Trying various methods to either upgrade or directly pay for business or 1st class from East coast (either BWI or IAD) to BCN (Barcelona). I then need to return from Athens to home base (BWI or IAD) --there is a cruise in between. Any suggestions?

It's extremely difficult to say, given that we don't know your travel dates and/or if you have miles or elite status in some airline mileage program or another.

That said, I can see some excellent business-class fares on Lufthansa on various dates in July/August - around $2730 IAD-MUC-BCN//ATH-MUC-IAD.

More roundabout, but good for AA miles is you're members, is Iberia, using AA codeshares in N. America - DCA-ORD-MAD-BCN//ATH-MAD-ORD-DCA, for $2475 all in. Book on aa.com, using the "advanced options," "multiple destinations," and "AA, Eagle and Oneworld" options, "business with restrictions" fare class.

But your dates might make these more or less accurate.

You could also check out www.maxjet.com - they offer affordable business class flights from IAD to London Stansted, where you can connect to a number of low-cost airlines for the BCN and ATH legs. Obviously you won't get business class on the cheapos, but you can buy 3 seats for 2 people and have a little room.

Thanks for you quick response. We're planning to leave around Aug 8 and return Aug 23rd

The AA/Iberia itinerary (above) for your dates prices at $2457. Can't get United/Lufthansa to price the same dates at less than $6K.

Using beta.itasoftware.com, I found <$3,000 fares on NW/KLM, AF and SAS for the dates you want.

Thanks, after much searching, I decided to fly British Airway's traveller plus - 2 tickets for $3100 and the seats sound close to the business class on American and United w/ meals and drinks and videos to entertain us. I guess we'll find out!

Smart choice.

It was a good choice, but don't think it's close to AA or UA business class seats. It's not.

It's a standard economy seat with 2 inches of more recline.

and 7 more inches of space....

<i>It's a standard economy seat with 2 inches of more recline. </i>

Not really - the WT+ seats are 3/4 or 1&quot; wider than standard Y seats on BA, have fixed armrests, legrests, <i>and</i> 7&quot; more pitch. On 744s and 777s they're set up as 2-4-2 vs. 3-4-3 in Y, so lots more space in general.

Of course WT+ books into conventional Y on intra-Europe routes, which from ATH will be pretty uncomfortable on a 3+ hour segment.

<b>dolciani,</b> when you check in at IAD and again at LHR on the return, and if you feel flush, ask the BA counterperson if you can upgrade into Business for cash. If there's room, they typically sell upgrades from WT+ to Club World (business) for US$250 or US$300 depending on how they feel that day. Especially on the ATH-LHR-IAD day, the bed (which might be upstairs on the 744 if that's the flight you're on) would be a real treat.

Wow,
Thanks, Garyloo, a great idea! I know if the plane is not &quot;too booked&quot; they will sometimes let you do that! Thanks for the suggestion!

<b>Gardyoo</b>,
But business class seat it's not.

Business Class (on the lower deck) also sits 2 x 4 x 2. But you don't get a flat bed with Economy Plus. But, with free wine in a glass, and great entertainment, why would one want to sleep?

BA World Traveler Plus: &lt;&gt;38.0&quot; 18.5&quot; 30 seats with 2 more inches of recline than standard.

AA Business Class: <b>60.0&quot; 20.0&quot;</b> electric lumbar support and legrests.

UA Business Class: <b>55.0&quot; 20.5&quot;</b>

www.seatguru.com

Thanks AAFF, You sure have a lot of info. We're skinny so the seat width may not be as big a deal, but the pitch on BA WT+ is close to the pitch of the business class and that's really important to us. (I can't tell you how many times I couldn't get out of my window seat to get to the bathroom b/c the person in front of me had his/her seat back!

Er... 38&quot; is nowhere near 55-60&quot;. It's over a foot of difference.