Amsterdam to New York is one of the Atlantic’s busiest and most competitive routes, with several nonstops a day into JFK and Newark. You can cross in about eight hours with KLM, Delta or United. Competition is real, but it does not make this route as cheap as it is often described: checking every return fare on sale, the floor is €537, connections cluster at about €574, and KLM’s non-stop is €683. This guide covers who really flies the route, what a return actually costs in euros, and when to book.
Route: Amsterdam (AMS) → New York (JFK / EWR)
Distance: approximately 5,860 km (3,640 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 8h 00m westbound; roughly 7h eastbound with tailwinds
Direct flights: Yes — KLM and Delta fly non-stop to JFK, and United (and Delta) serve Newark. In our fare data KLM’s non-stop is €683. One-stop options via other European hubs are not occasionally cheaper but consistently so — 89 of the 100 cheapest fares connect, from €537 — so the direct carries roughly a €110 premium for the saved hours.
Fares from Amsterdam to New York (EUR)
Transatlantic fares peak in the northern summer (June to August) and over the Christmas and New Year holidays, and are cheapest in the depths of winter (January–February) and the autumn shoulder. Because so many carriers compete, sales are frequent. The figures below are typical economy return fares in euros; the lowest usually appear in a fare war between the nonstops.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low |
| February | — | low |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium-high |
| May | — | high |
| June | — | very high |
| July | — | very high |
| August | — | high |
| September | — | medium |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | medium |
| December | — | very high (holidays) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, a typical fair price is roughly €520–€570 — the connecting median is €574, so that band is right and it is the ordinary price rather than a deal. The floor is €537 on a SAS connection, so a return under about €560 is a genuinely good one and there is nothing below the mid-five-hundreds to hold out for. KLM’s non-stop is €683. Both JFK and Newark appear at similar prices; the SAS and TAP connections often land at Newark, so check which airport before you compare.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 8 hours westbound):
- KLM — the most frequent operator from its Schiphol hub, non-stop to JFK; several flights a day.
- Delta — KLM’s transatlantic joint-venture partner, non-stop to both JFK and Newark.
- United — non-stop to its Newark (EWR) hub, a daily service with strong onward US connections.
One-stop (occasionally cheaper, longer overall):
- Other European carriers via their home hubs — the likes of a Lufthansa-group or Air France connection can undercut the nonstops on sale, at the cost of a stop.
- Icelandair via Reykjavík — a one-stop option that sometimes prices low and allows a free stopover in Iceland.
On such a competitive route the nonstop is usually both the fastest and among the cheapest — there’s rarely a strong reason to add a stop unless a sale makes it clearly worthwhile or you want a stopover.
When to book & how to save
- Book 1–3 months ahead for the best fares; transatlantic prices are keenest a couple of months out and firm up close to departure.
- Fly in the low season (January–February) or the autumn shoulder for the cheapest fares; avoid the June–August peak and the Christmas holidays.
- Be flexible on the New York airport — JFK usually has the widest choice and the lowest fares, but Newark can be cheaper and is handier for Manhattan’s west side.
- Watch the “basic economy” fares: the cheapest transatlantic tickets often exclude a checked bag and seat selection — compare the all-in price.
- Set a price alert: fare wars on this route are frequent, and a short-lived sale can beat the usual price by €100 or more.
Arriving in New York
KLM and most flights land at John F. Kennedy (JFK) in southeast Queens; United and some Delta services use Newark Liberty (EWR) in New Jersey. From JFK, the AirTrain connects to the subway and Long Island Rail Road for a cheap ride into Manhattan (well under €15), or a flat-fare yellow cab runs roughly €60–€75 plus tolls and tip. From Newark, the AirTrain links to NJ Transit trains to Penn Station. All arrivals need an approved ESTA before travel.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to New York?
Non-stop flights take about 8 hours westbound to New York, and around 7 hours on the faster eastbound leg with tailwinds. A one-stop routing via another European hub or Reykjavík adds several hours depending on the connection.
Are there direct flights from Amsterdam to New York?
Yes. KLM and Delta fly non-stop to JFK, and United (plus some Delta services) fly non-stop to Newark. Between them there are multiple daily nonstops, so a direct flight is almost always available.
How much does it cost to fly from Amsterdam to New York?
A typical economy return runs about €537–€690 depending on the season and on whether you connect. Connections cluster tightly around €574, from a floor of €537; KLM’s non-stop is €683. Summer and the December holidays sit at the top of the range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Amsterdam to New York?
January and February are usually the cheapest, followed by the autumn shoulder. In the dates we could price, connecting returns started at €537 and KLM’s non-stop at €683. Avoid June–August and the Christmas holidays, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from Amsterdam to New York?
Non-stop: KLM carried every direct fare we found, at €683 into JFK. Delta and United also fly non-stop, into JFK and Newark, but did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked. One-stop, cheapest first: SAS (€537–€569, into Newark and JFK), TAP via Lisbon (€557–€563, into Newark), Iberia via Madrid (€573–€614, behind most of the cheap fares) and Icelandair via Reykjavík (from €574). These connections are consistently cheaper than the non-stop, but take longer.
Which airport do I fly into in New York?
Most nonstops land at JFK in Queens; United and some Delta flights use Newark (EWR) in New Jersey. Both connect to Manhattan by train — JFK via the AirTrain and subway/LIRR, Newark via the AirTrain and NJ Transit.
How far in advance should I book Amsterdam to New York flights?
Aim to book 1 to 3 months ahead. Fares are keenest a couple of months out and tend to rise close to departure, especially for summer and the Christmas peak — though frequent sales mean it’s worth setting a price alert.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than weekend flights, and a midweek out-and-back can save €40–€120 on a return. Shifting your dates by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to cut the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
