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Two airlines announced Newark-Paris flights on the same day. It may not last.

Sept. 12, 2019
3 min read
20190521_French Bee_Economy_JTGenter-8
Two airlines announced Newark-Paris flights on the same day. It may not last.
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Francophiles of New York City, rejoice. Your options to fly to Paris have just multiplied.

On Thursday, Corsair announced a new nonstop service from Newark to Paris-Orly, beginning in June 2020. Mere hours later, French Bee, a low-cost French carrier mostly known in the U.S. for service between California and French Polynesia, said it was joining the fray in the New York-Paris market by serving the same airports, and also starting in June 2020.

The announcements mean that by next year, barring any unforeseen route suspensions, the total number of airlines operating between the New York metro area and Paris will be a whopping 10.

Competition from Corsair and French Bee could further destabilize Norwegian's market share on the route, as that airline continues to struggle financially.

Although New York is the most popular long-haul destination from Paris, it's unclear if there's enough demand to fill all the new planes that will soon be headed there from the French capital.

“I think it will be a financial bloodbath for both airlines and we’ll have to wait and see who has the stronger balance sheet and intestinal fortitude," said Henry Harteveldt, president of the travel analysis firm Atmosphere Research. "There’s a lot of capacity between the New York area and Paris, and it’s unclear to me whether the market can sustain all of these carriers.”

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Harteveldt said his concern is compounded by the fact that both newcomers are planning to operate widebody aircraft on the route: an A330 for Corsair and an A350 for French Bee.

“I’d feel more confident if one, preferably both, were using a single-aisle airplane, simply because you can still put a lot of seats on those in a high-density configuration," Harteveldt said. “It’s going to be a lot easier to sell a couple hundred seats than 350-400 seats.”

According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation via Diio by Cirium, just over 2.3 million passengers traveled between New York and Paris in 2018, and it's unclear if the new service will stimulate more demand or if the market is already maxed out or close to it.

But, Harteveldt said, while all of the flights and carriers are operating, travelers should be able to find some great deals between the two cities, especially for passengers from the U.S. who will further benefit from a favorable exchange rate between the dollar and the euro.

So, enjoy the choices and likely low fares while you can. They don't seem destined to last. And if you want to know what to expect on French Bee, read our recent review of one of the airline's existing U.S. flights.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.