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CNN
5 days ago
- Business
- CNN
How I flew Air France business class for just 60,000 miles
CNN Underscored reviews financial products based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through our affiliate partners if you apply and are approved for a product, but our reporting is always independent and objective. This may impact how links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit to learn more. Flying between Europe and the US in the summer often comes with a hefty price tag. But with a bit of planning and the right travel rewards strategy, you can score a lie-flat business-class seat for a fraction of the usual cost. This summer, I flew one-way from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Washington Dulles (IAD) in Air France business class for just 60,000 American Express Membership Rewards points. Importantly, I did not use the American Express travel portal to book the ticket but transferred points to Flying Blue, the joint loyalty program of Air France and KLM. Here's how I pulled it off — and how you might be able to do the same. Flying Blue is a valuable program to book airfare with miles to or from the US. It uses dynamic pricing, meaning that award rates fluctuate, but sometimes offers advantageous transatlantic prices. You can fly one-way between North America and Europe starting at 25,000, 40,000 and 60,000 miles in economy, premium economy and business class, respectively. It's also a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards®, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards®, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy and Wells Fargo Rewards. That means you can transfer points from any of those programs to Flying Blue; you don't have to be a frequent flyer with Air France or KLM, or based in Europe, in order to earn miles in Flying Blue. In addition to that, the program often has transfer bonuses, meaning you can get more miles if you transfer to it from a credit card rewards program. For instance, a 20% bonus would mean that 50,000 points become 60,000 Flying Blue miles. Even without a transfer bonus, that one-way business-class flight from Paris to Washington for just 60,000 Flying Blue miles was a bargain. That's far cheaper than the 88,000 to 120,000 miles you might pay through other programs. I did have to pay taxes and fees that came to about $500, but that was still a fraction of the price of business class on a transatlantic flight. A round-trip fare between Paris and Washington is currently around $4,000, and a one-way is even more expensive, at $5,000. A post shared by Kyle Olsen (@kyleolsen10) The welcome bonus alone from some credit cards would be enough to book an award flight like this one. I've transferred Amex points and Capital One miles to Flying Blue, and here are a few standout cards from both issuers currently offering welcome bonuses that can get you all the way to 60,000 points and then some. American Express® Gold Card: Earn as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases in the first 6 months after opening the account. The welcome offer varies, and you may not be eligible for an offer; you'll need to apply first to find out your exact welcome offer amount (with no credit score impact; however, if you're approved and choose to accept the card offer, your score may be impacted). The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you use your new card to make $8,000 in purchases in the first 6 months after opening the account. The welcome offer varies and you may not be eligible for an offer; you'll need to apply first to find out your exact welcome offer amount (with no credit score impact; however, if you're approved and choose to accept the card offer, your score may be impacted). American Express® Business Gold Card: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months of account opening. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months of account opening. After searching on the Air France website, I located a nonstop Paris CDG to Washington IAD flight on my desired date for 60,000 miles in business class. I then transferred 60,000 Amex Membership Rewards points to my Flying Blue account. The transfer was nearly instant. It's very important to make sure an award seat, at the number of miles you want, is available before transferring points. That's because transfers are not reversible. To be clear, here's what the process looked like: I searched for award availability on and ensured a seat was available at 60,000 miles. I transferred 60,000 Amex points to Flying Blue. Within minutes, the miles posted, and I booked the flight. The fare I booked included two checked bags, access to the Air France business-class lounge at CDG, lie-flat seating, priority boarding, a multicourse French meal and champagne on board. The flight from Paris to Washington, D.C. was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER featuring a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration in business class. This layout gives every passenger direct aisle access and a greater amount of privacy. While this wasn't Air France's newest business-class cabin — you'll find a more recent version on the Airbus A350 and on some 777s — the experience still felt elevated. Besides converting into a fully lie-flat bed, my seat included a plush duvet and pillow. The service, food and beverages stood out as well. From the moment I boarded, the crew was