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TRAVEL TIPS & INTEL

Flying Non-Stop to Europe: U.S. Cities with Direct Flights

Written by Chris Caggiano

Planning a trip across the Atlantic? You may not need to change planes. With demand for international travel on the rise, more U.S. cities than ever now offer non-stop flights to Europe – making it easier and faster to hop across the pond. Whether you’re dreaming of Parisian boulevards, Roman piazzas, or the Northern Lights in Iceland, chances are you can get there without a layover.

While major international gateways like New York, Chicago, and Atlanta offer dozens of daily departures to European capitals, a growing number of secondary and mid-sized cities are expanding direct service – some seasonally, others year-round. From coast to coast, convenient options abound: San Francisco to Zurich, Miami to Milan, even Nashville to London.

So where can you fly non-stop to Europe from the U.S.? We’ve broken it down by region and route, so you can start your itinerary with ease – and maybe skip that airport dash to make a connection.

View of Manhattan from airplane

Manhattan

Major International Hubs

These major metro areas serve as the busiest and most reliable U.S. gateways to Europe, offering year-round non-stop service to 10 or more cities across the continent. If you’re looking for options and flexibility, these are the airports to start with.

New York City (JFK & EWR) – No U.S. city offers more non-stop routes to Europe than New York. Between JFK and Newark, travelers can fly direct to more than 20 European destinations, including London, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Copenhagen, and Athens. Carriers like Delta, United, American, JetBlue, and a host of international airlines provide extensive daily service.

Chicago (ORD) – As a major hub for United and American Airlines, Chicago O’Hare offers non-stop flights to over a dozen European cities. Regular routes include London, Dublin, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Zurich, and Warsaw, with many flights operating year-round.

Atlanta (ATL) – Home to Delta’s headquarters and largest hub, Atlanta offers robust service to 10–12 European destinations. Popular nonstop routes include Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Frankfurt, Munich, and Zurich, with high frequency and strong international connections.

Los Angeles (LAX) – LAX connects directly to 10 to 12 major European cities, including London, Paris, Rome, Munich, Frankfurt, and Zurich. It’s a top west coast transatlantic gateway, with service from multiple international carriers and U.S. legacy airlines.

Miami (MIA) – Particularly strong in flights to Southern and Western Europe, Miami International offers non-stop service to around 8 or 9 cities including Madrid, Lisbon, Milan, London, and Paris. American Airlines dominates, along with several European flag carriers.

London

London

Secondary Hubs

These U.S. airports don’t offer the sheer volume of non-stop European flights that the primary hubs do, but they still boast impressive transatlantic connections — usually 5 to 10 destinations — making them excellent options for travelers seeking convenience without passing through the largest airports.

Boston (BOS) – Boston’s Logan International Airport offers non-stop flights to over 10 European cities, with especially strong links to Ireland and the UK. Frequent service is available to Dublin, London, and Edinburgh, alongside routes to Paris, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam, and Zurich. Carriers include Delta, American, JetBlue, Aer Lingus, British Airways, and others.

San Francisco (SFO) – The premier West Coast hub for transatlantic travel, SFO offers service to 8 to 10 European destinations including London, Frankfurt, Paris, Zurich, and Munich. United leads the way, supported by a range of international carriers including Lufthansa and British Airways.

Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) – As American Airlines’ main hub, DFW connects directly to 8 to 10 cities in Europe, such as London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Paris, Munich, and Rome. Most flights operate year-round with daily frequency.

Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Dulles International (IAD) offers more than 10 non-stop European routes, making it one of the East Coast’s most important transatlantic hubs. Popular destinations include London, Paris, Munich, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Zurich, served by airlines such as United, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, and TAP Air Portugal.

Plane flying over Seattle

Seattle

Emerging Non-Stop Cities

These mid-sized U.S. airports have seen steady growth in transatlantic service, thanks to strong demand and strategic airline partnerships. Many offer consistent connections to key European hubs, while others operate seasonal schedules catering to summer travel.

Seattle (SEA) – Seattle offers non-stop service to 5 to 6 major European cities, including London, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, and Dublin. Delta and British Airways are key players, along with Lufthansa, Air France, and Icelandair. Most routes operate year-round.

Minneapolis–St. Paul (MSP) – As a Delta hub, MSP connects to London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Reykjavik, with additional seasonal service to destinations like Dublin. Expect about 5 to 6 routes in total, with more availability during peak travel months.

Denver (DEN) – Denver’s European network includes London, Frankfurt, Munich, and Zurich, served primarily by United and Lufthansa. About 5 to 6 non-stop options are available, with some routes operating seasonally.

Philadelphia (PHL) – A longstanding international airport for American Airlines, Philadelphia offers 6 to 8 non-stop European routes. London, Dublin, Rome, Frankfurt, and Zurich are among the regular destinations, though some operate only in summer.

