A trip to the continent is even more tempting when fueled by the travel trend of 2022: revenge travel, the buzzy term for travelers compensating for vacations lost during the pandemic. For adventurers aiming to catch up on their international jet setting, now there’s a chic way to claim more luxury aboard the world’s only all-business-class airline La Compagnie.
The France-based La Compagnie serves three of Europe’s most fabulous and LGBTQ-friendly destinations: Paris, Milan, and Nice. From Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), the airline’s sole U.S. embarkation point, passengers spend their cross-Atlantic journey in full biz-class style. That means perks like airport-lounge access, lie-flat seating, and refined onboard dining and service, with one-way tickets as low as $1,500 and round-trip flights starting at $2,300.
La Compagnie launched in 2014, flying between EWR Airport and Paris. It expanded to Nice-Cote d’Azur Airport in 2019, offering summer seasonal service (through October); and added year-round direct flights to Milan—its first Italian port—in spring 2022.
Travel with Gusto
Revenge travel seems to be a driving force not only for Americans keen to get away, but to do so with zeal. Allianz Partners recently reported in its 14th Annual Vacation Confidence Index that about one in three Americans admit they are ‘revenge traveling’ in 2022. And around 31 percent of them are splurging on vacations despite inflation—spending about 30 percent more on their 2022 vacations compared to 2019.
Europe is in high demand for Americans who are readily dusting off their passports for trips across the pond. In April, Allianz reported that travelers are putting their stashed vacation days towards longer trips, with travel to Europe expected to skyrocket 600 percent in 2022 compared with last year. Unsurprisingly, France and Italy are in the top-five go-to European destinations.
La Compagnie is keen to show those eager explorers the way, offering a less-hectic return to international travel. With just 76 seats per plane (compared with 230 seats on other cross-Atlantic aircraft), the first perk of La Compagnie is the pleasure of boarding without any gate-side scramble or overbooking panic.
Onboard the fleet’s sleek Airbus A321neo vessels, passengers find extra personal space and roomy seats that recline into fully horizontal beds. Onboard entertainment and free WiFi are part of the package, along with two free checked bags.
Partnering with award-winning French chefs, La Compagnie serves seasonal cuisine, paired with curated wines sourced from top vineyards in Saint Emilion, Burgundy, and Cotes de Provence. The airline’s exclusive champagne partnership with Piper-Heidsieck makes each flight feel even more effervescent.
Travelers who frequently travel to Europe also can earn points towards future flights and services with La Compagnie’s loyalty program both by flying and referring friends. And special on-board happenings can punch up overseas journeys with special holiday, culinary, art, literature, sports, and beauty events.
After more than two years of restraint, Americans’ travel enthusiasm is soaring, and it makes perfect sense that getting back to Europe is a top priority. Better still, savvy spending on an all-business-class experience is just the ticket.
Bonus: the butchy shorts female flight attendants sport:
