In this post, I’ll explain everything you need to know about flying with Condor. I’ll discuss what’s included in the price, talk about what you can expect on the ground and in the air, and touch on how to upgrade your economy class ticket to a better class of service. Condor is Alaska Airlines’ newest airline partner and you can now earn and redeem miles with Condor, using Alaska’s own Mileage Plan program. This is an exciting opportunity for those looking for cheap flights across the Atlantic and with Condor’s rapidly expanding network, you can now fly from numerous American hubs to some of your favorite destinations in Europe and beyond.
That being said, the most important thing you need to know about Condor is that their airport operations, especially at remote stations, are a mess. They are consistently plagued with frequent delays, cancellations, and other operational issues and they haven’t really mastered their world-wide logistics yet. And when things go wrong, they can’t always recover from their technical difficulties as quickly as other mainline airlines. But the worst part is their ground staff employees are not the most knowledgeable, nor are they helpful, so when things go wrong, they won’t really do everything they can to help you. So be prepared for that.
Flight Booking, Price, Inclusions, and Upgrades
Condor recently took delivery of several new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, which feature all-new interiors. These new planes look amazing inside and out and I really wanted to experience it first hand for a proper review. But unfortunately for me, I’m Los Angeles based and Condor doesn’t fly the Airbus A330-900neo to LAX yet. Instead, they operate this route with an aging Boeing 767, which features their old business and economy-class product. Because of that, I decided to book the Frankfurt to San Francisco route as they operate that route with the new aircraft. Sure that meant a second leg for me to get back home but I was okay with it as it was an opportunity for me to try out a new airline (and a new-ish aircraft type).
For this journey, I booked a one-way, economy-class flight from Frankfurt to Los Angeles, via San Francisco, using Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan program. FRA-SFO was operated by Condor and SFO-LAX was operated by Alaska Airlines. The whole trip cost me 25K AS miles and $181.35 in taxes and fees. 25K miles is a pretty good price for a transatlantic, economy-class flight but I must admit, $181 is pretty hefty for taxes and fees.
Like other airlines, Condor sells both “classic economy” and “economy light” tickets. These economy light tickets are super cheap but they don’t include extras such as carry-on/checked bags. Fortunately, though, Condor economy-class tickets, booked via Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, are considered classic economy tickets. On flights to/from the United States, classic economy tickets include:
- One checked bag, up to 23KG
- One carry-on bag, up to 8KG
- One personal item such as a purse or small backpack
- In-flight meals (but alcoholic beverages are not included and specialty meals may cost extra)
It should be noted that seat selections still cost money, regardless of the ticket type. It doesn’t matter if you’re booked in economy or premium economy class, you will need to pay 14.99 Euros to select a seat (extra legroom such as bulkhead and emergency exit seats cost 99 Euros). If you don’t pay to select a seat, one will be ASSIGNED for you at check-in. And here’s the bad news, if you let the system assign a seat for you, you won’t be able to change it afterward. So it’s definitely a gamble.
At the 24-hour mark, I logged in with the Condor app to check-in and saw that upgrades were available. If seats are available, Condor will always try to upsell you at check-in. For this flight, upgrades to business class were available for 699 Euros and upgrades to premium economy were available for 99 Euros. I decided to take the upgrade to premium economy.
On flights to/from the United States, premium economy class tickets include:
- One checked bag, up to 32KG
- One carry-on bag, up to 10KG
- One personal item such as a purse or small backpack
- In-flight premium meals, including unlimited alcoholic beverages
- Priority check-in, boarding, and luggage handling
Condor Operational Issues and Delays
On the morning of my flight, I received an email informing me my flight was delayed from 12:20 PM to 2:55 PM. Knowing this delay would cause me to misconnect in SFO, I immediately checked both my Condor and Alaska Airlines apps but saw that they had not listed the delay yet. They both showed my Condor flight as arriving as scheduled and because of that, I wasn’t able to reschedule my SFO flight in the app. I don’t know why but my booking was never updated in either apps to show the delayed status. However, I was able to confirm the flight was delayed via Condor’s own website (it just never updated in “my bookings”).