Charlotte (CLT) – As an American Airlines hub, Charlotte offers 5 to 6 direct flights to Europe, including London, Munich, Dublin, Rome, and Madrid. Many of these operate seasonally, aligning with peak travel periods.

Detroit (DTW) – This Delta hub offers year-round non-stops to London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt, with limited seasonal additions. Expect service to 4 to 5 European cities, making Detroit a reliable Midwest gateway.

Orlando (MCO) – Known more for theme parks than transatlantic travel, Orlando surprises with regular service to London and Manchester, along with seasonal routes to Dublin and Reykjavik. British Airways, Aer Lingus, Norse Atlantic, and Icelandair serve the market.

Raleigh–Durham (RDU) – RDU offers a limited but growing roster of Europe-bound flights. A year-round nonstop to London is the anchor route, with seasonal service to Reykjavik or Paris occasionally available through carriers like Delta and Icelandair.

Phoenix

Phoenix

Surprise Connections

A handful of smaller U.S. cities have carved out niche connections to Europe, often through limited or seasonal service. While these airports may not offer multiple options, they provide an unexpected level of convenience for travelers looking to bypass larger hubs.

Salt Lake City (SLC) – Primarily served by Delta, Salt Lake offers seasonal non-stop service to Amsterdam, typically running during the summer months. It’s one of the few inland western cities with a direct European link.

Tampa (TPA) – Tampa connects travelers to London year-round, with seasonal service to Frankfurt and Zurich offered by carriers like Lufthansa and Edelweiss Air. Service is often tied to peak travel demand from Florida to Europe.

Nashville (BNA) – Nashville has entered the transatlantic scene with seasonal non-stop service to London Heathrow, operated by British Airways. The route typically runs from spring through early fall.

Pittsburgh (PIT) – Pittsburgh offers seasonal non-stop flights to London, also with British Airways. Though limited to summer schedules, it’s a notable convenience for travelers in western Pennsylvania.

Phoenix (PHX) – British Airways provides Phoenix’s lone direct connection to Europe via a daily flight to London Heathrow. While the route is year-round, it’s the city’s only transatlantic option at this time.

Travel Tips

Flexibility Pays Off – If your home airport doesn’t offer non-stop service to Europe, consider flying out of a nearby hub. Many low-cost domestic carriers offer affordable one-way flights to major international airports like New York (JFK or Newark), Boston, Miami, or Chicago — giving you easy access to more direct transatlantic options.

Look North (or South) for Budget Connections – Reykjavik (Iceland) has become a popular transfer point to mainland Europe, thanks to Icelandair and PLAY Airlines. These carriers often offer competitive fares with quick layovers and allow for multi-day Iceland stopovers at no extra cost.

Plan Around Seasonality – If you’re flying from a mid-size or smaller city, be aware that many European routes are seasonal. Flights typically operate from late spring through early fall, so check schedules well in advance and be flexible with travel dates.

Consider Open-Jaw Tickets – Flying into one European city and out of another (e.g., into London and out of Rome) can save time and help you maximize your itinerary — especially with so many direct U.S.–Europe city pairings now available.

You Might Also Enjoy: Multi-City Itineraries? Yes, Please! What to Know About Open-Jaw Flights

Venice

Venice

FAQs: 

Q: Do I need a passport to book a non-stop flight to Europe?
A: Yes. A valid U.S. passport is required to book and board any international flight to Europe. Make sure it’s valid for at least six months beyond your return date.

Q: When is the best time to book a non-stop flight to Europe for the lowest fare?
A: The best time to book is typically 2 to 4 months in advance for off-season travel (fall and winter), and 4 to 6 months ahead for summer trips.

Q: Which U.S. airlines offer the most non-stop flights to Europe?
A: Delta, United, and American Airlines operate the largest number of non-stop Europe flights, often from their main hubs like Atlanta, Chicago, and New York.

Q: Are non-stop flights always faster than one-stop options?
A: Yes, non-stop flights eliminate connection time and reduce the risk of delays or missed flights. They’re typically 3 to 6 hours faster, depending on the route.

Q: Can I use points or miles to book non-stop routes to Europe?
A: Absolutely. Most major airlines allow award bookings for direct international routes. Availability varies, so book early if using frequent flyer miles.

Q: Are there non-stop Europe flights from U.S. airports on the West Coast?
A: Yes. Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle offer non-stop service to top destinations like London, Frankfurt, and Paris.

Q: Do budget airlines offer non-stop flights from the U.S. to Europe?
A: Some do. Carriers like Norse Atlantic Airways and French Bee operate low-cost non stop flights, primarily from cities such as New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.

Do you prefer flying non-stop to Europe? Or would you rather take connecting flights? Tell us in the comments below! 

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