The Best Airlines to Fly to France

Plenty of airlines offer flights between the U.S. and France. That's great news whether you're planning to fly to Paris for the 2024 Olympics, want to see the Tour de France in person or just want to visit the City of Light.

Of your many options, which is the best airline to fly to France? And what's the best way to fly to France using points and miles?

Let's dig into your options so you can figure out which works best for you.

The best airlines to fly to France

1. Air France

Air France operates the highest number of nonstop routes between the U.S. and France, connecting 14 cities to Paris or Nice. From there, you can connect to two dozen destinations within France.

While Air France's business class has historically lagged behind its competitors, that's changing quickly. The airline plans to install new lie-flat business class seats across its entire fleet by the end of 2023.

And it's not just any business class seat. Air France's new business class suite will have a sliding door you can close for privacy, and every seat will have direct aisle access.

» Learn more: The complete guide to Air France-KLM Flying Blue

2. Delta Air Lines

Air France's SkyTeam partner Delta is a close second in the best airline to fly to France. Delta operates a dozen routes to France nonstop from 10 U.S. cities, with connecting options from hundreds more.

Plus, Delta offers top-notch economy, premium economy and business class products. And aside from some recent hiccups, Delta generally runs an excellent operation.

» Learn more: The guide to Delta SkyMiles

3. American Airlines

Next on the list is American Airlines, which operates flights to Paris from six U.S. airports:

• Charlotte.

• Chicago-O’Hare.

• Dallas/Fort Worth.

• Miami.

• New York-JFK.

• Philadelphia.

American Airlines offers a decent economy product, a solid premium economy experience and excellent lie-flat, all-aisle-access business class seats up front.

The main limitation of flying American Airlines is that it doesn't have a partner based in Paris. That means you won't be able to connect onward from Paris to other destinations in France on the same ticket.

To fly to destinations other than Paris, you'll have to fly through London, Madrid or Helsinki to connect to American Airlines' partners with hubs there.

» Learn more: How the American Airlines AAdvantage program works

4. JetBlue Airways

After much speculation, JetBlue finally announced in March 2023 that it would fly to Paris starting June 29, 2023.

Between JetBlue's excellent Mint business class and a surprisingly good economy class product, this route announcement springboards JetBlue onto the list of best airlines to fly to France.

JetBlue will operate daily flights to Paris from New York-JFK. Many travelers based outside New York can connect to catch this flight with just one stop in New York. If JetBlue is able to add more routes or frequencies, it might just climb the rankings.

» Learn more: Get to know JetBlue's TrueBlue rewards program

5. La Compagnie

La Compagnie is an airline based in Paris like no other. Instead of having some business class and mostly economy seats, La Compagnie is an all-business-class airline.

Flights to the U.S. are operated using an aircraft with just 76 business class seats. La Compagnie operates just three routes from the U.S., and two of those are to France: Nice and Paris-Orly.

Part of what makes La Compagnie so appealing is its attractive business class pricing. La Compagnie runs sales that can drop the price of flying business to France to under $2,000 round-trip per person.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

The best airlines to fly to France with points and miles

1. Air France

The cheapest way to fly to France on points and miles is generally on Air France. Depending on when you're flying, you have two low-cost booking options: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club or Flying Blue.

During off-peak dates, which vary from year to year, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is likely to be your cheapest option. You can fly from the U.S. East Coast to Paris for as few as 12,000 Virgin points each way. Taxes and fees are modest, at around $150 one-way or $375 round-trip.

Another great option for booking Air France awards is through Flying Blue's Promo Rewards promotion. Each month, Flying Blue offers discounted award tickets on select routes. At the time of writing, you can fly from Miami to Paris for just 12,750 Flying Blue miles each way after a 25% discount. Taxes and fees will set you back just $64.50 one-way.

2. Delta

Hands down, the best way to fly business class to France is by booking Delta One business class through Virgin Atlantic. If you can find availability — which is the toughest part of this sweet spot — you only have to pay 50,000 Virgin points to fly in business class between the U.S. and mainland Europe.

Getting this rate requires flying a nonstop route. At the time of writing, that means you're limited to a dozen routes:

• Atlanta to Paris or Nice.

• Boston to Paris.

• Cincinnati to Paris.

• Detroit to Paris.

• Los Angeles to Paris.

• Minneapolis to Paris.

• New York-JFK to Paris or Nice.

• Raleigh/Durham to Paris.

• Seattle to Paris.

• Salt Lake City to Paris.

Whether you're booking award flights on Delta or Air France, build your Virgin points balance by transferring points from any of the five major transferable points programs:

• American Express Membership Rewards (at a 1:1 rate).

• Capital One Miles (1:1, via Virgin Red).

• Chase Ultimate Rewards® (1:1).

• Citi ThankYou points (1:1).

• Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 with a 5,000-mile bonus for transferring at least 60,000 points).

3. United Airlines

United offers solid award pricing when redeeming MileagePlus miles. Although United has eliminated its award chart, it still prices award flights as cheap as 30,000 miles each way in economy, 45,000 miles in premium economy and 60,000 miles each way in Polaris business class.

Alternatively, you can use Air Canada Aeroplan points — especially if you're booking at the last minute and from the U.S. East Coast to France. You can book the same United business class award availability for 60,000 Aeroplan points each way on routes under 4,000 miles.

» Learn more: How to get cheaper award prices on United flights

4. Air Tahiti Nui

West Coast travelers can use American Airlines' partnership with Tahiti-based Air Tahiti Nui to fly from Seattle or Los Angeles to France with AAdvantage miles.

Air Tahiti Nui economy awards price at just 22,500 miles during off-peak dates or 30,000 miles during standard dates. Premium economy costs 40,000 AAdvantage miles, and business class prices at just 57,500 miles each way. Taxes and fees from the U.S. to France are a minuscule $5.60.

» Learn more: 4 Oneworld transatlantic sweet spots in business class

Flying to France, recapped

U.S. travelers have no lack of options when it comes to flying to France. Around 10 airlines operate nonstop routes between the two countries, and plenty more offer connecting service.

The best airline to fly to France depends on a few factors, such as where you're based, when you're traveling and what award availability is like if you're traveling with miles.