By Aviation Nexus Staff Writer
Published: July 16, 2025
While major U.S. gateways enjoy year-round, multi-destination service to Europe, several mid-sized airports offer something more modest — a single European route, operated only between May and December. These limited operations reflect seasonal demand patterns, targeted tourism, and the economics of long-haul flying from secondary cities.
Here’s a look at eight U.S. airports where just one European destination is served during the spring-to-winter period — highlighting the transatlantic connections that matter most when timing is everything.
1. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) → Reykjavik (KEF)
Airline: Icelandair
Season: May–October
Overview: Cleveland’s only European link offers seasonal service to Iceland’s capital, with convenient connections to mainland Europe. A favorite among adventurous Midwestern travelers looking for affordable entry into Europe.
2. San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) → Frankfurt (FRA)
Airline: Lufthansa
Season: May–December
Overview: Serving Silicon Valley’s tech corridor, this Lufthansa flight operates during peak business and leisure seasons. Despite strong corporate demand, the route hasn’t yet been upgraded to year-round.
3. Kansas City International Airport (MCI) → Frankfurt (FRA)
Airline: Lufthansa
Season: Late May–Mid October
Overview: Launched in 2022, this route connects the Midwest to Europe via Germany. It’s driven by a mix of business travel, heritage tourism, and connecting traffic through Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub.
4. Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) → Frankfurt (FRA)
Airline: Condor
Season: May–September
Overview: This leisure-focused route targets both U.S. tourists heading to Europe and European travelers eager to explore Alaska. Operated by Condor with widebody aircraft.
5. Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) → Reykjavik (KEF)
Airline: PLAY Airlines
Season: April–October
Overview: This low-cost option offers an affordable transatlantic jump from the Mid-Atlantic region to Iceland and onward to Europe, primarily appealing to budget-conscious travelers and younger flyers.
6. Tampa International Airport (TPA) → Zurich (ZRH)
Airline: Edelweiss Air
Season: May–October
Overview: Serving Florida’s Swiss expat community and upscale vacationers, Edelweiss operates this niche route with Airbus A330s. It offers onward connections through SWISS’s Zurich hub.
7. Providence T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) → Dublin (DUB)
Airline: Aer Lingus
Season: March–October
Overview: A key seasonal service to Ireland, popular among New England’s Irish-American community. Aer Lingus uses smaller Airbus narrowbodies to keep the route profitable in lower-demand months.
8. Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) → Frankfurt (FRA)
Airline: Condor
Season: June–October
Overview: Launched to serve Reno’s growing tourism and casino market, this seasonal route attracts both inbound European travelers and American tourists seeking convenient access to Central Europe.
Why One Route, and Why Now?
These one-off transatlantic flights are not random. Airlines carefully evaluate local demand, aircraft availability, competition from nearby hubs, and seasonal load factors. The May to December window is prime time for profitable flying — avoiding the weaker winter months while capturing both summer leisure and early holiday traffic.
While these airports may not have the frequency or breadth of larger gateways, their sole European connection often plays a vital role in local economic development and global accessibility.
With continued fleet modernization and the rise of fuel-efficient long-range narrowbodies like the Airbus A321XLR, more cities could join this list in future seasons.