For travel in early 2026, New York City (JFK and EWR) consistently remains the cheapest U.S. gateway to Paris (CDG and ORY). Due to the high volume of "Fifth Freedom" flights and intense competition between legacy carriers like Air France and Delta and low-cost alternatives like French bee and JetBlue, round-trip fares often hover between $450 and $550 in the shoulder season. Other budget-friendly contenders in 2026 include Boston (BOS) and Washington D.C. (IAD), which benefit from shorter flight paths and high frequency. Conversely, flights from West Coast hubs like Los Angeles or San Francisco generally start at $750+. To find the absolute lowest rates in 2026, travelers are encouraged to look for "open-jaw" tickets or flights on Norse Atlantic Airways, which often runs promotions from New York to Paris starting as low as $180 one-way (excluding baggage). Flexibility with midweek departures (Tuesday or Wednesday) remains the most effective way to secure these sub-$500 transoceanic fares.