Information on Condor Flights

Founded in 1955 as “Deutsche Flugdienst,” German airline Condor boasts one of the most eye-catching fleets in the skies, thanks to its signature striped planes in five colors. A longtime favorite among German leisure travelers, Condor is aiming to attract passengers in the Americas with a long-haul network expansion.

Beyond the splashy stripes (designed to evoke the spirit of vacation, according to the airline), there’s a lot to like about Condor: next-generation aircraft, more nonstop routes between the US and Germany and fares that won’t break the bank, for starters. Here’s what else to know if you’re considering Condor.

A quick overview of Condor

For passengers unfamiliar with the brand, Condor is somewhat unique in that it’s not a major carrier nor a budget airline. Most fares are in roughly line with what you’ll see elsewhere on transcontinental routes, though excellent deals can often turn up with diligent price monitoring. For example, a recent search turned up sample fares from Germany to the US for a fraction of the cost of other major carriers.

Certain aspects of Condor’s onboard experience also may come as a surprise to US-based travelers. For example, alcoholic beverages, which are offered complimentary in most major carriers’ economy cabins on long-haul routes, are available for purchase in Condor’s economy cabin. Premium meals and headphones also come with a fee in economy.

And compared to most US-based airlines, Condor’s cancellation policies are especially strict. Most fare classes do not offer the option of free cancellation within 24 hours of purchase. On the bright side, at some German airports, Condor offers a service called late-night check-in, which allows passengers to check in the evening prior to their departure the following day.

Condor and Lufthansa: What passengers should know

To have a better understanding of how Condor operates, it’s helpful to know a bit of background about its history. Condor used to be a subsidiary of German flag carrier Lufthansa, which handled Condor’s short-haul network complementing Condor’s long-haul flights. Lufthansa sold its shares to another party (the now-defunct travel operator Thomas Cook) in 2000, but, thanks in part to German regulations, Condor still utilizes Lufthansa’s short-haul network. In other words, Lufthansa is legally obligated to supply Condor with short-haul capacity to ensure Lufthansa has competition in the long-haul market.

Of course, this all has implications on passengers, most notably, additional competition – and, theoretically, better fares – for long-haul flights. In addition, if you book a transatlantic flight on Condor – for example, from New York JFK to Hamburg via Frankfurt – the German flight will be serviced by Lufthansa. In addition, Condor also uses Lufthansa lounges for its business class passengers.

What to know about Condor’s long-haul network

Generally speaking, Condor’s long-haul flights cover four overall categories: leisure destinations popular among vacationers (such as the Caribbean, Mauritius and Thailand); charter flights (for cruise ship operators, for example); lower-traffic US markets underserved by Lufthansa and other major European carriers (such as San Antonio and Portland); and major, high-demand destinations where Condor can undercut Lufthansa’s prices (New York and Toronto, for example).

In the latter two categories, Condor has expanded significantly as of late. The carrier also is aiming to attract more business travelers, which traditionally has not been a focus. But with new routes and aircraft (more on those below) leisure travelers also can benefit from Condor’s strategy. In 2024, it added Miami and San Antonio as nonstop routes, bringing the total number of US cities with nonstop service from Frankfurt to 13 (though several routes are seasonal).

Condor’s fleet modernization

For many years, the carrier’s long-haul network was serviced by aging Boeing 767-300 aircraft. Fortunately, the 767 was retired in 2024 and over the last two years has been replaced by new Airbus A330-900neos, with more of these modern-generation aircraft on order. In addition, a total of 41 new aircraft, including 13 Airbus A320neos and 28 Airbus A321neos, will gradually replace the existing fleet on short and medium-haul routes by 2029.

This fleet modernization has helped fuel a significant capacity expansion that’s especially beneficial for passengers in the Americas. The new A330neos, which service many of Condor’s most popular US routes, including New York JFK (JFK) and Seattle (SEA), also offer a much more modern cabin experience and a brand-new business class that can easily compete with other transatlantic options.

