La Compagnie to start Düsseldorf–New York Newark flights in April 2027

La Compagnie will connect Düsseldorf with Newark, near New York, starting April 2027. That makes the North Rhine-Westphalia capital the French business-class carrier's fourth European destination, after Paris-Orly, Milan-Malpensa and Nice.

The route was presented in Düsseldorf. Chief executive Christian Vernet said the city had not been on the carrier's initial list. Early analysis of traffic between the United States and European cities left the airport out, he said, because Düsseldorf had no direct service to the United States at the time. Pre-Covid data then brought what he called untapped potential to the airline's attention.

Spain and Ireland were among the markets examined as alternatives, along with some Italian options, Vernet said. Germany had not been a priority at first, he said, because Lufthansa is very strong in the country. Competing with it in certain cities, particularly at hubs, gives the larger carrier room to pressure rivals on price.

On the fleet, Vernet said the Airbus A321 XLR will have a range of more than 9,600 kilometres. The airline is also reducing the number of seats in its aircraft and has plans for further fleet growth, according to the interview.