Most European airlines have reduced or dropped transatlantic flights to major cities in the USA and beefing up routes to Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Caribbean.
It’s in response to a drop-off in tourism due to rising concerns among European travelers about safety and border restrictions, and growing discomfort with new US policies including tariffs and a $250 “visa integrity” surcharge for tourists from Mexico and elsewhere.
Several European countries have updated their advisories for citizens planning to visit the U.S. since the changes instituted by Trump administration, urging them to allow extra time for entry and to prepare for changing customs protocols.
These official statements, plus news coverage and personal accounts of arrests and detention of tourists, have shaped public perception that it’s too much hassle, even dangerous.
As a result, the US stands to lose $8.5 Billion in tourism revenue from European visitors in 2025.
The reduced number of trans-Atlantic flights also means US tourists to popular European destinations such as Paris, London and Rome are paying more for tickets.
Here’s what you need to know, from the travel trade publication Travel and Tour World
Lufthansa Reduces Flights to New York, Miami, Chicago
Lufthansa has reduced frequencies on its routes to New York, Miami, and Chicago, three of the airline’s most important U.S. destinations, and ended its Frankfurt–Minneapolis route.
Agencies in Frankfurt and Munich report that interest in American cities has declined, with German travelers shifting their focus to southern Europe, North Africa and Southeast Asia.
Lufthansa is redirecting wide-body aircraft to markets showing stronger forward bookings, including India, Japan, and Greece.
Industry insiders point to reasons including uncertainty around visa processing, and growing discomfort with U.S. politics.
British Airways Drops Las Vegas and Reduces Orlando
British Airways has suspended service to Las Vegas and has reduced its operations to Orlando and Philadelphia. The decision follows a downturn in bookings from British travelers,
In London, travel agents cite long wait times at immigration, recent media reports on travel disruptions, and uncertainty surrounding U. S. policies.
Instead, there is rising interest in holiday spots within Europe and the Middle East.
British Airways has added additional flights to cities such as Athens, Malaga and Dubai using aircraft re-scheduled from U.S. routes.
Air France Drops Seattle and Scales Back in Washington
Air France has discontinued its Seattle route and trimmed service to Washington D.C.
While the airline continues to fly to New York, Atlanta, and other major hubs, its service to other US cities is shrinking.
Agencies in Paris and Marseille note that customers who once chose American destinations are now opting for closer options, such as Portugal, Tunisia, and Italy.
Several cited border delays and tightened entry requirements as reasons to stay away.
KLM Reduces Flights to San Francisco and Boston
KLM is cutting back flights to both San Francisco and Boston. The decision was made following a noticeable decline in U.S.-bound travel from the Netherlands.
Amsterdam-based agencies say American cities have fallen out of favor this year. Travelers are expressing frustration with visa delays, travel restrictions, and overall unpredictability.
KLM has responded by expanding European short-haul operations and adding flights to destinations like Bangkok, Istanbul, and Split, replacing service to the USA that has become harder to fill.
Iberia Drops Dallas and Cuts Chicago Flights
Iberia has postponed its planned launch of a new route to Dallas and reduced service between Madrid and Chicago. The airline has shifted those long-haul aircraft to Bogota, Buenos Aires and Lima in Latin America, where demand remains steady or is growing.
Travel agencies in Madrid and Valencia have seen a pullback in U.S.-bound bookings, particularly among families and middle-income travelers. Some cite economic concerns, while others point to discomfort with the tone of U.S. politics and border issues.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
In Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Oslo, travel agents say interest in visiting the U.S. has dropped off sharply. Safety concerns, political developments, and travel logistics are all contributing to the trend.
More travelers are booking trips within Europe, with strong demand reported for Spain, Croatia, and Greece.
Additional Airlines Cutting Routes to USA
United Airlines has dropped its Newark–Tenerife service after underwhelming results, with load factors averaging just 67 percent in 2024 and no signs of a winter return.
Norse Atlantic Airways has dropped its Miami–Oslo and Miami–Berlin routes.
Aer Lingus has dropped its Miami–Amsterdam and Las Vegas–Dublin routes.
Data Confirms Transatlantic Downturn
The airline moves align with a broader trend backed by data.
