Europe Freezes US Travel as Lufthansa, British , Air France, KLM and More Slash Routes to Major Cities Including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago to Tap Soaring Demand Across Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Caribbean
Saturday, May 24, 2025
European airlines are freezing their transatlantic growth and pulling back from major U.S. cities like New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago as they redirect flights to Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Caribbean, where bookings are rising and demand is outpacing the American market. Carriers including Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Iberia, and SAS have adjusted their summer schedules to reflect shifting traveler priorities, with more passengers opting for destinations that offer smoother entry, better seasonal deals, and fewer political complications. The changes mark a clear retreat from the U.S. at a time when international sentiment is cooling and alternative routes are proving far more profitable.
The decision to reduce flights is being driven by a sharp drop in bookings, rising concerns among European travelers about safety and border restrictions, and growing political discomfort tied to President Donald Trump’s second term. Airlines that had once expanded aggressively across the Atlantic are now turning their attention elsewhere. Internal forecasts, passenger surveys, and travel agency reports across Europe point to one conclusion: fewer people are planning trips to the United States this year.
Lufthansa Cuts Flights to New York, Miami, and Chicago
Lufthansa has quietly reduced frequencies on its routes to New York, Miami, and Chicago, three of the airline’s most important U.S. destinations. According to updated schedules for summer 2025, several weekly flights have been removed compared to last year. No formal announcement has been issued, but internal flight availability data confirms the reductions.
The move comes as German travel demand to the U.S. softens. Agencies in Frankfurt and Munich report that interest in American cities has declined, with many travelers shifting their focus to southern Europe, North Africa, or Southeast Asia. Industry insiders point to a mix of reasons: higher travel costs, uncertainty around visa processing, and growing discomfort with U.S. politics. Lufthansa is redirecting wide-body aircraft to markets showing stronger forward bookings, including India, Japan, and Greece.
British Airways Withdraws from Las Vegas and Reduces Orlando
British Airways has suspended service to Las Vegas and has reduced its operations to Orlando and Philadelphia. These changes are part of a broader shift in the airline’s summer schedule. The decision follows a downturn in bookings from British travelers, especially those planning leisure trips to the United States.
In London, travel agents say customers are increasingly looking for destinations that offer a smoother experience. Long wait times at immigration, recent media reports on travel disruptions, and uncertainty surrounding U.S. policies have led to a noticeable drop in demand. Instead, there is rising interest in holiday spots within Europe and the Middle East. British Airways has already added additional flights to cities such as Athens, Malaga, and Dubai using aircraft originally scheduled for U.S. routes.
Air France Ends Seattle Route and Scales Back in Washington
Air France has discontinued its Seattle route and trimmed service to Washington D.C. for the upcoming summer. The changes have been reflected in seat availability and flight tracking tools since early April. While the airline continues to fly to New York, Atlanta, and other major hubs, its footprint in secondary American cities is clearly shrinking.
French travelers are shifting their focus. Agencies in Paris and Marseille note that customers who once chose American destinations are now opting for closer options, such as Portugal, Tunisia, and Italy. Several cited border delays and tightened entry requirements as reasons to stay away. Air France is responding to these shifts by deploying its aircraft to markets where interest remains high, including several cities across North and West Africa.
KLM Reduces Transatlantic Flights to San Francisco and Boston
KLM is cutting back flights to both San Francisco and Boston. These changes are now visible in the airline’s booking system, with fewer departures per week compared to summer 2024. The decision was made following a noticeable decline in U.S.-bound travel from the Netherlands.
Amsterdam-based agencies say American cities have fallen out of favor this year. Travelers are expressing frustration with visa delays, travel restrictions, and overall unpredictability. KLM has responded by reallocating capacity to better-performing routes in Asia and expanding European short-haul operations. Additional flights have already been added to destinations like Bangkok, Istanbul, and Split, replacing transatlantic service that has become harder to fill.
Iberia Shelves Dallas Launch and Cuts Chicago Flights
Iberia has postponed its planned launch of a new route to Dallas and reduced service between Madrid and Chicago. The airline has shifted those long-haul aircraft to other parts of its network, especially Latin America and Southern Europe, where demand remains steady or is growing.
Travel agencies in Madrid and Valencia have seen a pullback in U.S.-bound bookings, particularly among families and middle-income travelers. Some cite economic concerns, while others point to discomfort with the tone of U.S. politics and border issues. Instead of transatlantic trips, customers are booking vacations to Mexico, Colombia, and coastal cities in Spain and Portugal. Iberia is responding directly to those preferences, increasing flights to Bogota, Buenos Aires, and Lima while boosting service on key European routes.
Scandinavian Airlines Cancels Newark and Los Angeles
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has canceled its routes from Oslo to Newark and Copenhagen to Los Angeles. These decisions are not temporary; both routes have been removed from the airline’s summer 2025 schedule. SAS, which is undergoing a broader reorganization, made the move after demand from the Nordic region fell well below expected levels.
In Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Oslo, travel agents say interest in visiting the U.S. has dropped off sharply. Safety concerns, political developments, and travel logistics are all contributing to the trend. More travelers are booking trips within Europe, with strong demand reported for Spain, Croatia, and Greece. SAS is strengthening its presence on those routes and adding additional summer service to domestic Nordic destinations and popular leisure spots across the continent.
Data Confirms Transatlantic Downturn
The airline moves align with a broader trend backed by data. According to a new forecast from Tourism Economics, bookings from Europe to the United States for the May to July period are down 10% compared to last year. Canadian bookings for the same window are down 33%, marking a wider North American retreat.
In April alone, inbound bookings to the U.S. for May were down 9.5%. Projections for June and July show drops of 10.8% and 13%, respectively. For the full year, international arrivals to the U.S. are expected to decline by 8.7%, with a total spending loss of $8.5 billion from foreign visitors. These figures contrast sharply with previous forecasts that had assumed steady post-pandemic growth.
Bookings Collapse Across Europe as Political Sentiment Turns
According to a detailed report cited by Bloomberg, travel from Europe to the United States has fallen by 10 percent for the summer 2025 season, as growing unease with President Donald Trump’s trade policies and immigration stance dampens transatlantic interest. The data, compiled by Tourism Economics—a division of Oxford Economics—shows that international bookings to the U.S. dropped 9.5 percent year-over-year in May, with steeper declines forecast for June and July at 10.8 and 13 percent, respectively. The report also projects an 8.7 percent overall decline in international arrivals for the year and estimates a loss of $8.5 billion in foreign visitor spending. Analysts link the downturn to a combination of new tariffs on long-standing allies, well-publicized border incidents, and updated advisories from European governments cautioning travelers about the risks and difficulties of entering the United States.
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