Nice–New York flight to run year-round as US travel to French Riviera grows
High-profile transatlantic service reflects rising numbers of Americans visiting the south of France city
The airline offers business class only flights between the US and Europe
Ian Schofield / Alamy Stock Photo
A business class-only flight between Nice and New York is being extended into the winter season for the first time this year, amid strong travel figures between the United States and French Riviera.
French airline La Compagnie currently runs the route between Nice and Newark airport – in New Jersey but marketed by the airline as serving New York – between April and September.
Flights will run twice per week between October - March, before returning to the summer schedule (four times per week) in April 2027.
Planes will depart Nice on Tuesdays and Fridays at midday, arriving in the US around 15:30 (local time). In the opposite direction, planes will leave Newark on Mondays and Fridays at around 20:30, landing in Nice on Saturday morning.
"This extension responds to the growing interest of North American travellers in the French Riviera throughout the year and supports the destination's desire to develop its appeal across all seasons,” Nice airport states in a press release.
Around 500,000 Americans land in Nice airport annually, but only a quarter of these come on direct flights, with the airport looking to expand connections.
“By maintaining a year-round transatlantic connection, it strengthens our regional appeal and offers business and leisure travellers alike a privileged gateway to a destination that continues to promote Franco-American friendship,” said chairman of Nice airport’s board of directors Franck Goldnadel, quoted in Le Figaro.
The announcement of the year-long route comes after a new Nice-Boston direct flight was recently launched.
Nice airport also serves New York (JFK airport), Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Washington in the US, as well as Montréal in Canada with direct routes.
Business class exclusive
The new winter route will remain an extension of La Compagnie’s summer service.
Using an adapted A321neo plane, all seats on board are business class. This means that there are only 76 seats, laid out in a 2x2 configuration.
Every seat on the plane fully retracts into a bed, with amenities including free WiFi and lounge access, meditation channels and curated entertainment content, as well as fast-track options through security and check-in.
Meals on-board are designed based on the European destination (Nice, Milan, Paris), and for flights to the Riviera a Mediterranean-style service is offered.
Flights are also equipped with a wine cellar of organic wines to pair with courses.
Flights between Nice and Newark begin from €2,795 return, but depending on the travel dates a one-way trip can cost over €1,700.
More US tourists?
The decision to operate the flight year-round reinforces data that points to American clientele as being increasingly important for the Riviera’s tourism sector.
State statistics body Insee reports that Americans were the single-largest group of travellers to Nice between January - August 2025, accounting for 150,000 stays.
This is 18% higher than the year before, and 2024 itself saw a 26% jump from 2023 figures.
“This is good news for the economic development of the region and there is a real need for connectivity between American platforms and the south of France throughout the year,” said head of communications for Nice airport Aymeric Staub, quoted in Le Figaro.
