Choosing the best airline for international travel to Europe depends on three things: where you are flying from, where you are going, and how much comfort you want to pay for. There is no single correct answer — the best transatlantic airline for a traveler departing Atlanta is different from the best one for someone flying out of Chicago or Minneapolis.
This guide covers 10 airlines that fly from the US to Europe — three major US carriers, four major European carriers, and three additional options worth considering — with honest assessments of economy class, business class, route networks, and who each airline is genuinely best suited for.
Best Airlines to Fly to Europe: Quick Comparison
| Airline | Alliance | Best US Hubs | Best For |
| Delta Air Lines | SkyTeam | Atlanta (ATL), JFK, Detroit (DTW) | Overall best US carrier; best service consistency |
| Lufthansa | Star Alliance | Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC) | Best European carrier; Germany/Austria/Switzerland |
| Air Canada | Star Alliance | Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL) | Best service in economy; connects across US |
| Air France | SkyTeam | Paris CDG via JFK, LAX, MIA | Best first class; best dining; Paris routes |
| KLM | SkyTeam | Amsterdam (AMS) via most major US cities | Best stopover hub; excellent economy class |
| United Airlines | Star Alliance | Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), IAD | Best route map from Midwest/Northeast |
| British Airways | oneworld | London Heathrow (LHR) | Best for smaller US cities; BA monopoly at LHR |
| Iberia | oneworld | Madrid (MAD) via JFK, MIA, LAX | Best for Spain; cheapest business class to Europe |
| American Airlines | oneworld | DFW, JFK, MIA, CLT | Third-place US carrier; fine but no fans |
| Icelandair | None | Reykjavik (KEF) — stopover model | Best budget option; free Iceland stopover |
How to Choose the Best Airline for International Travel to Europe
Before getting into individual airlines, there is a framework worth applying to any transatlantic flight decision. The best airline for international travel is the one that combines the best route from your home airport, the fare class you can afford, and the service level you expect — in that order.
Status vs. fare class: what actually matters on the plane
A commonly misunderstood point: airline loyalty status matters on the ground (check-in queues, baggage allowances, lounge access, upgrade priority), while your fare class determines what actually happens in the air (seat quality, food, service, amenities). A Platinum elite member flying economy gets a nicer check-in experience but the same economy seat as everyone else. The cabin you purchase — economy, premium economy, or business class — determines your transatlantic experience far more than your mileage status.
The mixed-fare booking strategy for business class
Business class transatlantic flights cost $2,000–$8,000+ round trip. A smart workaround: book business class only for the overnight leg (typically the westbound US-to-Europe departure, which is an overnight flight) and economy for the daytime return. You pay for comfort where it matters most — the 7-to-9-hour overnight crossing where a lie-flat seat means the difference between arriving rested and arriving destroyed. The daytime return flight, typically 8–9 hours but flown in daylight, is more manageable in economy.
Best US Airlines to Fly to Europe
1. Delta Air Lines — Best Overall US Carrier to Europe
| Detail | Info |
| Major hubs | Atlanta (ATL), New York JFK, Detroit (DTW) |
| Alliance | SkyTeam (Air France, KLM, ITA Airways, Aeromexico) |
| Business class | Delta One — lie-flat seats; excellent bedding; good dining |
| Premium economy | Delta Premium Select |
| Economy | Delta Comfort+ (extra legroom) and Main Cabin |
| Best for | Travelers from the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic; SkyTeam destinations |
| European partners | Air France (Paris), KLM (Amsterdam), ITA Airways (Milan, Rome) |
Delta is widely considered the best US airline for international travel based on service consistency. Unlike its competitors, Delta tends to deliver a reliably good experience across all fare classes — not just in the premium cabins. Flight attendants are generally more attentive, the aircraft interiors are better maintained, and the food, while still airline food, is a step above United or American.
Delta One, Delta’s international business class, is excellent. Lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration on its widebody jets mean every passenger has direct aisle access. The bedding is genuinely comfortable, and the dining service in Delta One is among the best of the US carriers on transatlantic routes.
The main limitation: Delta’s primary transatlantic hub is Atlanta (ATL), which means passengers from the Northeast or Midwest often face routing through Atlanta to reach Europe — adding time and complexity compared to flying United from Newark or Chicago. Delta does operate transatlantic flights from JFK and Detroit, but frequency is higher from Atlanta.
