Evaluating Condor Airways’ common and Prime business-class seats

Fast take: Condor Airways gives a good way to fly between North America and Europe, with first rate award availability.

Execs

• Sharp cabin design and aggressive seats
• Service is pleasant and environment friendly
• Sometimes good award availability utilizing Alaska Airways miles

Cons

• Leisure system’s distant management is difficult
• Seats might provide a little bit extra privateness
• Some long-haul routes are seasonal or don’t function each day, which might make timing troublesome

Condor Airways just isn’t actually a family title within the U.S., regardless of its comparatively strong route community that features flights from a number of U.S. gateways to its fundamental hub in Frankfurt.

For those who’ve seen a Condor Airways jet, nonetheless, it is unmistakable, because of the airline’s daring, striped livery that was launched again in 2022 as a rebranding for what was as soon as a low-cost leisure airline.

A part of that rebrand included the appearance of new business-class cabins and seats that went into service in 2023. Since then, I have been hankering to fly the German provider to expertise it for myself.

I lastly had the prospect this previous June when I discovered an award ticket from Los Angeles to Johannesburg by way of Frankfurt, all in Condor Airways’ new enterprise class, utilizing Alaska Airways Mileage Plan miles.

Not solely did I get to fly the brand new business-class seats, however I additionally splurged on one of many airline’s business-plus “Prime” seats on the entrance of the cabin to see if the expertise actually felt that completely different. It did.

Here is what it’s good to learn about flying Condor Airways enterprise class and methods to profit from the expertise.

How a lot does it price to e-book Condor Airways enterprise class?

How a lot it prices to e-book Condor Airways enterprise class relies on your origin and vacation spot.

My ticket from Los Angeles to Johannesburg by way of Frankfurt would have price $5,470. As an alternative, I used to be in a position to redeem 110,000 Alaska Airways Mileage Plan miles plus $96 for my ticket, yielding a worth of about 4.9 cents per mile redeemed — not unhealthy contemplating TPG’s July 2025 valuation of Mileage Plan miles is 1.5 cents apiece.

For my Los Angeles-to-Frankfurt flight, I paid an additional $300 for one of many Enterprise Prime seats. It might have price $240 to take action on the flight from Frankfurt to Johannesburg, which is about the identical size, however I simply saved a traditional seat project for that leg since I needed to match the experiences.

After boarding was full on my flight from Los Angeles, the flight attendants introduced that there was one business-class seat left, to which you may improve from financial system for 899 euros ($1,056), and one premium financial system seat, which was accessible for 179 euros ($210). So, that might be fascinating when you resolve you wish to splurge on the final minute. There was no such provide on my Johannesburg flight.

Checking into and boarding Condor Airways enterprise class

Condor Airways business-class passengers can take pleasure in the next precedence providers on the airport.

At Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX), Condor Airways’ check-in desks are in Terminal 2. There have been separate traces for financial system, premium financial system and enterprise class, however the brokers have been taking people on a first-come, first-served foundation, periodically checking if there have been business-class passengers ready in order that they might be given precedence.

Passengers have been directed to move upstairs by way of safety in Terminal 1 after which to a cordoned-off space to attend for a shuttle to the west gates at Tom Bradley Worldwide Terminal. I waited about 10 minutes in line earlier than a shuttle arrived, after which the trip took about 10 minutes.

It is circuitous, however it’s truly sooner than strolling all the way in which to Tom Bradley after which having to stroll by way of the underground passage from the primary terminal to the west gates from there.

Condor Airways has an settlement in order that its business-class passengers can entry Air France’s lounge at LAX, which we coated when it opened. It’s situated two ranges up from the primary concourse and options loads of meals and different facilities

Condor Airways operates out of Terminal 1 at Frankfurt Airport (FRA), and its business-class passengers can entry a number of Lufthansa business-class lounges, in addition to the Luxx lounge.

I went to the Lufthansa business-class lounge nearest to my gate (B44) and had it virtually to myself for the primary few hours of the afternoon. There was a small collection of meals, together with rooster curry, asparagus soup and numerous snacks, together with a collection of gentle pretzels, plus German wines, beers and an intensive array of spirits.

I largely hunkered all the way down to work, although, after which grabbed a fast bathe earlier than my flight to Johannesburg.

How comfy is Condor Airways enterprise class?

