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This is a question I get asked often and which comes up regularly on the New York forum: what is the best airline to go to New York? To take stock of the situation, I launched a survey on our groupe Facebook Destination New York by asking members what their favorite airline was. Here are the results !
A clarification on the methodology
As the group is mainly frequented by French people, airlines that do not have direct flights from Paris have necessarily been at a disadvantage. So, I decided not to do a Top from 1 to 10, because it wouldn’t make sense, just a list of companies that have a good reputation. Of the twenty or so airlines that fly to New York from Europe, this gives you a list of 10 recommended airlines!
Top 10 Airlines, in Alphabetical Order
- Air Canada
The Canadian airline offers flights to New York from major European airports, via Toronto or Montreal. In particular, it benefits from a real advantage: with Air Canada, you will pass American immigration to Canadian territory. See my article on the preclearance system.
Airline Alliance: Star Alliance.
- Air France
The French national company is clearly acclaimed, while generating debate! There are those who recommend it with their eyes closed, especially for its service and staff, and those who advise against it because of the risk of strikes. Air France is in any case very present on the Paris-New York route with several daily flights departing from Roissy-CDG and Orly.
Airline Alliance: SkyTeam.
- American Airlines
This airline was founded in 1930 and is one of the biggest airlines in the world. American Airlines merged with US Airways in 2013. American Airlines offers direct flights to New York from most major European cities.
Airline Alliance: Oneworld.
- British Airways
British Airways is establishing itself as the 3rd European company, behind Lufthansa and the Air France-KLM group. British Airways is part of the IAG group, which also owns the Spanish Iberia and Vueling, the British Openskies and the Irish Aer Lingus. Due to the proximity between the United Kingdom and the United States, it is the company that offers the most flights to New York from London.
Airline Alliance: Oneworld.
- Brussels Airlines
This Belgian company was created in 2002 after the bankruptcy of SN Brussels Airlines. The company was fully acquired by Lufthansa in 2016. It offers direct flights to New York from Brussels. Without committing too much, I think I can say that it is the favorite company of the Belgians!
Airline Alliance: Star Alliance.
- Delta Airlines
This American company was born in 1924 in Atlanta and merged in 2008 with Northwest Airlines. It offers direct flights from Paris, Nice, Brussels or Geneva. Delta Airlines works in close collaboration with Air France.
Airline Alliance: SkyTeam.
- Lufthansa
The German airline is Air France’s big rival and it has established itself as the leading airline in the world for the number of passengers carried. The Lufthansa group includes Lufthansa but also Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Edelweiss Air. Lufthansa offers direct flights to New York from Frankfurt and numerous connections between Frankfurt and Europe.
Airline Alliance: Star Alliance.
- Norwegian
Among the 10 companies voted for in this survey, Norwegian is the only low-cost company! And, there too, there are those who love and those who say “never again”. One thing is certain: Norwegian is growing fast. The company launched its long-haul flights in 2013 with the desire to cut prices.
- Swiss
The Swiss company was created in 2002 after the bankruptcy of Swissair and is a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It offers direct flights to New York from Geneva and Zurich. Ask the Swiss: it is obviously their favorite company! It is true that Swiss is renowned for its punctuality.
Airline Alliance: Star Alliance.
- United Airlines
In the shadow of American Airlines and Delta Airlines, United Airlines finds its place thanks to prices that can be aggressive. The company merged with Continental in 2012 and is one of the founding companies of the Star Alliance alliance, with Lufthansa. It offers direct flights from many major European cities.
Airline Alliance: Star Alliance.
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