2. United Airlines — Best Route Map from the Midwest and Northeast
| Detail | Info |
| Major hubs | Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), Washington Dulles (IAD), Houston (IAH) |
| Alliance | Star Alliance (Lufthansa, Air Canada, SAS, Swiss, Austrian) |
| Business class | United Polaris — lie-flat; improved bedding and amenity kit |
| Economy | Economy Plus (extra legroom) and Basic Economy |
| Best for | Travelers from Midwest and Northeast; Germany/Switzerland/Austria/Scandinavia routes |
| European partners | Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, SAS, Air Canada (codeshares) |
United’s greatest competitive advantage is geography. Its hubs at Newark, Chicago, and Washington Dulles give Midwest and Northeast travelers the most convenient access to Europe without the Atlanta detour that Delta routing sometimes requires. United also has the most extensive transatlantic network of the three US majors, thanks to its Star Alliance partnership with Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian.
United Polaris, the business class product, is genuinely good — improved significantly from earlier iterations with proper lie-flat seats, better bedding, and a Saks Fifth Avenue sleep kit. The issue with United is the inconsistency of the economy experience. Seat quality varies by aircraft type, and the service in economy can range from excellent to indifferent depending on the crew.
The honest assessment: United is a solid, reliable airline that will get you to Europe comfortably if you are in Polaris, and adequately if you are in Economy Plus. It is not inspiring, but it gets the job done.
3. American Airlines — Third Place US Carrier
| Detail | Info |
| Major hubs | Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), New York JFK, Miami (MIA), Charlotte (CLT) |
| Alliance | oneworld (British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Cathay Pacific) |
| Business class | Flagship Business — lie-flat on widebody aircraft |
| Best for | Travelers connecting through DFW; London/Madrid/Helsinki routes |
| European partners | British Airways (London), Iberia (Madrid), Finnair (Helsinki) |
American Airlines ranks third among US carriers for European travel, primarily because of the more limited European coverage of its oneworld alliance. British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair are solid partners, but oneworld’s European footprint does not match SkyTeam or Star Alliance in breadth. American’s strengths are its Miami hub (excellent for Caribbean and Latin America but useful for Southern European connections) and its Dallas-Fort Worth operation.
American is a competent airline that will get you to Europe. It does not inspire enthusiasm from most frequent transatlantic fliers. The Flagship Business product on newer aircraft is genuinely good, but American’s economy cabin gets mixed reviews. If American offers the only convenient routing from your home airport, take it — it is perfectly fine.
Best European Airlines to Fly from the US to Europe
4. Lufthansa — Best European Airline Overall
| Detail | Info |
| Main hubs | Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC) |
| Alliance | Star Alliance |
| Business class | Business Class (Hon Circle) — excellent product on long-haul |
| First class | First Class — widely considered the best transatlantic first class of any European carrier |
| Economy | Standard European product; food quality above US carriers |
| Best for | Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Central/Eastern Europe connections |
| Luxury product | Lufthansa First Class on the Boeing 747 (upper deck) — a bucket-list flight product |
Lufthansa is widely regarded as the best European airline for transatlantic travel, and for good reason. Its First Class cabin on the Boeing 747-8 — with individual suites on the upper deck — is considered one of the finest first class products in the world. Even without going to the extremes of first class, Lufthansa’s business class is excellent and its economy food quality is noticeably better than United or American on the same routes.
Lufthansa’s hubs in Frankfurt and Munich make it the natural choice for travelers heading to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or anywhere in Central and Eastern Europe. Frankfurt Airport, while large, is an efficient transfer hub with short connection times.
The price premium: Lufthansa’s reputation for quality allows it to charge slightly more than United on the same transatlantic routes. On days when pricing is similar, Lufthansa is the better experience. When United is significantly cheaper for the same routing, the gap may not justify the premium depending on your fare class.
5. Air France — Best Dining and Best First Class to Europe
| Detail | Info |
| Main hub | Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) |
| Alliance | SkyTeam |
| Business class | Business Class — seat quality varies by aircraft; excellent food |
| First class | La Première — private suites; dedicated CDG lounge; Alain Ducasse dining; Sisley spa |
| Economy | Economy class dining well above US carriers |
| Best for | Paris flights; connections to Southern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East |
| Known for | In-flight dining quality across all cabins |
Air France’s legendary first class service, La Première, is genuinely extraordinary — a small number of private suites with dedicated ground staff, a separate CDG terminal lounge designed by Jouin Manku with Alain Ducasse dining, and Sisley spa treatments. It is the gold standard of European first class.