gracious and attentive. I was welcomed with a chilled glass of champagne served in real glassware, followed by a personalized introduction from the flight attendant. Lunch was a highlight too: a multicourse, French-inspired meal that included an amuse-bouche, starter, salad, main course, cheese selection, dessert and warm bread, all paired with a curated selection of French wines. The menu was printed and presented elegantly, and each course was served on fine china with stainless steel cutlery. An amenity kit stocked with Clarins skin care products, a sleep mask and other in-flight essentials was provided after takeoff. Headphones, a large entertainment screen and ample storage rounded out the seat experience. By the time we touched down in Washington, D.C., I felt genuinely rested and refreshed, something I rarely say after a long-haul flight. Even though I didn't use a transfer bonus in this case, Amex and Capital One frequently offer transfer bonuses to Flying Blue, sometimes at up to 25%. That would have lowered your cost in points even more. Regardless of bonus, here are the steps to follow to prep for your own redemption: Sign up for a Flying Blue account. Monitor Flying Blue's monthly Promo Rewards page, which often offers points deals to/from North America. Search for flights to/from your desired destinations, including the vast Air France and KLM network in Europe, which goes well beyond the Paris and Amsterdam hubs. Often, you'll find deals even outside Flying Blue promotions. Remember to confirm award space before transferring points, since transfers from credit card programs like Amex to Flying Blue are instant and can't be reversed. Flying business class across the Atlantic for just 60,000 Amex points and around $500 in taxes was one of the best redemptions I've made all year. There's something especially satisfying about using your points for a lie-flat experience, complete with wine, cheese and lounge access. If you keep an eye on Flying Blue Promo Rewards and transfer bonuses, you might just find yourself sipping champagne at 35,000 feet for even less than the 60,000 points I used. The following FAQs have been answered by CNN Underscored travel editor and credit card expert Kyle Olsen. How much are 60,000 Flying Blue miles worth? How much are 60,000 Flying Blue miles worth? While redemption rates vary, The Points Guy values 60,000 Flying Blue miles at $780. Which credit card points transfer to Flying Blue miles? Which credit card points transfer to Flying Blue miles? You can transfer points from the following points currencies to Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio: American Express Membership Rewards Bilt Rewards Capital One Miles Chase Ultimate Rewards Citi ThankYou Rewards Wells Fargo Rewards What airlines can I use Capital One miles on? What airlines can I use Capital One miles on? You can use Capital One miles in the Capital One travel portal on most major airlines or transfer Capital One miles to 18 airline programs — mostly at a 1:1 ratio — to book award flights with major alliances. Aeromexico, Air France-KLM, Virgin Red: 1:1 (SkyTeam) Air Canada, Avianca, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, EVA Air: mostly 1:1 (Star Alliance) British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Qantas: 1:1 (Oneworld) Emirates, Etihad, JetBlue: varies, not in alliances CNN Underscored's travel and credit card coverage is built on firsthand experience. This guide was written by travel editor Kyle Olsen, who used these exact strategies to book a real flight. From Paris to DC, this redemption proves that with the right tools and timing, luxury travel is within reach. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Gold card. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Platinum card. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Business Gold card. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Business Platinum card. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
CNN
5 days ago
- Business
- CNN
How I flew Air France business class for just 60,000 miles
CNN Underscored reviews financial products based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through our affiliate partners if you apply and are approved for a product, but our reporting is always independent and objective. This may impact how links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit to learn more. Flying between Europe and the US in the summer often comes with a hefty price tag. But with a bit of planning and the right travel rewards strategy, you can score a lie-flat business-class seat for a fraction of the usual cost. This summer, I flew one-way from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Washington Dulles (IAD) in Air France business class for just 60,000 American Express Membership Rewards points. Importantly, I did not use the American Express travel portal to book the ticket but transferred points to Flying Blue, the joint loyalty program of Air France and KLM. Here's how I pulled it off — and how you might be able to do the same. Flying Blue is a valuable program to book airfare with miles to or from the US. It uses dynamic pricing, meaning that award rates fluctuate, but sometimes offers advantageous transatlantic prices. You can fly one-way between North America and Europe starting at 25,000, 40,000 and 60,000 miles in economy, premium economy and business class, respectively. It's also