But while these independents aren’t part of big networks, they still often have premium perks such as lay-flat seats. What’s more, they usually offer very affordable prices.
Many have a geographic focus that makes them particularly well suited to specific routes. And while you won’t earn major-alliance miles when flying with most of these undersung airlines, they can deliver fantastic value if you know what to expect. Here’s a closer look.
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La Compagnie
What It’s Like: An all-business-class option, La Compagnie won best international airline in the 2023 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards survey. It connects Newark Liberty with Milan and Paris, and also has seasonal service to Nice, France — at very competitive prices.
Business Class? Exclusively, with just 76 lay-flat seats.
Watch Out For: The two-by-two seating configuration means passengers in window seats have to step past their neighbors to get to the aisle.
La Compagnie Sample Fare: $2,942, round-trip business, Newark, New Jersey → Paris
Courtesy of Condor
Condor
What It’s Like: The German airline with an eye-catching, candy-cane livery now flies to four continents, with long-haul trips on wide-body Airbus A330neo jets. Sleek cabins have a cool Northern European aesthetic, and fliers have a choice of economy, premium-economy, and business-class seats.
Business Class? Yes, featuring private pods with lay-flat seats in a 1-2-1 arrangement.
Watch Out For: Premium economy offers plenty of legroom, but there are two “middle” seats in every four-across row.
Condor Sample Fare: $3,360, round-trip business, Miami → Frankfurt
French Bee
What It’s Like: French Bee has economical nonstops between San Francisco and French Polynesia, as well as flights between the U.S. and Paris. (It also serves the Indian Ocean island of Réunion from Paris-Orly Airport.) In a nod to all that overwater flying, cabins are decorated in calming blues.
Business Class? Nope. Premium economy may be worth the upgrade.
Watch Out For: Almost everything is à la carte when booked in economy, including meals, seat selection, even carry-on baggage.
French Bee Sample Fare: $2,330, round-trip premium economy, San Francisco → Tahiti
Courtesy of Norse Atlantic
Norse Atlantic
What It’s Like: With a presence at five major U.S. hubs, Norse Atlantic specializes in low-cost long-haul flights to Europe. Coach is nothing special, but premium-economy seats are often a steal compared with what more established competitors charge.
Business Class? Not quite. Norse Atlantic’s premium economy has recliner-style seats with ample legroom, but none of the bells and whistles of true business.
Watch Out For: There’s no Wi-Fi on any Norse Atlantic flight, though the in-flight entertainment system is fully loaded.
Norse Atlantic Sample Fare: $948, round-trip premium economy, Orlando → London Gatwick
Courtesy of Beond
Beond
What It’s Like: This luxe carrier connects Malé, the capital of the Maldives, to six cities in the Middle East and Europe, including the hubs of Dubai, Istanbul, and Milan. Its private-jet-inspired interiors are stylish and spacious, on par with any business-class offering, in spite of the fact that fares are significantly more affordable than rival premium-cabin prices.
Business Class? It’s only business class.
Watch Out For: With a limited route network — and no U.S. flights — you’ll need to arrange your own connection.
Beond Sample Fare: $2,068, round-trip business, Dubai → Malé
Courtesy of Starlux
Starlux Airlines
What It’s Like: The Taiwan-based upstart differentiates itself with sleek interiors on brand-new Airbus A350-900 jets that connect Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle with Taipei; from there, travelers can continue on to almost two dozen destinations across Asia. Unlike most indie airlines, Starlux trips do earn rewards, thanks to a partnership with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.
Business Class? Business — and everything else. It offers four cabin choices, from affordable economy to full-on first class.
Watch Out For: You’ll need at least one connection to go beyond Taipei.
Starlux Airlines Sample Fare: $5,607, round-trip business, Los Angeles → Singapore
Courtesy of Air Premia
Air Premia
What It’s Like: From Seoul, Air Premia serves the U.S. destinations of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Newark, New Jersey. The spacious premium-economy cabin has a sophisticated dark-blue color scheme, and the airline offers perks like priority boarding for a fee. A green-tea service, brewed with leaves grown on JeJu Island, is a nice nod to HQ.
Business Class? No, but premium-economy seats have seven more inches of legroom than the ones in coach.
Watch Out For: Its Boeing 787-9 aircraft have twin aisles, but the 2-3-2 seating in premium can still feel tight.
Air Premia Sample Fare: $1,851, round-trip premium economy, San Francisco → Seoul
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Zipair Tokyo
What It’s Like: A good option for travelers flying out of the western United States, Zipair has nonstops from Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose, California, to Tokyo’s Narita International. Its à la carte fares mean you pay for baggage, meals, seat assignments, and most everything else. The one thing they don’t charge for, surprisingly, is Wi-Fi.
Business Class? Yes, with fully flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.
Watch Out For: The pay-per-service model applies to all fare classes.
Zipair Tokyo Sample Fare: $2,786, round-trip business, San Jose, California → Tokyo
A version of this story first appeared in the October 2024 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline “Going My Way?”
