Condor Airlines Review: Affordable Luxury in the Skies

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Discover my journey in business class with Condor Airlines, where affordability meets exceptional service for every traveler. Read my Condor Airlines review and book your escape to Europe!

In September 2024, I flew to Europe to board a Viking Ocean Cruise from Bergen, Norway, to Barcelona, Spain. I was eager to try the German carrier Condor Airlines. The price point lured me in, but the service blew me away. Read on to learn why you should book Condor Airlines for your next European trip.

What is Condor Airlines?

Condor was founded in Germany in 1956 and is a favorite carrier on the European continent. They fly to various airports in Germany and to Zurich and Basel in Switzerland. They now fly to about 90 destinations around the world. They have a fleet of more than 50 aircraft, including the beautiful new Airbus A330neo long-haul aircraft that I flew on to Europe. They are also in the process of receiving 43 brand-new short and medium-haul Airbus A32Xneos.

If you look for the fun striped livery, you’ll notice the Condor planes at various airports.

Where Does Condor Airlines Fly from in the US and Canada?

Condor changes its schedule seasonally, offering more flights in the summer and fall than in the winter months. But you can fly year-round from the US to Europe with Condor. There is now even a flight from Los Cabos, Mexico, to Europe!

Condor services these US-based airports:

Anchorage (ANC)
Boston (BOS)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Miami (MIA)
New York (JFK)
Portland, OR (PDX)
San Francisco (SFO)
Seattle (SEA)

Condor services these Canadian airports:

Calgary (YYC)
Toronto (YYZ)
Vancouver (YVR)

Once you’re in Europe, you’ll be able to connect through other airlines or via train to just about anywhere you want to go on the continent.

Condor Airline Flight Changes for Summer 2025

As you will see below, I flew out of Baltimore (BWI). However, that will not be available for Summer 2025. I received this information from Condor:

“After years of legal proceedings between Lufthansa and Condor regarding a commercial agreement for feeder flights across Europe and Lufthansa’s legal obligation to grant access to Condor given Lufthansa‘s dominant market position, there has been an interim decision, final ruling is pending, by the court impacting the general circumstances and conditions of accessing these feeder flights.

Due to this, Condor is forced to review and adjust its summer 2025 flight schedule in the U.S. and Canada in advance of the peak summer booking season.

As a result, we regretfully have had to make the difficult decision to suspend seasonal service for summer 2025 in the following markets: Washington D.C./Baltimore (BWI), Minneapolis (MSP), San Antonio (SAT) and Phoenix (PHX) in the U.S. and Halifax (YHZ) and Edmonton (YEG) in Canada.

Condor will continue to serve 12 gateways in North America including New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Miami (MIA), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), Las Vegas (LAS) and Anchorage (ANC) in the U.S. and Toronto (YYZ), Calgary (YYC) and Vancouver (YVR) in Canada.

We remain committed to building on our success and growth in North America and will continue to explore all avenues for fair competition, including continued legal proceedings.”

While this makes my flight plan, departing BWI, unavailable moving forward, there are multiple options for flying from the US and Canada to Europe. 

My Flight Plan with Condor Airlines

Because I had to board a cruise ship at a specific time in Norway and then disembark at a particular time in Barcelona, I needed to book flights that would accommodate that arrival and departure. I was flying out in mid-September and returning in late September, so some airports were unavailable for the return trip because of Condor’s seasonal schedule. However, with so many options, it was easy to get creative.

As some readers know, I live and work full-time in my RV, and we move around. I was departing from the Mid-Atlantic region for my cruise, so I decided Baltimore was the best outbound airport. It was only a couple of hours from where we were staying. I could fly non-stop from Baltimore to Frankfurt, stay overnight in Frankfurt, and then transit on a different airline to Bergen the following day.

However, the return flight was after the date of the last flights into Baltimore for the season, so I would have to fly into Miami. I decided to run with those plans and started looking at options for getting around. By adding hopper flights in Europe and an additional flight in the US, I could still fly Business Class on Condor for less than I would have paid for Economy Class on one of the major US carriers. Here’s what my flight plan looked like:

Outbound Trip to Europe

Fly Condor Airlines non-stop from Baltimore (BWI) to Frankfurt (FRA)
Overnight stay at Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center (walk to the hotel from inside the airport terminal and then catch the free 3-minute shuttle to Terminal 2 the next day)
Fly KLM from Frankfurt (FRA) to Amsterdam (AMS) with a 2-hour layover, then on to Bergen, Norway (BGO)

Inbound Trip Home to the US

Fly Lufthansa from Barcelona (BCN) to Frankfurt (FRA)
Overnight stay at Frankfurt Airport Marriott Hotel (adjacent to the Sheraton, sharing a common restaurant area, with a simple walk back across the sky bridge to the Condor check-in counter the following day)
Fly Condor Airlines non-stop from Frankfurt (FRA) to Miami (MIA)
Arrive MIA, clear customs quickly thanks to Global Entry, and then grab dinner during my 2.5-hour layover
Fly American Airlines from Miami (MIA) to Baltimore (BWI) (this is a cheap flight that cost me under $100)

Having planned these hops around Europe, I was eager to board my Condor Airlines flight and determine if the financial savings and circuitous journey were worth it.

My Seat in Condor Business Class

The Airbus A330-900neo can carry 310 passengers. It has four Prime Seats, 26 Business Seats, 64 Premium Economy Seats, and 216 Economy Seats. The front row has four exclusive Prime Seats, which are larger reclining seats with one at each window and two in the middle.