According to a forecast from Tourism Economics, bookings from Europe to the USA for May to July were down 10% compared to last year, and Canadian bookings dropped a whopping 33% after President Trump campaigned for making Canada the 51st state.
In April alone, inbound bookings to the U.S. for May were down 9.5%. June and July showed drops of 10.8% and 13%, respectively.
For the full year 2025, international arrivals to the U.S. are expected to decline by 8.7%, with a total spending loss of $8.5 billion from foreign visitors.
Analysts link the downturn to a combination of new tariffs on long-standing allies, well-publicized border incidents, and updated advisories from European governments cautioning travelers about the risks and difficulties of entering the United States.
New European Airline Routes to Canada and the Caribbean
| Airline | New Routes to Canada/Caribbean (2025) | Region | Type of Addition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air France | Paris – Ottawa (new service) | Canada | Brand new route |
| British Airways | London Gatwick – Toronto (seasonal expansion) | Canada | Seasonal expansion |
| Lufthansa | Frankfurt – Montreal (increased frequencies); Frankfurt – Halifax (resumed) | Canada | Frequency increase and resumed route |
| KLM | Amsterdam – Calgary (new summer route) | Canada | New seasonal launch |
| Iberia | Madrid – Havana (relaunched); Madrid – Punta Cana (new seasonal) | Caribbean | Relaunch and new seasonal |
| Swiss International Air Lines | Zurich – Vancouver (new summer service) | Canada | New seasonal route |
| TAP Air Portugal | Lisbon – Toronto (increased capacity); Lisbon – Cancun (added frequencies) | Canada & Caribbean | Capacity and frequency expansion |
| Condor | Frankfurt – San Juan, Puerto Rico (new route) | Caribbean | New route launch |
| Virgin Atlantic | Manchester – Montego Bay (resumed seasonal service) | Caribbean | Seasonal resumption |
New Airline Routes to Mexico and Brazil in 2025
| Country | Airline | New Routes (2025) | Type of Addition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Air France | Paris – Cancun (increased summer service) | Increased service |
| Mexico | Iberia | Madrid – Guadalajara (new direct route) | Brand new route |
| Mexico | KLM | Amsterdam – Mexico City (resumed seasonal) | Resumed seasonal |
| Mexico | TAP Air Portugal | Lisbon – Cancun (added frequencies) | Frequency expansion |
| Mexico | Virgin Atlantic | Manchester – Cancun (new seasonal) | New seasonal route |
| Brazil | Lufthansa | Frankfurt – Belo Horizonte (new route) | New route launch |
| Brazil | Air France | Paris – Fortaleza (seasonal relaunch) | Seasonal relaunch |
| Brazil | ITA Airways | Rome – São Paulo (added frequencies) | Frequency expansion |
| Brazil | Turkish Airlines | Istanbul – Brasília (new long-haul service) | Brand new long-haul |
| Brazil | Qatar Airways | Doha – Rio de Janeiro (resumed nonstop service) | Route resumption |
More Flight Cuts Likely as Airlines Continue Trimming US Routes
United Airlines has dropped its Newark–Tenerife service after underwhelming results, with load factors averaging just 67 percent in 2024 and no signs of a winter return.
Norse Atlantic Airways has pulled out of Miami–Oslo and Miami–Berlin, both of which struggled to fill seats consistently.
Aer Lingus stepped back from routes including Miami–Amsterdam and Las Vegas–Dublin.
Politics and Policy Changes Fuel European Pullback
Behind the numbers is a growing sense among European travelers that visiting the United States has become more difficult. The return of tariff tensions between Washington and Brussels, renewed warnings at U.S. borders, and reports of increased security screening are all feeding into traveler hesitancy.
Several European countries have updated their advisories for citizens planning to visit the U.S., urging them to allow extra time for entry and to prepare for changing customs protocols. These official statements, combined with news coverage and personal accounts, are shaping public perception.
In response, airlines are simply following the trend. Fewer Europeans are planning to fly to the United States this summer, and the carriers that serve them are adjusting accordingly. While these reductions may be revised in future seasons, for now, the skies between Europe and America are looking quieter.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is an award-winning journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is President Emeritus of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA).
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter
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