Condor’s hubs in Germany

Condor operates almost all of its long-haul network out of Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), which is where the majority of arrivals from the Americas and Asia will disembark. However, a handful of point-to-point long-haul leisure routes – usually seasonal or charter flights – are operated at Düsseldorf Airport (DUS). For short- and medium-haul flights, Condor also has operating bases in European cities including Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Vienna and Zürich.

A heads-up for US-bound passengers departing from Frankfurt: FRA is amidst a massive renovation project that might require additional time to navigate. Condor luckily provides separate check-in areas for US-bound flights, but there are several documentation checks that can wreak havoc on your schedule. My advice: Arrive at FRA at least three hours prior to departure for US flights.

What to know about booking Condor flights online

Condor’s online booking platform is fairly straightforward, but travelers who are unfamiliar with the process should keep a few things in mind. First, the initial search page uses a calendar format, which requires the traveler to select their preferred month(s) of travel. On the next page, you’ll select your exact dates, and after you do that, different options for flights will be displayed. The format offers a side-by-side comparison of all three fare categories: Economy, Premium and Business.

Once you select a fare and class, all the various tiers within that class – including the basic Economy or Premium, Plus Flex and Flex Plus options – will be displayed. At first glance, all of these options side-by-side can seem quite overwhelming. But a complete list of included benefits for each makes it clearer and easier to see the differences as they relate to price.

A couple things to keep in mind: Seat selection is only included for Business class, and fees can quickly add up when you factor them in both ways on a round-trip Economy flight. In addition, free cancellation is only available for certain fare categories (such as Premium Flex Plus – but not the significantly pricier Business class, which I find especially confusing). Finally, look closely at baggage allowances per ticket category, as it can vary significantly.

Condor Economy class: What to know

Flying Economy on Condor generally offers a functional but not especially memorable experience (though if you’re flying on a new aircraft, that can certainly help). Economy cabins on long-haul routes are usually configured in a 2-4-2 arrangement (but remember, if you have your eye on a window or aisle seat, you’ll have to pay to select it). Long-haul flights come with a hot meal and free soft drinks (which are available for purchase on short-haul flights).

Similar to many airlines, Condor has introduced Light fares on some routes, with most extras as an add-on fee. As of late, the carrier also has implemented strict limits on hand luggage for passengers traveling with a Light fare (something travelers should be aware of, in case they’re considering trying to sneak on an additional bag).

Previously, passengers were allowed a piece of hand luggage weighing no more than 8 kilograms (about 18 pounds). However, only personal items are allowed with Light fares, with all additional hand luggage available for a fee (which is higher for long-haul flights). As a result, I only recommend booking this kind of fare if you’re traveling with only a personal item and don’t mind sitting in a middle seat.

An overview of Condor Premium and Business class

If budget allows, flying Premium on Condor can be a game-changer for transatlantic flights – often, at more affordable prices than Premium cabins on other airlines. Seats include footrests and adjustable headrests and up to six inches more legroom, and Premium meals and alcoholic beverages also are included. In addition, Premium tickets also come with Priority security access, additional baggage allowances and free evening check-in (where available).

In its quest to covet the lucrative business traveler set, Condor has significantly upgraded its Business cabins. While individual experiences depend on the specific aircraft, if you’re on the A330neo, you’re in for a treat. Passengers can expect lie-flat seats equipped with adjustable lumbar support, a high-quality culinary program and tech-forward amenities, including Bluetooth connectivity, USB-A and USB-C charging and 17-inch screens with 4K resolution.

Other perks of the Business cabin include aisle access for every seat, thanks to a 1-2-1 configuration. and a new Prime Seat, located in the front row of the aircraft. This roomy seat has enough space for you to share a meal with a fellow passenger (though one also in the Business cabin) at an in-seat table.

Earn (and redeem) miles with Emirates and Alaska

Condor does not have its own loyalty program. However, the carrier has partnerships with Alaska Airlines and Emirates, which allows passengers to earn points on those carriers’ loyalty programs. Passengers can also use these points for reward travel or upgrades with Condor.