Cheapest Routes USA↔Europe for Families (2024)
If you’re planning a family trip across the Atlantic, you probably already know that airfare can be a budget-buster. But after years of remote work and hopping between the US and Europe with my crew, I’ve picked up a few tricks for consistently scoring cheap flights—even during peak seasons. If you’ve ever spent hours doomscrolling Google Flights, hoping to shave off a couple hundred bucks, this guide is for you.
Why Flights Between the USA and Europe Are So Pricey (and How to Outsmart the System)
Let’s be real: airfare is complicated. Airlines juggle dynamic pricing, fuel surcharges, taxes, and demand spikes. For families, the costs multiply fast—especially once you add checked bags or seat selection for kids who can’t sit alone (thanks, FAA regulations!).
But the good news? There are consistent patterns, loopholes, and “sweet spots” that can make flying between the US and Europe much more affordable—even with little ones in tow.
Case Study: Last Summer’s Family Hop from Raleigh to Lisbon (for $356 Roundtrip)
Last July, I needed to get four people from North Carolina to Europe. Here’s how we did it without selling a kidney:
- Left midweek, in the shoulder season (late August)
- Chose a “second-tier” hub (Lisbon, not London/Frankfurt/Paris)
- Used points for one leg, cash for the other
- Packed light enough for carry-ons only (more on this below)
- Monitored price drops with Google Flights and Skyscanner
Result: $356 per person, roundtrip, all-in (no checked bags, but plenty of snacks). That’s less than half of what many friends paid for the same dates.
Step-by-Step: Find the Cheapest USA↔Europe Flights for Families
1. Start With the Right Hubs
Flights from major cities (New York, Boston, Miami, Chicago) or “low-cost” hubs (Iceland, Portugal, Ireland) are almost always cheaper—sometimes by hundreds per ticket. If you’re not near one, consider a cheap domestic positioning flight.
“Our home airport is tiny. We save an average of $250/ticket by driving two hours to Charlotte and flying direct to Dublin or Madrid.”
2. Be Flexible: Dates & Destinations
Shoulder seasons (April-May, mid-August-October) are goldmines. Avoid school holidays if possible. Use Google Flights Explore or Skyscanner Everywhere—plug in “USA” to “Europe” and see the cheapest combos.
3. Watch for Low-Cost Carriers—But Factor in Extras
Norwegian, PLAY, French Bee, and Level often have $200-$400 fares. But they’ll nickel-and-dime you for seat selection, food, and especially bags. For kids, you will need to pay for adjacent seats. Always compare the final price vs. legacy carriers (Delta, AA, United, Lufthansa, etc.).
4. Points and Miles: Sweet Spots for Families
Some of the best value redemptions for families:
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue: “Promo Rewards” can get you NYC/Chicago to Europe for 15,000-20,000 miles one-way, plus ~$70 in fees. Kids under 12 sometimes get discounts.
- Iberia Plus: Off-peak NYC/Boston/Chicago to Madrid as low as 17,000 Avios + ~$100.
- United MileagePlus: No fuel surcharges, decent availability for four+ seats if you book early.
- Aeroplan: Great for families with flexible points (Amex/Chase/Capital One).
Check point.me or AwardHacker to find the best award routes with your stash.
Pitfall:
Booking 4+ award seats can be tough in peak times. If you’re split across cabins, call the airline—they can often seat families together, even if you book separately.
5. Luggage Rules—Don’t Get Dinged
Most low-cost transatlantic airlines allow only a personal item (think: small backpack) for free. Even “basic economy” on legacy airlines often excludes cabin bags. Checked bags average $60–$120 each, per direction.
What works for us: One carry-on backpack per person, plus a shared checked bag for all the “extras” (car seats, snacks, souvenirs, etc.).
The Ultimate 15-Minute Cheap Family Flight Checklist
| Step | Tool/Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Search “USA” to “Europe” in Google Flights (flexible dates) | Google Flights | Use “Track Prices” to get alerts |
| 2. Check low-cost carriers out of NYC, Boston, Miami, LA | PLAY, Norwegian, French Bee | Compare bag/seat fees before booking |
| 3. Run award searches with your points | point.me, AwardHacker | Look for “sweet spot” routes (see above) |
| 4. Price out one checked bag vs. all carry-ons | Airline site | Family of 4? One checked bag is often cheaper than 4 carry-ons |
| 5. Check alternative airports (ex: fly into Brussels, not Paris) | Skyscanner | Train/bus connections in Europe are cheap |
| 6. Book directly with the airline whenever possible | Official airline website | Easier to change/cancel if needed |
| 7. Use a card with travel insurance | Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X | Protects you from delays/cancellations/missed bags |
Top Tools & Resources for Cheap Transatlantic Fares
- Google Flights – Best for tracking trends and getting flexible alerts
- Skyscanner – Great for “anywhere” searches and finding obscure airports
- point.me – Makes searching award flights less soul-crushing
- PLAY – Budget flights via Iceland
- Norwegian Air – Often has family-friendly deals out of NYC, LA, Miami
- French Bee – Cheap fares to Paris (Orly) and beyond
- Iberia – Off-peak Avios deals to Spain
Real Talk: What I’d Do If Booking Today
If I had to book a family of four from the US to Europe tomorrow, here’s my 15-minute plan:
- Start with Google Flights, searching “USA” to “Europe” for a full month view.
- Prioritize secondary hubs: Lisbon, Dublin, Madrid, Brussels.
- Compare cash fares vs. points (especially with Flying Blue and Iberia Avios).
- Don’t get suckered by “ultra-cheap”—add up all bag/seat/food fees.
- Book direct with the airline, use my travel rewards card for insurance.
And if prices are crazy high? I’d play around with open-jaw tickets (fly into one city, out of another), or use a positioning flight to a cheaper US gateway. Sometimes, splitting the journey saves hundreds.
“Last year, we saved $480 by flying from Raleigh to Boston with Southwest, then Boston to Dublin with Aer Lingus. The layover became an excuse for a lobster roll. Win-win.”
Takeaways (and a Few Hard-Earned Lessons)
- Flexibility is your wallet’s best friend. Midweek flights and alternative airports almost always pay off.
- Low-cost carriers look cheap, but baggage and seat fees add up—always do the math.
- Points and miles can be a game-changer for families, especially with flexible transfer partners.
- Don’t be afraid of one checked bag for the whole family. It simplifies security with kids (and saves on fees).
- If you’re traveling with car seats, most airlines check them for free—just ask at the counter.
Happy travels—and may your next transatlantic hop be cheap, smooth, and full of good snacks (because we all know airplane food rarely cuts it for kids… or grown-ups).
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