Why this airline you might not have heard of yet could be your best ticket to Europe

There’s an airline with a fleet of new, comfortable Airbus A330 planes outfitted in eye-catching striped branding ready to fly you to Europe this year.

Serving 12 cities across the U.S. and Canada, German airline Condor offers a comfortable business-class option at competitive fares. It also provides affordable economy and premium economy options to Europe and beyond. Additionally, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can even earn and redeem miles when flying with Condor.

I had the chance to fly the airline for the first time just a few months ago. 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?

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. However, since then, it has taken delivery of a fleet of modern Airbus A330neo-900 aircraft. These have an excellent business class and a premium economy cabin that provides more legroom than economy.

When I flew Condor in late 2024, it was my first time on the A330neo. 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

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.

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

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. Plus, you can add a free stopover in Frankfurt (which, in my opinion, is an underrated city to visit) on the way there or back. You can book these award flights directly on the Alaska website.

As for cash fares, tickets currently start at $2,400 round-trip, which is what many airlines charge for a premium economy fare to Europe.

If you really want to treat yourself, you can pay an additional fee (from 199 euros, or about $209) to select one of the four Prime Seats at the front of the cabin. In doing so, you’ll get a larger seat, with enough room to dine with a companion opposite you — something you usually 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

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

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 paired in less than 10 seconds and gave me superior noise cancellation while watching movies.

There is also a handy device holder, which I put to use while watching Netflix shows I had preloaded on my iPad.

All A330neos have Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as USB-A and USB-C charging outlets.

You can find economy fares to Europe as low as $270 but more commonly from $500, which offers good value compared to Condor’s larger competitors. As an added bonus, you can credit these flights to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan to earn Alaska miles.

Bottom line

If you are looking for a well-priced ticket for your summer trip to Europe, then Condor is a great option to consider. And if you have a stash of Alaska miles, why not look for a redemption in business class to enjoy a lie-flat seat, comfortable bedding and friendly service?

With a modern fleet, competitive pricing and frequent connections, Condor is a hidden gem that savvy travelers should pay attention to.