Best Airlines to France: Air France vs Delta, United, Lufthansa & More
Published June 7, 2025
If you're planning a trip to France, choosing an airline might not be the most exciting part. But it can make or break how your trip begins. Should you go with Air France for that early French experience? Stick with a U.S. carrier for convenience? Or try a boutique airline like La Compagnie?
This guide compares the most common options for travelers flying from the U.S. to France, including Air France, Delta, United, American, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, and La Compagnie. No fluff, no vague rankings. Just what you need to know to pick the right one for your trip.
Flight Routes and Convenience
For most travelers, it starts with one question: who flies direct?
Air France has the most nonstop routes between the U.S. and France, including New York, L.A., Atlanta, Chicago, and Boston. They also offer seasonal nonstop flights to Nice, which is a great option if you're headed to the Riviera.
Delta, their SkyTeam partner, shares many of the same routes and lets you book mixed itineraries across the two.
United flies direct to Paris from Newark, D.C., Chicago, and San Francisco.
American covers similar ground from JFK, Dallas, and Miami.
La Compagnie operates boutique business-class-only flights from Newark to Paris and Nice.
Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, and Lufthansa all route you through London or Frankfurt before connecting to cities in France.
If you’re not starting from a major hub, you'll probably have a layover, either in the U.S. or in Europe. And if you’re heading somewhere like Provence or the Côte d’Azur, consider flying straight into Nice instead of connecting through Paris.
Quick take: For nonstop flights, Air France and Delta are hard to beat. United and American are solid. La Compagnie is a unique option if you want business class without a big-brand experience.
Economy Comfort and In-Flight Experience
Let’s be honest, economy is rarely glamorous. But some airlines make it more bearable than others.
Air France includes free wine, a hot meal, and better-than-average service. Even in economy, you get touches of French hospitality (and cheese).
Delta often uses newer aircraft on transatlantic routes, with strong entertainment and decent legroom.
United and American are fine, but the experience can vary a lot depending on the aircraft. Check before you book.
Virgin Atlantic stands out with stylish cabins, upbeat crews, and surprisingly good food.
Lufthansa and British Airways get the job done, but some planes feel outdated.
La Compagnie doesn’t have economy, just lie-flat business seats, so it’s not a fair comparison here.
Jessica: “I flew Air France last summer, and they served a goat cheese tart and a glass of Bordeaux in economy. It wasn’t fancy, but it felt like I’d already landed in France.”
No matter which airline you choose, you’ll get a full meal and at least one drink service on flights to France. Air France and Virgin Atlantic make the meal feel more like a perk than an obligation.
Premium Economy and Business Class
If you’re thinking about upgrading, the experience shifts quite a bit between airlines.
Air France’s Premium Economy seats are in a fixed shell, wider and quieter and more private than regular economy. Their Business Class has lie-flat seats and elevated French cuisine.
Delta’s Premium Select offers more legroom and a more relaxed cabin. Delta One (business class) is modern and well-reviewed, especially on newer aircraft.
United Polaris and American Flagship Business are competitive, but check which plane you're on as the experience ranges from excellent to outdated.
Lufthansa is reliable, but its cabins haven’t aged well.
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class is sleek and social, with an onboard bar and a younger vibe.
La Compagnie skips all the tiers and just gives everyone a lie-flat seat, lounge access, and all the usual business perks, usually at a price closer to Premium Economy on other airlines.
One important note: Premium Economy doesn’t get you lounge access. Business class does. La Compagnie includes it by default, since they only fly business class.
Baggage: What's Included and What’s Not
Most major airlines flying to France give you one carry-on and one personal item in economy, no surprise there. The question is: do you get a checked bag included?
With Air France, Delta, United, and American, a standard economy fare usually includes one checked bag. But watch out for “basic” or “light” fares as they often don’t.
Lufthansa and British Airways sometimes default to bare-bones fares where even your first checked bag costs extra.
La Compagnie includes two checked bags, but keep an eye on the weight limit. It’s more generous than economy, but less than what you might expect from full-service business class.
