Condor: Your best option for Europe
Condor, a German airline, offers business class at affordable prices to 12 cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The airline also offers affordable economy and premium economies to Europe, and beyond. I flew the airline for the very first time a few months back. Let’s go over what makes Condor unique, where it flies and whether you should use your miles or cash to book your next summer trip to Europe.
What is Condor?
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Condor is based out of Frankfurt Airport (FRA), the world’s second-most-connected hub (measured by number of nonstop destinations).
It started as a leisure airline, primarily focused on economy class. Since then, the airline has acquired a fleet consisting of Airbus A330neo 900 aircraft. It was so smooth that I didn’t even realize we had taxied from the gate to the tarmac. This aircraft is one of the quietest I have flown, making it a great choice for sleeping on overnight flights to Europe. It was so smooth that I didn’t even realize that we had taxied from the gate to the tarmac; it’s one of the quietest aircraft I’ve flown, making it a great choice for sleeping on overnight flights to Europe.
The airline gets you in a summer vacation mood with a bold, striped design on the outside of its planes, inspired by beach umbrellas, towels and chairs.
Where Condor operates
The airline flies to Frankfurt from nine U.S. cities:
Anchorage, Alaska
Boston
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
- Miami
- New York
- Portland, Oregon
- San Francisco
- Seattle
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- If you don’t live in one of these cities, you can connect to them on Alaska Airlines or JetBlue — all on the same ticket.
The carrier also serves three Canadian cities: Calgary, Alberta; Toronto; and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Condor’s route map as of February 2025. FLIGHTCONNECTIONS
From Frankfurt, you can connect to Condor’s short-haul network, which is particularly extensive throughout the Mediterranean. So, if you are planning a trip to Italy, Greece, Spain or Turkey in the summer, this is an especially good option.
Starting next month, Condor will expand its short-haul network with new flights to Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, Germany, plus Zurich and Vienna. New flights between Frankfurt and Rome with continuing service to Palermo, Italy, will start in April, followed by new routes to Milan, Paris and Prague in May.
The airline also has an interline agreement with Lufthansa, which means you can fly Condor to Frankfurt and then take advantage of Lufthansa’s frequent connections throughout the rest of Europe.
Business class
GEORG ROSKE/CONDOR
If you have Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles, then a redemption in Condor business class is worthy of your consideration.
All passengers get a comfortable, lie-flat seat with direct aisle access. The modern seat converts into a bed with a mattress topper, a cozy pillow and a plush blanket, along with a sleep mask, earplugs and a pair of socks to help you get some rest.
TPG Senior Reporter Zach Griff was on the inaugural A330neo flight and was thoroughly impressed by the swanky cabin, tech-forward amenities and beautiful, eye-catching design.
Passengers also get lounge access, priority boarding and check-in privileges, and a larger checked baggage allowance.
Round-trip fares to Europe start at 110,000 Alaska miles and under $250 in taxes and fees. You can also add a stopover at Frankfurt, which is a city I think should be visited more often. These award flights can be booked directly through the Alaska website. Cash fares start at around $2,400 for a round-trip flight to Europe, which is the price many airlines charge. You’ll also get a 40% larger entertainment screen, complimentary pajamas, and a snack basket with sweet and savory options to enjoy between meals. This is something that you can only find in first-class. You’ll also get a 40% larger entertainment screen, complimentary pajamas and your very own snack basket with sweet and savory options to enjoy between meals.
Premium economy
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
If you’re looking for a middle ground between business and economy, Condor’s premium economy is the answer.
In this cabin, you’ll enjoy:
An additional 5 inches of legroom
A welcome beverage and complimentary alcoholic drinks
An increased baggage allowance
A pillow and a blanket
An amenity kit that includes an eye mask and socks
The legroom you will enjoy in this cabin is similar to that in American Airlines’ Main Cabin Extra, Delta Air Lines’ Comfort+ and United Airlines’ Economy Plus cabins.
- I found the cabin crew on my flight to be friendly, proactive and efficient, which is what you want on transatlantic flights of seven-plus hours.
- Premium economy fares to Europe start at $700 round-trip but are more commonly found for around $1,000. You can book a redemption through Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan starting at 70,000 miles plus $242 in taxes and fees, and, again, you can book a free stopover in Frankfurt.
- Keep an eye out for upgrade offers from the airline. On my flight, there were upgrades from premium economy to business class available for $475, which is an excellent value for a lie-flat seat on an overnight flight.
- Economy
- GEORG ROSKE/CONDOR
All passengers flying on long-haul Condor flights receive the following benefits:
A free personal item
A complimentary meal with nonalcoholic drinks
A crystal clear 4K seatback touchscreen with free entertainment
At least one free carry-on and one complimentary checked bag on most long-haul flights; those with basic economy (called Economy Light) fares can add a checked bag from 59 euros (approximately $62) one-way
Economy class is set up in a 2-4-2 configuration, making it a good choice for couples and families wanting privacy in their space.
I enjoyed being able to use my own headphones through the inflight entertainment system’s Bluetooth connection. My AirPods were paired within 10 seconds, and provided superior noise cancellation when watching movies.
- There was also a handy device-holder that I used to watch Netflix shows on my iPad.
- All A330neos are equipped with Wi-Fi and USB-A/USB-C charging outlets.
- Economy fares for Europe can be as low as $250, but most often start at $500 Condor offers a good deal on tickets to Europe. You can also earn Alaska Airlines miles by crediting these flights. If you have Alaska miles to spend, consider a business class redemption to get a lie-flat bed, comfortable seating and friendly service.