a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards®, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards®, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy and Wells Fargo Rewards. That means you can transfer points from any of those programs to Flying Blue; you don't have to be a frequent flyer with Air France or KLM, or based in Europe, in order to earn miles in Flying Blue. In addition to that, the program often has transfer bonuses, meaning you can get more miles if you transfer to it from a credit card rewards program. For instance, a 20% bonus would mean that 50,000 points become 60,000 Flying Blue miles. Even without a transfer bonus, that one-way business-class flight from Paris to Washington for just 60,000 Flying Blue miles was a bargain. That's far cheaper than the 88,000 to 120,000 miles you might pay through other programs. I did have to pay taxes and fees that came to about $500, but that was still a fraction of the price of business class on a transatlantic flight. A round-trip fare between Paris and Washington is currently around $4,000, and a one-way is even more expensive, at $5,000. A post shared by Kyle Olsen (@kyleolsen10) The welcome bonus alone from some credit cards would be enough to book an award flight like this one. I've transferred Amex points and Capital One miles to Flying Blue, and here are a few standout cards from both issuers currently offering welcome bonuses that can get you all the way to 60,000 points and then some. American Express® Gold Card: Earn as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases in the first 6 months after opening the account. The welcome offer varies, and you may not be eligible for an offer; you'll need to apply first to find out your exact welcome offer amount (with no credit score impact; however, if you're approved and choose to accept the card offer, your score may be impacted). The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you use your new card to make $8,000 in purchases in the first 6 months after opening the account. The welcome offer varies and you may not be eligible for an offer; you'll need to apply first to find out your exact welcome offer amount (with no credit score impact; however, if you're approved and choose to accept the card offer, your score may be impacted). American Express® Business Gold Card: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months of account opening. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months of account opening. After searching on the Air France website, I located a nonstop Paris CDG to Washington IAD flight on my desired date for 60,000 miles in business class. I then transferred 60,000 Amex Membership Rewards points to my Flying Blue account. The transfer was nearly instant. It's very important to make sure an award seat, at the number of miles you want, is available before transferring points. That's because transfers are not reversible. To be clear, here's what the process looked like: I searched for award availability on and ensured a seat was available at 60,000 miles. I transferred 60,000 Amex points to Flying Blue. Within minutes, the miles posted, and I booked the flight. The fare I booked included two checked bags, access to the Air France business-class lounge at CDG, lie-flat seating, priority boarding, a multicourse French meal and champagne on board. The flight from Paris to Washington, D.C. was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER featuring a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration in business class. This layout gives every passenger direct aisle access and a greater amount of privacy. While this wasn't Air France's newest business-class cabin — you'll find a more recent version on the Airbus A350 and on some 777s — the experience still felt elevated. Besides converting into a fully lie-flat bed, my seat included a plush duvet and pillow. The service, food and beverages stood out as well. From the moment I boarded, the crew was gracious and attentive. I was welcomed with a chilled glass of champagne served in real glassware, followed by a personalized introduction from the flight attendant. Lunch was a highlight too: a multicourse, French-inspired meal that included an amuse-bouche, starter, salad, main course, cheese selection, dessert and warm bread, all paired with a curated selection of French wines. The menu was printed and presented elegantly, and each course was served on fine china with stainless steel cutlery. An amenity kit stocked with Clarins skin care products, a sleep mask and other in-flight essentials was provided after takeoff. Headphones, a large entertainment screen and ample storage rounded out the seat experience. By the time we touched down in Washington, D.C., I felt genuinely rested and refreshed, something I rarely say after a long-haul flight. Even though I didn't use a transfer bonus in this case, Amex and Capital One frequently offer transfer bonuses to Flying Blue, sometimes at up to 25%. That would have lowered your cost in points even more. Regardless of bonus, here are the steps to follow to prep for your own redemption: Sign up for a Flying Blue account. Monitor Flying Blue's monthly Promo Rewards page, which often offers points deals to/from North America. Search for flights to/from your desired destinations, including the vast Air France and KLM network in Europe, which goes well beyond the Paris and Amsterdam hubs. Often, you'll find deals even outside Flying Blue promotions. Remember to confirm award space before transferring