
With its extensive global network, Delta offers service to more than 1,000 destinations in over 60 countries on six continents.
Delta has been recognized for its excellent customer service and on-time performance, making it a reliable choice for travelers.
In summer 2023, Delta is planning its largest-ever schedule for transatlantic flights, with more than 220 weekly flights to 26 European destinations.
Some of the new nonstop routes include Geneva, London-Gatwick, Berlin, and a third daily flight to Rome.
Delta is also resuming nonstop flights to destinations such as Frankfurt, which is a major hub for connecting flights into many cities around Europe.
Delta offers a variety of classes for travelers, including Delta One, Delta Premium Select, First Class, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin.
Delta One is the airline’s most luxurious class, featuring lie-flat seats, premium dining, and personalized service.
Delta Premium Select offers extra legroom, elevated dining, and other amenities.
First Class features priority boarding, extra legroom, and complimentary drinks and snacks.
Delta Comfort+ offers extra legroom and priority boarding, while Main Cabin is the airline’s standard economy class.
Delta also offers a variety of in-flight entertainment options, including movies, TV shows, music, and games.
Wi-Fi is available on most Delta flights, allowing travelers to stay connected while in the air.
Delta’s SkyMiles loyalty program offers members the opportunity to earn miles for flights and other purchases, which can be redeemed for rewards such as free flights, upgrades, and merchandise.
#2: Air France
Air France is a popular choice for travelers flying from the USA to Europe.
The airline operates flights to several destinations in Europe, including Paris, Nice, and Lyon.
Air France is known for its excellent service, comfortable seats, and delicious meals.
One of the standout features of Air France is its premium economy class.
The airline offers wider seats, more legroom, and a greater recline angle than its economy class.
The seats are also equipped with a personal entertainment system, USB ports, and power outlets.
For those who prefer business class, Air France offers lie-flat seats that are perfect for long-haul flights.
The seats are equipped with a personal entertainment system, USB ports, and power outlets.
If you fly Business you can have access to the airline’s lounge, which offers a variety of amenities, including food and drinks, showers, and workstations.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comfortable seats with personal entertainment system | Higher fares compared to other airlines |
| Excellent service and delicious meals | Not all flights have the same amenities |
| Premium economy class with wider seats and more legroom | Some flights may have older planes with outdated amenities |
Overall, Air France is a great option for travelers looking for a comfortable and enjoyable flight experience.
While fares may be higher compared to other airlines, the airline’s excellent service and amenities make it worth the extra cost.
#3: Lufthansa
Lufthansa is a German airline that has been in operation since 1953.
It is one of the largest airlines in the world by fleet size and is known for its high quality of service.
Lufthansa offers flights to numerous destinations in Europe from major cities in the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
One of the standout features of Lufthansa is its in-flight entertainment system.
You can enjoy a wide range of movies, TV shows, and music on individual screens located on the back of each seat.
The airline also offers Wi-Fi on select flights, allowing you to stay connected during their journey.
Lufthansa’s business class is another highlight.
You can enjoy lie-flat seats, gourmet meals, and access to exclusive lounges at select airports.
The airline’s first class is also highly regarded, with private suites and personal butlers available on select flights.
If you are looking to save money, Lufthansa offers a best fare finder on its website.
This tool allows you to enter their travel dates and find the best deals on flights to Europe.
Additionally, Lufthansa is a member of the Star Alliance, which allows you to earn and redeem miles on a wide range of airlines.
Overall, Lufthansa is a great option for those looking to travel from the United States to Europe.
With its high quality of service, in-flight entertainment, and excellent business and first class options, it is no wonder why Lufthansa is one of the world’s most popular airlines.
#4: British Airways
British Airways, also known as BA, is a popular airline to fly to Europe from the US.
One thing that sets BA apart from its competitors is its extensive route network.
They fly to destinations all over Europe, including London, Paris, and Edinburgh.
BA offers a variety of cabin classes, including Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First.
In Economy, you can enjoy complimentary meals and drinks, as well as access to a personal entertainment system.
Premium Economy offers more legroom and wider seats, while Business and First class offer even more luxurious amenities such as lie-flat seats and gourmet dining options.
For those looking to earn miles, British Airways has several transfer partners, including American Airlines AAdvantage and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.
