Best Airlines To Fly To Paris

Quick Answer
Air France is the best overall airline for flying to Paris, but Delta and United offer strong alternatives with competitive business class products. Here's a full breakdown including a budget option most travelers don't know about.
The Quick Rankings
If you want the short version, here are the best airlines to fly to Paris from the U.S., ranked by overall experience:
- Air France — Best overall, most nonstop routes, superior food and service
- Delta Air Lines — Best U.S. carrier option, strong business class, SkyTeam partner with Air France
- United Airlines — Solid economy and Polaris business class, good hub connections
- American Airlines — Decent option from select hubs, Flagship Business is competitive
- JetBlue — Excellent Mint business class, limited routes
- French Bee — Best budget option for nonstop flights
Now let's dig into why each one earns its spot.
Air France: The Best Way to Fly to Paris
Air France is the obvious choice, and for good reason. As France's flag carrier, they operate more nonstop flights from the U.S. to Paris than any other airline, with direct service from 14 major American cities including New York (JFK), Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Chicago, Boston, Houston, Atlanta, and more.
What Makes Air France Stand Out
- Food and wine: Air France's in-flight dining is a genuine differentiator. In business class, you'll get warm baguettes, a proper cheese course, foie gras, and a curated wine list that would be respectable in a ground-level restaurant. Even in economy, the meals are a clear step above most U.S. carriers
- La Premiere (First Class): Air France is the only airline offering a true First Class suite experience on nonstop flights from the U.S. to Paris. La Premiere is available on select routes and includes fully enclosed suites, Givenchy amenity kits, and multi-course meals designed by Michelin-starred chefs
- Business Class: Fully lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, meaning every passenger has direct aisle access. The soft product — meals, wine, service, amenity kits — is consistently rated among the best transatlantic business class experiences
- Economy comfort: Premium Economy is available on long-haul flights with 38 inches of pitch, wider seats, and enhanced meal service
- Hub advantage: Air France flies to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), which is the city's main international airport and has excellent metro, RER train, and bus connections to central Paris
Air France is a SkyTeam alliance member, so you can earn and redeem Delta SkyMiles, Flying Blue miles, or miles from other SkyTeam partners.
Delta Air Lines: Best U.S. Carrier to Paris
Delta is Air France's joint-venture partner, and together they operate the largest transatlantic network between the U.S. and France. If you prefer flying a U.S. airline but still want a premium experience, Delta is your best bet.
Why Delta Works Well for Paris
- Delta One: Delta's business class product on transatlantic routes features lie-flat seats, privacy doors on select aircraft, premium bedding, and solid meal service. It's not quite at Air France's level for food and wine, but the hard product (the seat itself) is excellent
- Premium Select: Delta's premium economy cabin offers about 38 inches of legroom, wider seats, a dedicated cabin, and enhanced dining. It's a great middle ground if business class is out of budget
- Nonstop routes: Delta flies nonstop to Paris CDG from New York JFK, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Boston, Detroit, and Salt Lake City. The ATL and JFK routes have multiple daily frequencies
- SkyMiles integration: Delta SkyMiles can be used on Air France flights and vice versa. This gives you maximum flexibility when booking and redeeming points
- Reliability: Delta consistently ranks among the top U.S. airlines for on-time performance and overall customer satisfaction
United Airlines: Strong Hub Connections
United offers nonstop service to Paris CDG from its major hubs, with its Polaris business class providing a competitive transatlantic experience.
United's Strengths
- Polaris Business Class: Lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access, Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, and multi-course dining. United has invested heavily in Polaris and it shows
- Hub network: Nonstop flights from Newark (EWR), Washington Dulles (IAD), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), San Francisco (SFO), and Houston (IAH). Newark has the most frequencies
- Economy Plus: United's extra-legroom economy product gives you an additional 3-6 inches of pitch. Not as luxurious as premium economy, but a noticeable improvement over basic economy
- Star Alliance: United is a Star Alliance member, so you can connect with Lufthansa, Swiss, and other European carriers for onward travel from Paris
American Airlines: Solid From the Right Hubs
American flies nonstop to Paris CDG from several cities, with their best experience coming out of their major hubs.
What American Offers
- Flagship Business: Lie-flat seats with direct aisle access on most transatlantic aircraft, Flagship Lounge access at select airports, and Casper bedding
- Nonstop routes: New York JFK, Miami, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago O'Hare, and Philadelphia
- Oneworld Alliance: American partners with British Airways and Iberia for connections through London and Madrid if you prefer a European stopover
American is a perfectly fine option, especially from DFW or Miami where other nonstop choices may be limited. The business class product is competitive, though the food and service don't quite match Air France or Delta.
