The United States is one of the most accessible long-haul destinations from Europe — many direct flights to most major cities, multiple competing carriers, competitive fares outside peak.
From Paris, the main direct flights: Paris-New York (JFK or Newark EWR) — 8h outbound (headwinds), 7h return (tailwinds). Carriers: Air France (CDG-JFK 3-4 daily), Delta (CDG-JFK daily), United (CDG-EWR daily), American Airlines (CDG-JFK), La Compagnie (Orly-EWR, affordable all-business). Economy return: €350-600 low season (Jan, Feb, Oct-Nov), €600-900 high season (Jun-Aug, Christmas). Premium Economy €800-1,400, Business €2,500-5,000. La Compagnie all-business €1,500-2,500.
Paris-Los Angeles (LAX) — 11h30 outbound, 10h45 return. Carriers: Air France (CDG-LAX daily), Delta (via Detroit or Atlanta), United (via Chicago or Houston), American (via Chicago Dallas), Air Tahiti Nui (CDG-LAX 3/week, continuing to Papeete, ideal Polynesia combo). Economy return: €600-900 low season, €1,000-1,500 high season.
Paris-Miami (MIA) — 10h outbound, 9h return. Air France (CDG-MIA daily), American Airlines (CDG-MIA daily). Return: €500-800 low, €900-1,200 high.
Paris-San Francisco (SFO) — 11h45 outbound, 10h45 return. Air France (CDG-SFO daily), United (via hubs). Fares close to Paris-LAX.
Other Paris direct flights: Atlanta (Delta hub), Detroit (Delta), Boston (Air France, Delta), Chicago (Air France, United, American), Washington Dulles (Air France, United), Houston (Air France, United), Charlotte (American), Dallas (American), Philadelphia (American). From Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux, Nantes: seasonal flights (Delta, Air Transat via Montreal) or connections via Paris CDG, Amsterdam (KLM/Delta), Frankfurt (Lufthansa/United), London Heathrow (BA, Virgin Atlantic).
From Brussels: United (BRU-EWR direct), Brussels Airlines (BRU-JFK direct), Delta (via NYC). From Geneva: United (GVA-EWR seasonal). From Madrid: Air Europa, Delta, Iberia (many flights to NYC, Miami, Boston, Washington, LA).
On arrival, border control (CBP) can take 30-60 min — biometrics, photo, questions about stay purpose, address (hotel reservation) and duration. Have return ticket, income proof, full address ready. Global Entry ($100, 5-year validity, in-France appointment via CDG) speeds up considerably for frequent US visitors.
Once on site, domestic flights run via majors (Delta, American, United) and low-cost (Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier). Very variable fares: $80-300 a domestic flight depending on route and lead time. Book early for Hawaii ($250-500 return from West Coast). Car rental ($35-80/day) essential for road trips and parks; Amtrak trains (Acela East Coast NYC-Boston-Washington, Coast Starlight Seattle-LA, California Zephyr Chicago-SF) offer a scenic alternative. Long-distance buses (Greyhound, FlixBus, BoltBus) economical but slow.
Read also
- East Coast — New York, Boston, Washington: the urban and historical heart of the US.
- California — Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego: cinema, tech, mythical beaches and spectacular nature.
- Western Parks — Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite: the world's greatest natural landscape reservoirs.
- Florida — Miami, Orlando, Keys: beach, Disney, Everglades and the Latin dimension of the South.
- Hawaii — Honolulu, Maui, Big Island: the most accessible US tropical archipelago.