My parents, who are elderly but sprightly, were talking tonight about going to Europe again, but they will only go if they can fly first class. My dad pronounced that it would cost $10,000...

I wonder how much does it really cost to fly first class to someplace in Europe (they'd be flying out of NYC)? Are we really in the $10,000 realm or do people do it cheaper?

They can afford it - but they are frugal; depression-era babies.

Thanks for opinions.

FYI -- I just was looking last night; in May 2007 JFK to FCO {Rome} and then ATH {Athens} back to JFK on Delta was $1080 coach and $3000 business/first class per person.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Hi wliwl-

I'm sure you've thought about frequent flier miles. Do they have a credit card linked to an airline? This is a good way to work up to either an upgrade or free first-class tix. That should definitely appeal to the frugal types.

They might also check out maxjet.com. This is one of the new business class only airlines. It flies from NY or DC to London Stansted. Right now they are having a promotion for $999 round trip from DC. It's a great deal, but it has to be booked by 10/23. Here's a link: http://www.maxjet.com/promotionsAnniversarySale.do

Check Delta, too. I think they might be having a first class sale right now as well.

Good luck to you and them!

As a side note, most of my experience is with American Airlines. The difference in comfort and service between coach and business class is utterly enormous. The difference between business class and first class is minor by comparison. In fact I have clients who actually declined an upgrade to first because they don't like those bed things in first and prefer Business Class.

Thanks everybody! I didn't think it had to cost $10,000.

Now, if I can only convince them that they need a guide/driver/companion along...

Just realize they are talking business - not first. Just as coach is completely different from business, business is from First - for those airlines that have it.

What are your parents expecting? Just larger seats that recline more? Or sleeper beds and champagne service?

You can get sleeper seats in some airline's Business Class sections depening on thne company.

I would also suggest they llok at consolidators and aggregators such as onetravel.com and itasoftware.com as well as looking into any possible sales. You can sometimes get lower prices through consolidators/aggregators.

And Maxjet mentioned above also has service to Stansted out of New York.

Just did a quick check on British Airways for random dates next spring out of JFK. The lowest business class (with restrictions) is about $1800 per person. the lowest first Class (with restrictions) is about $6800 plus taxes.

When I worked in the fashion business in NYC, my employer paid $13,000 to fly me first class on BA to London, RT.

I also used to fly the Concord (about 10 times in all). My ticket was in the $10,000 range.

I recently flew my mother from Houston to Rome on Continental's "Business First" and it was less than $2500 round trip. Quite affordable compared to the exhorbitant fare I figured I would be paying. So, yes...it can be done, wliwl.

Airlines may run Business class sales for flights in August. I flew Business class ORD-CDG in August, 2005 for around $1400. Coach tickets during August were around $1000.

If they're adventurous and want a trip of a lifetime, how about a Singapore Airlines business class round-the-world trip - say New York - Frankfurt, Paris - Singapore - Hong Kong - Singapore - New York itinerary, for around $5500 each. I know that's a lot more than just Europe RT in business class, but thought I'd stir the pot a little.

My wife and I are flying business class from DC to Paris for about $5500 total (air fare plus taxes and fees). We are going in the first week of January. We found fares in this range on three airlines, Air France, United and Luftansa. It was a 50 day advance fare purchase. I suspect that if your parents could fly in the off season, they could at least find similar fares from NYC to major destination in Europe. As many people have already posted, this is probably the worst they could do if they booked far enough in advance.

>...they will only go if they can fly first class. <

That's a very expensive, very small hotel room.

www.kayak.com has NYC/FCO nonstop 1cl for $2900-3200 in May.

Coach is $840-900.

For $2000 pp one can spend a week in a 4*L hotel and get over the cramped feeling.

I recently booked Lufthansa Toronto to Venice, using Air Canada points. I planned to go Business, but no seats left for points, so booked First Class, then looked on Lufthansa's site. ONE WAY fare is just under $8000CA! I nearly died! Seats are on upper level of 747, only 8 seats, and they recline fully to 180 degrees. In photos there is a rose at each set of 2 seats! I switch planes in Frankfurt, then go Business the rest of the way. I can't wait! Unfortunately, won't be able to First Class it back, as we'll be returning from London or Paris, and Air Canada services both cities and doesn't have First Class, so we'll be in Business. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don't think I'll sleep the while way there so I can revel in the luxury!

Right now there are flights from NYC to Paris for over the holidays at $1550 (plus taxes, etc.) for business class on American -- not too bad at all!

Unless your folks like to drink the really expensive wines, I would go with the Business Class. British Airways does offer Flat Beds in Business class. They have Economy Plus, too, which is 38 inches instead of 31 inches for legroom.

You can also book Economy and just take a sleeping pill. In just 9 hours, you will save quite a bit of money.

If they book business, be sure they are a member of the frequent flyer plan. You get a lot of miles in business and first class.

wliwl:

I, too, am an "elderly but sprightly, frugal, depression-era baby"...just like your parents....that's precisely why I "suffer" in coach for only 10 hours (that's about 20 hours R/T out of the 500-700 delightful hours on the ground for our usual three-four week trip)..it would kill me off if I had to pay those prices just for the extra few inches and champagne (which I abhor).

Just one curmudgeonly man's opinion!!

Stu T.

I agree with ira and tower (and others). I was just saying the other day, it would be very hard for me to pay business class fares if they were $1000/$2000 more. If you're flying to Europe, that costs at least $100/hour, probably closer to $200/hour that you are hopefully sleeping through! I would rather just add a throw-away day to my vacation and pay for a nice hotel to sleep in when I arrive and then start out the next day refreshed.