Why Condor Is a European Carrier Worth Booking for U.S. Fliers

As U.S. travelers start to book flights for spring and summer travel, there’s a European airline they shouldn’t overlook.

Condor, a German carrier based in Frankfurt with routes extending throughout Europe, is making its mark in the U.S. market. Last spring, Condor significantly expanded its U.S. route network, adding nonstop flights to a total of 12 major U.S. airports like New York JFK, Boston, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Minneapolis to Germany and onto 90 other destinations in Spain, Greece, France, and Italy.

Now, Condor is upgrading its in-flight experience on its U.S. routes: Earlier this month, it launched the first of 16 brand new Airbus A330neo planes on its route between Frankfurt and JFK. Once all 16 jets roll out, the new planes will operate all of Condor’s long-haul flights.

Passengers based in the U.S. will likely begin to see more of the German airline’s bold and colorful striped planes. Here’s why Condor is a European airline that American travelers should consider booking with.

Inside the new A330neo planes

Starting in May, the carrier will begin offering daily nonstop flights between JFK and its Frankfurt hub. The new planes operating the route will offer perks across all three cabin classes—economy, premium economy, and business class. All passengers will have access to benefits like new mood lighting, larger overhead bins, USB A/C charge ports, and in-flight entertainment with Bluetooth capability. Additionally, the new aircraft will have high-speed Wi-Fi, and every seat will have “an extra holder for a mobile device, so that streaming is also possible,” the airline says.

Another new feature on the A330neos is a revamped premium economy class, with 64 seats that have extra legroom (35 inches of pitch compared to 30 inches in regular economy), a footrest, and a deeper recline. Although premium economy seats are more spacious, they’re configured in the same 2-4-2 layout as regular economy seats.

Spacious business-class and Prime Seat

The plane’s business class has 30 seats, each with access to the aisle and a lie-flat bed that stretches to 6.5 feet long and 19 inches wide. In addition to the cocktail table, coat hook, and large storage compartment, the business seats come with 17.3-inch entertainment screens. Overall, the design of the business seats is fresh and modern, with a palette of calming navy blues as well as wood and striped accents.

But those aren’t even the best seats on the plane: For an additional 199 euros, business-class passengers can upgrade to one of four Prime Seats in the very front row of the aircraft. These are even more spacious seats, featuring additional amenities like a bigger bed, a visitor’s seat with a table in between for dining or drinks with a travel companion, an extra-large 24-inch entertainment screen, in-flight pajamas, and a personal basket of sweet and salty snacks.

Passengers flying out of JFK in business class will also be able to access Condor’s new lounge in Terminal 7.

How much do fares cost?

Flights between JFK and Frankfurt in March start at about $240 one-way in economy and about $1,200 for one-way in business class; while flights from the West Coast to Frankfurt for March start at about $310 one-way in economy and $2,400 in business.

The airline’s website also has a last-minute flight deal finder, for passengers looking for a cheap flight within the next month or so. The tool lets users input their approximate travel dates and browse destinations or travel windows that have the cheapest fares.

Additionally, Condor has a partnership with Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan frequent flier program, meaning U.S. travelers can earn and spend Alaska miles on Condor flights.