As a point of reference, this FRA-SFO flight has a 57% history of departing on time and the return flight from San Francisco (DE2097) has a 43% history of departing on time. That’s crazy to think that your flight has a better chance of being delayed than departing on-time.
Condor Ground Experience in Frankfurt
At Frankfurt Airport, Condor operates from Terminal 1 and the check-in counters are located in the C gates area. With several flights departing at the same time, there were hundreds of people waiting in the economy class lines to check-in/drop off bags. These lines were as long as the eyes could see, and it was hard to see which line went to which counter. My recommendation is to not get in the first line you see. Instead, follow the line and make sure it’s going to the right counter you are looking for.
For premium economy class passengers, there are three check-in/bag drop-off counters located at the far left of the terminal. I don’t know why they do this but instead of making one line for all premium economy class passengers, you get to pick which line you get into. In other words, find the shortest line and get into that one.
When I arrived, I found the shortest premium economy line and got in it. As I did so, a Condor agent walked up to me, told me I was in the wrong line, and pointed me to a longer line down the hall. Not knowing any better, I started walking down there when I realized she had pointed me to the end of the economy class line.
Pissed, I walked back, got in line again, and saw that she was giving another family a hard time about being in the wrong line also. She then went up to me and told me to get in the economy line again and I told her no and that I had a premium economy ticket. This really annoyed me that she would just send people away without first inquiring about their tickets.
When I got to the front, I presented my passport to the ticketing agent, informed her regarding the delayed flight and my misconnect in SFO, and asked if she could help me. Instead of acknowledging me, she continued to check my bag and print my boarding passes. She then presented my boarding passes for both legs and told me which gate to proceed to. I had to stop her and explained my situation again. I’m not sure if she didn’t understand me, or if she didn’t care, but she ultimately stated she was unable to help me as my second leg was operated by Alaska Airlines. She told me I had to deal with it when I landed in SFO, which was terrible advice.
To be honest, this was one of the worst check-in experiences I have ever had. The check-in lines were chaotic and the agent was cold and uncaring. There was nothing premium about it and from reading other online reviews, this seems to be the norm rather than the exception. Condor really needs to do better here.
Regarding my luggage, only my checked bag was weighed for compliance. The ticketing agent did not weigh or even ask about my carry-on bag or personal items. I don’t know if this is the norm or if this agent just didn’t care so your experience may vary.
Condor premium economy passengers are not entitled to lounge access and unfortunately, Frankfurt Airport is terrible for Priority Pass cardholders. Because of that, I just made my way to the gate and waited for boarding to be called. Still concerned about my connecting flight, I did some research and saw there was another flight departing from SFO to LAX later on in the night that I could catch when I landed at SFO. I chatted with Alaska Airlines via the app and asked them to move me to the later flight but they were unable to because it was already sold out. They put me on the waitlist and fortunately, my waitlist cleared by the time I landed in San Francisco.
Thinking that I may need to file a trip delay claim, I went up to the gate counter and asked Condor for a printout of why this flight was delayed. Instead of anything helpful, I was told all their information was “public information” and that I could just Google why my flight was delayed. I insisted and he finally told me it was because of a late-arriving aircraft. Shocker.
It should be noted that most Condor flights depart from bus gates so expect a very disorganized, free-for-all, boarding process. As a premium economy passenger, you’re supposed to get priority boarding but when boarding was called, everyone just rushed to get on the bus and there was no order to anything. Once I boarded the bus, we took a very leisurely ride around the airport to our awaiting plane. When we got to the plane, we had to stay on the bus for another 15 minutes or so because the cleaning crew had not finished yet. Do you see what I mean when I say Condor is just an operational mess?
We were then allowed to disembark the bus and board our aircraft.
