A little more than 180 € for a first flight in Paris-Los Angeles, or even less than 350 € for a Paris-New York flight, it seems almost too good to be true, right? However, it is the reality of the plane ticket market for the United States in 2025. After years when prices stopped increasing, the prices of transatlantic flights experienced a spectacular fall, and travelers rush on these opportunities. But behind this dizzying drop hides a real boost to the traveler, or an alert for the years to come?
A drop in prices, but why?
In recent years, plane ticket prices for the United States have reached heights. For a family, a return flight could quickly exceed € 2,000, especially during the high summer season. But in 2025, the market seems to have changed: the ticket prices have dropped dramatically,, for several reasons.
First of all, tourism demand has dropped. Since the election of Donald Trump, the trips of the French to the United States had slightly decreased. In 2025, according to a protourism study, travel intentions to America dropped by 25 % in March compared to the previous year. The perception of an uncertain political climate prompted part of the travelers to turn away from Uncle Sam. But that’s not all. The health crisis and the boom in telework have also changed behavior, in particular with regard to professional trips, which directly impacted demand and, therefore, ticket prices. Airlines reacted by adjusting their prices to try to fill the planes. Result ? Tickets at prices up to 50 % cheaper than in previous years.
In parallel, companies like French Bee, or Air France, have chosen to play the card of attractive prices to relaunch demand and make the United States more accessible. As an example, a Paris-Los-Angeles flight in the way can now be reserved for around € 180 with French Bee. This price is particularly low if it is compared to that of conventional flights, whose prices generally are around € 350 to € 500 for similar routes.
Is the windfall really beneficial for everyone?
Certainly this dizzying price May seem to be a boon for those who have always dreamed of treading the American soil. But behind this good news for travelers, hides a set of challenges and issues that could tarnish the most optimistic enthusiasm.
First of all, this reduction in prices is largely a consequence of low demand, and it is not a lasting phenomenon. Airlines, which had to review their pricing strategy due to the drop in reservations, will not be able to maintain these low prices indefinitely. Once travel trends are normalizing, prices may go up. According to sector experts, if demand resumes this summer, especially thanks to attractive prices, tickets should gradually increase. The real question is whether this resumption of demand will be sufficient to avoid a new increase in prices.
Then, although the drop in prices is interesting for travelers, it also includes risks for the airport and tourist industry. A low -cost flight could mean a less comfortable experience for passengers: fewer on -board services, longer stops, or even a reduction in flight frequencies. In other words, less comfort for a lower price, but is that really what travelers are looking for? This type of pricing policy could also affect the overall travel experience, with less profitable airlines and discount services.
Finally, this drop in prices should not forget the total cost of a trip to the United States. If plane tickets have become more accessible, spending on site, especially in New York or Los Angeles, remain particularly high. Inflation in the United States also has an impact on the price of housing, food and tourism activities. Suffice to say that, if you manage to save on the flight, you could very quickly catch up with this difference with high daily expenses.
When should you book to take advantage of the best rates?
The best offers are available outside peak periods. For example, for a Paris-Los Angeles flight in May 2025, prices are around € 180, a reduction of more than 50 % compared to the usual prices. However, these prices are not necessarily representative of prices during the high season, especially in July and August. According to experts, it is best to book in advance, but not too early. The ideal would be to book between 3 and 6 months before your departure to benefit from the best offers. In addition, flexibility on travel dates will also save you more, because prices vary a lot from day to day.
