Quantcast

European travel to US declines by 17.4% in March amid political factors

Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
European travel to US declines by 17.4% in March amid political factors
Research
Webp tax7muc3tlwo77ps9oyt49z1n7xa
Becky Blaine Senior editor | The Points Guy

New data reveals a significant decline in the number of Europeans flying to the U.S. this March, with approximately 178,000 fewer Western Europeans traveling by air compared to the same period last year. This represents a 17.4% decrease, bringing the total number of travelers to 846,577, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration.

The reduction in visitors from France, Germany, and the U.K.—the primary European countries for U.S.-bound travel—was recorded at 5%, 29%, and 15%, respectively. Analysts note the shift might partially be due to Easter's late occurrence this year, with celebrations falling on April 20 compared to March 31 in 2024. Typically, Easter can cause minor fluctuations in travel patterns, but it does not traditionally contribute to double-digit reductions.

There are indications that political factors, like President Trump's trade policies and immigration stance, may be impacting travel confidence. Reports suggest some French and German nationals have faced challenges entering the U.S., potentially contributing to decreased bookings.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Among North American travelers, Canadian interest seems to be waning too, catalyzed by tariffs and political rhetoric concerning the relationship between the U.S. and Canada. Ben Smith, CEO of Air France and KLM, expressed concern over this trend, stating they are monitoring the situation closely.

Despite current declines, airlines are planning for an increase in travel capacity from April through September. Air France and KLM are among the carriers boosting seat availability to the U.S. by 8% and 11.5%, respectively. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reports a 4.2% increase in overall transatlantic seats compared to last year.

United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines remain key players in transatlantic travel, with new routes planned for destinations such as Greenland, Sicily, and Scotland, showing confidence in possible fluctuations being short-term.

Savanthi Syth, an airline analyst at Raymond James, suggested that while inbound travel might be waning, outbound travel from the U.S. remains steady, potentially balancing out the disparity. Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr echoed this sentiment, describing transatlantic travel demand as robust.

No immediate booking impacts are visible yet, according to Lufthansa CEO Jens Ritter, although a Swiss spokesperson noted a decline in leisure travel bookings. Should the drop in foreign visitors continue, the financial implications could be substantial, with the U.S. Travel Association forecasting potential revenue losses. Delta Air Lines is expected to provide further insights with the release of its first-quarter results.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

United Airlines is set to expand its Premium Plus cabin in response to increasing demand for premium economy seats.

Jul 19, 2025

Emirates, the leading operator of Airbus A380 superjumbo jets, continues to find success with this aircraft as a flagship of its fleet.

Jul 19, 2025

An Antonov An-124 aircraft, owned by Antonov Airlines, has departed from Kyiv, Ukraine, after being grounded for over three years.

Jul 19, 2025

An Air China Airbus A350 and an SF Airlines Boeing 767-300ER were involved in a near-miss incident over Russian airspace.

Jul 19, 2025

Airbus is set to start equipping fuselages for its A321 aircraft in China.

Jul 19, 2025

For over five decades, the Boeing 747 has captured the attention of aviation enthusiasts and professionals.

Jul 19, 2025