More than 35 airlines connect the US and Europe with passenger flights, providing a strong network for transatlantic travel. While major players dominate the market, interesting additions from airlines like Air Tahiti Nui, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines reflect its diversity. Hainan Airlines has also launched a unique around-the-world route, although its US-European leg remains unbookable for passengers.
Booming Transatlantic Travel: February to July 2025
Between February and July 2025, over 92,900 passenger flights are scheduled between the US and Europe, marking a 3.1% year-on-year increase compared to 2024 and an 11.1% increase over pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The recovery in this market has outpaced other regions, reflecting strong demand and improved connectivity.
United Airlines continues to lead as the largest US-European operator, with a 5.3% increase in flights. Delta has grown modestly by 2.0%, while American Airlines has seen a 1.8% decline.
The airlines showing the highest growth in transatlantic flights during this period, measured by percentage increase, include both small and large carriers, as highlighted below:
Top Airlines by Growth in US-European Flights (Feb-Jul 2025 vs. 2024)
| Airline | % Flight Increase | Key Developments |
|---|---|---|
| Finnair | +43.2% | Growth driven by increased frequencies on existing routes, including Helsinki to Chicago and Dallas |
| Neos | +20.9% | Launching Bari-New York JFK on June 3 |
| Discover | +16.0% | Munich-Orlando starts on March 3, Frankfurt-Minneapolis on April 30 (replacing Lufthansa) |
| LOT Polish | +14.3% | Frequency increases on routes like Warsaw-New York JFK and Warsaw-Los Angeles |
| Turkish Airlines | +13.8% | Increased frequencies on multiple routes |
| Aer Lingus | +12.0% | New routes: Dublin-Nashville (April 12) and Dublin-Indianapolis (May 3). Dublin-Las Vegas seasonal |
| KLM | +9.7% | Amsterdam-San Diego starts May 8, and Amsterdam-Portland began in October 2024 |
| Austrian | +9.5% | Vienna-Boston began in July 2024 and has seen significant growth |
| Icelandair | +9.4% | New route: Keflavik-Nashville starting on April 10 |
| SAS | +7.7% | Resuming Oslo-New York JFK (March 30) and Copenhagen-Seattle (May 21) |
United, Delta, and American Airlines: Different Trajectories
- United Airlines: As the largest operator on US-Europe routes, United’s 5.3% growth has added more actual flights than any other airline.
- Delta Air Lines: While growth is more modest at 2.0%, the airline continues to maintain key routes and adjust capacity where needed.
- American Airlines: Interestingly, American Airlines has reduced its flights by 1.8%, indicating potential shifts in strategy or reallocation of resources.
Finnair’s Impressive Growth
Finnair stands out with a 43.2% increase in US-Europe flights, making it the fastest-growing airline by percentage. Despite this impressive growth, Finnair is only the 23rd largest carrier in this market. Its expansion focuses on increasing the frequency of flights on its existing routes:
- Helsinki to Chicago O’Hare: Daily flights using Airbus A330-300 (up from five weekly)
- Helsinki to Dallas/Fort Worth: 11 weekly flights with Airbus A350-900 (up from six weekly)
- Helsinki to Los Angeles: Five weekly flights with Airbus A350-900 (up from two weekly)
- Helsinki to New York JFK: Daily flights with Airbus A330-300 (unchanged)
- Helsinki to Seattle: Five weekly flights with Airbus A330-300 (up from three weekly)
By mid-July, Finnair plans 35 weekly take-offs from Helsinki to the US, a significant increase from 23 weekly flights in 2024. This strategic growth aligns with the carrier’s participation in the oneworld transatlantic joint venture, allowing better network coordination with partners like American Airlines and British Airways.
Emerging Players and New Routes
Several smaller airlines are contributing to the overall growth by launching new routes:
- Neos: The Italian carrier will launch Bari-New York JFK on June 3, capitalizing on growing demand from southern Italy.
- Discover: As a subsidiary of Lufthansa, Discover is launching Munich-Orlando on March 3 and Frankfurt-Minneapolis on April 30, effectively replacing some Lufthansa-operated routes.
- Icelandair: Starting Keflavik-Nashville on April 10, Icelandair continues to expand its reach beyond traditional hubs in North America.
- Aer Lingus: The Irish carrier is aggressively expanding with new US routes, including Dublin-Nashville and Dublin-Indianapolis, while resuming its seasonal Dublin-Las Vegas route.
A Booming Market with Strategic Growth
The US-Europe aviation market is thriving, with record-breaking flight frequencies and a diverse mix of operators driving growth. Major airlines like United and Finnair are expanding strategically through frequency increases, while smaller carriers like Neos and Icelandair are tapping into underserved routes. As demand for transatlantic travel continues to rise, the sector is well-positioned for further expansion. However, airlines must balance growth with operational efficiency to maintain profitability and ensure long-term success.