Condor A330-900neo Premium Economy Review
Flight: DE2096
Aircraft: Airbus A330-900neo
Frankfurt (FRA) to San Francisco (SFO)
Depart: 12:20 PM on Tuesday (2:55 PM actual)
Arrive: 3:40 PM same day (6:02 PM actual)
Duration: 12hrs 07mns
Seat: 14G Premium Economy
On their Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, the premium economy seats are located in the forward section of the second cabin, directly in front of the economy class section. There are no dividers between the premium economy section and the economy class section and the only visual distinction between the two is the headrest covers. Premium economy seats have striped headrest covers, whereas economy class seats have solid-colored headrest covers.
It should be noted that premium economy and economy class seats are nearly identical. The only differences between the premium economy and economy class seats are the addition of an adjustable footrest and the increased seat pitch. Premium economy seats provide 35 inches of pitch and economy class seats provide 30 inches of pitch.
Each premium economy seat is configured with a large personal entertainment system, a split-fold tray table, and a personal entertainment device holder.
For storage, there is a single seatback pocket to keep your personal belongings close by. My only gripe about the seatback pocket is that the sides are not fully enclosed and items can fall out. Just be careful not to put your phone, passport, etc. in here as there’s a high likelihood it will fall out and get lost.
The adjustable headrests and footrests are very comfortable. You can adjust the footrests to various heights and the headrests can be adjusted up/down. The sides can also be folded in to give your head a little more support during sleep.
On this flight, I selected seat 14G, an aisle seat in the middle section of seats. Waiting at our seats were a pillow, blanket, pair of earbuds, a collectible travel organizer, amenity kit, and a printed menu.
The travel organizer was cute but I’m not sure I would ever reuse it and the amenity kit only contained an eye mask, dental kit, and a pair of socks. No earplugs or facial products were provided.
Here are the food and drink selections.
The IFE display is large and crystal clear and the system is loaded with a surprisingly robust selection of entertainment. USB, USB C, and universal electrical outlets are also provided at every seat but individual air nozzles are not.
The cabin was kept pretty warm throughout the flight and I was so glad I packed my mini USB fan to keep me cool. I love this thing and I always travel with it to keep me comfortable on warm flights. Especially on aircraft without personal air vents, this little gadget can be a lifesaver. Click here to learn more about it on Amazon (affiliate link).
WiFi was also provided on this flight. You can get 10 mins of free messages but it was unreliable when I attempted to connect to it. WiFi costs:
- 7 Euros for unlimited chat and texting
- 12 Euros for two hours of basic surfing and social media
- 20 Euros for four hours of premium surfing, social media, audio streaming and VPN services
There was no unlimited data option.
Once all the passengers were boarded and the safety demonstration played, we then pushed back from the stand and made our way to the runway for our 11-hour flight to San Francisco. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the seatbelt signs were turned off and the flight attendants came around with a packaged snack mix. A beverage service was served shortly thereafter.
Lunch was then served about 45 mins into the flight. On this flight, there were two options for lunch: an herb chicken fillet or Italian gnocchi. I went with the chicken and it was actually really good. The portion was small and the chicken was slightly dry but the taste was good. Lunch was served with a chicken salad starter, a pretzel bun with butter and brie cheese, a small Snickers bar, and a cup of Bavarian cream with raspberry sauce.
One odd thing to note is that lunch was served from back to front on the left side first, and then from back to front on the right side, so passengers on the front right section of the PE section will be served last. After lunch, our trays were cleared and the flight attendants came around with another beverage service. The cabin lights were dimmed, and I checked out the lavatory to change out of my street clothes. I then settled in for a movie and some work on my laptop.
About halfway through the flight, the flight attendants came by with another beverage service and a small cup of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Service-wise, this was a really nice crew. They were friendly and personable and they proactively came around in between meals with trays of water for all the passengers.
About 2 hours outside of San Francisco, the cabin lights were turned on and the crew prepared our pre-arrival meal service. The flight attendants came around with a hot towel, followed by our second meal service. For our second meal, there was only one option, which was a piece of pizza. The meal was served with a Thai chicken and quinoa starter, KitKat bar and a cup of fruit.