Below first class, Air France is an excellent airline for its dining quality — even in economy, the food is significantly better than US carriers on comparable routes. The in-flight dining reflects the French approach to food quality in a way that most airlines simply do not attempt.
The main caveat: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. CDG’s terminal design is genuinely problematic — the satellite gate areas are cramped with limited food and retail, connection transfers can be confusing, and the terminal D/E satellite areas feel dated. If your final destination is Paris, Air France is excellent. If you are connecting through CDG to somewhere else in Europe, the airport itself adds friction to the experience.
6. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines — Best Stopover Hub in Europe
| Detail | Info |
| Main hub | Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) |
| Alliance | SkyTeam |
| Business class | World Business Class — good lie-flat product |
| Economy | Economy Comfort (extra legroom) and standard Economy |
| Best for | Connections across Northern and Eastern Europe; Amsterdam as a destination |
| Hub advantage | Amsterdam Schiphol is one of Europe’s best-designed transfer airports |
| US routes | Multiple daily flights from major US hubs including JFK, LAX, SFO, ORD, ATL, MIA |
KLM frequently gets overlooked in US-to-Europe discussions in favor of its SkyTeam partner Air France, but it deserves more attention. Amsterdam Schiphol is consistently ranked among the best-designed airports in Europe for connections — compact enough to transfer quickly, with excellent food, retail, and lounge options. The contrast with CDG is stark.
KLM’s World Business Class product is genuinely good: lie-flat seats, solid food, and consistently well-reviewed service. For travelers heading to the Netherlands or Scandinavia, KLM is often the best single-stop option. The airline serves a wide range of US cities with direct flights to Amsterdam, making one-stop European routing efficient.
7. British Airways — Best for Travelers from Smaller US Cities
| Detail | Info |
| Main hub | London Heathrow (LHR) |
| Alliance | oneworld |
| Business class | Club World — herringbone lie-flat configuration; good food; updated on newer aircraft |
| First class | First — private suite product on newer aircraft |
| Economy | Basic economy and Euro Traveller; mixed reviews |
| Best for | Smaller US cities; London Heathrow connections; UK destinations |
| Unique strength | 400+ weekly US-Europe departures from smaller markets including Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, New Orleans |
British Airways polarizes travelers more than almost any other airline — frequent fliers either love it or actively avoid it. The airline’s strongest attribute is its unrivaled US city coverage: British Airways operates over 400 weekly direct flights from the US to Europe, including routes from smaller markets like Pittsburgh (PIT), New Orleans (MSY), Cincinnati (CVG), and dozens of other mid-size cities that other major carriers ignore.
For travelers in smaller US cities who would otherwise face a domestic connection to a major hub before flying to Europe, British Airways’ direct routing through Heathrow is a genuine convenience advantage. The Heathrow connection, while not as slick as Amsterdam Schiphol, is functional and has excellent terminal facilities in T5 (the BA terminal).
Business class (Club World) is good rather than great. The herringbone seat configuration on older aircraft means some seats face backwards, which some travelers find disorienting. Newer aircraft have improved the product significantly.
8. Iberia — Best Value Business Class to Europe
| Detail | Info |
| Main hub | Madrid Barajas (MAD) |
| Alliance | oneworld |
| Business class | Business Plus — often significantly cheaper than competitors on the same routes |
| US routes | JFK, MIA, LAX, ORD, BOS to Madrid |
| Best for | Spain; connections to Latin America; budget-conscious business class travelers |
| Value angle | Iberia business class fares are often 30–50% cheaper than BA or Lufthansa business class |
Iberia is one of the best-kept secrets for budget-conscious business class fliers to Europe. The airline’s Business Plus product is genuinely good — lie-flat seats, solid food, and professional service — and it regularly prices its transatlantic business class fares 30 to 50 percent below comparable British Airways or Lufthansa business class on similar routes. For the value-seeking traveler who wants a lie-flat seat to Europe without paying peak business class prices, Iberia is often the first place to check.
Madrid Barajas is a well-designed airport for connections, and Spain is a natural hub for onward travel to Latin America as well as within Southern Europe. If your destination is anywhere in Spain, Portugal, or Latin America via Europe, Iberia’s routings are often the most efficient.
