Condor Airlines unveils bigger plane with more comfortable business class, premium economy

A green and white striped plane emerging along the backdrop of the Phoenix Mountains as it landed at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport heralded a new era for flights to Germany.

That striking plane is Condor Airlines' new Airbus A330-900neo, designed to seat more passengers and offer greater comfort on its seasonal nonstop route between Phoenix and Frankfurt, Germany, a financial hub on the Main River in the country's central region.

Condor announced the 310-seat plane in October 2023 after the end of last year's season. It previously operated Boeing 767 jets for its Phoenix-Frankfurt flights, which hold 259 passengers. Mikko Turtiainen, Condor's director of sales in the Americas, described the Airbus as a "game changer" in terms of passenger comfort.

Flights on the new plane began Saturday, May 18. Here's what the experience aboard Condor's new Airbus jet is like.

Condor Airlines new plane offers greater comfort

Condor's new A330neo includes 216 economy seats, 64 premium economy seats and 30 business class seats. The jet's layout configures the seating across three rows spanning the width of the cabin:

• Business class: One seat in the first row, two seats in the second and one seat in the third.

• Economy and premium economy: Two seats in the first row, four seats in the second and two seats in the third.

Business class seats are lie-flat and can convert to a 76-inch-long, 19-inch-wide bed. The 30 business class seats include four "prime seats" with more legroom, a space large enough to accommodate two passengers who wish to dine together and a 24-inch entertainment screen.

Premium economy features a 35-inch pitch, or distance between seats, allowing for greater legroom. (Condor's standard economy has a seat pitch just below 30 inches.) Premium economy seats also have adjustable headrests and footrests.

All seats have 4K monitors with touchscreens for viewing in-flight entertainment, USB connections for type A and type C devices, plus headphones for in-flight entertainment and a mobile device holder.

The cabin also includes mood lighting in all classes of service that can be adjusted to suit the time of day.

How is the Condor business class?

Business class and premium economy passengers receive amenity kits.

These include a pillow and blanket, sleep mask, toothbrush, socks and bottled water. Guests in the prime seats in business economy also receive in-flight pajamas and a snack basket.

What is special about the A330neo?

Condor's A330neo is equipped with the latest generation of Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, new wings and aerodynamic innovations. The airline said these features reduce the plane's fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 20%.

The Airbus A330neo consumes about a half gallon of fuel per passenger per 62 miles and is the world's first aircraft certified for a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions that the International Civil Aviation Organization will begin requiring in 2028.

Condor's Phoenix-Frankfurt flight schedule

Condor's nonstop flights between Phoenix and Frankfurt aboard the A330neo will take off on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from May to October 2024. Book at condor.com/us.

Another upgraded airline experience that will soon await Sky Harbor passengers is JetBlue's Mint business class service. And Condor isn't the only long-haul airline with a big reveal this week ? Air France's first flight to Paris is scheduled for Thursday, May 23.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Condor Airlines debuts bigger, roomier plane for 2024 season