A transatlantic fare war has erupted among legacy and low-cost carriers, pushing summer 2026 round-trip fares between US cities and European destinations to as low as $299 — prices not seen since the pre-pandemic budget carrier boom.
Best Deals Available
Multiple airlines are offering deeply discounted fares for June through September travel, driven by expanded capacity and intense competition.
- PLAY Airlines: Boston/Baltimore to Reykjavik from $149 each way, with connections to 25 European cities
- Norse Atlantic: New York to London/Oslo/Berlin from $159 each way
- Delta: New York to Paris from $399 RT; Atlanta to Rome from $449 RT
- American Airlines: matching competitors with fare-match guarantee through May 15
Booking Strategy
Travel experts recommend booking 8-12 weeks before departure for the best value on transatlantic summer routes. Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically save an additional $50-$100. Using airline credit cards can offset baggage fees on budget carriers, making the total cost competitive even when adding checked bags.
