CARRIER FILES
Hub footprints, cabin classes, and bag rules for every carrier the desk tracks.
HUBS · JFK, LGA, DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHX
Cabins: Y / W (Main Cabin Extra) / J (Flagship Business / First)
Bag note: First checked $40 (free transatlantic)
American is the dominant transatlantic carrier from JFK and a regional power from LGA. Joint business with British Airways and Iberia puts most Europe routes on one PNR. Domestic upgrades from W to J are tight on premium transcon.
HUBS · JFK, LGA, ATL, DTW, MSP, BOS, SLC
Cabins: Y / W (Premium Select) / J (Delta One)
Bag note: First checked $35 (free transatlantic)
Delta runs the broadest reliable schedule from JFK and LGA. Premium Select on the A330neo is a strong mid-tier transatlantic product. SkyMiles dynamic pricing makes cash booking the safer index against awards.
HUBS · EWR, ORD, DEN, IAH, SFO, IAD
Cabins: Y / W (Premium Plus) / J (Polaris)
Bag note: First checked $40 (free transatlantic)
United owns Newark and uses it as a transatlantic and transpacific hub. Polaris is the most consistent J product on the New York transatlantic. Domestic short-haul fares from EWR sometimes index higher than LGA.
HUBS · JFK, EWR, BOS, FLL, MCO, LHR
Cabins: Y / W (Even More Space) / J (Mint)
Bag note: First checked $35; Blue Plus and up free
JetBlue brings Mint to JFK transcon and to LHR. Even More Space is the best-value paid premium-economy on the New York transcon. Bag policy: first checked $35 unless on Blue Plus and up.
HUBS · LGA, ISP, BWI, MDW, DAL, DEN
Cabins: Single-class economy (no premium cabin)
Bag note: Two checked bags free
Southwest is single-class economy from LGA and ISP. Two checked bags free remains the index reference. No interlining; treat each segment as its own ticket.
HUBS · SEA, ANC, PDX, SFO, LAX; EWR/JFK transcon
Cabins: Y / W (Premium Class) / J (First)
Bag note: First checked $35
Alaska's New York transcon serves SFO, LAX, and SEA from JFK and EWR. Useful for oneworld redemption stops and West Coast positioning.
HUBS · LHR, LGW; JFK/EWR/BOS transatlantic
Cabins: Y / W (World Traveller Plus) / J (Club World) / F (First)
Bag note: Hand baggage free; checked by fare
British Airways operates the JFK-LHR shuttle. World Traveller Plus is a sturdy paid premium-economy; First is the headline product when the desk catches a sale.
HUBS · LHR, MAN; JFK/EWR/BOS transatlantic
Cabins: Y / W (Premium) / J (Upper Class)
Bag note: 1 checked bag included on most fares
Virgin Atlantic is the JFK-LHR alternative to BA with a different cabin philosophy. Upper Class is bar-anchored. A regular fare-monitoring target for JFK and EWR.
HUBS · CDG, ORY; JFK/EWR transatlantic
Cabins: Y / W (Premium Economy) / J (Business) / F (La Première)
Bag note: 1 checked bag on Light+ fares
Air France runs JFK-CDG and EWR-CDG. La Première is the only paid F product on the Paris run. Light fares strip the checked bag; price the bundle.
HUBS · FRA, MUC; JFK/EWR transatlantic
Cabins: Y / W (Premium Economy) / J (Business) / F (First)
Bag note: Checked by fare brand
Lufthansa serves JFK and EWR to FRA and MUC. First class is excellent when miles availability opens; checked-bag policy varies by fare brand.
HUBS · DUB, SNN (US preclearance); JFK/EWR/BOS
Cabins: Y / W (no recline premium) / J (Business)
Bag note: 1 checked bag on transatlantic
Aer Lingus is the value play for Europe via DUB. US preclearance at Dublin means you clear customs before boarding the JFK return.
HUBS · JFK, EWR, BOS to LGW/CDG/OSL
Cabins: Economy (Light/Classic/Plus) / Premium
Bag note: All bags by fare bundle; Light is carry-on only
Norse Atlantic flies JFK, EWR, and BOS to LGW, CDG, and OSL. Light fares are carry-on only; price the bundle before comparing against legacy.
Transatlantic note. All twelve carriers fly some New York transatlantic segment except WN, which stays domestic, and AS, which is West Coast focused. For Europe, the practical short-list is AA, DL, UA, BA, VS, AF, LH, EI, and DY. For LHR specifically, BA, VS, AA, and DL run the heaviest schedule from JFK; UA dominates EWR.