Additionally, BA has its own loyalty program called the Executive Club, which allows members to earn and redeem Avios points for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses.
| Cabin Class | Baggage Allowance | In-Flight Amenities |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 1 carry-on and 1 personal item | Complimentary meals and drinks, personal entertainment system |
| Premium Economy | 2 carry-on and 1 personal item | More legroom, wider seats, enhanced meal service, personal entertainment system |
| Business | 2 carry-on and 2 personal items | Lie-flat seats, gourmet dining options, personal entertainment system |
| First | 3 carry-on and 2 personal items | Luxury bedding, gourmet dining options, personal entertainment system |
#5: United Airlines
United Airlines is a major American airline that offers flights to Europe from several cities in the United States.
United Airlines is known for its comfortable seats, friendly staff, and excellent service.
The airline offers several amenities to make the long-haul flight more comfortable, including in-flight entertainment, Wi-Fi, and a variety of meal options.
United Airlines has a strong presence in the United States, with hubs in several cities, including Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
The airline offers direct flights to several cities in Europe, including Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Paris, and Zurich.
United Airlines is also a member of the Star Alliance, which is the world’s largest airline alliance.
This means that you can earn and redeem miles on other Star Alliance airlines, which is a great way to maximize the value of their frequent flyer miles.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Direct flights to several cities in Europe | Baggage fees can be expensive |
| Comfortable seats and excellent service | Some flights may be operated by partner airlines |
| Strong presence in the United States | Some flights may have limited availability |
Overall, United Airlines is a great option for travelers looking for direct flights to several cities in Europe, as well as a comfortable and enjoyable flying experience.
However, travelers should be aware of baggage fees and the possibility of flights being operated by partner airlines.
#6: American Airlines
American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, and it offers flights to many destinations in Europe.
Its hub is in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, which is a major airport for international flights.
American Airlines has a fleet of modern planes, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which is known for its comfortable seats and advanced technology.
American Airlines offers a range of classes, including First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class.
If you fly first class you can enjoy lie-flat seats, personal entertainment systems, and gourmet meals.
InBusiness Class you can also enjoy lie-flat seats and personal entertainment systems, as well as access to American Airlines’ airport lounges.
If you fly Economy you can choose from a range of seat options, including Main Cabin Extra seats with extra legroom.
American Airlines offers flights to many destinations in Europe, including London, Paris, Madrid, and Rome.
It also has codeshare agreements with several European airlines, including British Airways and Finnair, which allows you to connect to other destinations in Europe.
When flying with American Airlines, you can earn and redeem miles through its frequent flyer program, AAdvantage.
AAdvantage members can earn miles on American Airlines flights as well as on flights with its partner airlines.
If you become a member, you can also use your miles to book flights, upgrade their seats, and purchase other travel-related services.
If you’re planning a trip to Europe in 2023, American Airlines is a great option to consider.
With its modern fleet, range of classes, and extensive network, you’re sure to have a comfortable and enjoyable flight.
#7: Norwegian Air Shuttle
Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA, commonly referred to as Norwegian, is a Norwegian low-cost airline that operates both domestically and internationally.
The airline has been in operation since 1993 and has grown to become one of the largest airlines in Europe.
While Norwegian has faced some financial difficulties in recent years, the airline is still a popular choice for travelers looking for affordable flights to Europe.
Norwegian offers flights to several European destinations, including Rome, Paris, Stockholm, and Copenhagen, among others.
In early 2023, Norwegian announced plans to lease additional aircraft after promising January performance.
This move is expected to help the airline expand its operations and offer even more flight options to us.
However, in 2021, Norwegian exited the lucrative transatlantic market it once dominated.
This decision has opened up opportunities for other airlines to step in and offer flights to Europe from the United States.
It’s important to note that when traveling from the United States to Europe, the Fly America Act requires that travelers use a U.S.
flag air carrier, unless an exception applies.
While Norwegian is not a U.S.
flag air carrier, it is possible to use an EU air carrier for travel outside the United States, as permitted by the agreement with the European Union.
Overall, while Norwegian has faced some challenges in recent years, it still remains a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers looking for flights to Europe.
With plans to lease additional aircraft, Norwegian is poised to continue expanding its operations and offering even more flight options to us in the coming years.
