New Orleans is one of America's most singular cities, and from its modern airport the cheapest flights point across the Atlantic — a tight cluster of European fares from London to Venice that give the Gulf South a direct-ish reach into Europe.
Louis Armstrong International (MSY) reopened in a sleek new terminal in 2019, and the budget link downtown is the bus. The RTA Bus 202 (Airport Express) connects the airport to New Orleans for just $1.50, and the JeT E2 (Airport-Downtown Express) runs down Airline Drive into the CBD for $2.00, taking about 50 minutes (weekdays only, and the E2 to the CBD ends early evening). Both are far cheaper than a cab. For a straight, budget trip downtown the 202 or E2 works; otherwise a rideshare is the easy round-the-clock option.
As a base, New Orleans is a transatlantic-leisure airport. There’s little cheap short-haul here — the value is a cluster of European fares that let the Gulf South skip a hub connection for the European trip.
The British Isles — cheapest across the Atlantic
The two cheapest fares are the classic gateways. London (€558) leads — the perennial entry point to Britain, with onward connections across Europe — followed by Dublin (€650), which offers US preclearance on the way home (you clear immigration in Ireland and arrive back as a domestic passenger). For a first hop across the Atlantic from the Gulf South, these two are the obvious, best-value picks.
The Low Countries, Iceland and Italy
The rest of the board fills in the European map. Brussels (€680) opens the Low Countries and the EU’s de facto capital, Reykjavik (€686) reaches Iceland (and serves as a connecting point onward), and Venice (€730) opens the canals and northern Italy. These cluster within about €50, so it’s worth watching which dips first — all are reasonable transatlantic fares for a city of New Orleans’ size, and each saves a hub connection.
Why fly transatlantic from New Orleans
New Orleans’ direct European routes are a relatively recent development, and they’re a genuine convenience for the Gulf South. Rather than connecting through Atlanta, Houston or a northeastern hub, travellers from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama can start their European trip at home. The trade-off is that some of these are seasonal and most connect onward in Europe — so flexibility on dates and a willingness to take one stop usually unlock the prices shown.
A note on these US-origin fares
This is a leisure-transatlantic board, and the figures are the lowest verified levels — they move sharply by season. European fares from the US South are cheapest outside the summer peak: spring, autumn and deep winter hide the best numbers. Some of New Orleans’ European routes are seasonal, so watch the calendar — and watch for airline sales, which drop these fares noticeably.
Cheapest destinations from New Orleans right now
Good-price round-trip targets from aifly’s own tracked fares — “good price” means book at or below this; nothing here is invented or scraped from third parties. The live deal page for each route shows the current fare.
| Destination | Good price | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| London | €558 | €558 — the perennial gateway to Britain and onward across Europe. Cheapest here. |
| Dublin | €650 | €650 to Ireland, with US preclearance on the way home — arrive domestic. |
| Brussels | €680 | €680 to the Low Countries and the EU's de facto capital. |
| Reykjavik | €686 | €686 to Iceland — waterfalls, geysers and a connecting point onward. |
| Venice | €730 | €730 to the canals and the gateway to northern Italy. |
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest flight from New Orleans?
London at around €558 — the perennial gateway to Britain — with Dublin (€650) close behind, the latter offering US preclearance on the way home.
How do I get from New Orleans Airport into the city?
The RTA Bus 202 (Airport Express) is $1.50 and the JeT E2 (Airport-Downtown Express) is $2.00 down Airline Drive into the CBD (~50 minutes, weekdays). Both beat a cab; otherwise a rideshare runs round the clock.
Is New Orleans a good airport for cheap flights to Europe?
It's primarily a transatlantic-leisure airport, with a cluster of European fares from London (€558) to Venice (€730), giving the Gulf South direct-ish reach and skipping a hub connection — though some routes are seasonal.
Can you fly direct to Ireland from New Orleans?
Yes — Dublin at around €650, with the bonus of US preclearance on the way home, so you arrive back in the States as a domestic passenger.
Do these New Orleans fares include a checked bag?
Transatlantic economy fares from the US vary — some bundle a bag, many charge separately on basic-economy tickets. Confirm the allowance for your specific fare at booking.
How current are these New Orleans prices?
They're the lowest verified round-trip fares we've tracked recently and shift with season and demand. Use each as a benchmark and book when you see a fare at or below it, ideally outside the summer peak.
Seasons, carriers and airport details verified June 2026 and can change — confirm current conditions before you book.