How to Choose the Best International Flight from the U.S. to Europe (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
If you haven’t booked many international flights on your own, it’s easy to default to the cheapest option and hope for the best. That can work for a quick domestic hop. But when you’re crossing an ocean, changing time zones, and potentially traveling 12–20+ hours, the “best” flight is usually the one that protects your energy and reduces jet lag—not just the one with the lowest price.
Here’s a beginner-friendly way to choose a flight that sets you up for a smoother arrival.
Start with the takeoff and arrival time (this matters more than you think)
Most U.S. to Europe routes are overnight because of the time change. That’s actually a good thing—if you use it strategically. A simple rule of thumb:
Aim for an evening departure, ideally around 6:00 pm (or as close to your normal bedtime as possible).
The goal is to eat, settle in, and try to sleep soon after takeoff.
Why this helps:
When your body gets a “nighttime” cue on the plane, you have a better chance of sleeping—even if it’s not perfect sleep. That makes day one in Europe far more manageable.
Look at total travel time, not just the flight time.
Booking sites love to spotlight the longest flight segment (like “9h 45m nonstop!”), but what you really care about is:
door-to-door travel duration (departure to final arrival)
and what time you land locally
Here’s the jet-lag reality check:
-> If you take off at 6:00 pm, you’ve already been awake all day. If your total travel time is 16 hours and you land at 8:00 am local time, you may arrive running on fumes… and still have an entire day ahead of you.
A more realistic goal:
-> Choose the itinerary that gets you in at a time that makes sense for a gentle first day—often late morning to mid-afternoon is easier than super early morning (unless you know you sleep well on planes).
Connections: where you connect matters, especially for first-timers
Many routes from the U.S. to Europe will include a connection. A connection isn’t automatically “bad”—it can be a smart tradeoff if it improves timing, price, or comfort.
For newer international travelers, I usually recommend connecting in the U.S. when possible.
Why a U.S. connection can be easier:
you’re navigating airports in a familiar language and system
you have more airline options
if something goes sideways, you’re still on home turf
If you’re choosing between a U.S. connection and a European connection, the U.S. connection is often less stressful—especially on your first few international trips.
Choose the right layover time (not too tight, not too long)
Layovers can make or break your experience. A good layover window for most beginners:
minimum: 1 hour 30 minutes
ideal: 2 to 3 hours
try not to exceed: about 3.5 hours (unless you’re intentionally building in buffer time)
Why you need at least 1:30:
-> International itineraries can involve longer walks between gates, slower boarding, and higher odds of minor delays. And if you’re checking bags, you want enough time for your luggage to actually make the connection too.
Why too long is also rough:
-> A 5–7 hour layover sounds like “extra safety,” but it often turns into exhaustion and time-zone confusion—especially overnight.
Cabin class: price matters, but so does your ability to function on arrival
Most people filter by price and pick the cheapest flight. Again: fine for domestic. But on long-haul international travel, your future self is the one who pays the real price. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Basic Economy:
usually the cheapest
often no seat selection (or poor seat options)
restrictions can include no changes, limited carry-on rules, and (key point) fewer upgrade options
not recommended for long-haul international flights if you can avoid it
Tip: Basic Economy can block you from upgrading later. If you’re going to go “cheap,” at least choose a fare that keeps the option to upgrade open.
Economy:
standard coach
better flexibility than basic economy (varies by airline)
upgrade options are more often available
a solid default if budget matters
Economy Plus / Premium Economy (names vary):
more legroom, sometimes better seat width
often earlier boarding
can be a major quality-of-life upgrade for not a huge jump in price (depending on route)
great sweet spot for many travelers who want comfort but aren’t doing business class
Business Class:
lie-flat seats on many long-haul routes
best for sleep and jet lag mitigation
expensive, but for some travelers it’s the difference between “vacation starts immediately” and “I need 48 hours to recover”
A practical mindset shift:
-> If you’re traveling 12+ hours with a major time change, comfort is not a luxury—it’s part of your jet lag plan. If you can’t do business class, consider upgrading at least one direction (often the overnight flight to Europe) or choosing Economy Plus/Premium Economy.
The easiest ways to find good flights (without drowning in tabs)
You don’t need one “perfect” website. You need a simple system.
Google Flights (best for beginners)
easiest place to compare options quickly
use filters: departure time, total duration, number of stops
set price alerts so you don’t have to constantly check
Skyscanner (great for exploring options)
helpful for flexible dates and seeing a range of airlines
useful if you’re open to nearby departure airports (ex: Denver vs Colorado Springs)
Going.com
good if you want deals delivered to you
especially helpful if you’re flexible and want to subtract the “search stress”
Credit card points (if you use them)
can be powerful, but can also become a rabbit hole
if points feel confusing, keep it simple: focus on one airline family and one travel card (or skip points entirely and just use alerts)
Booking separate tickets (advanced, but sometimes worth it)
-> Example: Denver to New York on Southwest, then New York to Lisbon on another carrier.
This can save money, but it adds risk:
if your first flight is delayed and you miss the international one, the second airline may not protect you
only do this if you build a big buffer (or overnight in the connection city)
A safer variation: If you book separate tickets, plan to arrive in the connecting city the day before your international flight, treat it like a mini stopover, and protect your trip.
Always check the airline directly before you book, even if you find the flight on Google Flights or Skyscanner:
click through and compare the fare on the airline’s website
check baggage rules and what’s included
sometimes the airline site is the same price (or better), and changes can be easier to manage
Use AI to reduce decision fatigue (seriously)
AI is great for narrowing choices—especially if you tell it what you care about!
Try prompts like:
“Here are three itineraries. Which one best supports sleep and jet lag mitigation?”
“I’m a nervous traveler. Which route has the least stressful connection?”
“Help me choose between arriving at 8am vs 1pm local time in Lisbon.”
The goal is not to outsource the decision—it’s to subtract the mental overload.
A simple flight-picking checklist when comparing flight options:
Does the departure time support sleep on the plane (evening is best)?
What’s the total travel time—and what time will I arrive locally?
Is the connection easy (prefer U.S. connection if you’re new)?
Is the layover long enough (min 1:20) but not exhausting (ideally under 3.5)?
Am I avoiding Basic Economy so I can upgrade later if needed?
Is the seat/cabin choice aligned with how I want to feel when I land?
Remember: International travel doesn’t have to feel intimidating. A few thoughtful choices upfront can make the difference between arriving depleted and arriving ready to enjoy the experience.
Choosing well isn’t about being a “pro traveler.” It’s about reducing friction and protecting your energy so your trip starts sooner, physically and mentally.
These same considerations are part of how we design our retreats—so participants arrive grounded, supported, and ready to begin. If you’re curious about upcoming retreat experiences or want help planning your own international travel, you can explore that here.