Overall, the catering on this flight wasn’t bad. It was not amazing by any means but it was better than I expected it to be. The flight attendants then came around to clear our trays and prepare for our arrival into San Francisco, 3 hours late.
Condor Airlines A330-900neo Premium Economy Bottom Line
Overall, this Condor Premium Economy experience from Frankfurt to San Francisco had some high and low points. The in-flight experience was actually pretty good and I would compare Condor’s Premium Economy experience to be a really good economy class experience, similar to what you would expect on Qatar or Singapore Airlines. The increased legroom was definitely appreciated but everything else spoke more like a really good economy class experience than a true premium economy experience. The seats were not any wider or more comfortable than regular economy class seats, nor were they located in a smaller, more private cabin.
That being said, what Condor does well in the air, they seriously lack on the ground. They are plagued with operational issues and you should expect your flight to be delayed or canceled. And you need to be prepared to make your own backup travel arrangements when things go wrong. Take my situation for example, the only recourse the Condor agent gave me was to talk to Alaska Airlines when I landed in SFO. If I would have done that, my backup flight was been fully booked already. Instead, by chatting with Alaska Airlines ahead of time, I was able to secure a seat on that later flight and get back home on the same day. Do not rely on Condor to automatically fix everything for you, even though it’s their fault.
The bottom line is if you have to be somewhere at a specific time, I wouldn’t trust Condor to get you to where you need to be at the time you need to be there. But if your travel plans are more flexible and relaxed, then Condor can be a good option for you to cross the Atlantic on the cheap.
What are your thoughts? Have you flown with Condor lately? If so, please share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. Thanks for reading!
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- Condor A330-900neo Premium Economy, Frankfurt to San Fransico
Condor Premium Economy At A Glance: Seat Specs And Cabin Layout
The premium economy cabin on Condor’s Airbus A330-900neo occupies the forward rows of the second cabin, sitting directly ahead of the economy section. There are 64 premium economy seats arranged in eight rows in a 2-4-2 configuration, the same layout used by economy class. The most meaningful upgrade from economy is legroom: premium economy provides 35 inches of seat pitch compared to 30 inches in standard economy. Seat width, however, is the same in both cabins at 17.5 inches, and there is no physical divider separating premium economy from the economy rows behind it. The visual distinction between the two sections is limited to striped headrest covers in premium economy versus solid covers in economy.
Each seat includes an adjustable footrest and an adjustable headrest with wings that fold inward for head support during sleep. A split-fold tray table and a device holder are also built in. Power is provided in the form of a USB port and a USB-C port at every seat, with a universal AC outlet at every other seat and per-seat AC in the bulkhead rows. Individual air nozzles are not present, which can make the cabin feel warm on longer flights. The in-seat entertainment screen measures approximately 13 inches and is touch-capable, with a content library covering films, television series, music, and moving maps.
| Spec | Premium Economy | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Seat pitch | 35 inches | 30 inches |
| Seat width | 17.5 inches | 17.5 inches |
| Recline | 12 degrees | Less recline |
| Footrest | Yes, adjustable | No |
| IFE screen | ~13 inches, touchscreen | ~13 inches, touchscreen |
| Power | USB and USB-C at every seat; universal AC at every other seat | USB, USB-C, universal AC |
| Individual air vent | No | No |
| Cabin divider | No | N/A |
| Total seats (aircraft) | 64 | 216 |
| Configuration | 2-4-2 | 2-4-2 |
What Is Included In Condor Premium Economy
On long-haul routes to and from the United States, premium economy passengers receive a checked bag allowance of one bag up to 32 kilograms, compared to 23 kilograms in standard economy. Carry-on is one bag up to 10 kilograms plus one personal item. The priority package covers check-in, boarding, and baggage handling, though the quality of priority boarding in practice depends heavily on the departure airport and whether bus gates are in use.