There’s a single, massive business-class cabin on the entrance of Condor Airways’ Airbus A330-900neos with 30 seats organized in seven rows of 4 seats, every in a 1-2-1 sample, plus a pair of Enterprise Prime seats in Row 1.

These are Safran’s Skylounge Core seats, and every is 21 inches huge between the armrests (although the again cushion is simply 17.5 inches huge) and reclines to a lie-flat mattress that is 78 inches lengthy.

The 4 Prime seats within the entrance row are extra non-public and spacious. These are the identical width as the opposite seats, however as a substitute of getting a footwell, they’ve an open ottoman that is 28 inches huge and 27 inches deep, supplying you with far more sleeping area.

The ottoman even has a seat belt so somebody can be a part of you for a meal or drink.

As for the remainder of the cabin, seats on the perimeters are alternately nearer to the aisle or to the window, whereas these within the center are nearer collectively in odd-numbered rows and farther aside in even rows.

Sadly, there are not any privateness dividers between middle seats (apart from the Prime ones in Row 1), so when you’re not touring with a companion, you may find yourself sitting somewhat near a stranger.

Essentially the most non-public seats are the A and Okay ones alongside the home windows within the even-numbered rows, so I would counsel these for solo vacationers.

All seats in Condor Airways’ enterprise class are upholstered in good-looking indigo-colored cloth with blue-and-white striped headrests that play on the airline’s livery, together with a little bit stencil of the provider’s brand. In addition they have faux-wood siding and brushed steel accents that create a pared-down, refined look.

Although they don’t have doorways, the seat shell kinds a privateness defend from the aisle that extends about 10 inches from the seatback.

Alongside the broader armrest is a set of buttons to maneuver the seat into preset positions and one for the seatback ambient gentle. Not like these on another airways, these weren’t terribly delicate, so I did not unintentionally elbow my seat into motion.

Embedded within the armrest is a corded distant for the leisure display screen, a common energy plug and each USB-A and USB-C ports. There are additionally an open shelf for stowing private gadgets and a bottle of water, and a hook for holding the supplied noise-canceling headphones. This open compartment has an ambient gentle and a small studying gentle subsequent to the seat’s headrest.

With regular business-class seats, the desk slides out from below the leisure monitor. Within the Enterprise Prime seats, the desk flips down from the aspect of the seat after which slides back and forth, which is helpful.

In lie-flat mode, the mattress measures 6 ft, 6 inches, and the footwell in common seats is 17 inches huge by 12 inches excessive, so there was loads of room for my ft, although turning over was a problem. The airline gives a breathable mattress pad in each Prime and common business-class seats, which is sweet as a result of the seat cushions are agency, together with a blanket and a pillow.

As talked about, the Enterprise Prime seats have open ottomans somewhat than footwells, in order that makes sleeping a bit extra comfy. The ottoman is 20 inches away from the seat cushion in upright mode, so that you need not have lengthy legs with a purpose to prop your ft up.

Enterprise Prime seats even have a small stowage compartment close to their entrances, and there are 18 inches of clearance to the aisle, making it straightforward to get out and in.

There are many overhead compartments for passengers to make use of, too, together with some that run down the center. Sadly, there are not any particular person air nozzles, so you’re topic to the flight attendants’ temperature controls, however they saved the cabin comfortably cool on each my flights. The handbook window shades (versus digitally dimming ones) additionally helped preserve out the warmth.

Lastly, there are three toilets accessible to business-class passengers. One is behind the cockpit, previous the ahead galley. The opposite two are on the rear of the cabin. There isn’t a galley again there, although, so in case you are in Row 8, you will be fairly near them. There have been Rituals merchandise in them for passengers to make use of, however there have been no different frills to talk of. On the draw back, neither the sink nor the bathroom was touchless.

Facilities in Condor Airways enterprise class

Arrange earlier than boarding, every business-class seat had a mattress pad, a full-size blanket and a medium-size pillow, together with a pair of striped slippers.

I additionally discovered a pair of noise-canceling headphones hanging from a seat-side hook together with ear covers, they usually functioned effectively on each flights.

The Prime amenity package got here within the type of a cotton pouch and contained:

• A dental package with a toothbrush and toothpaste
• An eye fixed masks
• A pair of branded socks
• Rituals “Jing” lotus-jujube merchandise, together with hand cream, physique mist, lip balm and face moisturizer

There was additionally a faux-leather journey organizer and a gadget bag that was a cute contact.

