The transatlantic travel market continues to grow, yet a surprising number of major US airports remain underserved when it comes to direct flights to Europe. While over 40 US airports are scheduled to offer transatlantic services by 2026, the absence of nonstop flights from key metropolitan areas represents both a missed opportunity and a glaring gap in the route networks of major airlines.
The Demand Is There, But the Flights Are Not
An analysis of booking data from November 2024 through October 2025 reveals that Kansas City tops the list of US cities with no scheduled transatlantic service, despite strong demand. Over 221,000 passengers—an average of 605 per day—travel between Kansas City and Europe, with London being the top destination.
Kansas City previously hosted Icelandair flights in 2018 and 2019, but today, it remains disconnected from the European continent. The potential exists for resumption of service, especially with British Airways’ efficient Boeing 787-8 or Aer Lingus’ long-range Airbus A321XLR. However, such a move would likely require compelling incentive packages and risk-sharing agreements from local authorities, given the competitive nature of airline route planning.
Why Proximity Isn’t a Perfect Substitute
Cities like San Antonio, Richmond, Columbus, and Fort Lauderdale suffer from their proximity to larger hubs with existing European service. For instance, San Antonio is just 90 minutes from Austin, while Richmond lies within easy driving distance of Washington Dulles. But this overlooks the reality that passenger leakage to nearby airports doesn’t fully capture local demand.
San Antonio, for example, once enjoyed direct service to Frankfurt via Condor. Yet even today, without scheduled service, it accounts for 178,000 passengers per year flying to Europe. Similarly, Columbus sees 197,000 annual travelers heading across the Atlantic, primarily to London.
The inconvenience of indirect flights—especially with tight connection windows and the potential for missed transfers—cannot be overstated. Airlines must recognize that even modest-sized metro areas with steady demand deserve nonstop options, particularly as ultra-long-range narrowbody aircraft open new route viability.
A History of Interrupted Service
Four airports—Charleston, Fort Lauderdale, Kansas City, and San Antonio—have hosted transatlantic flights in the past two decades. Among them, Fort Lauderdale once boomed with European services, boasting 95% of the 4,470 scheduled European departures recorded across these four airports.
British Airways, Norwegian, Condor, and Norse Atlantic have all tested the Fort Lauderdale market. But as Miami’s profile and airport economics improved, most carriers opted to consolidate operations there. BA’s move was notably driven by Norwegian’s brief but disruptive entrance, highlighting how legacy carriers often react competitively rather than proactively.
The case of Charleston is equally telling. British Airways began flying to London in April 2019, only to suspend operations due to the pandemic. Plans for a 2020 return were ultimately shelved. This city, steeped in history and economic growth, remains without direct access to Europe, despite annual volumes of 135,000 Europe-bound passengers.
The Case of Kansas City: An In-Depth Look
With 688 daily round-trip passengers traveling between Kansas City and transatlantic markets (including Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia), the city is a compelling candidate for direct service. However, several challenges persist:
- Kansas City to London has lower fare yields than St. Louis to London.
- Flights from Kansas City cover 3% more distance, raising operational costs.
- The market’s fare per natural mile is 10% lower, reducing potential revenue.
Still, the city’s top European destinations include not just London (37,000), but also Rome, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin, and Athens. This reflects a diverse demand profile beyond just business travel. A well-timed, seasonal service leveraging narrowbody long-haul aircraft could minimize risk and test the waters.
Underserved Cities, Untapped Potential
Below are the ten US airports with the highest Europe-bound traffic but no direct service:
- Kansas City (605 daily passengers) – Top destination: London
- Fort Lauderdale (592) – Top destination: London
- Columbus (540) – Top destination: London
- Jacksonville (518) – Top destination: London
- San Antonio (488) – Top destination: London
- Norfolk (389) – Top destination: London
- Charleston (370) – Top destination: London
- Sacramento (367) – Top destination: London
- Louisville (285) – Top destination: London
- Richmond (271) – Top destination: London
It’s clear that London dominates as the preferred European gateway, due in part to its connectivity, tourism appeal, and business links. But cities like Frankfurt, Paris, and Dublin also consistently rank high, pointing to the viability of multiple origin-destination pairings.
A Call to Airlines: Expand Strategically
As airlines evaluate 2026 schedules and beyond, it’s essential they move beyond legacy hubs and consider medium-sized US cities with established transatlantic demand. The economics of narrowbody long-range aircraft like the A321XLR, coupled with data-driven incentives, create unprecedented opportunities for route expansion.
Crucially, passengers in these markets are not simply price-sensitive leisure travelers. Many are business travelers, immigrants, and repeat flyers whose loyalty can be won with convenient, nonstop service.
The Window Is Open
With the continued recovery of global aviation and an eye on major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, now is the time for airlines to act. Whether it’s British Airways returning to Charleston, Aer Lingus debuting in Kansas City, or Lufthansa trying Sacramento, the possibilities are numerous.
But they won’t stay open forever. Airports must step up with competitive incentive packages, and airlines must look beyond traditional demand models. The future of US-European connectivity lies not just in mega-hubs, but in these overlooked American cities crying out for connection.
