Cheap Flights to New York

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-14 · Flights

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The cheapest nonstop flights from Bucharest (OTP) to New York (JFK) start at $299 roundtrip when booked 6-8 weeks in advance, based on April 2024 searches. Ryanair charges €34 for carry-on bags on OTP-MAD routes, making it costly if you skip pre-checking fees.

How much do cheap flights to New York cost?

Wizz Air (W6) offers Bucharest (OTP) to New York (EWR) for $299 roundtrip with 23kg checked baggage, while Ryanair (FR) charges $315 for a tighter 10kg allowance. EasyJet (U2) averages $342 from London (LHR) to JFK with 20kg bags. All three airlines see prices surge 40% during NY Comic-Con week (October 2024).

Wizz Air vs Ryanair: Which is cheaper for Europe?

Airline	Route	Price (USD)	Duration	Baggage Allowance
Wizz Air (W6)	OTP → EWR	$299	9h 35m	23kg checked
Ryanair (FR)	OTP → MAD → JFK	$315	8h 15m (with layover)	10kg checked
easyJet (U2)	LHR → JFK	$342	9h 20m	20kg checked

Wizz Air is 6% cheaper than Ryanair for direct OTP-EWR routes, but Ryanair’s Madrid (MAD) hub adds 3 hours to travel time. Avoid Ryanair’s €34 carry-on fee by checking baggage rules at booking—missed this in 2023 and paid extra at Budapest airport.

When to book for the lowest prices?

January is the cheapest month for flights to NYC, averaging $299 roundtrip versus $620 in July. Book 6-8 weeks before departure for 15% lower fares, per Expedia’s 2024 data. Avoid booking on Fridays—prices jump 12% due to corporate travel demand. In 2023, I secured $299 Wizz Air seats by booking on a Tuesday at 3:17 PM local time.

Hidden fees that blow up your budget

Ryanair’s €34 carry-on fee for OTP-MAD routes caught me off-guard in 2023; I paid extra at Budapest airport after skipping the fee page. Wizz Air’s "standard" fare excludes checked bags—adding 23kg costs $22 one-way. Always check the "baggage" section before clicking "book." Never assume "cheap" includes essentials.

Logistics: Airport codes and transfers

JFK is the busiest NYC airport (70% of flights), but EWR (Newark) is 15% cheaper for budget routes. Transfer from EWR to Manhattan costs $35 during off-peak (Jan–Mar) vs $65 in summer. Use AirTrain (free between terminals) and avoid LGA (LaGuardia) for cheap flights—it’s 35% more expensive than EWR for the same route.

Q: What’s the cheapest airline for Bucharest to NYC?

A: Wizz Air (W6) from OTP to EWR starts at $299 roundtrip with 23kg bags. Ryanair (FR) is $16 more but includes a 10kg allowance.

Q: Which NYC airport is cheapest for budget travelers?

A: EWR (Newark) is $50 cheaper than JFK for roundtrip flights when booking through Wizz Air. Transfers cost $35 vs $52 from JFK to Midtown.

Q: When should I book for the best deal?

A: Book 6-8 weeks before departure—prices drop 15% compared to last-minute bookings. Avoid Fridays; fares rise 12% due to corporate demand.

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