This introductory essay for a special issue of the Journal of Transatlantic Studies on transnational transatlantic relations begins by providing a brief overview of the emergence of the transnational approach in the humanities and social sciences before tracking the development of the ‘transnational turn’ when applied to transatlantic studies in the fields of History and Literature. It goes on to consider the tendency of historical studies employing a transnational approach to focus on ‘ordinary people’, rather than ‘elites’, and suggests that when directed at the transatlantic region a transnational approach has the potential to bridge this divide. The introduction finishes with a brief overview of the articles included in the special issue.