Cross the Atlantic without breaking the bank.
Europe is known for its many budget airlines, making it easy to jet between destinations around the continent. But getting across the Atlantic Ocean can often be tough on the wallet. But now, several of Europe’s low-cost airlines now offer cheaper airfare between many American and European destinations.
Depending on your origin and destination cities, and where a carrier bases its operations, a stopover in a hub may be required. Some may offer limited services, charging a la carte for different amenities. But more choices for crossing the pond is a good thing! Here are four European discount airlines and suggestions on how Americans can take advantage of their low fares.
When you select your departure date on Iceland-based Play, “It’s a date!” pops up. Launched in 2019, the airline’s A320neo and A321neo fleet currently serves three East Coast airports: Baltimore/Washington International, Boston Logan, and New York Stewart. It also offers North American flights from Toronto and Washington Dulles.
All flights go through Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, before offering connections to nearly two dozen European destinations, including Aalborg, Aarhus, Alicante, Athens, Barcelona, Berlin, Billund, Bologna, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Geneva, Gothenburg, Gran Canaria, Hamburg, Lisbon, Liverpool, London, Madrid, Malaga, Mallorca, Paris, Porto, Prague, Salzburg, Stockholm, Tenerife, and Warsaw.
Fares just include one personal item, with everything else customizable with additional fees, including carry-ons ($66 to $80 with priority boarding), checked bags ($99 to $120), additional legroom, food, and beverages.
The French carrier French Bee, which runs flights out of Paris-Orly Airport, launched in 2016, specializing in what it calls “smart-cost” long-haul flights. Since it debuted its first U.S. route in May 2018—from Paris to San Francisco (then continuing on to Tahiti), it’s continued to add more routes, including Newark Liberty International, Los Angeles, and Miami, with more on the horizon. Americans not in those cities can connect with Alaska Airlines flights through an interline partnership. And those looking to go beyond Paris can connect through train packages via a collaboration with France’s rail operator SNCF.
Operating Airbus A350s across its network, the U.S. routes are served by A350-900s. With a total of 411 seats on every flight, French Bee offers three classes. The 35 premium economy customers enjoy upgraded services across the board, including seat choice, priority boarding, luggage delivery, meal services, and complimentary beverages. In addition to a 26-pound carry-on, they also are able to check two 50-pound bags. Seated in a cabin with seven seats across, they enjoy seats with a 36-inch pitch, 18-inch wide seat, 16-degree recline, and 12-inch touchscreens.
The economy section is made up of 376 Eco Blue seats, configured 10 seats across, featuring 31- to 32-inch pitch, 16-inch wide seats, 12-degree recline, and 10-inch touch screens. The most popular tier is Smart Economy, which includes an in-flight meal, a carry-on, and a single checked bag. The most cost-conscious level is Basic Economy, which only allows a carry-on. Every seat onboard has an adjustable headrest, USB and electrical ports, headphone plugs, and unlimited in-flight entertainment.
With rates from Paris starting at $217 to Miami, $227 to Newark, $301 to Los Angeles, and $437 to San Francisco, the carrier also offers a range of add-ons to enhance the experience. A travel kit, with a blanket, socks, neck pillow, eye masks, and headphones is an additional $12, while Maxi Leg seats offering more space start at an extra $45. Additional luggage can be checked for $45 to $90, depending on time of booking, while priority luggage delivery is available for between $20 and $25. On-board meals from a menu designed by two-time Michelin-starred chef Jean-Michel Lorain are offered to Basic Economy passengers for $35 to $55. Onboard Wi-Fi is also an additional charge.
Norway-based carrier Norse Atlantic’s first flight (June 2023) was from Oslo to New York. With a fleet of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the company puts fare deals at the forefront.
Some examples include one-way flights to Oslo from New York’s JFK starting at $129, Fort Lauderdale/Miami starting at $129, and Los Angeles starting at $179, as well as New York to London Gatwick flights for $129, plus New York or Fort Lauderdale/Miami to Berlin and New York to Paris Charles de Gaulle at $149. Additional U.S. routes are available seasonally.
Norse offers two cabins, Economy and Premium (the latter featuring 35 percent more legroom with a 43-inch seat pitch) with Light, Classic, or Plus fares in each so that passengers can choose the services that mean the most to them. The highest-end Premium Plus includes two meal services, the maximum baggage allowance (specifics depend on the flight), and upgraded airport and in-flight services, as well as more flexible ticketing options. The most budget-friendly fare, Economy Lite, is barebones service, including just an under-seat bag.
Scheduled to launch in June 2024, Fly Atlantic will link much of the northeast quadrant of the U.S. and eastern Canada to Europe with flights through Belfast, Ireland. The fleet will consist of Airbus A321neo planes with 199 seats, and bookings are expected to open in the spring of 2024. Customers can expect digitalization throughout the entire experience, from the booking process to the flight itself.
Twist’s Take: Check out these four lesser-known Euro discount carriers if you want to cross the Atlantic without breaking the bank.
