Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, and one of the trickiest to fly to. There are no nonstop flights from the United States to Florence. Florence Airport (FLR) has a short runway that only handles smaller jets, so long-haul planes from the US can’t land there. The good news: business class flights to Florence are easy with one smooth connection. You cross the Atlantic in a lie-flat seat, then a short hop lands you about 15 minutes from the city centre. This guide covers the best routes, the airlines, and how to get the most reasonable business class fare.
The short answer
- There is no nonstop flight from the US to Florence (FLR).
- The most popular way is Delta with Air France via Paris or Delta with KLM via Amsterdam: one ticket, lie-flat across the Atlantic, then a short flight into Florence.
- Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich and Swiss via Zurich are also great options, often booked together with United.
- Prefer a nonstop? Delta flies nonstop to Rome (FCO), and Florence is about 1.5 hours from Rome by high-speed train.
Best one-stop business class routes to Florence
| Route | Airlines | Connect in | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| US – Paris – Florence | Delta + Air France | Paris (CDG) | New York, Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis and more |
| US – Amsterdam – Florence | Delta + KLM | Amsterdam (AMS) | New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Detroit |
| US – Frankfurt/Munich – Florence | United + Lufthansa | Frankfurt (FRA) or Munich (MUC) | Chicago, Newark, Washington, Denver, San Francisco |
| US – Zurich – Florence | Swiss / United | Zurich (ZRH) | New York, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles |
| US – London – Florence | American + British Airways | London Heathrow (LHR) | Dallas, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles |
| US – Rome – Florence | ITA Airways | Rome (FCO) | New York, Boston, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles |
Why Delta via Paris or Amsterdam is so popular: Delta, Air France and KLM work as one team. You book a single Delta ticket to Florence, your bags are checked all the way through, and you cross the Atlantic in a lie-flat Delta One, Air France Business or KLM World Business Class seat. The short flight from Paris or Amsterdam into Florence is on a smaller Air France or KLM jet with European business class: a comfortable seat with the middle seat kept free, lounge access and priority boarding.
Prefer a nonstop? Fly business class to Rome, then train to Florence
If you’d rather avoid a connection in another country, fly nonstop to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and take Italy’s high-speed train to Florence. It’s about 1 hour 30 minutes from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, right in the city centre.
Delta flies nonstop to Rome from New York JFK, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis and Seattle (several routes are seasonal). Other nonstop business class flights to Rome include:
- United: from Newark, Washington Dulles, Chicago, Denver and San Francisco
- American Airlines: from New York JFK, Chicago, Miami, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Dallas
- ITA Airways (Italy’s airline): from New York JFK, Boston, Miami, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Houston (seasonal)
Read more in our guide to Delta One business class to Rome.
Pisa and Bologna: other airports near Florence
- Pisa (PSA): about an hour from Florence by train, often with good fares. No US nonstops, so you connect in Europe.
- Bologna (BLQ): about 40 minutes from Florence on the high-speed train, and a smart choice when Florence fares are high. Again, you connect in Europe.
We always compare Florence, Pisa, Bologna and Rome for your dates, because the cheapest business class fare is not always into Florence itself.
Business class flights to Florence from major US cities
- New York to Florence business class: Delta via Paris or Amsterdam, United and Lufthansa via Frankfurt, Swiss via Zurich, or ITA via Rome. You can also fly nonstop to Rome on Delta, United, American or ITA.
- Boston to Florence business class: Delta via Paris or Amsterdam, Swiss via Zurich, or Delta and ITA nonstop to Rome and then the train.
- Chicago to Florence business class: United and Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich, KLM via Amsterdam, or nonstop to Rome on United, American or ITA.
- Atlanta, Detroit and Minneapolis to Florence: Delta’s home cities. Fly Delta via Paris or Amsterdam, or Delta nonstop to Rome.
- Washington, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco to Florence: one stop through a European hub, or nonstop to Rome and on by train.
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Business class to other cities in Italy
- Rome (FCO): the most nonstop choices from the US
- Milan (MXP): nonstop from New York, Boston and Miami, plus more cities
- Venice (VCE): seasonal nonstops, plus easy one-stop options
- Naples (NAP), Sicily (Catania and Palermo), Bari and Sardinia (Olbia): seasonal summer nonstops from New York and Chicago
For more detail, see our guide to nonstop flights from New York to Italy.
How to find the most reasonable business class fare to Florence
- Compare airports. Florence, Pisa, Bologna and Rome can be very different in price on the same day.
- Be flexible by a day or two. Midweek departures are often cheaper.
- Try an open jaw. Fly into Florence and home from Rome or Venice, so you don’t backtrack.
- Book early for spring and summer. April to October is the busiest season for Tuscany.
- Ask about private fares. Airlines release some business class fares only through travel agencies. These are not shown on airline websites and can save up to 45 to 60% on selected routes and dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a nonstop flight from the US to Florence?
No. Florence Airport’s runway is too short for long-haul planes, so every flight from the US to Florence has one stop, usually in Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, London or Rome.
Does Delta fly to Florence?
Delta doesn’t fly its own planes to Florence, but it sells business class tickets to Florence that connect in Paris on Air France or in Amsterdam on KLM, all on one ticket. Delta also flies nonstop to Rome.
What is the best way to fly business class to Florence?
For most travellers, Delta with Air France via Paris or Delta with KLM via Amsterdam: one ticket, a lie-flat seat across the Atlantic and a short hop into Florence. Lufthansa via Frankfurt and Swiss via Zurich are excellent alternatives.
How long does it take to fly to Florence from New York?
Usually 11 to 14 hours in total, including the connection.
Should I fly into Rome or Florence?
If you want a nonstop flight, fly into Rome and take the train to Florence (about 1.5 hours). If you want to land right next to Florence, choose a one-stop flight into FLR.
Ready to plan your trip to Florence? Tell us your departure city and dates. A business class specialist will compare flights into Florence, Pisa, Bologna and Rome, including private fares you won’t find online, and send you the best options. Request your free quote, call +1-850-502-5028 or message us on WhatsApp.
Route information is based on airline schedules as of October 2026. Airlines change routes each season, so please check the latest schedule before you book.