La Compagnie
All-business-class carrier La Compagnie’s fleet of two Airbus A321neo planes are full of premium seats at a fair price. Operating on select routes between New York and Europe, La Compagnie’s cabins feature just 76 lie-flat seats arranged in a 2-2 layout. In bed mode, the seats stretch out to a roomy 6 feet 3 inches long. Additional perks include a 15.6-inch entertainment screen, over-the-ear headphones, Champagnes and organic wines, and a four-course French meal featuring a starter, main course, cheese course, and dessert. Before boarding, passengers have access to priority security and customs lanes, as well as third-party airport lounges in Paris, Nice, Milan, and Newark. Nonstop flights from Newark to Paris and Milan usually start at $2,400 roundtrip. (Pro tip: the airline routinely offers sales that see those fares dip to $2,000.)
LATAM
In recent years, South American carrier LATAM has put a great deal of resources and effort into updating its business class product. The new cabins, which can be found on its Boeing 767s, Boeing 777, and many of its Boeing Dreamliner 787-9 planes, deliver a premium international experience at a reasonable price point. Expect lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration that gives every passenger aisle access, a full bedding kit featuring a plush duvet, pillow, and mattress pad, and an 18-inch entertainment screen. Meal service brings a selection of Champagne and South American wines, as well as dishes that range from steak or fish to pasta.
LATAM has also announced it will be refreshing its business class cabin again soon, adding fully closing doors to create suite-style seating to 24 of its Boeing 787s. Those upgrades are expected to launch in March 2025. For now, nonstop flights from Miami to Lima, Peru start at $1,200; seats from New York JFK to Lima can be had for around $1,900 roundtrip, while flights from Santiago, Chile to Orlando begin at $1,800.
Icelandair
The first thing to note about Icelandair’s business class—called Saga Premium—is that it doesn’t offer lie-flat seats. So this upgrade is more suited to a traveler who prioritizes a smooth ground experience and indulging in elevated food and drink options on board. On the ground, you’ll have a dedicated check-in area and a faster security lane. Plus, you’ll be granted access to the airline’s Saga Lounge in Reykjavik, featuring amenities like reclining nap chairs, shower rooms, and a central fireplace. Once on board, expect a welcome glass of sparkling wine, followed by a tasty meal featuring dishes like braised lamb shank and arctic char, plus selections of Icelandic gins.
Seats are closer to a US domestic first class than international business products: Expect 20 inches of width and 40 inches of legroom pitch, laid out in a 2-2 configuration on most planes. Icelandair is also preparing to launch a newer version of the seats when it starts flying its first Airbus A321 long-range planes at the end of 2024. Those seats will come with more legroom (43 inches), a deeper recline (eight inches), as well as leg and footrests (still no lie-flat option, however). Nonstops in Saga Premium from Boston to Reykjavik can be booked in Saga Premium for $1,600 roundtrip; similar routes from New York JFK start at about $2,000 roundtrip.
This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
