When it comes to long-haul flying in the modern commercial aviation industry, it is no secret that the transatlantic corridor between the US and Europe is just about the most lucrative market out there. This year, Cirium, an aviation analytics company, shows that airlines have collectively scheduled a grand total of 181,293 one-way departures from the US to Europe, offering 48,640,194 seats in the process.
But which routes are the most popular? While one particular corridor stands head and shoulders above the rest, there are plenty more that see multiple daily departures with different airlines throughout the year. This underlines the importance of this market for carriers on both sides of the Atlantic.
New York JFK – London Heathrow Comes Top By All Metrics
Those familiar with the transatlantic market will be unsurprised to see that New York JFK Airport to London Heathrow (LHR) is the busiest transatlantic route this year, with 7,612 one-way departures offering 1,985,257 seats. This corridor has a rich history of aviation milestones, such as the Boeing 747’s first commercial flight, and it was also one of the most popular routes for British Airways’ Concorde flights.
Five airlines currently ply this route: American Airlines with the Boeing 777, British Airways with the 777 and 787, Delta Air Lines with the Airbus A330 and Boeing 767, JetBlue with the Airbus A321LR, and Virgin Atlantic with the A330, A350, and 787. JetBlue is a relative newcomer to this corridor, and currently only serves it twice a day, but has been growing its transatlantic presence. The airline explains:
“JetBlue’s transatlantic schedule in New York is complemented by [its] London flying elsewhere in the Northeast, where [it] offers service between Boston Logan Airport (BOS) and both London Heathrow and London Gatwick.”
All Of The Top 3 Originate In The New York Area
Such is the popularity of the route between New York JFK and 
London Heathrow Airport that its total figures for flights and seats are almost double those of the second-placed route. The corridor in question also originates at John F Kennedy International Airport, with its destination being Paris CDG, and, this year, it is served by 3,720 one-way departures that collectively offer a total of 1,010,482 seats.
This corridor also sees service from five airlines, with American Airlines’ Boeing 777s present once again. Elsewhere, coverage is provided by Air France with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777, Delta Air Lines with the A330 and 767, JetBlue with the A321LR, and even Norse Atlantic with the 787.
Rounding out the podium is the popular route from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to London Heathrow, with 3,255 one-way departures and 596,137 seats. Interestingly, the latter total is lower than some of those with fewer flights, indicating that lower-density premium-heavy configurations are used. United Airlines’ Boeing 767s dominate this route, while British Airways flies the 777 and 787.
What About The West Coast?
The fourth-most popular US-Europe transatlantic route by one-way departures in 2025, and the top corridor in terms of those that originate on the West Coast of the United States of America, connects 
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with London Heathrow. Its 3,064 one-way departures collectively offer a grand total of 920,944 seats, with four different airlines present: two from the UK, and two from the US.
On the British side of things, Virgin Atlantic’s aircraft of choice on this route are the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 787, while UK flag carrier and oneworld founding member British Airways favors the A380 and 777. Meanwhile, LAX’s hometown carriers, American and United, use the 777 and 787.
The second-most popular Europe-bound transatlantic route from the West Coast this year, and the seventh overall from the US as a whole, also originates in California, and it links San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with London Heathrow. Its 2,173 one-way departures and 663,039 seats are served by United’s Boeing 777s, Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787s, and British Airways’ Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s.
