I flew from New York to Germany in business class on Condor's brand new Airbus A330neo. The low-cost carrier provided exactly what I expected.

Taylor RainsJul 2, 2023, 18:45 IST

Taylor Rains/Insider

German low-cost carrier Condor flies between Frankfurt and a dozen US cities, like Seattle and New York.
The airline recently introduced a brand new business class, which is fitted onto its Airbus A330neo jets.

German budget airline Condor is a little-known carrier to many Americans, but it has been flying since 1955 and was the first-ever leisure airline to fly the legendary Boeing 747.

Condor has been serving the North American market for years, with the airline connecting Frankfurt to 12 cities across the US and another three in Canada.

While the airline was founded on leisure travel with economy cabins, it started transitioning to a more hybrid business model in 2014 with the introduction of a lie-flat business class seat.

Condor is hoping the strategy will lure in more deep-pocket travelers, and the airline has made improvements to the premium cabin along the way.

"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 Insider at a media event in February.

The latest edition of business class was introduced on Condor's A330-900neo when it was delivered in December 2022, launching on flights to the US a few months later.

Having flown Condor's previous business class product, I was excited to experience the new cabin first-hand on a recent trip from New York-JFK to Frankfurt, Germany. Here's what the flight was like.

My journey, which Insider paid a media rate for, started at 1:30 p.m. for a 4:25 p.m. departure out of terminal 7.

Taylor Rains/Insider

My business class ticket came with checked luggage, so I made my way to the check-in counter where there was a designated queue for premium passengers.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The bag drop process was quick, but I learned Condor is very strict with its bag policies.

Taylor Rains/Insider

While I'm used to my checked bag being weighed — which was within the airline's 66-pound limit — I was a little surprised the agent checked both my carry-on and personal item as well.

Taylor Rains/Insider

While I'm used to my checked bag being weighed — which was within the airline's 66-pound limit — I was a little surprised the agent checked both my carry-on and personal item as well.

He said the combined weight needed to be under 35 pounds, and mine passed the check at about 24. At that point, I wondered if carry-on-only passengers who used a mobile boarding pass to clear security would have their luggage checked — and I was right.

Taylor Rains/Insider

He said the combined weight needed to be under 35 pounds, and mine passed the check at about 24. At that point, I wondered if carry-on-only passengers who used a mobile boarding pass to clear security would have their luggage checked — and I was right.

At the gate, over a dozen people were called to have their passports verified and carry-ons weighed.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Luckily, I'm careful to always stay within bag size and weight restrictions when flying, but take this as a warning to follow Condor's luggage policies.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Once I got my boarding pass, I headed to security and cleared the TSA PreCheck line in about 15 minutes.

Taylor Rains/Insider

With about two hours to spare, I headed to Condor's business class lounge, which it shares with other airlines like Icelandair and Kuwait Airways.

Taylor Rains/Insider

While it's not on par with Emirates' or British Airways' New York-JFK lounges, Condor's offers good food and free drinks. I'd say it's comparable to a typical Priority Pass lounge.

Taylor Rains/Insider

While it's not on par with Emirates' or British Airways' New York-JFK lounges, Condor's offers good food and free drinks. I'd say it's comparable to a typical Priority Pass lounge.

I headed to Gate 3 around 3:30 p.m., which proved to be pretty chaotic. The gate area itself is very small for an international flight, and it actually shared the space with Aer Lingus — which added another 200+ people.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I headed to Gate 3 around 3:30 p.m., which proved to be pretty chaotic. The gate area itself is very small for an international flight, and it actually shared the space with Aer Lingus — which added another 200+ people.

And to add fuel to the fire, both flights were boarding at the same time — meaning some 400 people were crowding two adjacent doors and blocking people into corners and corridors.

Taylor Rains/Insider

And to add fuel to the fire, both flights were boarding at the same time — meaning some 400 people were crowding two adjacent doors and blocking people into corners and corridors.

And, just my luck, both flights were also delayed about 30 minutes, so add more stress to the situation. But, I thought the Condor team handled the crowd well.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Fortunately, I escaped the mosh pit quickly thanks to my priority boarding. After another 15-minute wait in the jet bridge, I finally made it to seat 6K by the window.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Having already toured the product in February, I knew what to expect and was excited to actually experience it.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The first thing I noticed was the privacy, which is thanks to the 1x2x1 layout and extended side panels.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The wing blocked the view of my neighbor and it made me feel cozy in the little pod.

Taylor Rains/Insider

However, there was nothing truly special about the rest of the seat. It came with the regular bells and whistles of business class, including a large touchscreen TV…

Taylor Rains/Insider

However, there was nothing truly special about the rest of the seat. It came with the regular bells and whistles of business class, including a large touchscreen TV…

…an adjustable seat that could recline and lie flat using buttons…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a remote control and both USB-A and C power ports…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a full-sized tray table…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a crossbody seatbelt...

Taylor Rains/Insider

...an eye mask, socks, slippers, and toiletries...