Once I was simply in a normal seat for the second leg of my journey, the amenity package I used to be given was produced from recycled paper and contained many of the similar gadgets, apart from the Rituals face moisturizer and physique mist. As an alternative of a small organizer, I used to be given a cute waterproof seashore bag.

As a Enterprise Prime passenger, I used to be supplied a pair of pajamas shortly after boarding (and heard a couple of different passengers asking the place their pajamas have been, although solely Prime passengers obtain them).

Enterprise Prime passengers additionally get a private snack basket at their seats. Mine included:

• Haribo “Journey Parade” gummies
• Peanut M&Ms
• Paprika-flavored Pringles
• Joe & Seph’s salted caramel popcorn
• Choose Up! chocolate cookies
• A Nu fruit smoothie drink

The leisure system at my Enterprise Prime seat was a 24-inch 4K display screen (in comparison with 17.3 inches at common business-class seats), which is just about on the high of what you will discover in enterprise class nowadays.

It was loaded with over 200 films, together with “A Full Unknown,” “Conclave” and “Moana 2,” and TV reveals, resembling “Hacks” and “Brooklyn 9-9,” plus music and meditation choices.

One main situation I discovered with the system was that the distant management didn’t work within the Prime seat. Its floor capabilities like a mousepad the place you possibly can click on on numerous gadgets, however I had no management over the place the cursor was on the display screen. I simply ended up utilizing the monitor itself as a touchscreen, which was easy sufficient within the common seat.

Within the Prime seat, nonetheless, that was harder given the bigger footprint and the way far the display screen was from the chair. Nonetheless, as soon as a film was enjoying, I might use the distant to start out and pause it. The distant in my regular business-class seat labored simply fantastic, although it was simpler to succeed in the touchscreen, too.

When you’ve got your personal headphones with Bluetooth functionality, you will most likely simply wish to pair them with the leisure system.

Wi-Fi was accessible on each my flights, with two attainable paid choices:

• Messaging as much as 100 Kbps for 7 euros ($8)
• Full-flight textual content, e mail and social media as much as 1.2 Mbps for 20 euros ($22)

As a Enterprise Prime passenger, I used to be given a full-flight Wi-Fi voucher and was in a position to join simply. I clocked speeds of 1 Mbps on the flight to Frankfurt, which was helpful for emailing, however far slower speeds on the flight to Johannesburg, throughout which I paid for the full-flight Wi-Fi.

How was the meals in Condor Airways enterprise class?

As boarding received underway on my first flight, which started a little bit late, attendants got here by way of providing passengers glowing wine, orange juice or a drink of option to take pleasure in together with a ramekin of nuts.

About half-hour into the flight, throughout what can be dinnertime in Los Angeles, flight attendants got here again by way of providing two rounds of drinks earlier than dinner started.

Simply over an hour into the flight, the appetizer course was served from a trolley on a single tray that included:

• Bell pepper cream cheese dip
• Compressed tomato and mozzarella with balsamic and smoky bresaola
• Marinated tuna with yellow beet and tarragon dressing
• Combined inexperienced salad with celery and balsamic dressing

Passengers might additionally select from a bread basket with garlic, bread, pretzels, a seedy wheat choice and focaccia. The starters have been gentle and flavorful, and it was good to have a big number of tastes.

The principle programs included a alternative of:

• Beef tenderloin with grilled greens, roasted potato wedges and pink wine jus
• Shrimp with broccoli, saffron rice and tomato-bell pepper jus
• Ravioli filled with mascarpone and artichoke with mushroom sauce, child spinach, roasted tomato and Parmesan cheese

These have been served individually, and orders have been taken as flight attendants labored their means by way of the cabin. I selected the tenderloin, and it was first rate however not memorable.

Lastly, for dessert, there was:

• A cheese course with dill havarti, cheddar and goat cheese served with a collection of bread
• Lemon tartlet

I truly tried each, as did many of the different passengers round me.

As for drinks, the menu highlighted the airline’s signature Condorpolitan cocktail with vodka, lychee, lime zest and cranberry.