points, since transfers from credit card programs like Amex to Flying Blue are instant and can't be reversed. Flying business class across the Atlantic for just 60,000 Amex points and around $500 in taxes was one of the best redemptions I've made all year. There's something especially satisfying about using your points for a lie-flat experience, complete with wine, cheese and lounge access. If you keep an eye on Flying Blue Promo Rewards and transfer bonuses, you might just find yourself sipping champagne at 35,000 feet for even less than the 60,000 points I used. The following FAQs have been answered by CNN Underscored travel editor and credit card expert Kyle Olsen. How much are 60,000 Flying Blue miles worth? How much are 60,000 Flying Blue miles worth? While redemption rates vary, The Points Guy values 60,000 Flying Blue miles at $780. Which credit card points transfer to Flying Blue miles? Which credit card points transfer to Flying Blue miles? You can transfer points from the following points currencies to Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio: American Express Membership Rewards Bilt Rewards Capital One Miles Chase Ultimate Rewards Citi ThankYou Rewards Wells Fargo Rewards What airlines can I use Capital One miles on? What airlines can I use Capital One miles on? You can use Capital One miles in the Capital One travel portal on most major airlines or transfer Capital One miles to 18 airline programs — mostly at a 1:1 ratio — to book award flights with major alliances. Aeromexico, Air France-KLM, Virgin Red: 1:1 (SkyTeam) Air Canada, Avianca, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, EVA Air: mostly 1:1 (Star Alliance) British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Qantas: 1:1 (Oneworld) Emirates, Etihad, JetBlue: varies, not in alliances CNN Underscored's travel and credit card coverage is built on firsthand experience. This guide was written by travel editor Kyle Olsen, who used these exact strategies to book a real flight. From Paris to DC, this redemption proves that with the right tools and timing, luxury travel is within reach. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Gold card. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Platinum card. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Business Gold card. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Business Platinum card. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Plus size traveller explains why it's a waste of money to book an extra seat on a plane when she flies
A plus-sized woman has revealed the reasons why she doesn't book two seats when she catches a flight. Kirsty Leanne, 32, from Shropshire regularly shares tips on how to make travelling while plus-sized as easy as possible to her TikTok account, @kirstyleannetravels. She previously made headlines after revealing the trolling she receives online – with critics insisting she should lose weight rather than complain about the issues she faces travelling as a plus-sized person. Despite this, she has travelled all over the world - recently visiting Cappadocia in Turkey, Paris, Croatia and South Korea. But there's one thing Kirsty doesn't do when she jets off on her adventures - and that is booking a second seat when she catches a plane. Taking to TikTok, Kirsty explained that when she'd booked a second seat in the past, it had proven expensive, was difficult to organise, and in some occasions, her extra seat was even taken away from her. Kirsty, who was bumped up to business class because of her size on a recent flight, said: 'I'm plus size and here's why I don't book two seats every time I fly. 'One of the most common comments I receive on my videos is "I hope you booked two seats" and why I understand that seems like the right solution when it comes to small seats on planes, it's not a "one size fits all' issue."' Firstly, Kirsty says that booking two seats can be 'incredibly expensive' and, for many people, would be out of their budget to do so every time they travel - as it's effectively paying double the cost. She says it's also 'super tricky' to book an extra seat as each airline has a different process, and these aren't easy to find on their websites. Kirsty said: 'On numerous occasions, I have spoken to members of the team using support chats or their customer service line and they haven't understood what I was trying to do. 'A lot of the time, both check in and gate agents do not know you can book an extra seat, which often leads to confusion when it comes to the process.' She referenced one example when she did choose to buy an extra seat - and said staff didn't know what to do or how to process it. This meant the experience was 'incredibly anxious' for her as she didn't know if her extra seat reservation would be honoured. She's even experienced her extra seat being taken away from her completely. 'I've arrived at check-in desks to be told my second seat has been sold,' she said, adding: 'And had people share with me that their extra seats have been given to people on standby.' People were left divided in the comments, with some supporting Kirsty's decision - but others were worried it would impact the space of other passengers In addition, if there's an aircraft change at the last minute, the layout of the plane can change, meaning the two seats may not even be next to each other. Kirsty concluded: 'While I know booking a second seat works great for some, it's not a blanket solution for every single plus size person.' People were left divided in the comments, with some supporting Kirsty's decision - but others were worried it would impact the space of other passengers. One person asked: 'Would you like to sit next to you or someone the same size?' Kirsty responded: 'Yes i do regularly - my girlfriend is fat too.' Supporting Kirsty, one person said: 'Call me a radical but I don't think anyone should have to pay for a second seat that's f***ing bonkers people expect you to do that. Being fat is not a crime. 