Three weeks ago I wrote a post called: Crazy-Good Delta Award Business Class Availability to Europe Next Summer that featured 15 popular European destinations. I had been doing a research for my article for another blog and was incredibly surprised by the extent of a roundtrip business class availability to Europe from NYC (and some other cities, as well). However, there was one caveat: every time I tried to search the seats for two people, the availability would go away. Well, not anymore.
There are still almost no availability for two business elite seats in July except London, but…
There is currently a great business class availability for two people from New York to London, Frankfurt, Brussels, Paris, and Madrid in the second half of August!
That’s the second time in three weeks I have been blown away by Delta Airlines. I was expecting availability to be gone by now; instead, it seems, it has… improved? What are you doing to me, Delta? I’m confused!
They did promise improved availability — can it be that they really intend to deliver? And since they are going to allow one-way redemptions for half-miles starting next year, does it mean that the Skypesos are going to become more valuable? As in much more valuable, indeed?
OK, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Yes, Delta still charges more for their premium product than AA and even United (on its own metal). I know.
But does it really matter, considering how stingy both United and American Airlines are with business class redemptions on their popular routes? I love AA, but the way they always push ahead British Airlines on their routes to Europe (with BA’s atrocious fuel surcharges) leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
The Delta Airlines business class seats cost 125,000 miles, but you are getting the best international business-class product and service among all domestic airlines. And you can actually get those seats in the midst of the summer travel season, if you book right now!
Update on my previous post. Things have gotten even better!
Please note:
- All seats below are in business class.
- Travel in July 2015, out of JFK.
- Availability checked is for one passenger.
Destination | Available seats to: | Available seats on return:
- London 23 | 22
- Paris 30 | 22
- Amsterdam 17 | 20
- Zurich 19 | 14
- Venice 11 | 5
- Moscow 13 | 10
- Frankfurt 27 | 21
- Brussels 28 | 26
- Madrid 22 | 22
- Reykjavik 9 | 10
- Prague 2 | 7
- Rome 18 | 1 (but 12 return seats in August)
- Milan 6 | 4 (but 10 return seats in August)
- Barcelona 10 | 1 (but 10 return seats in August)
Remember that Delta Airlines allows a stopover and an open jaw. With this availability, you can really get creative! And if you don’t want to get creative, just look for a roundtrip. No tricks were required, at least in my search. However, don’t forget to tick Flexible Dates in order to wee the calendar.
If you don’t see the 125,000 miles award after you choose your dates, try to change the Best Match in the upper-right menu to Miles per Passenger. If it still doesn’t work, try different dates.
One more thing: this is your only chance to try a Virgin Atlantic Upper Class without fuel surcharges. And yes, there is availability!
