| Flying business or first class across the Atlantic has | | | | airfares. Prices are often under £1,250 / |
| been out of reach for many travellers. Airline ticket | | | | $1,800 for a round trip all-in. It routinely undercuts the |
| prices from New York to Europe can easily range | | | | big boys by 30-40% in a bid to poach traffic to |
| from $3,000 and $6,000 in business class. The current | | | | route through Iceland rather than flying non-stop. |
| financial crisis has cut airline seat capacity which is | | | | Icelandair's website is excellent at finding the best |
| forcing prices up. | | | | fares and you can also find cheap upgrade deals if |
| Here are a few tips to reduce your airfare and can | | | | flying economy. |
| help get you into that business class premium cabin. | | | | Note the downsides: Icelandair uses Boeing 757s with |
| Tip 1: Fly with BA's OpenSkies | | | | 39" biz class seat pitch. And consider the Icelandic |
| OpenSkies is a British Airways subsidiary which took | | | | volcanic activity which disrupted much European air |
| over French all-business start-up L'Avion. It flies from | | | | travel. |
| Paris to both New York JFK and Washington DC. It | | | | Tip 4: Consider Middle-Eastern or Asian Carriers |
| uses Boeing 757 configured with 2 classes - a lie-flat | | | | Some other off-beat airlines ply their trade between |
| Biz Bed product and a (premium economy) Biz Seat | | | | Europe and the USA such as Kuwait Airways, Air |
| which at 52" pitch puts many other business class | | | | India and Jet Airways. |
| offerings to shame. | | | | You can find London - NYC business class deals on |
| "Biz Bed" is a top notch product and prices are | | | | Kuwait Airways from around £1,000 / $1,500 |
| available from $3,700 return. "Biz Seat" can be had | | | | return. Kuwait uses Boeing 777 aircraft but note it is |
| for as low as $1,400 return - this option should be | | | | a dry airline. |
| considered, especially on the day flights ex-Europe. | | | | Air India offers reasonable fares between NYC and |
| Keep an eye out for special OpenSkies offers and | | | | Frankfurt, Germany. India's classy Jet Airways flies |
| also check prices with major online agents as they | | | | from NYC to Brussels, Belgium. |
| can have lower consolidated fares available. | | | | Tip 5: Go Premium |
| Tip 2: Airfare Wars | | | | If your budget doesn't stretch as far as business |
| The "open skies" agreement between the EU and US | | | | class, then book a premium economy ticket. You will |
| has opened up the market for transatlantic flights - | | | | get superior legroom and a better seat than standard |
| resulting in lower airfares for the passenger, although | | | | economy class. It will also mean a small chance of |
| the economic crisis has reduced demand somewhat. | | | | being upgraded for free to business class. This is due |
| The most competitive route is London - New York | | | | to the relatively low number of premium economy |
| and prices have often dropped well below $2,000 for | | | | seats available - any overbooked situation in |
| some business class fares. Airlines tend to match or | | | | economy will overspill to premium economy and you |
| undercut their rivals' prices - particularly during sales. | | | | could be bumped up to business class. This doesn't |
| It makes sense to keep an eye on the "war" | | | | happen every time, but choose a busy flight and you |
| between airlines and alliances. For example, Air France | | | | will not harm your chances. |
| (and its partner Delta) and British Airways (and | | | | Tip 6: Invest in Your Air Travel Knowledge |
| partner American) have encroached on each other's | | | | If you are serious about flying premium then you |
| territory in Europe for flights to the US and lower | | | | should consider investing in the Ultimate Airfares |
| fares can often be had. | | | | & Upgrades Guide from This guide teaches you |
| Tip 3: Fly via Iceland? | | | | many useful insider tips and tricks to maximise your |
| If flying transatlantic business class, get price | | | | chances of flying business or first class, helps you |
| quotations from the more 'off-beat' airlines that you | | | | find the world's lowest airfares in any class and how |
| may never have considered. | | | | to really make the most of your air miles (most miles |
| For example, Icelandair flies from London to New | | | | are unfortunately wasted). If you ever fly |
| York via Reykjavik and can be extremely | | | | internationally this guide is a must-read - especially |
| competitive with its Saga Class (business class) | | | | now as we face high oil prices and spiraling inflation. |