Why flights to Europe are the cheapest in years

Flights between the U.S. and Europe have never been this cheap in the last three years, when many countries were just lifting COVID-19-era restrictions.

Fares are cheaper even during the traditionally slow seasons of late fall and winter, excluding major holidays.

“It’s cruel to fill seats at this time of year,” said Brett Snyder, author of travel industry website Cranky Flyer.

According to airline tracking company Hopper, “good value” transatlantic fares to Europe averaged $578 in November, down from $619 a year earlier.

That’s the lowest transacted fare this month since 2021, when much international travel was down due to the pandemic, when it sold for $479, according to Hopper data.

Hopper said fares in 2025 were even cheaper in January, after the holidays, at $558 compared to $578 in the same month in 2024, but lower than $488 in January 2022. It is said to be expensive.

Meanwhile, U.S. domestic airfares have been higher in every month from November to March compared to the previous year.

Many airlines are in financial trouble spirit airlines to make a profit southwest airlines Cutting flights and scaling back growth plans for next year are helping to keep U.S. fares strong. The lack of aircraft also limits airlines from adding many flights.

There are periods when overall demand is weak, executives at the largest U.S. carriers say. delta airlines, united airlines and american airlines He called for the week before and after Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election.

Airlines raced to add seats between the U.S. and Europe to meet post-pandemic travel demand.

This accumulation was not limited to the peak month. Executives noted that shoulder-season demand for Europe is increasing as travelers seek to escape the scorching summer temperatures and crowds. As a result, flights outside of peak seasons have also been added.

Air transport capacity between the U.S. and Europe in the fourth quarter was slightly lower than a year ago, but higher than in 2019 and nearly double the same period in 2021, according to Cirium.

“I’m looking forward to the airfare. [to Europe] It’s going to be low into next year,” said Haley Berg, chief economist at Hopper.

After two big years for European travel, many customers have just completed big trips to popular destinations like Spain and Italy, leaving fewer people to fill seats in the off-season.

Scott Keyes, founder of travel app Going (formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights), said: “There are so many low-hanging fruit like last year that airlines are printing money on their hands. “We’re not in a situation where we can do that,” he said.

Airlines traditionally discount flights during the off-season, but they’re even cheaper this year.

“That’s the bottom line,” Keyes said. “When they have to discount, they have to drive demand.”

Airlines are trying something new to ensure travelers don’t get bored with major European holidays during the peak of next year’s warm-weather travel season. united airlines says many customers have already taken trips to major European cities, and the company plans to expand its schedule next year to off-the-beaten-path destinations such as Greenland and Mongolia.

“We’ve been able to do just as well financially outside of our partner locations,” Andrew Nocera, United’s chief commercial officer, said during an earnings call last month. “So we look around the world, we look for new destinations, we look for popular destinations and destinations, and most importantly, we make money there.”