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Thursday 16 February 2023
A little-know budget airline is flying its new Airbus A330neo between the US and Germany, with business class going for as low as $1,199 one-way — see inside
Condor's new Airbus A330neo recently operated its first-ever transatlantic flight, journeying from Frankfurt, Germany, to New York-JFK airport on Monday.
Condor
German budget carrier Condor flew its new Airbus A330neo across the Atlantic for the first time on Monday.
The historically leisure-focused airline is set on improving its premium products, like business class.
I toured the jet at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and was thoroughly impressed.
If you've never heard of German low-cost airline Condor, you might be surprised to hear it has been around since 1955 and was the first leisure carrier to fly the iconic Boeing 747.
A Condor Boeing 747 photographed in 1976.
The airline has been flying to the US for years, and, by summer 2023, will have a strong network of 17 routes across North America to places like Seattle, Toronto, and San Francisco.
A Condor Boeing 767 at Frankfurt Airport in 2018.
Lukas Wunderlich/Getty Images
Currently, Condor has narrowbody fleet of Boeing 757, Airbus A320, and Airbus A321 planes...
A Condor Airbus A320 in newest livery.
...and a widebody fleet of Airbus A330-200, A330neo, and Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, though the company plans to have an all-A330neo long-haul fleet by 2024.
A Condor Airbus A330 at Frankfurt Airport in 2018.
While the carrier has historically sported an all-white fuselage with varying tail designs, the livery was changed in April 2022 to resemble beach towels.
Condor's A330neo in newest livery.
The eye-catching stripes — which come in blue, green, red, yellow, and beige — represent the carrier's leisure business model.
Blue is for the sea, red is for passion, yellow is for sunshine, beige is the beach — or sand — and green is for islands.
Condor
But, the company has started to focus more heavily on the corporate traveler, and is revamping its business class product to lure in more premium customers.
A picture of Condor's Boeing 767 business class from Las Vegas to Frankfurt in 2019.
Taylor Rains/Insier
"We have to build awareness and we have to improve the product recognition that is in the market," Condor's director of sales for the Americas, Mikko Turtiainen, told media at an event at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday.
A picture of Condor's Boeing 767 business class from Las Vegas to Frankfurt in 2019.
Taylor Rains/Insider
I toured the carrier's A330-900neo, which will be the airline's long-haul workhorse, to see what passengers can expect — take a look.
First flight of new Airbus A330neo in beach livery.
Airbus
Condor's A330neo is new to the fleet, favored for its 20% better fuel efficiency and lower operating costs compared to older A330s.
An Airbus A330 new in production.
Screenshot/Airbus video
The first of 18 aircraft was delivered to Condor on December 19, and flew for the first time from Frankfurt to Mauritius in East Africa on December 27. But, Monday's flight was the plane type's first trip across the Atlantic.
Delivery of Condor's first A330neo in December 2022.
The jet arrived around 2:30 p.m. at JFK's Terminal 7. The airline previously operated out of Terminal 1, but has since taken over the space left behind by British Airways, which moved to Terminal 8 in November.
British Airways moved to Terminal 8 to have better connections with oneworld partner American Airlines.
The aircraft is split into two sections: business class…
Condor's new business class on its Airbus A330neo.
Taylor Rains/Insider
…and economy. There are 216 economy and 64 premium economy seats — the latter offering more perks like extra legroom and a footrest.
The footrest in Condor's A330neo premium economy seat.
Taylor Rains/Insider
However, both sections feature 13.3-inch seat each screens, and the regular bells and whistles of coach, like a sturdy tray table and a seatback pocket…
The inflight entertainment in Condor's Airbus A330neo premium economy section.
Taylor Rains/Insider
…as well as an adjustable headrest and power ports, including both USB and USB-C.
Condor's Airbus A330neo premium economy section.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Turtiainen said wifi packages will be available throughout the jet, which can be tailored to the traveler's needs, whether it be texting, emailing, or streaming.
Condor's A330neo economy section.
Natt McFee/Condor Airlines
I thought the economy products were nice. I think the 35 and 30 inches of pitch in premium and regular, respectively, would make the seven-hour trek to Germany bearable.
The 30-inches in economy may be cramped for taller travelers, so I suggest upgrading to premium economy (pictured) if the budget allows.
Taylor Rains/Insider
But, the true luxury lies at the front of the jet in business class. The 30 Skylounge Core seats are made by French manufacturer Safran and are also seen on carriers like Taiwan-based Starlux.
Starlux's Safran Skylounge Core Seat.
According to Condor, introductory fares start at $1199 one-way, which is a pretty good deal considering a roundtrip business flight on Lufthansa from New York to Frankfurt is $5,400 in June.
A roundtrip flight on the same dates as the Lufthansa example are about $2,400 on Condor for business class. Pictured is Lufthansa's A350 business product.
Having flown on Condor's old business class back in 2019, I had high hopes for the new product — and I wasn't disappointed.
My meal on Condor's Boeing 767 business class in 2019.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The cabin is laid out in a 1x2x1 configuration, so all passengers have direct-aisle access.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Moreover, the seats have a partial shell for added privacy…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…and myriad other features, like table and storage space…
Taylor rains/Insider
…a universal power outlet and USB-A/C ports…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…full lie-flat capabilities at the touch of a button…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…plenty of legroom…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…a large tray table that drops from below the TV and stays out of the way when sleeping…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…linens, a coat hook, and a reading light…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…an adjustable headrest…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…and a 17.3-inch TV. There is a section with larger screens, but more on that later.
Taylor Rains/Insider
All seatback entertainment screens have a 4K display and Bluetooth connectivity.
Business class has a remote to control the inflight entertainment.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The Bluetooth was a shocking perk for a leisure airline, especially since I've only seen the option on a handful of other carriers, like United Airlines.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Condor has special a front row section — four "Prime Seats."
Taylor Rains/Insider
These seats take business class one step further by adding the option for travel companions or colleagues to sit in the pod together.
Condor representatives sitting in the window-side Prime Seat.
Natt McFee/Condor Airlines
This is achieved by designing the footrest to double as a seat — and it even comes with a seatbelt so travelers can safely sit and talk without turbulence forcing them back to their original lounger.
The second seat with a seatbelt and pillow in the Prime Seats.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Moreover, the tray flips down from the side rather than from under the TV, allowing passengers to enjoy a meal together as well.
Sitting with the tray table flipped down between the two seats.
Taylor Rains/Insider
And, unlike the normal seats there is a divider between the middle section seats for added privacy, though groups of four could take advantage of the quad-like setup.
Taylor Rains/Insider
In addition to the extra space, Condor's Prime Seats also feature a large 24-inch screen — seven inches bigger than regular business class.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Meanwhile, the extra seat is larger than the regular business class footrest. This means when the lounger is in a lie-flat position, travelers have more leg space to spread out.
The Prime Seats with lie-flat bed.
Condor
To also aid with sleep, the Prime Seats come with added perks, including upgraded amenity kits, pajamas, and slippers.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Passengers hoping to snag a Prime Seat will first need to purchase regular business class and pay for the upgrade on top, which starts at $215 one-way.
These flying offices, which are typically located in the first row, are becoming more common as airlines continue to focus heavily on creating a robust business class product over first class.
American Airlines recently announced the end to its international first class product, saying people simply "aren't buying it." The carrier has since unveiled it new Flagship Suite in business class (pictured).
Since then, a handful of carriers have implemented their own version, like JetBlue Airways' Mint Studio…
JetBlue Airways Airbus A321neo's with new Mint business class.
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