Other Options Worth Considering
9. Air Canada — Best Economy Class Service Among Non-European Carriers
Air Canada offers transatlantic flights from the US to Europe via its Canadian hubs in Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL). The airline’s economy class service is notably better than most US carriers — more attentive flight attendants, better food, and newer aircraft on many routes. The main risk: codeshare tickets booked through Star Alliance partners have sometimes been switched to United metal, so book directly with Air Canada when possible.
10. Icelandair — Best Budget Option for Europe
Icelandair offers a unique value proposition: transatlantic flights via Reykjavik (KEF) at prices often well below the major carriers, with a free Iceland stopover of up to 7 nights included at no additional airfare cost. The cabin is straightforward, and the service is functional rather than exceptional, but for budget-conscious travelers or those who want to add Iceland to their European itinerary, Icelandair provides excellent value. Hub: Keflavik International Airport, a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik.
Best Business Class to Europe: Ranked
| Rank | Airline | Business Class Product | Stand-Out Feature |
| 1 | Lufthansa | Business Class / First Class | 747 upper deck First Class; exceptional food and service |
| 2 | Air France | Business / La Première First | La Première is the best first class on any European carrier |
| 3 | KLM | World Business Class | Excellent value; strong Schiphol hub |
| 4 | Delta | Delta One | Best US carrier business class; consistent service |
| 5 | Iberia | Business Plus | Best value business class pricing; often 30–50% cheaper |
| 6 | British Airways | Club World | Good product on new aircraft; inconsistent on older fleet |
| 7 | United | United Polaris | Improved product; execution inconsistent |
| 8 | American | Flagship Business | Fine on newer aircraft; not particularly inspiring |
Best Economy Class to Europe: Which Carrier Is Worth It?
Economy class on any 8-to-9-hour transatlantic flight is a test of endurance rather than a pleasure. That said, there are meaningful differences between carriers:
- Best economy food: Air France, KLM, and Lufthansa consistently outperform US carriers on food quality in economy. A meal served on Air France in economy is structurally different from United or American’s economy meal service.
- Best economy seat: Delta Comfort+ (extra legroom) is worth the upgrade on Delta’s widebody jets. KLM’s Economy Comfort similarly offers a meaningful legroom improvement.
- Best economy service: Air Canada has a consistent reputation for more attentive economy class cabin crew than its US counterparts.
- Most affordable economy: Icelandair and occasionally Iberia undercut the major carriers on economy fares to Europe, particularly to Spain and Southern Europe.
Lufthansa vs Delta: Which Is Better for Flying to Europe?
The Lufthansa versus Delta question comes up constantly for transatlantic fliers, and the answer depends on routing:
- If you are flying from Atlanta, New York, or Detroit to Frankfurt or Munich: both airlines operate these routes. Lufthansa typically prices slightly higher. The in-flight experience in business class is comparable; Lufthansa’s First Class is categorically better. In economy, Lufthansa’s food is better. Delta’s service consistency is generally higher.
- If you are flying from anywhere to Paris or Amsterdam: Delta’s SkyTeam partnership with Air France and KLM makes these the better options — you can earn and redeem SkyMiles across the alliance.
- If you are flying to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland: Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian are the natural choices through the Star Alliance, with United being the US domestic feeder airline.
The honest answer: Lufthansa is slightly better in the air on most metrics; Delta is slightly more consistent in service and easier to deal with when things go wrong. For most travelers, the routing from your home airport will determine the choice more than any other factor.
Best Airline to Fly to France: Air France vs Delta
For US travelers flying to Paris specifically, the choice is between Air France and Delta — both members of SkyTeam and both operating significant frequency between major US cities and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
- Air France advantages: better in-flight dining, the benefit of native French service culture, connecting flights to France’s regional airports, and the legendary La Première first class product if you are going all-out.
- Delta advantages: often more competitive on pricing for the same route, better on-the-ground service infrastructure in the US, and superior handling of disruptions and cancellations based on customer experience reports.
For most travelers to Paris: if the fares are similar, choose Air France for the better in-flight experience. If Delta is meaningfully cheaper, take Delta — the 7-hour flight to Paris is manageable on either carrier.
Best Airline to Fly to Germany: Lufthansa vs United
For US travelers flying to Frankfurt or Munich, Lufthansa and United are the primary options — both Star Alliance members with codeshare agreements on US-Germany routes.
