Oneworld member British Airways is selling really cheap business class tickets to Rio de Janeiro, starting at €1,135 for flights departing from Nice. Four other French airports cost less than €10 more. All flights include a layover in London.
Transatlantic flights are operated by British Airways Boeing 787 aircraft. These planes offer lie-flat-seats in their Business Class cabin. Inner European flights are operated by British Airways A320 family aircraft that feature BA’s European Business Class.
Search & Book
This offer runs out on July 31, 2019. Your stay must include at least one weekend and may not exceed twelve months. British Airways specifies two travel periods:
- August 13 – September 13
- October 27 – December 13, 2019
All travel must be completed on December 24, 2019. At time of writing, availability is great.
These fares can be found on Google Flights. The easiest way to find low fares is to use their calendar (instructions) and book via an online travel agency or directly at ba.com. For premium tickets, we recommend the latter. If anything goes wrong, you save a lot of time when you can communicate to the airline directly.
Mileage
British Airways issues tickets in booking class J for short haul and I for transatlantic segments. Both are full fare Business Class tickets, that generate a lot of award mileage in Oneworld frequent flyer programs. The following example gives a preview for a Paris to Rio de Janeiro roundtrip:
- 18,330 Points on Finnair Plus
- 18,330 Avios + 350 Tier Credits on Aer Lingus AerClub
- 15,376 Miles on Alaska Mileage Plan
- 14,916 Avios + 116 Qpoints on Qatar Privilege Club
- 14,916 AsiaMiles + 180 Club Points on Asia Miles
- 14,916 Miles on Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- 14,916 Award Miles on LATAM Pass
- 14,916 Miles on Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer
- 14,916 Miles on Royal Jordanian Royal Club
- 14,916 Miles on SriLankan FlySmiLes
- 12,040 Points + 24 Elite Points on Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- Customize Calculation
Each European trip is worth 40 tier points in BA’s Executive Club. The long haul segments are worth 140 tier points each, adding up to 360 tier points for the whole trip. This is more than half what is needed to gain Oneworld Sapphire status (600).
British Airways’ Club Europe
British Airways’ European Business Class Club Europe can be found across their Airbus A320 family short haul fleet. It uses the exact same seats that are used in Economy Class. The main difference is that the middle seat is blocked within the usual 3-3 seating arrangement and that food and beverage services are free. Unfortunately, you still have to deal with a rather small legroom (less than 80 cm).
The main benefits of Club Europe are lounge access (if available), free meal service and generous baggage regulations (2 checked bags up to 32 kg). You can find a more detailed review of the product here.
British Airways’ Club World Business Class
BA’s Business Class is subject to some mixed reviews. While it offers lie-flat seats in most aircraft configurations, they are deemed to be narrow by some customers. Since not all seats are facing forward, you might have to endure a long trip facing to the rear end of the cabin.
Further, that some business fares do not include free seat selection is criticized, as it may cost €60 to select the seat of your choice. A more detailed review of BA’s 777 Business Class can be read here. Their Boeing 787 features a similar layout that is reviewed here.
Information & Tips for Brazil
Brazil is famous for attractions like the Amazon rainforest, the vibrant cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, and natural landmarks like Iguazu Falls and Pantanal. The currency is the Brazilian real (BRL), and credit cards are commonly accepted in most places. The price level can vary—major cities and tourist spots can be expensive, but other areas offer more affordable options. Brazil’s weather is tropical, with hot, humid summers, especially in coastal regions, while southern areas experience milder winters. The best time to visit is generally during the dry season, from May to October.
Brazil’s transport infrastructure varies across the country. In major cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, public transport includes buses, metros, and taxis, though traffic congestion can make getting around slow at times. Ride-hailing apps are widely used and convenient. For intercity travel, long-distance buses are a common, affordable option, but they can be slow. Domestic flights are popular for longer distances, offering quick access to destinations like the Amazon or coastal areas. However, outside major cities, transportation options may be less frequent or reliable, requiring more planning.
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→ All Dealz for Brazil
Information & Tips for Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is famous for its stunning beaches, Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the lively Carnival. The currency used is the Brazilian real (BRL), and while credit cards are widely accepted, cash can be handy for smaller vendors. The price level can be moderate to high, especially in tourist areas like Copacabana and Ipanema, but there are more affordable options in local neighbourhoods. The weather is tropical, with hot, humid summers and milder, more pleasant winters, making the best time to visit typically from May to October.
We’ve compared various esim providers, such as Airalo and Maya Mobile. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for Brazil 🇧🇷 Compared
→ All Dealz for Rio de Janeiro
Thanks to our source YHBU!