Top 10 Airlines Connecting US to Europe for Summer 2023

The summer season brings hope for bustling transatlantic travel between the US and Europe, as airlines anticipate a steady recovery. As of May 1, Insider has obtained data from aviation data provider OAG, revealing nearly 60 million scheduled seats on routes connecting Europe and the US. This figure represents a 3% increase in capacity compared to the summer of 2019, and a notable 15% increase from last year.

Leading the pack in terms of scheduled seat capacity are United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, with both carriers offering a little over 9 million seats. United Airlines has witnessed a significant capacity increase of 31% compared to 2019, while Delta Air Lines follows closely with a 13% increase.

Turkish Airlines stands out with a remarkable 78% increase in scheduled capacity for 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The airline now offers over 2.6 million seats, emphasizing its commitment to connecting Europe and the US.

Let’s delve into the top 10 airlines connecting the US to Europe based on their scheduled seat capacity for the upcoming summer season:

1. United Airlines: Leading the pack, United Airlines claims the top spot with 9.2 million seats. The airline’s remarkable capacity growth of 31% positions it as the largest carrier connecting the US to Europe this summer.
2. Delta Air Lines: Holding strong with 9 million seats, Delta Air Lines achieves a 13% increase compared to the summer of 2019 when it offered nearly 8 million seats.
3. American Airlines: With 6.8 million seats, American Airlines shows minimal change in seating capacity compared to both the summer of 2019 and 2022.
4. British Airways: British Airways maintains stability with a 2% capacity increase, offering 5.8 million seats for summer 2023.
5. Deutsche Lufthansa AG: The German airline experiences a 19% drop in summer capacity, providing 3.8 million seats compared to 4.7 million in 2019.
6. Air France: With a capacity of 3.2 million seats, Air France exhibits a commendable 6% increase compared to the summer of 2019.
7. Virgin Atlantic Airways: Despite a 7% decrease from the summer of 2019, Virgin Atlantic Airways demonstrates recovery with 3 million seats, surpassing its 2022 capacity of 2.7 million seats.
8. Turkish Airlines: Undoubtedly a frontrunner in capacity growth, Turkish Airlines offers 2.6 million seats, marking an extraordinary 78% surge compared to the summer of 2022.
9. Aer Lingus: The Irish carrier impresses with a 21% capacity increase, providing 2.1 million seats for summer 2023 compared to the corresponding period in 2019.
10. KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines: With 1.6 million seats, KLM showcases a modest 2% increase compared to the summer of 2019, although it experienced a slight decrease from the previous year.

As the summer season unfolds, travelers can anticipate an increased number of seats and enhanced connectivity between the US and Europe, offering a broader range of options and opportunities for transatlantic travel.