It's going to be easier for LA travelers to get to European destinations this summer on Condor
Starting this month, Germany-based leisure carrier Condor is ramping up service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Europe with the resumption of daily nonstop flights to Frankfurt Airport (FRA), operated on its sleek Airbus A330-900neo aircraft. The airline is also currently introducing a raft of new onward connections to various European cities, so LA-based passengers can travel more seamlessly once on the continent.
The other big news? Business-class passengers will enjoy access to Air France's relatively new lounge at LAX as part of their journey, unlocking access to one of LAX's best and newest lounges.
We got the inside scoop on all the latest Condor updates at an April 29 event for press and partners at LAX. Here's everything we learned.
New connections within Europe
Earlier this year, Condor announced a host of new intra-European routes and frequencies it is launching from its hub at FRA. Some of these went into service in March, with the rest rolling out in April or planned to join the schedule in May and over the summer. Among the newly connected airports travelers should find online by summer are:
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
- Hamburg Airport (HAM) in Germany
- Munich Airport (MUC)
- Palermo Airport (PMO; continuing service)
- Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
- Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
- Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO)
- Vienna Airport (VIE)
- Zurich Airport (ZRH)
That should make connecting through FRA easier for West Coast travelers since the airline has resumed daily nonstop service between LAX and FRA ahead of this summer, though it had announced service cuts to several other U.S. cities earlier this year.
A chic, comfortable business-class product to Europe
Condor's A330-900neo business class makes a strong first impression. The cabin is sleek and elegant, upholstered mostly in black with pops of the brand's signature stripes, inspired by European beach umbrellas and beach towels.
The 1-2-1 seating configuration means every passenger has direct aisle access, so no awkward climbing over strangers is required to reach the lavatories.
"All seats are fully lie-flat beds, as required in today's business class," said Mikko Turtiainen, Condor's head of North American sales. "You'll get excellent service, meal choices, alcoholic drinks — everything your heart desires."
Beyond the 78-inch lie-flat beds, seats feature 17.3-inch 4K entertainment screens, universal power ports and USB-A and USB-C ports for keeping your devices charged.
Want to book one of these seats using miles? Your best bet is to turn to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, which has awards for flights between LA and Frankfurt starting at 55,000 miles each way.
An elevated 'Prime' experience in the front row
At the very front of the business-class cabin, Condor offers what it calls "Prime Seats" — extra-spacious first-row seats with wider footrests and assorted upgraded amenities like mattress toppers, snack baskets, striped pajamas and center seats that are great for couples traveling together.
The extra-roomy seats also feature a seat belt at the opposite end, so two travelers can be strapped in safely for a meeting or chat, plus a tray table that serves them both in between.
Another thoughtful touch: Those Prime seat snack baskets are available as soon as passengers board.
"Passengers told us they loved the welcome drinks but didn't want to wait until cruising altitude for snacks," Turtiainen explained. "So now, in Prime seats, you get snacks like Pringles and sweets right away."
Premium economy and economy on Condor
Condor's premium economy cabin consists of 64 seats laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration and offers a solid upgrade from standard economy. Passengers get a few extra degrees of recline, a footrest and 5 more inches of pitch compared to regular economy seats.
"It's competitive with other premium products on the market — but at a better price," Turtiainen said. "Our Premium Economy pricing is often where other legacy carriers price their standard economy."
The economy cabin also features a 2-4-2 layout, and the aircraft's freshness shows. One standout: ultracrisp 4K inflight entertainment screens.
"The resolution is sharp, the quality is high and the screens really pop," Turtiainen said.
Overall, Condor's A330-900neos accommodate 310 passengers: four front-row Prime seats, 26 seats in business class, 64 in premium economy and 216 in economy. Awards between LAX and FRA start at 27,500 Alaska Airlines miles in economy and 35,000 Alaska Airlines miles in premium economy.
Lounge access via Air France
Business-class passengers flying Condor from LAX now also have access to the Air France lounge in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, a stylish, modern space that debuted in 2024.
Thanks to the new partnership, Condor guests can enjoy a premium preflight experience, complete with a wide-ranging food-and-beverage selection, dedicated workspaces and elegant seating areas with runway views.
The lounge is open from 9 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. daily, and Condor's Frankfurt flight departs at 5:30 p.m. — squarely within that time frame and between Air France's own frequencies to Paris, so it's unlikely to be crowded.
Bottom line
Condor is stepping up in a big way this season. With daily nonstop flights from LAX to FRA, new one-stop connections to a dozen European cities, fresh-feeling cabins aboard its flagship A330-900neos and lounge access through its Air France partnership, the airline is making a serious play for Southern California travelers while remaining true to its low-cost-carrier roots.
"We're a hybrid, somewhere between a legacy and low-cost airline," Turtiainen said. "And really, who else can say they fly a completely consistent, brand-new product across the Atlantic at the most competitive prices? No one. Only Condor."
Given the advanced A330-900neos the airline is operating, as well as readily available awards bookable via Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, Condor is certainly worth consideration for a trip between the West Coast and Europe this summer.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees