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Flying business or first class across the Atlantic has been out of reach for many travellers. Airline ticket prices from New York to Europe have ranged between $3,000 and $7,000 in business class. Here are some tips to reduce that airfare and help get you in to that business class premium cabin.
Tip 1: Fly All-Business Class L’Avion
L’Avion is an all-business class carrier serving Paris Orly from New York Newark. It flies twice daily using a Boeing 757 configured to 90 seats. Flights are available from $1,550 return.
Note that L’Avion is currently the only all-business carrier flying transatlantic after the recent bankruptcies of Maxjet, EOS Airlines and Silverjet.
Tip 2: Get a deal with BA’s OpenSkies
OpenSkies is a British Airways subsidiary which partners L’Avion and flies daily from Paris Orly to New York JFK. It also uses a Boeing 757 but is configured with 3 classes and a total of only 82 seats.
“Biz” class is BA’s top notch product and prices are available from $3,700 return. Economy fares are priced from under $1,000.
Watch for special offers and introductory prices as they expand their network around Europe over the next year or two.
Tip 3: Airfare Wars
The “open skies” agreement between the EU and US has opened up the market for transatlantic flights – resulting in lower airfares for the passenger.
The most competitive route is London – New York and prices have dropped to under $2,000 for some business class fares.
Keep an eye on the “war” between Air France (and its partner Delta) and British Airways (and partner American) as they encroach on each other’s territory.
Tip 4: Fly via Iceland
If flying transatlantic business class, get price quotations from the more ‘off-beat’ airlines that you may never have considered.
For example, Icelandair flies from London to New York via Reykjavik and can be extremely competitive with its Saga Class (business class) airfares. Prices are often under £1,100 / $2,200 for a round trip all-in. It routinely undercuts the big boys by 30-40% in a bid to poach traffic to route through Iceland rather than flying non-stop.
Icelandair’s website is excellent at finding the best fares and you can also find cheap upgrade deals if flying economy.
Tip 5: Consider Middle-Eastern or Asian Carriers
Some other off-beat airlines ply their trade between Europe and the USA such as Kuwait Airways and Air India both of whom fly from London to New York. Pakistan International Airlines serves Manchester, UK to both New York and Chicago.
Air India offers business class return deals from Heathrow to JFK from £1,100 on a Boeing 777. It also serves Paris non-stop from New York.
You can find London – NYC business class deals on Kuwait Airways from around £850 / $1,700 return, also on a Boeing 777. Or fly First Class for £1,700 / $3,400.
Tip 6: Go Premium
If your budget doesn’t stretch as far as business class, then book a premium economy ticket. You will get superior legroom and a better chair than the standard economy class seat. It will also mean that you are more likely to be upgraded for free to business class. This is due to the relatively small number of premium economy seats available – any overbooked situation in economy will overspill to premium economy and you could be bumped up to business class. This doesn’t happen every time, but choose a busy flight and you will not harm your chances.
Tip 7: Invest in Your Air Travel Knowledge
If you are serious about flying premium then you should consider investing in the Ultimate Airfares & Upgrades Guide from AirTravelGenius.com This guide teaches you many useful insider tips and tricks to maximise your chances of flying business or first class, helps you find the world’s lowest airfares in any class and how to really make the most of your air miles (most miles are unfortunately wasted). If you ever fly internationally this guide is a must-read – especially now as we face high oil prices and spiraling inflation.
The ‘Ultimate Airfares & Upgrades Guide’ ebook is available at http://www.airtravelgenius.com These secret insider tips and techniques could really save you thousands of pounds, dollars or euros in airfare costs. Learn how to find that rock-bottom low airfare, how to get elite frequent flyer status in as little as a few weeks, and find amazing ‘hidden’ business class deals. All this and much much more.
Want to improve your chances of a free airline upgrade? For this and lots more useful info you are always welcome to head over to the comprehensive frequent flyer articles section at:
http://www.airtravelgenius.com/articles
or check out the blog: http://www.airtravelgenius.com/blog for air travel tips and deals.
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