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.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.