How to Find Cheap Flights to Europe from the US in 2026

Transatlantic flights between the US and Europe can be expensive — but they don't have to be. With the right strategy, it's entirely possible to find roundtrip flights for under $400, sometimes even under $300 during off-peak periods. Here's everything you need to know to find cheap flights to Europe from the US in 2026.

The Best Time of Year to Fly to Europe

Timing is everything for transatlantic flights. The cheapest months to fly from the US to Europe are:

• January and February — Rock-bottom prices after the holiday rush. Coldest months but excellent for city breaks.
• November (excluding Thanksgiving week) — Low demand, good weather in southern Europe.
• Early March and late October — Shoulder season with reasonable prices and fewer crowds.

The most expensive months are June, July, and August — peak summer season when demand is highest. If you must fly in summer, book 5–6 months in advance.

Best US Airports to Fly to Europe From

Not all US airports have equal access to cheap transatlantic fares. The best options are:

• New York (JFK/EWR) — The most competitive transatlantic market with many airlines competing, keeping prices low.
• Boston (BOS) — Excellent prices to UK and Ireland especially.
• Washington DC (IAD/DCA) — Good options with Icelandair and Norwegian.
• Chicago (ORD) — Strong competition to major European hubs.
• Miami (MIA) — Good prices to southern Europe and the Mediterranean.

If you live near a smaller airport without direct transatlantic service, consider flying to one of these hubs first. A cheap domestic connection can open up significantly better transatlantic fares.

Best Airlines for Cheap Transatlantic Flights

Several airlines consistently offer the lowest transatlantic fares:

• Norse Atlantic — Budget carrier on popular US-Europe routes with very low base fares.
• Icelandair — Great for routing through Reykjavik, often cheapest to Scandinavia.
• Level (Iberia's budget arm) — Low fares from US East Coast to Spain and beyond.
• TAP Air Portugal — Frequently runs sales on US-Lisbon routes with good connections.
• Aer Lingus — Competitive fares from East Coast to Dublin with easy European connections.
• Air France / KLM — Frequent sales, especially for connections through Paris and Amsterdam.

Use Error Fares and Flash Sales

Transatlantic error fares are some of the best in the world. Airlines occasionally publish fares at a fraction of the normal price due to pricing errors or system glitches. These can produce business class fares under $500 or economy fares under $200 roundtrip. They disappear within hours — often minutes — so speed is essential.

Consider Open-Jaw Tickets

An open-jaw ticket lets you fly into one city and out of another — for example, fly to London and return from Paris. This is often the same price or cheaper than a roundtrip to one city, and it eliminates the need for a return journey, letting you explore more of Europe without backtracking.

Book 3–5 Months in Advance

For transatlantic flights, the sweet spot for booking is generally 3–5 months before departure for regular travel dates. For summer travel, book 5–6 months ahead. For shoulder season or January/February travel, you can sometimes find deals even 4–6 weeks out, but don't count on it.

Sample Budget: US to Europe Roundtrip

• Off-peak (Jan–Feb, Nov): $300–500 roundtrip
• Shoulder season (Mar–May, Sep–Oct): $400–650 roundtrip
• Peak summer (Jun–Aug): $600–1,000+ roundtrip