The inflight wine choice included:

• Pol Hensler Grande Reserve Champagne
• Motzenbacker brut rose
• Te Awa sauvignon blanc
• Vom Haus gruner veltliner
• Studio by Miraval rose
• Motzenbacker Wild und Rot pink wine
• Lynx Wine Property petite sirah and zinfandel mix

The Champagne was good up within the air; crisp however with physique. I additionally loved the German pink wine, which was light-bodied and fruity with out being cloying. Other than wine, there was a collection of Bitburger and BrewDog beers, spirits like Bombay Sapphire gin and Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky, numerous sodas and juices, and Illy espresso and Messmer teas.

Ninety minutes earlier than touchdown (at round midday, Frankfurt time), the cabin lights progressively got here on and flight attendants got here by way of with breakfast service. This began with a collection of drinks, after which meals have been handed out on a single tray from a trolley with all the next:

• Recent melon and pineapple
• Italian salami, cream cheese and cheddar
• Bread rolls and croissants with a alternative of butter, jam, honey and Nutella
• Omelet with ham and cheese in tomato sauce

I wasn’t too hungry, so I solely pecked on the meals, which was salty, although a sizzling cup of espresso hit the spot.

The service circulation was a lot the identical on my second flight, although meal service began round 90 minutes into the flight. I had hoped it will be a bit sooner to maximise time to relaxation, however there have been nonetheless 7 1/2 hours to go by the point meal service wrapped up.

It began with a collection of small plates:

• Chili cream cheese dip
• Lemongrass prawn with carrot, inexperienced asparagus and yuzu mayo
• Italian burrata with tomato, inexperienced pesto and basil
• Rooster Caesar salad
• Eiskeller, montagnolo and sheep’s cheese with date-sesame-honey chutney

That is loads of dairy on one plate, so whereas I loved it, if you cannot have milk merchandise, you would possibly wish to take into account ordering a particular meal.

The three selections of mains have been:

• Rooster breast filet with polenta gnocchi, artichokes, bell pepper and lemon cream sauce
• Salmon filet over five-grain rice with egg, spinach, edamame, pink ginger and teriyaki sauce
• Pasta with wild garlic, cheese sauce and spring onions

I assumed the rooster sounded greatest, and it was flavorful but in addition very creamy, and the polenta was fairly filling. For dessert, there was cheesecake (extra dairy!) with raspberry and mint.

About an hour and 45 minutes earlier than touchdown, breakfast service started and wrapped up an hour earlier than arrival.

Objects have been served on a single tray with the next:

• Recent fruit with Bircher muesli
• Ham, Gouda and radish cream cheese
• Pastries with jam, honey or Nutella
• Omelet with herbed potato cubes and pepperonata

Meal service was the identical in each common and Prime enterprise class. You are most likely simply extra more likely to get your first alternative of fundamental course since they take orders from the entrance of the cabin to the again.

Was Condor Airways’ Prime business-class seat price it?

Having flown back-to-back flights in Condor Airways enterprise class, the primary in one of many Prime seats and the second in an everyday seat, I believe paying the upcharge for Prime can definitely be price it.

On my set of two flights, it will have price $240 to $300 per leg. That is not low cost, but it surely’s not too costly both, contemplating the size of the flights, how a lot bigger the Prime seats are and the additional goodies you get, like pajamas, the snack basket, a nicer amenity package and free Wi-Fi.

That mentioned, the conventional seats are definitely comfy sufficient if you wish to save your cash.

Would you suggest Condor Airways enterprise class?

After spending almost 24 hours within the air with Condor Airways, I’d suggest the airline’s enterprise class with out hesitation. The seats are comfy, the facilities are first rate and the leisure programs present loads of distraction. The food-and-beverage choice was simply fantastic, too.

Having the ability to use good airport lounges in each Los Angeles and Frankfurt additionally had an enormous, constructive influence on my journey, particularly as a result of I had an almost seven-hour layover.

What set the expertise aside for me, nonetheless, was the service. All three flight attendants overseeing the business-class cabin on my first flight have been so heat and cheerful. They appeared genuinely excited to point out off the cabin and seats and have been proactive about providing drink refills, menu recommendations and extra, in good German and English. The identical was true of the crew on my second flight. They have been polished, congenial and available instantly for any requests. Each crews made an already good expertise even higher.

Along with the comfy seats and commendable service, the primary cause I would suggest Condor is that it is an amazing use of Alaska Airways miles to get to and from Europe (or past) at affordable redemption charges with out paying excessive taxes and costs. I’ll preserve my eye out for extra award tickets so I get to expertise the airline once more.

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