Flying Business Class with Condor - In Perfect Comfort to Europe and Back

Published December 18th, 2024

Photography by Kateryna Topol unless otherwise noted.

If you spend enough time in airports you learn how to predict people’s behaviour. Determined to enjoy this journey to its fullest I briskly navigated the airport dodging unprepared travellers and slow-moving lines. My check-in took two minutes. The expedited security check took no more than ten. In another ten, mostly spent traversing through Frankfurt airport, I was comfortably seated in the lounge reading about orcas wearing salmon hats. 

A Brief Intro to Condor and A330neo

Germany’s “most popular leisure airline” fell on my radar with the launch of its new A330neo long-haul aircraft during a press event in Toronto. Condor has been operating worldwide for over 65 years and this particular aircraft is their latest pride and joy. A330neo is the first aircraft certified to meet the 2028 CO2 emissions reduction targets with below-average fuel consumption (21% less than a car) using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). In addition to lower noise pollution, the airline also has a climate contribution program and a partnership with Myclimate Foundation. 

The new aircraft arrived with a cheeky brand refresh dressing the Neo in colourful stripes with fun names like “island” green, “sea” blue, and “beach” beige. The striped pattern, representing vacations, is elegantly integrated throughout the interior and passenger amenities designed by Vision Alphabet Agency in Berlin. The amenity kit is created with sustainable materials and in addition to the staples like socks and a toothbrush includes one of Condor’s travel organizers. There is a set and I intend to collect them all.  

At this time, Condor operates five non-stop flights to Frankfurt (FRA) per week from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) with over 100 connections across Europe and beyond.

December 18-25, 2024 flight prices

Condor fares are perhaps even more attractive than their eco-friendly aircraft averaging a few thousand dollars less for business class than Air Canada or Lufthansa. Taking into consideration the inclusions like 2 x 32 kg checked bags, expedited airport experience, lounge access, and an actual lie-flat business class seat, the cost is rather reasonable. 

Be better prepared

  • Condor flights marketed with WestJet can earn WestJet points.

  • Check-in desks at the Frankfurt airport are in Hall C, 773–783 and 751–753, located to the far left. 

  • In Frankfurt, Condor uses the Lufthansa business lounge (Gate B24) and Plaza Premium Lounge in Toronto.

The Business Class Cabin

A wide lie-flat seat is the ultimate comfort when it comes to long-haul travel and this I was particularly excited for. Nestled in with a pillow and a blanket (mattress liner is available), feet stretched out on the footrest getting comfortable even during takeoff is easy. I read my spy novel in privacy as we climbed further and further away from Germany. 

The business class cabin uses a 1-2-1 configuration where all window seats have a view and the middle seats share a retractable privacy wall allowing people travelling together to share the row. The very front row is Prime Seats with more space and an additional seat for your travel buddy, among other additional perks.

Each seat has all of the necessary outlets, a premium headset, a large 4K screen with a remote control, elbow room, and seat controls allowing you to customize your experience down to the lower back padding. Bluetooth connectivity to personal headphones is also an option, I, however, am prone to falling asleep and losing my earbuds.

Better air travel tip: The flight crew will happily refill your water cantine if you ask and having electrolytes on-hand will help you remain hydrated longer. 

The In-flight Dining Experience

The in-flight service is a complete tasting experience which I also look forward to with childish glee. A well-sized table is covered with white linen and all meals are accompanied by real metal cutlery and proper glassware. There is something about the sun reflecting off the glass that makes this whole experience a little romantic.

The internationally inspired Condor Taste the World menus are developed taking into consideration customer and crew feedback and international trends, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients when possible. The menu changes every six months and in December, business class passengers are also offered a special Christmas menu.

Today’s menu includes a selection of starters like marinated roast beef, sweet potato dip, a selection of cheeses, hot-smoked salmon fillet, and baby leaf lettuce salad. There are always three options for the main, today it is beef roulade, prawns, and ricotta tortelloni. Having just eaten my weight in prawns in Portugal I opted in for the juicy and tender beef. And for dessert, chocolate tart with cranberry sauce.

Every food tasting should have a wine pairing and this one has options. Naturally, I was curious about how this wine selection is made. “We work with various wine suppliers and source our wines twice a year,” the Condor team shared, “For this purpose, a pre-selection (approx. 20 wines) is made for red and white wine, which we then taste with our catering team and select together.” The menu always has two white and two red wines, one of each has to be from Germany. One of the other criteria is ensuring a balanced mix of “different grape varieties, ideally covering all tastes. The wine selection is also tailored to the menu and the season, meaning heavier wines in winter and lighter wines in summer.”

Menger-Krug Winery in the Palatinate is a long-standing partner of the airline, a generational family-run winery with vineyards in Rheinhessen. Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) offered on this flight was a delicate balance of acidity and fruit aromas with a hint of barrel ageing. The  Motzenbäcker Rosé sparkling wine Brut Methode Rurale from Menger-Krug, using classic bottle fermentation, was a real special treat.

Two movies, a nap, and a few chapters later we comfortably landed in Toronto. Business Class is first to deplane making the journey home a little shorter.