Catering runs to two full meal services on most transatlantic crossings, with complimentary alcoholic beverages throughout the flight included in the ticket price. Economy passengers pay for alcohol. Premium economy passengers also receive a pillow, blanket, earbuds, and an amenity kit that typically includes an eye mask, dental kit, and socks. No lounge access is provided with any Condor premium economy fare.
Seat reservations are not complimentary even in premium economy. Standard seat selection costs €14.99, while bulkhead and exit-row seats cost more. Condor does assign a seat automatically at check-in for passengers who skip seat selection, but that assigned seat cannot be changed afterward, so paying to secure a preferred position in advance is generally the better move.
Condor offers three premium economy fare types: Premium Classic, Premium Green, and Premium Flex. Premium Flex fares allow free rebooking, name changes, and cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Premium Classic and Premium Green fares carry more restrictions. The difference matters most for travelers who might need to adjust plans after booking, since the base cabin experience is identical across all three fare types.
Booking Condor Premium Economy: Fares, Points, And Upgrades
Condor sells premium economy tickets directly at condor.com. Because Condor positions itself as a value transatlantic carrier, premium economy fares are typically meaningfully cheaper than comparable cabin prices on full-service European carriers, though cash pricing varies significantly by route, travel dates, and how far in advance a seat is booked.
For points travelers, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is among the most accessible programs for booking Condor awards. Alaska and Condor have maintained a partnership that allows Mileage Plan members to earn and redeem miles on Condor flights. Travelers interested in redeeming miles for premium economy should check the current Alaska award pricing directly on alaskaair.com, as rates can shift.
One option that frequently represents strong value is the check-in upgrade. When premium economy seats remain unsold close to departure, Condor typically offers upgrades through the app or website at the 24-hour check-in window. The price varies by route and availability. For longer transatlantic crossings where the extra pitch makes a meaningful difference to comfort, a low-cost upgrade at check-in is often the most efficient way to access the cabin without paying a full premium economy fare from the outset. Business class upgrades are also offered through the same mechanism, generally at a considerably higher price.
Condor Premium Economy Vs. True Premium Economy: How Does It Compare?
Premium economy means different things on different airlines, and Condor’s version sits closer to the extra-legroom economy end of the spectrum rather than the full-featured premium economy products offered by carriers like United with its Premium Plus cabin or Air France with its Premium cabin. Understanding where Condor sits in that range is useful for setting accurate expectations before booking.
On airlines that operate true premium economy, the upgraded cabin typically comes with a meaningfully wider seat (often 18.5 to 19.5 inches), a separate cabin section with more privacy, a dedicated crew, proper amenity kits with skincare products, and in some cases a dedicated check-in lounge. On Condor, the premium economy seat is the same width as economy at 17.5 inches, shares an open cabin with economy class, and offers an amenity kit that covers the basics without the extras.
Where Condor premium economy punches above its weight is in the value equation. The five additional inches of seat pitch on a 10-to-12-hour transatlantic crossing represent a real comfort difference, particularly for taller travelers or anyone who wants to stretch out. The adjustable footrest adds to that. The included alcohol, enhanced meals, priority handling, and larger baggage allowance round out a package that, at the right price point, is difficult to argue against for budget-minded transatlantic travelers who want more than a standard economy seat.
The product does not compete with United Premium Plus, Air France, or British Airways World Traveller Plus on privacy, seat comfort, or ground experience. It is best evaluated on its own terms: a comfortable, affordable way to cross the Atlantic with more room, not as a substitute for a traditional premium economy experience.
For short-haul or regional flights within Condor’s network, premium economy is generally not available in the same form; the A330-900neo product described here applies specifically to long-haul transatlantic and intercontinental operations.
Condor’s Airbus A330-900neo: The Aircraft Behind The Product
The premium economy experience described here is specific to Condor’s Airbus A330-900neo fleet. The A330-900neo is the newer-engine variant of the widebody A330 family, featuring Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines that deliver improved fuel efficiency and reduced noise compared to the original A330 series. Condor began taking delivery of A330-900neo aircraft starting in 2022 as part of a fleet modernization program, retiring older Boeing 767 aircraft on key long-haul routes.
