Airlines with transatlantic flights
When did the transatlantic flights start, and which airlines offer the highest number of flights across the Atlantic today? Here you can learn all about the long haul flights across the sea.
Transatlantic flights – when did it begin?
The idea of traveling across the Atlantic by air started in the 1800’s with the invention of hot air balloons. But it wasn’t until the 1910’s when the first non-stop flight was completed by a couple of British aviators. Since then a lot of enthusiasts and professionals have continued to perfect crossing the Atlantic by flight.
The first commercial flight with passengers on board was made in the 1920’s, and about 100 years later millions of flyers cross the Atlantic every year.
Are you interested in learning about flights crossing the Pacific Ocean instead? Take a look at our guide to transpacific flights here.
Airlines with transatlantic flights
This is a list of airlines (but not necessary all) with flights over the atlantic ocean between North America and parts of Europe/Asia and some of their popular routes. This list was last updated on 2024-12-22.List of Airlines (old list in this article)
Today there are about 50 airlines that offer flights across the Atlantic. In the list below you find some of the airlines that offer the highest number of transatlantic flight routes, listed in an alphabetical order.
Aer Lingus
The Irish airline Aer Lingus offers several transatlantic flights, with hubs in Dublin and Shannon. The destinations are found in Canada and the US, and you can for example fly from Dublin to Chicago or from Shannon to Boston.
Air Canada
Air Canada has a number of hubs for their transatlantic flights, and offers connections mainly to destinations in Europe. If you choose to fly with Air Canada across the Atlantic you can reach for example London or Rome.
Air Europa
In Spain you find Air Europa, one of the airlines that offer the highest number of transatlantic destinations. Connecting Barajas Airport in Madrid to both North and South America, you can find flights to destinations such as Miami and Bogotá.
Air France
Air France is a major operator in Europe, and one of the European airlines that can provide a number of destinations across the Atlantic. Both major airports in Paris serve as hubs for the transatlantic flights. One of the most popular routes operated by Air France is the one between Paris Charles De Gaulle and New York JFK.
Air Transat
Next on the list is Air Transat, which is a Canadian airline with transatlantic connections from three different airports in Canada. Maybe you are interested in flying from Montreal to Paris, or from Toronto to Rome? In this case you can find flight options among Air Transat’s operations.
American Airlines
American Airlines offers transatlantic flights from a number of American airports, and has both regular and seasonal routes to many European destinations. A couple of popular routes that cross the Atlantic are the connections found between Chicago and Paris and between Miami and Madrid.
British Airways
Another major player when it comes to transatlantic flights is British Airways. The airline operates transatlantic connections out of three major airports in London – Heathrow, Gatwick and London City. If you pick a flight operated by British Airways across the Atlantic there are more than 50 destinations to choose from, for example Cancun and Los Angeles.
Delta Air Lines
Several American airlines provide flights across the Atlantic, and one popular option is to fly with Delta Air Lines. This airline flies out of a number of American airport hubs and offers both regular and seasonal routes to large parts of Europe and some parts of Africa. A couple of options available are flights from New York to Paris and from Los Angeles to London.
Edelweiss Airlines
The Swiss operator Edelweiss Airlines works out of Zurich Airport, with destinations in both North and South America. Among a number of other options, you can choose to fly from Zurich to Cancun with Edelweiss Airlines.
Emirates
Emirates has their main hub at Dubai International Airport, and the airline offers a number of destinations on the other side of the Atlantic. The majority of them are located in the US, and you can find flights from Dubai to for example New York and Los Angeles.
Iberia
Together with Air Europa, Iberia is another Spanish airline that can provide a lot of transatlantic flights from Madrid to destinations across the water. There are several options to choose from both in South and North America. Maybe you want to spend your vacation in a city like Santiago or Miami?
KLM
KLM is the flag carrier of the Netherlands, and one of the largest European airlines. Their main hub is located at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, and when it comes to transatlantic flights KLM has a long list to choose from. With KLM you can reach destinations in all parts of the Americas – for example you can travel to Chicago or to Mexico City.
Lufthansa
The German airline Lufthansa operates transatlantic flights out of three airports in Germany – Frankfurt, Munich and Düsseldorf. About half of the destinations across the Atlantic that are offered by Lufthansa are found in the US. You can choose between flights such as Frankfurt to New York or Munich to Miami, among many others.
TAP Portugal
The final spot in our compilation goes to TAP Portugal, which operates transatlantic flights out of two hubs – Lisbon Portela Airport and Porto Airport. The majority of the destinations offered by TAP Portugal are located in Brazil or the US, and you can fly to for example Rio De Janeiro or Miami.