Flying to Europe in style doesn’t have to be a pipe dream.
Airfare prices are heating up. Even some domestic routes within the United States have caused sticker shock, including for this writer, who was surprised at the high cost of a recent round-trip flight from New York City to Savannah.
But many U.S. travelers have their sights set on Europe, and would strongly prefer to travel comfortably in a business class seat. Nothing beats a lie-flat seat, regular meal service, and a little pampering for a better chance of arriving in a new time zone feeling refreshed and ready to see the sights. Business class air travel, while becoming more popular, doesn’t come cheap, however, and it has gotten even more expensive, thanks to jet fuel surcharges tied to the war in Ukraine.
Of course, there are always deals to be discovered, and dynamic pricing systems that take into account demand, competition, and browsing history can work in your favor.
CEO of Dollar Flight Club, a travel membership service that finds airfare deals, Jesse Neugarten said, “If you’re seeing [business class fare] under $2,500, that’s a great deal, and you should book.”
Here are the 10 unofficial most affordable business class options for round-trip travel to Europe.
1. Condor
Germany’s most popular air carrier started flying with new aircraft in late 2022 — for aviation enthusiasts, that’s the Airbus A330-900neo — with a stated goal from CEO Ralf Teckentrup to provide fliers with the highest level of comfort in a brand new business class cabin. Fly from a number of U.S. cities, such as Boston, Honolulu, and Orlando, in a quiet cabin with spacious seating and plenty of overhead bin storage. Direct aisle access for all seats on long-haul flights is a common business class feature, and is especially appealing here given the often reasonable price — around $2,500 from Boston to Frankfurt, where you can connect onward to wherever your European travels are taking you.
2. Aer Lingus
If your hub is New York City and you don’t mind a connection en route to Dublin, there may be no sweeter business class deal than one recently discovered for some summer dates: $1,500. Aer Lingus business class fares are generally reasonable compared to carriers such as United, Lufthansa, or American, and as a Oneworld Alliance member, the airline may appeal to American Airlines status holders who want to earn points. On A321XLR aircraft, entertainment screens measure 18 inches and offer up to 90 hours of TV content.
3. Air Europa
This Spain-based carrier often has competitive business class deals on flights from the U.S. to major European cities. From New York to Paris, you might snag a seat for about $1,500, albeit with a stop in Madrid, the airline’s primary hub. If you book an economy seat, you also have the option to bid on an upgrade — you decide how much you’re willing to pay for the gourmet meals and lie-flat seat in business class, and if your bid is accepted, you’ll be charged and notified hours before takeoff.
4. TAP Portugal
Headquartered in Lisbon, TAP Portugal flies direct from many U.S. cities — including New York City, Boston, Miami, Chicago, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and San Francisco — to Portugal’s capital, with onward connections to many more European destinations. Prices to Berlin, for example, hover around $2,200 for later summer dates. For many travelers, connecting in Lisbon is more appealing than a London stopover, where taxes can drive up ticket costs considerably. Portuguese wine and food are typically served to business class passengers, and the airline boasts solid soundproofing for a pleasant in-flight experience.
