US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Norway, And Italy Airlines Adapt To The Growing Power Of Global Alliances, Which Are Tightening Their Grip On The Highly Competitive Transatlantic Air Travel Market In 2025

Published on October 9, 2025

In 2025, airlines from the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Norway, and Italy are facing an increasingly competitive landscape as global airline alliances continue to tighten their control over the transatlantic air travel market. These alliances—such as Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and Oneworld—offer immense advantages, including coordinated flight schedules, shared loyalty programs, and more efficient operational strategies. As a result, airlines from these countries are adapting by strengthening their participation in these powerful networks, adjusting their route offerings, and fine-tuning their customer experience to maintain their position in one of the world’s most lucrative and competitive aviation corridors. This shift reflects the growing influence of alliances, which are reshaping the dynamics of international air travel.

The transatlantic air market, connecting North America and Europe, remains one of the most competitive and lucrative segments of global aviation in 2025. Despite the presence of nearly 50 airlines competing for passengers, the major global alliances and their largest member carriers continue to dominate the market.

Data from OAG indicates a significant rise in transatlantic flight capacity, increasing by 55% since 2010. This surge highlights the strong demand from both business and leisure travelers. The transatlantic market now ranks as the fifth-largest international air market worldwide, with hundreds of daily flights linking numerous cities in the U.S. and Europe.

Five Key Nations Lead the Transatlantic Market

The United States stands as the largest player in transatlantic aviation, holding 34% of the total seat capacity. Although this share has decreased from 40% in 2010, U.S. carriers still maintain a dominant position in the market. Canada follows with 16%, while the United Kingdom and Germany each contribute 14%. France completes the top five with 11%. Together, these five countries represent almost 90% of all passenger traffic crossing the Atlantic.

However, no single airline holds a clear dominance over the market. Two major U.S. airlines each control about 12% of the total market share, leading the competition in terms of individual shares.

The Powerhouses of Frequency and Reach

One carrier stands out in terms of frequency, operating 23 daily return flights on the 10 busiest transatlantic routes. Two other major airlines operate 14 daily return flights each, contributing significantly to the overall market capacity. These airlines benefit from their membership in the world’s leading global alliances: Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and Oneworld. Membership in these alliances allows airlines to coordinate schedules, share passengers, and expand loyalty programs, making their networks more extensive and interconnected.

The Strategic Advantage of Airline Alliances

Global airline alliances offer a clear advantage in the competitive transatlantic market. They enable member airlines to jointly operate flights, synchronize schedules, and provide seamless connections for passengers. This collaborative structure creates a smoother experience for travelers and provides participating airlines with financial stability.

The advantages of these partnerships are considerable. Members can share pricing strategies, coordinate flight schedules, and consolidate frequent-flyer programs, ensuring loyalty among frequent travelers. Major airports like Heathrow, Charles de Gaulle, and JFK serve as key hubs where alliance members often share terminals and lounges, improving the transfer experience for passengers.

Loyalty programs also play a central role in the success of alliances. By pooling frequent-flyer miles and rewards, airlines ensure that high-value business travelers remain within their networks. This system is difficult for low-cost carriers to replicate, further solidifying the competitive edge of alliance members.

Challenges for New Entrants

Although the transatlantic market is highly attractive, breaking into it is a significant challenge. The failure of low-cost carriers like Norwegian and WOW Air highlights the financial difficulties of long-haul, low-cost flying. In 2021, Norwegian suspended its long-haul operations, citing rising fuel costs and insufficient premium passenger revenue.

While newer carriers like Norse Atlantic Airways and JetBlue are entering the market, they are taking a more cautious approach. These airlines focus on select city pairs or niche passenger segments, rather than competing directly with alliance giants. Their efforts are hampered by several challenges, including rising fuel prices, high airport fees at major hubs like JFK and Heathrow, and limited takeoff and landing slots. Seasonal fluctuations in demand further constrain profitability, making the entry barriers even higher for newcomers.

The Busiest Long-Haul Route: New York–London

The New York–London route remains the busiest long-haul air corridor in the world. In summer 2025, this route features 44 daily flights in each direction, highlighting its dominance in the transatlantic market.

The breakdown of flights on this route includes:

• One carrier: 8 return flights daily
• Another carrier: 6
• A third carrier: 4
• Two more carriers: 2 each

Heathrow appears in seven of the ten busiest transatlantic routes, while New York City—comprising JFK and Newark—appears in four. Other major airports, such as Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt, continue to anchor transatlantic connectivity. On the Paris–New York route, newer carriers operate a single daily return flight, competing with multiple frequencies from leading airlines.

Canada’s Role in Transatlantic Aviation

Canadian airlines play a significant role in transatlantic aviation. One carrier operates three to four daily return flights between Toronto and London, as well as two flights between Paris and Montreal. A leisure carrier complements these operations with one or two daily flights on similar routes, catering mainly to budget-conscious travelers.

In 2025, airlines from the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Norway, and Italy are adapting to the growing power of global alliances, which are tightening their grip on the transatlantic air travel market by offering coordinated schedules, shared loyalty programs, and operational efficiencies, reshaping the competitive landscape.

Industry analysts predict that major global alliances will maintain their dominance in the transatlantic market well into the future. The scale and global reach of these alliances give them a strong advantage in managing rising operational costs and adapting to shifting travel trends.

While smaller carriers may find success by targeting underserved routes or offering specialized services, their growth will likely remain slow. Ultimately, the biggest winners in the expanding transatlantic market will continue to be the large carriers already entrenched in global alliances. These alliances not only control vast networks across the Atlantic but also enjoy the loyalty of millions of travelers worldwide, giving them a clear edge in the competitive landscape of transatlantic aviation.