The interior of Condor’s A330-900neo was designed with the airline’s signature striped color scheme, a visual identity that runs through the seat headrests, aircraft livery, and cabin accents. The cabin is configured with four classes from front to back: Business Class (including a small number of Prime Seats at the very front with larger screens), followed by the premium economy section, and then economy.
Not all Condor routes use the A330-900neo. From US airports, the new aircraft typically operates routes to Frankfurt, with some other European and holiday destinations served by the updated fleet as capacity expands. Older aircraft types remain in use on certain routes, including the Boeing 767 on some US West Coast services. Checking the specific aircraft type on a given booking before purchasing is worthwhile, since the onboard product differs considerably between the old and new fleets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between Condor Economy And Premium Economy?
Condor premium economy adds five additional inches of seat pitch (35 inches versus 30 inches in economy), an adjustable footrest, a larger checked bag allowance of 32 kilograms on US routes (versus 23 kilograms in economy), priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling, complimentary alcoholic beverages, and a premium meal service. Seat width is identical in both cabins at 17.5 inches, and there is no physical divider separating premium economy from the economy section. The IFE screen, power ports, and carry-on allowance of one bag up to 10 kilograms are also upgraded relative to economy.
Is Condor Premium Economy Worth The Upgrade?
For most transatlantic travelers who prioritize legroom and value, the answer is yes at the right price. The five extra inches of pitch and the adjustable footrest make a noticeable difference on a 10-to-12-hour crossing. The included alcohol, priority services, and larger baggage allowance add practical value. The seat is not wider than economy and there is no cabin privacy, so travelers seeking a true premium cabin experience with more separation from economy will find the product underwhelming. At the opportunistic check-in upgrade price, it is hard to argue against for flexible travelers.
How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade To Condor Premium Economy?
The cost varies by route, travel dates, and seat availability. Condor often offers upgrade pricing through the app or website at the 24-hour check-in window, and these opportunistic prices are typically lower than purchasing premium economy from the outset. Cash fares for premium economy booked in advance vary considerably; checking condor.com directly for the specific route and travel dates gives the most accurate current pricing. Booking via airline partner loyalty programs is another option, with award pricing varying by program.
How Much Baggage Does Condor Premium Economy Include?
On flights to and from the United States, premium economy passengers receive one checked bag up to 32 kilograms, one carry-on bag up to 10 kilograms, and one personal item. Standard economy on US routes includes one checked bag up to 23 kilograms, a smaller carry-on, and one personal item. Economy Light fares do not include a checked bag at all. Seat selection fees apply in both economy and premium economy regardless of fare type.
Does Condor Premium Economy Include Lounge Access?
No. Condor does not provide lounge access to premium economy passengers at any airport. Frankfurt Airport, Condor’s main hub, has limited options for travelers without business class tickets or paid lounge membership. Priority Pass cardholders should check availability independently, as partner lounges in Frankfurt’s Terminal 1 area are limited. Planning to wait at the gate is the realistic expectation for most premium economy travelers departing from Frankfurt.
Is Condor Premium Economy A True Premium Economy Cabin?
Not in the way most full-service carriers define it. Condor premium economy is best described as a premium extra-legroom economy product. The seat shell is the same as economy, seat width is identical, and the cabin shares an open floor plan with economy with no divider. The upgrades are meaningful (pitch, footrest, baggage, catering, priority) but the product does not match the separate cabin, wider seat, or enhanced privacy of premium economy on carriers such as United, Air France, or British Airways. For the price point Condor charges relative to those carriers, that is often an acceptable trade-off.
Which Condor Routes Feature The A330-900neo With Premium Economy?
Condor’s A330-900neo operates primarily on long-haul transatlantic routes from Frankfurt, including services to multiple US and Canadian gateways. The specific aircraft type assigned to a route can change with scheduling, so confirming the aircraft type when booking or shortly before departure is the best approach. Routes served by Condor’s older Boeing 767 fleet do not feature the same premium economy seat described in this review.