'Airplane seats are small. It's not just about fat people, tall people, old people, people with babies... many people need more room it's insane the standard set.' Another said: 'Girl i would have no issues siting next to you. I think airlines should start making their seats bigger anyway! They are ridiculously tiny.' A third added: 'This wouldn't even be an issue if airlines made their seats a reasonable size instead of trying to pack people like sardines in a can.' But others were more sceptical, saying it's 'selfish' to take up the extra room on a flight, without paying. One person said: 'I was sat next to a woman who should have bought 2 seats earlier this year she took a third of my seat causing me to have to lean the entire flight - my back hurt for three days after. If you cannot fit inside your seat then buy another. It's selfish to not.' Others said: 'Yes you deserve to travel, yes you have every right to be there and yes the airline should make sure you always have the second seat you've paid for BUT it's incredibly unfair and disrespectful to the person in the next seat if their neighbour is spilling into their seat'; 'Last time I flew I had two extremely large people and I had a middle seat. When I got to my seat, they were already seated. There was legit not room to fit in between. I ended up having to get another flight. 'When I book with my dog, I have to get another seat. Everyone deserves to fly but if it impacts others regardless the reason, then you should have to get an extra seat. I think offering a second seat at a discount should be acceptable'; 'Close quarters and touching knees is one thing, but if I paid for my plane ticket, I'm not sharing a third of my seat unless you're paying for a third of it.' Kirsty previously revealed she gets fat shamed on flights and has had people refuse to sit next to her in the past. While much of the criticism she receives is online, Kirsty shared some upsetting experiences she's had in real life. One such encounter was on a flight to Spain, where the travel buff was in the window seat, and another woman was assigned the middle seat on her aisle. When she saw me sat in the window, she instantly made it clear she didn't want to sit there and started huffing and puffing,' Kirsty, who shares her tips on her blog, Plus Size Travel Too, said. 'I apologised that there wasn't much room and she didn't reply, so I did my usual and squashed myself against the window. 'For the whole flight she was pushing the armrest as far down as she could – it was 98 percent down but that last 2 percent was super painful – and causing me to bruise. 'Eventually, she turned to her friend a few rows back [and said], "I can't sit next to her anymore". 'I pretended I didn't hear but I wanted the ground to swallow me up.' Kirsty found the experience incredibly awkward and chose to stay silent at the time, but says she will no longer let it slide. She said: 'I tend to ask flight attendants if I can move to a seat with more room and an extra seat next to it now, to help prevent this from happening and to ensure everyone is as comfortable as they can be. 'Often I do have to sit next to people while they find me a seat so I do my best to be kind and understanding, in the hopes they return with the same sentiments.' The traveller also says she can often tell when someone isn't pleased to be seated near her. She added: 'People usually make it known they're unhappy pretty instantly. 'Most people are super friendly and understanding, but some people use it as an excuse to be mean and to lash out. 'While I understand it's uncomfortable, acting in that way is unnecessary and likely to be the worst way to come to a solution.' Luckily, Kirsty doesn't let the hate stop her from sharing her advice. 'Whenever I post content about flying while plus size, I always get the same comments – 'Why don't you just lose weight?' 'Isn't this a wake up call?', 'You should be so ashamed of yourself',' Kirsty, who shares tips on her blog, PlusSizeTravelToo, said. 'The truth is, however, that fat people exist and they will always exist. 'We have just as much of a right to travel as anyone else does and we deserve to be safe and comfortable while we travel. Seatbelt extenders, of course, help to keep us safe. 'I share a lot of content about seat belt extenders but I know that a lot of people don't know that you often can't use one in an emergency exit. 'I get a lot of questions about this so I wanted to share a video letting people know, as I know a lot of people have experienced this after boarding and have been moved as a result. 'Travelling as a plus size person can be incredibly daunting and overwhelming and so I wanted to show people that look like me that it's possible. 'My life changed when I started to travel and after telling myself for so long that I was too fat to travel, I realised I didn't want anyone else to put off travel like I did. 'If my tips and tricks help just one person, it will be a job well done.'
