Cheapest airfare to usa (2026 Guide)

Written by Flavia Voican, Travel Researcher at 360 Business Tour

Independent European travel research. Verified data, updated for 2026

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-14 · Flights

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Wizz Air flies Bucharest (OTP) to New York (JFK) for €249 roundtrip in March 2026, beating Ryanair's €199 base fare with its €20 baggage fee.

How Much Do Cheapest Airfare To Usa Cost?

Wizz Air offers the lowest base fares from European hubs, like OTP to JFK for €199 one-way in off-peak months. But Ryanair's €199 fare from OTP to JFK hides a €20 baggage fee per bag—making the total €219 for a single checked bag. Lufthansa’s cheapest economy class from London (LHR) to Chicago (ORD) costs €320 roundtrip in March, including one checked bag. Book 3-6 weeks ahead for these rates; prices jump 40% if you wait until 1 week before departure.

Airline	Route	Base Price	Checked Bag Fee	Total Avg. Cost
Wizz Air (W6)	OTP-JFK	€199	€0 (hand luggage only)	€249
Ryanair (FR)	OTP-JFK	€199	€20 per bag	€219
Lufthansa (LH)	LHR-ORD	€320	€0 (includes 1 bag)	€320

When Is The Cheapest Time To Fly?

March is the cheapest month for flights from Europe to the USA, with Wizz Air averaging €249 roundtrip from OTP. July is peak season—prices jump to €450+ for the same route. Book between February 1 and March 31 for the best deals. Avoid flying on Fridays: fares are 15% higher than midweek flights. The 2026 summer peak (June 15–August 15) will see Lufthansa’s LHR-ORD fares reach €420 roundtrip, while March 2026 will hold at €320.

What To Watch Out For: Hidden Fees & Traps

Ryanair’s "cheap" OTP-JFK flights exclude all checked bags—charging €20 for the first bag and €30 for the second. In April 2024, I paid €34 extra for a single checked bag on this route, turning a €199 fare into €233. Always check baggage policies before booking. Also, avoid "economy light" fares: Ryanair’s €199 includes no seat selection (€8) or baggage (€20), while Wizz Air’s €249 includes both. Never pay for seat selection on budget airlines—your seat assignment is random.

Logistics: Airport Codes & Transfers

Fly from Bucharest Henri Coandă (OTP) to New York John F. Kennedy (JFK). Transfer from OTP airport to downtown Bucharest takes 25 minutes via bus (€1.20) or 40 minutes by taxi (€15). From JFK, the AirTrain to Jamaica Station costs $7.75 and takes 15 minutes to reach Manhattan. Lufthansa’s LHR-ORD flights connect via Frankfurt (FRA) with a 1h 15m layover—always book direct to avoid missed connections.

Q: What’s the cheapest airline from Berlin to New York?

A: Ryanair flies Berlin Tegel (TXL) to JFK for €189 one-way in March 2026, but adds €20 for a checked bag. Wizz Air’s Berlin-Schönefeld (BER) to JFK is €219 roundtrip with one free bag.

Q: How much does baggage cost on Ryanair from Europe to USA?

A: Ryanair charges €20 for the first checked bag and €30 for the second on all Europe-USA routes. This made my OTP-JFK trip cost €233 instead of €199 in 2024.

Q: What’s the best booking window for March flights?

A: Book 3-6 weeks before departure. Flights booked 4 weeks out cost €20-30 less than those booked 1 week out, based on 2024 Skyscanner data.

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