Transatlantic crossings are passages of passengers and cargo across the Atlantic Ocean between Europe or Africa and the Americas. The majority of passenger traffic is across the North Atlantic between Western Europe and North America.

Its evolution can be divided into four distinct phases: Introduction. The steamship Great Western can be considered one of the first liners in 1838, crossing the Atlantic in 15.5 days. Early liners were made of wood and used paddle wheels, often complemented by sails, as the main form of propulsion.

Historians across the world continue to dispute who made the first transatlantic crossing and when it happened. The main contenders for the title are famed explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492, Vikings in the 10th century, or Europeans of the Stone Age, perhaps as far back as 18,000 years ago.

The first transpolar transatlantic (and transcontinental) crossing was the non-stop flight piloted by the crew led by Valery Chkalov covering some 8,811 kilometres (5,475 mi) over 63 hours from Moscow, Russia to Vancouver, Washington from 18–20 June 1937.

For the first transatlantic jet flight, the time was 10.5 hours to New York and 6 hours the other direction with favorable winds, for an average of 8 hours. Propeller planes were making the trip in 14 hours.