Taylor Raina

…a reading light and an adjustable headrest…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…and plush linens, including a pillow, blanket, and mattress pad.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The pad was in a bag hanging from the coat hook when I arrived at my seat, which was a weird placement as it sort of blocked the entry. But, good use of space nonetheless.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The pad was in a bag hanging from the coat hook when I arrived at my seat, which was a weird placement as it sort of blocked the entry. But, good use of space nonetheless.

The seat also had a few storage areas, including a side table…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a narrow ledge…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…and a cubby under the TV. The footwell could also be used for storing items.

Taylor Rains/Insider

However, I was disappointed that there weren't any larger areas to store things like a laptop or extra clothes.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I managed to cram things into the small nooks and fit my laptop in a slot between the armrest and the seat, but I wish there was a proper cabinet.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Something like Singapore Airlines' little shelf and cubby, though I know the Asian carrier's business model caters more towards luxury than leisure.

Singapore's storage on its A350 business class.Taylor Rains/Insider

Despite this, Condor's new seat is still a significant upgrade from its old product, which I found to be more bland and less organized.

A picture of Condor's Boeing 767 business class from Las Vegas to Frankfurt in 2019.Taylor Rains/Insier

The dinner service started shortly after takeoff, which consisted of cheese, tuna, salad, bread, and bell pepper dip.

Taylor Rains/Insider

When I first read the menu, I thought I could only order one option. So, I was shocked to get such a big appetizer and was happy to try all of them. My favorite was the tuna.

Taylor Rains/Insider

When I first read the menu, I thought I could only order one option. So, I was shocked to get such a big appetizer and was happy to try all of them. My favorite was the tuna.

For the main course, we were served a choice of veal, shrimp scampi, or Italian ravioli.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I chose the veal, which came with asparagus, broccoli, and polenta. I thought it was plenty flavorful, with the meat being the best part.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Desert was a simple lemon tart.

Taylor Rains/Insider

And don't worry, the meal comes with plenty of good wine and other drinks to enjoy.

Taylor Rains/Insider

After dinner, I decided to take a nap. But, because it was just a seven-hour flight, I only had a few hours to rest before breakfast.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Fortunately, the lie-flat bed paired with the mattress pad and linens proved comfortable.

Taylor Rains/Insider

It was definitely not as spacious as competitors like Singapore or Japan's All Nippon Airways, but the bed was still wide enough to spread out some.

The lie-flat bed on All Nippon Airways.Taylor Rains/Insider

For passengers who want a bigger bed and more overall space and privacy, Condor has "Prime Seats" in the first row of the plane, but they cost extra.

The Prime Seats on Condor.Condor

While my bed was good, I struggled to sleep because the cabin was extremely hot. I did eventually cool down and was able to snooze for about three hours.

Taylor Rains/Insider

When I woke up, I was pretty groggy and wasn't able to eat much of the breakfast simply because of my body clock.

Taylor Rains/Insider

But, I did taste everything and thought it was a solid morning meal, which also came with juice and coffee.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I headed to the lavatory to freshen up after breakfast and was happy to see basic toiletries, like lotion and hand sanitizer.

Taylor Rains/Insider

We landed in Frankfurt about an hour after, arriving about 40 minutes later than scheduled. Fortunately, my checked bag was unloaded quickly and I was off to catch a train to Paris.

Taylor Rains/Insider

We landed in Frankfurt about an hour after, arriving about 40 minutes later than scheduled. Fortunately, my checked bag was unloaded quickly and I was off to catch a train to Paris.

Overall, my flight on Condor was exactly what I expected. The seat itself was comfortable, but its lack of storage and overall pizzazz reminded me that I was still on a low-cost carrier.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Overall, my flight on Condor was exactly what I expected. The seat itself was comfortable, but its lack of storage and overall pizzazz reminded me that I was still on a low-cost carrier.

But although it forfeits some added luxuries, Condor's business class flights are typically cheaper than competitors.

Taylor Rains/Insider

For example, Delta Air Lines charges about $4,100 for a roundtrip business class flight from New York to Frankfurt in mid-October.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The same trip on Condor is about $2500, so the few lacking amenities may not be a deal breaker considering the price difference.

Taylor Rains/Insider

And, Condor still has a solid premium product with direct-aisle access for all passengers, as well as great food and service.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Honestly, the seat is perfect for someone who wants or needs the added space and perks but can't afford Delta prices. So, I'm pleased to see more affordable options out there.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Honestly, the seat is perfect for someone who wants or needs the added space and perks but can't afford Delta prices. So, I'm pleased to see more affordable options out there.

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I flew from New York to Germany in business class on Condor's brand new Airbus A330neo. The low-cost carrier provided exactly what I expected.

My journey, which Insider paid a media rate for, started at 1:30 p.m. for a 4:25 p.m. departure out of terminal 7.

My business class ticket came with checked luggage, so I made my way to the check-in counter where there was a designated queue for premium passengers.

The bag drop process was quick, but I learned Condor is very strict with its bag policies.

While I'm used to my checked bag being weighed — which was within the airline's 66-pound limit — I was a little surprised the agent checked both my carry-on and personal item as well.