The two in the middle, each with aisle access, are perfect for two people traveling together. The middle Prime Seats offer a shared table for eating and working, while all have enough room for a second person to sit inside the pod for talking or playing games. Each fully lay-flat Prime Seat features a 24-inch screen with 4K resolution, an included internet package, cozy pajamas, and an upgraded travel kit.

My Business Class Boarding Experience

I flew Business Class, and it was delightful. My experience began with Lounge access. On my outbound flight, I had access to The Club at BWI and, on my return flight, to the Lufthansa Lounge in Frankfurt. Boarding the plane was quick and easy since they used both the front and back. Business Class meant I was one of the first to board the plane, which gave me time to get settled well before takeoff. Since it was a late evening departure (as are most international flights), BWI was relatively empty, and it was one of the most stressless boardings I’ve experienced in a while.

The boarding process in Frankfurt was a bit more chaotic, primarily because US immigration laws required each passenger to have a paper ticket before boarding the plane from Europe, and the digital passes were unacceptable. This caused a lot of confusion but had little to do with the airline. Condor gate agents handled the chaos quite well and got the plane boarded and pushed back from the gate on time. 

My Business Class Experience on the Aircraft

There are large overhead bins, so there is no issue with running out of overhead space. I love that every seat in Business Class has aisle access. The seats are in a 1-2-1 configuration, so I chose one of the single seats on the window. The seats have a variety of adjustments, so you’re comfortable sitting up to eat, reclining to read or relax, or stretching out for sleep. The seats convert into a lie-flat bed that is 78″ long and 19″ wide. The extra bedding made the seats even more comfortable, and I pulled the comforter over me for a peaceful sleep on my journey.

I was impressed with the entertainment onboard Condor. The 17.3-inch screen in 4K mode includes a touchscreen and a remote control. You can use the headphones Condor provides or use the Bluetooth function to connect your own headphones to the entertainment system.

USB-A and USB-C ports and power outlets kept everything charged and ready for arrival. A toiletry kit includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask, and socks. There are also controls for ambient lighting and reading lights to help you create the best mood for your trip.

Of course, my flight started with a lovely glass of sparkling wine, and I settled back in my seat to prepare for takeoff.

My Flying Experience with Condor Airlines

We took off on time, and I realized how quiet the plane was after getting in the air. The A330neo is renowned as a quiet ride, and I could tell it when we got up in the air. As I sat back, waiting for service to begin, I read about the fuel-efficient Airbus A330-900neo that was carrying me at 571 mph and 39,000 feet in altitude to Europe. The plan reduces fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 20% and is already certified for the regulatory reduction in carbon dioxide emissions required by 2028.

The flight attendants were all polite, accommodating, and friendly. They all spoke fluent English and German. The first pass-through offered up drinks. I was thrilled to see Condor serves Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Brut Champagne, so I started with a glass of Nicolas as they laid out the white cloth on my table and gave me a hot towel to wash my hands before dinner service.

Dining Onboard My Flight

We departed Baltimore at about 8 PM, so they served a dinner within about an hour of takeoff. The first course included an assorted starter with bell pepper dip and Mille-Feuille (pastry) with tomato, mozzarella, Bresaola (Italian dry-cured meat), and balsamic. Also on the tray was a salad of mixed greens with tomatoes and a balsamic dressing, along with the cheese course I saved for later, which included Dill Havarti, cheddar, and goat cheese.

After the starters were complete, the flight attendants served the main course. Guests always have a choice of meat, fish, or vegetarian dishes (or you can order special meals in advance). On the outbound flight, I chose the beef tenderloin. Other options included shrimp and broccoli over saffron rice or Italian ravioli with mascarpone, artichoke, and a mushroom sauce. Condor frequently offers German Rinderbraten (roast beef), Schnitzel, and Spaetzle. The attendants also come around with a basket of rolls and bread.

Dessert is served after dinner. The lemon tartlet was delicious, and I enjoyed a cup of tea at the end of the meal.

Snacks, including ice cream, are available throughout the flight. A light breakfast is served about an hour before landing.

The return flight left Frankfurt in the morning, so we began with an English breakfast. Again, snacks were provided throughout the flight, and a light snack was provided before landing in Miami.

A Smooth Flight

Throughout the flight, attendants came through the cabin to check on passengers. The restrooms were kept well stocked and neat despite the 9-hour transit across the Atlantic. Boarding and disembarking were easy, and every crew member always smiled and seemed willing to help.

Will You Fly Condor Airlines Again?

I was talking to a fellow passenger returning from Frankfurt to Miami. He and his wife were also first-time Condor passengers and felt the same way I did by the end of our flight. As we gathered our bags and prepared to depart, he told me, “I fly Business Class on this route several times a year, but usually on either American or Delta. After this experience, I’ll be booking Condor. If you look at the quality of service and the price point, there’s no reason why I would book anything else.”

I can’t agree more. Condor Airlines offered me impeccable service, exceptional quality, and a price point that makes traveling easier. Even if you fly Economy or Premium Economy, you’ll find the same friendly service! The next time I book a flight to Europe, I’ll include Condor Airlines in my search. Given the price point, it was one of my best flights, making this a great flight option.

We welcome you to explore Wander With Wonder for some of our favorite European destinations so you can start planning your next trip to Europe onboard Condor Airlines.

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