As transatlantic travel continues to rebound and evolve, a number of U.S. airports are finding themselves connected to Europe — but in a limited fashion. While mega-hubs like New York JFK, Chicago O’Hare, and Atlanta boast dozens of nonstop routes to major European cities, several mid-sized or niche airports operate just a single link across the Atlantic.
These limited-service routes are often sustained by targeted demand, strategic airline planning, or seasonal tourism flows. Here’s a look at eight U.S. airports that currently offer nonstop service to just one European destination — and why those routes matter.
1. Indianapolis International Airport (IND) → Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Airline: Delta Air Lines
Overview: Relaunched as part of Delta’s Midwest-Europe strategy, this seasonal service caters to Indiana’s business and pharmaceutical sectors, with Paris serving as a major hub for onward connections via SkyTeam partner Air France.
2. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) → London Heathrow (LHR)
Airline: American Airlines
Overview: A tech and research hub, the Raleigh-Durham area has strong ties with the UK. American’s daily Heathrow service capitalizes on corporate demand and connectivity through the Oneworld alliance.
3. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) → Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Airline: Delta Air Lines
Overview: Once a major Delta hub, CVG retains its European connection through a daily flight to Paris, keeping the airport on the international map thanks to strong local loyalty and business demand.
4. Portland International Airport (PDX) → Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Airline: Delta Air Lines
Overview: Portland’s creative and tech industries support this flight to Amsterdam, which also benefits from Delta and KLM’s extensive codeshare operations and westbound cargo capacity.
5. Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) → London Heathrow (LHR)
Airline: British Airways
Overview: British Airways has made a niche play in Pittsburgh, operating this route as part of a long-term strategy to reach underserved U.S. markets with stable premium traffic and limited competition.
6. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) → Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Airline: Lufthansa
Overview: Austin’s booming tech scene and German business links helped Lufthansa launch this route. Despite Austin’s growing international profile, Frankfurt remains its only direct European gateway for now.
7. New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) → London Heathrow (LHR)
Airline: British Airways
Overview: BA’s return to New Orleans reflects rising inbound tourism and the city’s appeal as a cultural capital. The route is supported by strong seasonal demand and UK interest in the Gulf Coast.
8. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) → Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Airline: Condor
Overview: As the only European route from California’s capital, this seasonal Condor flight connects Sacramento with Germany’s primary hub. It’s tailored to leisure travelers and ethnic German communities in Northern California.
One Route, Big Impact
While these airports may seem small on the transatlantic map, each single-route connection plays an outsized role in linking regional economies to Europe. These services often rely on a mix of corporate contracts, local incentives, and airline partnerships to survive — and thrive.
As U.S.-Europe demand continues to grow post-pandemic, it remains to be seen whether these one-route airports will gain more international links or if competition from larger hubs will limit expansion.
For now, each of these unique pairings underscores how strategic — and sometimes surprising — global connectivity can be.