He said the combined weight needed to be under 35 pounds, and mine passed the check at about 24. At that point, I wondered if carry-on-only passengers who used a mobile boarding pass to clear security would have their luggage checked — and I was right.

At the gate, over a dozen people were called to have their passports verified and carry-ons weighed.

Luckily, I'm careful to always stay within bag size and weight restrictions when flying, but take this as a warning to follow Condor's luggage policies.

Once I got my boarding pass, I headed to security and cleared the TSA PreCheck line in about 15 minutes.

With about two hours to spare, I headed to Condor's business class lounge, which it shares with other airlines like Icelandair and Kuwait Airways.

While it's not on par with Emirates' or British Airways' New York-JFK lounges, Condor's offers good food and free drinks. I'd say it's comparable to a typical Priority Pass lounge.

I headed to Gate 3 around 3:30 p.m., which proved to be pretty chaotic. The gate area itself is very small for an international flight, and it actually shared the space with Aer Lingus — which added another 200+ people.

And to add fuel to the fire, both flights were boarding at the same time — meaning some 400 people were crowding two adjacent doors and blocking people into corners and corridors.

And, just my luck, both flights were also delayed about 30 minutes, so add more stress to the situation. But, I thought the Condor team handled the crowd well.

Fortunately, I escaped the mosh pit quickly thanks to my priority boarding. After another 15-minute wait in the jet bridge, I finally made it to seat 6K by the window.

Having already toured the product in February, I knew what to expect and was excited to actually experience it.

The first thing I noticed was the privacy, which is thanks to the 1x2x1 layout and extended side panels.

The wing blocked the view of my neighbor and it made me feel cozy in the little pod.

However, there was nothing truly special about the rest of the seat. It came with the regular bells and whistles of business class, including a large touchscreen TV…

…an adjustable seat that could recline and lie flat using buttons…

…a remote control and both USB-A and C power ports…

…a full-sized tray table…

…a crossbody seatbelt...

...an eye mask, socks, slippers, and toiletries...

…a reading light and an adjustable headrest…

…and plush linens, including a pillow, blanket, and mattress pad.

The pad was in a bag hanging from the coat hook when I arrived at my seat, which was a weird placement as it sort of blocked the entry. But, good use of space nonetheless.

The seat also had a few storage areas, including a side table…

…a narrow ledge…

…and a cubby under the TV. The footwell could also be used for storing items.

However, I was disappointed that there weren't any larger areas to store things like a laptop or extra clothes.

I managed to cram things into the small nooks and fit my laptop in a slot between the armrest and the seat, but I wish there was a proper cabinet.

Something like Singapore Airlines' little shelf and cubby, though I know the Asian carrier's business model caters more towards luxury than leisure.

Despite this, Condor's new seat is still a significant upgrade from its old product, which I found to be more bland and less organized.

The dinner service started shortly after takeoff, which consisted of cheese, tuna, salad, bread, and bell pepper dip.

When I first read the menu, I thought I could only order one option. So, I was shocked to get such a big appetizer and was happy to try all of them. My favorite was the tuna.

For the main course, we were served a choice of veal, shrimp scampi, or Italian ravioli.

I chose the veal, which came with asparagus, broccoli, and polenta. I thought it was plenty flavorful, with the meat being the best part.

Desert was a simple lemon tart.

And don't worry, the meal comes with plenty of good wine and other drinks to enjoy.

After dinner, I decided to take a nap. But, because it was just a seven-hour flight, I only had a few hours to rest before breakfast.

Fortunately, the lie-flat bed paired with the mattress pad and linens proved comfortable.

It was definitely not as spacious as competitors like Singapore or Japan's All Nippon Airways, but the bed was still wide enough to spread out some.

For passengers who want a bigger bed and more overall space and privacy, Condor has "Prime Seats" in the first row of the plane, but they cost extra.

While my bed was good, I struggled to sleep because the cabin was extremely hot. I did eventually cool down and was able to snooze for about three hours.

When I woke up, I was pretty groggy and wasn't able to eat much of the breakfast simply because of my body clock.

But, I did taste everything and thought it was a solid morning meal, which also came with juice and coffee.

I headed to the lavatory to freshen up after breakfast and was happy to see basic toiletries, like lotion and hand sanitizer.

We landed in Frankfurt about an hour after, arriving about 40 minutes later than scheduled. Fortunately, my checked bag was unloaded quickly and I was off to catch a train to Paris.

Overall, my flight on Condor was exactly what I expected. The seat itself was comfortable, but its lack of storage and overall pizzazz reminded me that I was still on a low-cost carrier.

But although it forfeits some added luxuries, Condor's business class flights are typically cheaper than competitors.

For example, Delta Air Lines charges about $4,100 for a roundtrip business class flight from New York to Frankfurt in mid-October.

The same trip on Condor is about $2500, so the few lacking amenities may not be a deal breaker considering the price difference.

And, Condor still has a solid premium product with direct-aisle access for all passengers, as well as great food and service.

Honestly, the seat is perfect for someone who wants or needs the added space and perks but can't afford Delta prices. So, I'm pleased to see more affordable options out there.