Quick take: If you’re traveling light, any of these will work. But for longer trips, it’s worth paying attention to fare class before you book, especially with Lufthansa, British Airways, or American.
Reliability: Who Can You Count On?
If you’ve traveled to France in summer before, you know that strikes happen. And Air France is no stranger to them.
When things run smoothly, Air France and Delta are well-coordinated and reliable. But if there’s a labor dispute, with cabin crew, air traffic control, or ground staff, delays and cancellations can stack up quickly.
Delta and United generally avoid these issues and are quick to reroute.
Lufthansa has had its share of labor disruptions, too.
La Compagnie and Virgin Atlantic run tight ships, but they also operate fewer flights. If something gets canceled, options to rebook may be limited.
Quick take: Delta and United are the most consistent. Air France is good unless a strike hits, then it’s a different story. Always check strike forecasts if you're traveling in late spring or summer. And if it’s an air traffic control or ground staff strike, ALL airlines will be affected.
Jean-Paul: “Strikes aren’t rare in France, but we usually know about them in advance. Check the news before your trip and give yourself a little buffer just in case.”
Loyalty: Points That Actually Matter
If you fly a lot or want to maximize rewards, your airline choice might come down to points.
Air France uses Flying Blue (SkyTeam)
Delta: SkyMiles (also SkyTeam)
United: MileagePlus (Star Alliance)
American: AAdvantage (Oneworld)
Lufthansa: Miles & More (Star Alliance)
British Airways: Avios (Oneworld)
Virgin Atlantic: Virgin Points (partners with Delta, Air France)
La Compagnie has its own small program
If you’re already loyal to one of the major U.S. programs, it usually makes sense to book within the same alliance. That way, your miles still work for upgrades or future bookings, even across partner airlines.
Quick take: Flying Blue (Air France/Delta) and MileagePlus (United) are easiest to use if you're flying to France often. But don’t bend over backwards to chase points if the route, plane or price isn’t right.
Final Verdict
Which Airline to Choose: Quick Recommendations
Want the most nonstop flights?
Go with Air France, Delta, or United, they cover the most U.S.–France routes, including direct options to Paris and beyond.Care about in-flight meals and overall experience?
Virgin Atlantic and Air France consistently offer better food, drinks, and service in economy.Looking for a lie-flat seat without paying full business class prices?
Try La Compagnie, it’s all business class and often cheaper than premium economy on other airlines.Need a reliable flight with fewer cancellations?
Delta and United are generally the most dependable, especially during summer when strikes hit Europe.Already part of a frequent flyer program?
Stick with Delta, United, or Air France to earn and redeem points across their global alliances.Want a French vibe from the moment you board?
Fly Air France. From the food to the announcements, it feels like you’re in France before you even land.
There’s no one-size-fits-all airline, but if you’re flying to France this year, start by figuring out what matters most and go from there.
Jessica: “If it’s your first time flying to France, I usually recommend starting with Delta or Air France. They’re consistent, and you’ll feel taken care of, even if you’re in economy.”
And don’t forget: summer is peak season. Book early, avoid basic fares unless you know the restrictions, and double-check strike updates if you're flying with any European carrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are meals included on flights to France?
Yes. Economy fares on all major carriers include at least one hot meal and a drink service. On Air France, you’ll usually get wine and cheese, too.
Which airline has the most legroom in economy?
It depends on the aircraft, but Air France, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic usually offer a bit more room and newer seating.
Is Premium Economy worth it?
If you want extra space but don’t want to splurge on business class, it’s a solid option. Just know it doesn’t include lounge access. Only La Compagnie offers lie-flat seats at this price point.
Is Air France safe and reliable?
Yes, Air France has a strong safety record and usually offers a smooth experience. Just be aware that labor strikes can disrupt operations during busy seasons.
Do I need to recheck bags if I connect in Europe?
Not usually, as long as all your flights are on one reservation. If you booked separate tickets, you will need to pick up and recheck.
Should I fly into Paris or another city?
Paris (CDG) has the most flights and easiest connections, but if you’re heading to the south of France, consider flying into Nice directly with Air France or La Compagnie.