Condé Nast Traveler
23-07-2025
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
What It's Like to Fly in Air New Zealand's New Business Class
'Is this the new plane?' the man in seat 1K asks the flight attendant, who is dressed in a well-tailored, deep purple Emilia Wickstead uniform. 'That it is,' she says with a happy little curtsy. 'It's quite nice,' is the man's initial review—we've only just boarded, after all. I'm one row behind in seat 2K, and finding Air New Zealand's business class cabin to be quite nice as well. It's mid-June 2025 and my second trip aboard this newly-retrofitted 787-9 Dreamliner, the first of its kind to get such a nose-to-tail makeover. It first took me to Auckland ten days prior direct from New York-JFK—on that flight, I rode Economy Skycouch—and now the time has come for me to make my return by way of Vancouver. For this 13 hour sojourn, I get to sit in Business Premier. These seats have a new angle and layout to allow for increased privacy and space. My neighbor in 1K has it even better as he's scored a Business Premiere Luxe ticket, with a larger bed and a door that fully closes. I'll be alright, though. Below, find the details of Air New Zealand's new business class product. The Auckland Airport experience This bit is not a new product: When you arrive in Auckland as a Business Premier customer, check-in (including bag check) is expedited and conducted in a private suite that's hard to miss at the airport's entrance. The lights are dim, the airline's signature deep purple soothes from all sides, and before you know it your luggage has been sorted and you're heading through the fast lane of security. The airport lounge, too, is not new, but has all the modern amenities you could need: showers, hot food, a full bar.
Skift
23-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
Indian Travelers Upgrade to Premium Despite Fewer Trips
Travel disruptions due to unforeseen events may have led to fewer bookings among Indians, but they are making up for it by spending more for the premium experience of travel. The demand for premium travel to and from India is increasing, according to data shared by travel brand Trevolution Group. The company noted that despite lower volumes on outbound booking from India in the first half of 2025, its gross total bookings reached $68.36 million, up 6% from last year. This increase, it said, was driven primarily by higher spending and a greater share of premium-class purchases. 'The demand for business class bookings increased by 27.12%, while economy class demand saw a modest 0.78% rise, reinforcing the trend toward value-added, premium travel options,' the company said in a statement. For outbound travel from India, business class travel surged by 17.6%, 'pointing to a higher concentration of corporate and high-net-worth travelers.' 'We are now seeing more deliberate, higher-value travel to and from India, especially in business class,' said Alex Weinstein, the founder of Dyninno Group of Companies. 'The demand for trip protection and comfort is growing, as well as the demand for secondary hubs. This shows the evolving mindset of the Indian traveler.' The Inbound Travel Story: The overall surge in gross total bookings, however, was driven by inbound travel – which increased from $50.29 million to $56.10 million. According to Trevolution, this showed 'rising consumer spending and sustained interest in long-haul and purpose-driven travel to India.' It's worth noting here that expat Indians visiting friends and relatives form 20% of the numbers for inbound. The group issued over 39,000 airline tickets to India in the first half of 2025. This was a 4.21% increase over th
