Condor Business Class Review: Los Angeles to Frankfurt

Condor Business Class

Condor might not be the first airline that comes to mind when you think of luxury transatlantic travel, but it deserves a closer look. We were genuinely impressed by the nonstop flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Frankfurt (FRA) on the Condor business class. Between the sleek A330neo cabin, lie-flat seats, excellent food, and access to the newly opened Air France lounge, this was one of our most memorable Europe-bound flights, especially at just 70k Alaska miles.

Stay tuned for more trip reports, reviews, and tips by following us on Instagram!

Cost & Booking

We booked two one-way tickets using 70,000 Alaska Mileage Plan miles plus $49 in taxes per ticket. With cash fares hovering around $3,000, that gives us a strong redemption value of 4.3 cents per mile.

Condor often releases award space in bulk to Alaska, and we’ve noticed more availability out of LAX than SFO. Seat selection is available online after booking. There are four bulkhead seats (“Prime Seats”) per flight, which can be reserved for an extra $200 to $500 for more legroom and slightly elevated amenities (More info on Condor’s official site). We opted for 3E and 3F to sit closer together in the center and loved the setup.

Check-In at LAX

Check-in was mildly confusing. While we had mobile check-in, we still needed to visit the check-in desk for physical boarding passes. Unlike most international departures, Condor’s check-in desk operates out of Terminal 2, not the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

After check-in, we cleared security at Terminal 1, then took the airside shuttle to the international terminal. 

Lounge: Air France Lounge LAX

Condor doesn’t have its own lounge at LAX, but business class passengers are granted access to the Air France Lounge. This turned out to be a hidden gem. The space is modern and airy, with chic blue-and-white decor and panoramic views of the tarmac.

There was a full hot food spread, including roasted chicken, salmon, soup, quiche, and sandwiches. The dessert bar had fruit, cookies, and mousse. Drinks were plentiful too, with a self-serve wine and champagne station and a staffed bar offering cocktails and mocktails. We especially enjoyed the French 75 and a refreshing pineapple mint mojito.

Boarding

The boarding process felt a bit disorganized. There weren’t enough staff at the gate, and group numbers weren’t enforced. However, once on board, the experience quickly turned around.

Each seat was pre-set with a welcome tray, complete with a bowl of nuts and a glass of sparkling wine. Hot towels were handed out before departure, and the crew was friendly and attentive from the start.

Seat & Cabin

Condor’s A330neo cabin is beautiful. With navy blue upholstery and dark wood accents, it feels sleek and boutique-like. We were seated in the center pair (3E/3F), which made it easy to chat throughout the flight.

The seats are lie-flat and surprisingly spacious. Highlights include:

• A soft headrest and shoulder-strap seatbelt
• Side table with charging ports and a headphone nook
• Travel organizer with Condor’s signature striped design
• Large HD entertainment screen with Bluetooth headphone support
• Sliding tray table with plenty of room to dine or work comfortably
• Slippers, blanket, pillow, and a mattress liner for extra comfort

Storage space is limited. There’s no cubby or side bin, and the footwell is too shallow for shoes to fit straight in. We ended up putting ours in sideways. Despite some minor wear on the seat surfaces, everything felt clean and well-maintained. For a leisure-focused airline, the hard product easily competes with premium carriers.

Meal Service

Unlike most other business class products, Condor does not offer pre-boarding meal selection. As a budget-friendly airline, we kept our expectations in check. Still, its catering managed to impress us, leaning more into fun and vibrant flavors than formal fine dining.

To start, we tried the shandy (a lemonade-beer) which immediately put us in vacation mode. A lychee aperitif followed, paired with an assortment of breads and a trio of starters: mixed greens with vinaigrette, tuna and beetroot, and a pepper dip.

For our main course, we both chose the beef tenderloin. It arrived hot and tender, served with peppercorn sauce, grilled vegetables, and potatoes. The wine list was small but well-curated. A German red blend of Merlot and Pinot Noir paired beautifully with both the steak and the cheese course.

Sadly, the classic airplane-shaped salt and pepper shakers are no longer offered. Still, dessert ended the meal on a high note — a zesty lemon tart and a fruit plate rounded out the experience.

The tray table was another highlight. Pressing the “Table” button next to the screen releases the tray table. It slides forward for meals and can be easily adjusted when you want more space, making it easy to step out to the aisle during mealtime.

Sleep & Entertainment

A control panel on the side of the armrest lets you switch between takeoff, reading, and full sleep mode. Lighting controls are intuitive and ergonomic, with a reading light tucked beside the headrest. The large screen has a strong movie and show selection. We started by using our Bluetooth headphones, but found the connection choppy and switched to the provided wired set, which worked much better.

When it was time to sleep, the seat extended fully flat with a thin but comfortable mattress pad. The blanket and pillow were soft and silky. The cabin was warm, so we ditched our jackets and slept in T-shirts. It took a bit of time to fall asleep, but once we did, we got decent rest.

Breakfast

A full breakfast was served about two hours before landing. The spread included fresh fruit, eggs, a bread basket, cheese and cold cuts, and fresh orange juice. The coffee was also quite good. It felt more like a proper brunch than a token meal before arrival, and it was served at a relaxed pace.

Closing Thoughts

Scoring a business class seat to Europe for under 100k points always feels like a win. But Condor still managed to surprise us with its quality service and comfortable product. From the modern seat design and cozy bedding to the excellent food and drink offerings, this experience was far above expectations.

At 70,000 points per seat, Condor business class offers outstanding value for a transatlantic flight from the west coast. In fact, with Air France and KLM redemptions becoming harder to find, Condor might just become our go-to option for flying to Europe.

Stay tuned for more trip reports, reviews, and tips by following us on Instagram!