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 Iran.
Of course, there are always deals to be discovered, and dynamic pricing systems that take into account demand, competition, and browsing proclivities 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 OF 10
Condor
Germany’s most popular air carrier started flying with new aircraft in late 2022—for navgeeks, that’s 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 (and all other cabins too). Fly from a number of cities in the U.S., such as Boston, Honolulu, and Orlando, in a quiet cabin with spacious seating and tons of overhead bin storage. Direct aisle access for all seats on long-haul flights, while a common feature of business class cabins, is especially nice for the often gentle price, which might be about $2,500 from Boston to Frankfurt, where you can connect to wherever your European travels are taking you.
2 OF 10
Aer Lingus
If your hub is New York City and you don’t mind a connection en route to Dublin, then there may be no sweeter business class deal than the one we recently discovered for some random summer dates: $1,500! Still, the business class seats on Dublin-based Aer Lingus are generally reasonable compared to other airlines such as United, Lufthansa, or American, and as a OneWorld Alliance member, the option may appeal to American Airlines status holders, who can earn points. On A321XLR aircraft, entertainment screens are 18 inches and provide options for up to 90 hours of TV watching.
3 OF 10
Air Europa
This Spain-based carrier often has some smart 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. And if you book a seat in Air Europa’s economy cabin, you have a chance to bid on an upgrade—you decide how much you’re willing to pay for the gourmet meals and lie-flat seat in the business class cabin, and if your bid is accepted, you’ll be charged and notified hours before take-off.
4 OF 10
TAP Portugal
Headquartered in Lisbon, TAP Portugal flies direct from many U.S. cities, including New York City, Boston, Miami, Chicago, DC, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, to Portugal’s capital, but you can get to many more places in Europe by connecting in Lisbon. Prices to Berlin, Germany, for example, are hovering around $2,200 for dates later this summer. For many travelers, connecting in Lisbon is more appealing than a stopover in London, where taxes can drive the cost of a ticket up. Portuguese wine and food are typically served to business class passengers, and the airline boasts solid soundproofing for a pleasant in-flight experience.
5 OF 10
Iberia
Spain’s flagship carrier is showing some pretty sweet deals for summer travel from New York to Madrid in its business class cabin ($1,879 nonstop flights). It’s one of the airlines that Jimmy Yoon, head of points intelligence at point.me, an award search and loyalty travel platform for travelers, said it is especially affordable when purchased with points, based on the company’s data assessing the upcoming year of travel. Spanish cuisine is served in the upper-class cabin, as are a selection of Spanish wines. You can also bid for an upgrade or even purchase one at check-in, depending on availability.
6 OF 10
JetBlue
When JetBlue expanded to Europe a few years ago, it provided another option for business class travelers hoping to avoid the often very high costs of other major U.S. players (looking at you, Delta Air Lines). Starting with service to London, its Mint Class service now takes passengers from the States to Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin, Edinburgh, and Madrid, with a couple of other cities opening seasonal routes. The airline is proud of its “elevated inflight experience at a down-to-earth fare,” which includes dining from Delicious Hospitality Group, a New York-based group known for popular Manhattan restaurants Charlie Bird and Pasquale Jones. Although it really depends on when and where you want to go, a recent search produced round-trip options for about $3,000.
7 OF 10
Turkish Airlines
Stopping in Istanbul on the way to Athens for some island-hopping in Greece this summer, Turkish Airlines business class travelers can expect to pay a very competitive $2,400 or so based on a recent web search. (Oddly, direct flights to Turkey’s capital from Newark International Airport or John F Kennedy International Airport cost several hundred more, though we are not encouraging skip-lagging, which can actually get you banned from flying.) Lie-flat seats, reputable food service, and warm hospitality contribute to making this affordable option an attractive one as well.
8 OF 10
ITA Airways
The airline that replaced Alitalia in 2021 generally offers affordable business class fares direct to Rome (its main connecting hub) and Milan from several major U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. A recent search on the Italian carrier showed nonstop business class flights from Chicago to Rome for a little over $2,000. High-class Italian cuisine is served during flights, and you can even finish your meal with a limoncello. The airline makes special note of its thoughtful lighting system, which changes throughout the journey as you travel through time zones.
9 OF 10
British Airways
Once it finally phased out its old business-class configuration, which featured tightly packed seats with alternating forward- and backward-facing rows, British Airways became a real contender in the premium cabin space. Fly from New York’s JFK to London Heathrow for about $2,200 (prices based on a recent search) and leave from Boston for a couple of hundred less. As one of the most established transatlantic carriers — and a partner of American Airlines if you’re working towards status—British Airways is a trusted brand, consistently delivering attentive service and good lounge access at many airports.
10 OF 10
Finnair
One of the best, affordable options for those traveling from the U.S. to Scandinavia, this Helsinki-based airline’s business class cabins offer sleek Nordic-inspired design and, of course, lie-flat seating—the latter especially welcome during the nine-plus hour nonstop from Dallas to Helsinki (less than $3,000 based on recent June travel dates). Marimekko linens, including a mattress, and an amenity kit are nice touches, as is the food presentation—dishes served on Finnish-designed Iittala chinaware. The cabin class only comes with one free hour of Wi-Fi, however, with such affordable prices to Europe, it’s hardly a deal breaker.