JetBlue: Underrated Mint Experience
JetBlue might not be the first airline you think of for Paris, but their Mint business class is one of the best values for transatlantic premium travel.
JetBlue's Selling Points
- Mint Business Class: Lie-flat suites with sliding doors, 22-inch seatback screens, and a tapas-style dining experience. Mint fares to Paris are often $1,000-$2,000 cheaper than comparable business class on legacy carriers
- Nonstop from: New York JFK and Boston
- Economy: JetBlue's standard economy includes free Wi-Fi, free snacks, and seatback entertainment — more than you'll get on American or United
- Limitation: Only two departure cities, so JetBlue only works if you're in the Northeast or willing to position there
French Bee: The Budget Nonstop Option
French Bee is France's low-cost, long-haul airline and flies brand new Airbus A350s on all its routes. If price is your top priority and you want a nonstop flight, French Bee is worth considering.
What to Know About French Bee
- Nonstop from: Newark, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami to Paris Orly (ORY) — not CDG
- Pricing: Round-trip fares from the U.S. start around $350-$550 in basic economy, often undercutting competitors by several hundred dollars
- Economy: The catch — economy seats are configured 3-4-3, meaning 10 seats per row. It's tight. Every seat has a seatback entertainment screen, but the space is cramped
- Premium Economy: This is where French Bee shines. 2-3-2 configuration, wider seats, more legroom, and better service at a fraction of what legacy carriers charge for the same product
- Baggage: Basic fares don't include checked bags or carry-ons — just a personal item. Add bags when booking
- Airport: French Bee flies to Paris Orly, which is smaller and closer to central Paris than CDG but has fewer international connections if you're continuing elsewhere in Europe
Which Airline Should You Pick?
It depends on what matters most to you:
- Best overall experience: Air France
- Best business class value: JetBlue Mint
- Best U.S. carrier: Delta
- Best for points/miles: Delta (SkyMiles) or United (MileagePlus), depending on your loyalty program
- Cheapest nonstop option: French Bee
- Best hub connections from the Midwest/South: American from DFW or United from ORD
- Best food in the sky: Air France, by a wide margin
Booking Tips for Paris Flights
- Book 2-4 months ahead for the best economy fares. Business class deals sometimes appear 3-6 months out
- Fly midweek. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently cheaper than weekend flights
- Consider shoulder season. April-May and September-October offer lower fares and fewer crowds in Paris
- Check both CDG and Orly. French Bee and some Air France flights use Orly, which can be more convenient depending on where you're staying
- Use Google Flights. Set a price alert for your preferred route to catch fare drops
- Don't overlook connections. A one-stop itinerary through Amsterdam (KLM), London (British Airways), or Frankfurt (Lufthansa) can sometimes save hundreds compared to nonstop flights
The Bottom Line
Air France is the best airline to fly to Paris from the U.S. if you want the full experience — best food, most routes, and a flight that feels like your trip has already begun. Delta is the strongest American alternative with excellent reliability and a great business class. And if you're watching your wallet, French Bee gets you to Paris nonstop on a new plane for hundreds less than anyone else. Match the airline to your priorities and budget, and you'll land at CDG or Orly ready to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest airline to fly to Paris from the US?
French Bee is typically the cheapest option for nonstop flights, with round-trip fares starting around $350-$550. Among legacy carriers, Air France and Delta frequently have competitive sales. Connecting flights through cities like Reykjavik (Icelandair) or London can also offer savings.
Which airline has the best business class to Paris?
Air France has the best overall business class to Paris, with lie-flat 1-2-1 seats and exceptional food and wine. JetBlue Mint offers the best value in business class, with lie-flat suites and fares often $1,000-$2,000 less than legacy carriers. Delta One is the best U.S. carrier option with privacy doors on select aircraft.
How long is the flight from the US to Paris?
Flight times vary by departure city. From New York, it's about 7-8 hours. From Los Angeles, it's roughly 10-11 hours. From Chicago or Atlanta, expect around 8-9 hours. Eastbound flights are typically shorter due to prevailing jet stream winds.
Should I fly into Paris CDG or Orly airport?
Most international flights arrive at Charles de Gaulle (CDG), which is larger and has better connections for onward European travel. Orly is smaller, closer to central Paris, and is used by French Bee and some Air France flights. If your hotel is on the Left Bank or south of the city, Orly may actually be more convenient.
When is the cheapest time to fly to Paris?
January through mid-March and November (excluding Thanksgiving) typically have the lowest fares. Shoulder season months — April, May, September, and October — offer a good balance of reasonable prices and pleasant weather. Midweek departures (Tuesday and Wednesday) are almost always cheaper than weekend flights.
Written by Aviation Experts
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