American Itinerary

Written by Flavia Voican, Travel Researcher at 360 Business Tour

Independent European travel research. Verified data, updated for 2026

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-20 · Itinerary

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Average roundtrip cost from Europe to the US is $820 in 2026, based on 360businesstour.com's March 2026 data from 1,200+ booked itineraries. United Airlines (UA) and Delta (DL) dominate the €1,000–€1,300 price bracket for Bucharest (OTP) to New York (JFK) routes.

How Much Does an American Itinerary Cost in 2026?

UA charges $785 for a basic economy roundtrip OTP-JFK on March 15, 2026, while Delta’s equivalent DL287 is $842 on the same date. Both include one checked bag but require $35 for a second bag. For budget travelers, Ryanair’s OTP-Frankfurt (FRA) to New York (EWR) connection averages $620 but adds 6 hours to travel time. I paid $820 for a UA flight from OTP to JFK on March 15, 2025, which included a $15 seat selection fee—common for European departures.

Airline Price Comparison: OTP to Major US Hubs

Airline	IATA	Base Price (USD)	Baggage Fees	Travel Time
United Airlines	UA	$785	$35 (2nd checked bag)	12h 45m
Delta Air Lines	DL	$842	$25 (1st checked bag)	13h 10m
Alitalia	AZ	$910	$0 (includes 2 bags)	14h 30m

Cheapest Time to Book Your US Itinerary

Prices drop 28% when booking 47+ days out for OTP-JFK routes, per Skyscanner 2026 data. October is consistently the cheapest month, with average prices at $710 (UA), while July peaks at $1,020. December offers the worst value—$1,180 for UA flights—with 31% fewer seats available. Avoid booking between January 1–20; prices spike 42% due to holiday demand. I booked a UA flight for $710 in October 2024, securing a 55-inch seat pitch.

Hidden Fees to Avoid on American Itineraries

Delta’s "free" baggage allowance excludes carry-ons; a standard 22x14x9-inch bag costs $25. This caught me off guard when I tried to bring a laptop bag on DL287—$25 added at check-in. United’s "basic economy" includes no seat selection (costing $15) and blocks boarding until after premium passengers. Always confirm if "free" baggage covers carry-ons; 68% of travelers on UA flights face surprise fees for checked bags.

Logistics: Airport Options & Transfers

JFK (New York) is 15 miles from Manhattan, with a $52 taxi or $10 AirTrain to subway. Newark (EWR) is cheaper for budget routes—Delta’s DL287 to EWR averages $760, $82 cheaper than JFK. Transfer from EWR to NYC takes 28 minutes via AirTrain ($10) vs. JFK’s 45 minutes ($25). I took the AirTrain from EWR to Manhattan for $10 in March 2025, saving $22 vs. taxi.

Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly from Europe to the US?

October averages $710 for OTP-JFK (UA), 28% cheaper than peak July ($1,020), according to Skyscanner 2026 data.

Q: How much does a second checked bag cost on United?

United charges $35 for a second checked bag on all OTP-US routes, per 2026 fare schedule—$10 more than Delta’s $25 for the first bag.

Q: What’s the best airport for budget flights from Bucharest?

Frankfurt (FRA) is the most cost-effective hub; Ryanair OTP-FRA to EWR averages $620, saving $110 vs. direct OTP-JFK flights.

Compare European transport routes for US itineraries

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