- Choose Lufthansa: if you want the best in-flight experience and are willing to pay a slight premium; if First Class is in your budget; if connections in Frankfurt or Munich to other German cities matter.
- Choose United: if pricing is significantly better on your specific dates; if you are departing from Newark, Chicago, Houston, or Washington Dulles where United has stronger service; if you have United elite status that provides meaningful ground benefits.
For flight search across all airlines and routes to Europe, Google Flights at google.com/flights remains the most useful tool for comparing all carriers on the same routes simultaneously.
For points and miles optimization across all the airlines discussed here, The Points Guy at thepointsguy.com provides regularly updated guides on which alliance and earning strategy maximizes transatlantic award travel value.
Bottom Line
| Best overall US carrier | Delta Air Lines — most consistent service; best US domestic business class |
| Best US route map (NE/Midwest) | United Airlines — Newark, Chicago, Dulles hubs |
| Best European carrier | Lufthansa — best overall product; best first class on any European airline |
| Best for Paris | Air France — best dining; La Première first class; SkyTeam connections |
| Best for value business class | Iberia — often 30–50% cheaper than competitors on same routes |
| Best for smaller US cities | British Airways — direct transatlantic service from 20+ smaller US markets |
| Best economy service | Air Canada and KLM — noticeably above US carriers in economy attentiveness |
| Best budget option | Icelandair — free Iceland stopover; often cheapest transatlantic fares |
| Best hub airport in Europe | Amsterdam Schiphol (KLM) — best-designed for connections |
| Worst hub airport in Europe | Paris CDG (Air France) — confusing, cramped satellite terminals |
| Mixed-fare tip | Book business class for overnight leg; economy for daytime return |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best airline for international travel to Europe?
For US travelers, Delta Air Lines is the best domestic carrier for international travel to Europe based on service consistency across all fare classes. Among European carriers, Lufthansa is the best overall choice — particularly for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland routes — with Air France excelling for Paris and Southern European connections. The best airline for your specific trip depends on your departure city, destination, and budget: for travelers from the Midwest and Northeast, United’s route map often makes more practical sense than Delta.
What is the best transatlantic airline for business class?
Lufthansa offers the best transatlantic business class product among the major carriers, with its First Class on the 747-8 considered one of the world’s finest aviation experiences. For value in business class, Iberia frequently prices its Business Plus product 30 to 50 percent below competitors on comparable routes. Delta One is the best US carrier business class product. Air France’s La Première first class is the best first class offered by any European airline on transatlantic routes.
What are the best airlines for flying to Europe from the US?
The best airlines flying from the US to Europe include Delta (best US carrier), Lufthansa (best European carrier for Germany/Central Europe), Air France (best for Paris), KLM (best hub airport at Amsterdam), British Airways (best for travelers from smaller US cities), and Iberia (best value business class). United Airlines has the most extensive route network from the Midwest and Northeast through its Star Alliance partnership. Icelandair offers the best budget pricing with a free Iceland stopover included.
Is Lufthansa or Delta better for flying to Europe?
Both are excellent, and the right choice depends on routing and pricing. Lufthansa has a slightly better in-flight product in most cabins and significantly better food in economy. Delta has more consistent service and better customer handling when disruptions occur. When pricing is similar on the same route, Lufthansa typically provides a better in-air experience. When Delta is meaningfully cheaper or offers a more direct routing from your home airport, Delta is often the better overall value choice.
What is the best airline to fly to France?
Air France is the best airline to fly to France from the US — it offers the most flight frequencies to Paris CDG, the best in-flight dining of any carrier on US-France routes, and the legendary La Première first class experience for high-end travelers. Delta, as Air France’s SkyTeam partner, is a strong second option that is sometimes cheaper for the same routes. United and American also fly to Paris but are generally considered a step below both Air France and Delta for the France specifically.
What is the best economy class on a flight to Europe?
Air France, KLM, and Lufthansa offer the best economy class experiences on flights to Europe from the US, primarily due to significantly better in-flight dining than US carriers. KLM’s Economy Comfort and Delta’s Comfort+ offer the best extra-legroom economy options. For pure budget, Icelandair and Iberia frequently offer the most competitive economy fares to Europe. Among US carriers, Delta has the most consistent economy cabin experience across its fleet.