Oneworld member British Airways (together with Aer Lingus and American Airlines) has once again launched a first class sale to the USA. The airline currently sells tickets from Dublin to New York for just €2,345 and Boston at €2,445.
The price has increased by roughly €200 by now.
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips up to 28 days. It will forward you to British Airways with your selected flight dates.
Flights between Dublin and London are Airbus A320 services by BA or Aer Lingus, where you can “enjoy” their European business class product, or even worse “Economy Plus” (it may be a BA display error, as the seat selection portal offers a 2-2 configuration and the booking class is J). The long-haul flights are either BA or American Airlines Boeing 777s, or BA’s Boeing 787s or Airbus A380s.
British Airways First Class
British Airways’ first class is not as glamorous as its Middle Eastern or Asian competitors. On the other hand, it’s often offered for prices that are not very far from what others charge for business class. All tickets include a 3x 32 kg baggage allowance, access to first class lounges (where available) and exquisite catering.
The seats are 1.98 m long and also more spacious than those in the new business class Club Suite. However, there are only doors in the latest product on board a few of the Boeing 777 planes. Depending on the type of aircraft, the cabin consists of 8 to 14 first class seats.
You can find relevant reviews below:
- Review of British Airways’ first class in a Boeing 787 at One Mile at a Time
- Review of British Airways’ first class in an Airbus A380 at You have been upgraded
- Review of British Airways’ first class in an Airbus A380 at The Points Guy
American Airlines First Class
At American Airlines, there is only a real first class named Flagship First in the Boeing 777-300. The alignment is like in business class (1-2-1) and otherwise, the seat is (unfortunately) more reminiscent of a good business class, but at least it is a lot more spacious. The swivel function of the seat is quite unique so that you can look straight ahead through the window during the flight.
Especially the soft product still has a lot of room for improvement. Here are a few relevant reviews:
- Review of American Airlines’ First Class in a Boeing 777 at One Mile at a Time
- Review of American Airlines’ First Class in a Boeing 777 at God Save the Points
- Review of American Airlines’ First Class in a Boeing 777 at Travel Codex
Search & Book
According to the fare rules, this fare has no expiration date and applies to weekday departures booked at least 180 days in advance. You have to stay at least one night from Saturday to Sunday (your stay must exceed 24 hours), but no more than 12 months in the USA to get the quoted price. While these tickets are non-refundable, you can change the dates, paying only the (possibly extremely high) price difference.
As these flights don’t show up on Google Flights, your best option is to use our links above which will lead you to the best price calendar on British Airways’ website. While you could save a little by booking through online travel agencies (OTAs) via the Travel-Dealz Flight Search, we don’t recommend booking through them in this case.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
British Airways issues these tickets in booking class A for the long flights. European feeders are in booking class J. The following represents a trip to New York:
- 34,604 Award Miles + 19,780 Elite Qualifying Miles on Alaska Mileage Plan
- 28,000 Miles on American AAdvantage
- 27,608 Avios + 500 Tier Points on British Airways Executive Club
- 27,608 Avios + 1,300 Elite Points on Iberia Plus
- 18,676 Points on Finnair Plus
- 18,676 Avios on Aer Lingus AerClub
- 11,066 Avios + 104 Qpoints on Qatar Privilege Club
- 11,066 AsiaMiles + 130 Club Points on Asia Miles
- 11,066 Miles on Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- 11,066 Award Miles on LATAM Pass
- 11,066 Points + 20 Elite Points on Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- 11,066 Miles on Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer
- 11,066 Miles on Royal Jordanian Royal Club
- 11,066 Miles on SriLankan FlySmiLes
You can get very close to the 600 TP needed for British Airways Executive Club Silver (and Oneworld Sapphire) with this ticket. To make sure you get the four legs in British Airways you need for the status, make sure your flights from London to New York are operated by British Airways, not American.
Destination
Hotels in the USA can easily start north of €100/night, even in lower categories. Whichever category and hotel you opt for, make sure to get the best price! Our recommendation is to search on booking.com, or even on our own Travel-Dealz hotel search:
Information & Tips for New York
It is THE dream destination in the USA. The 5 districts of New York City offer more than any other metropolis in the world. And due to the high number of flights to New York, it is usually the cheapest way to get to the USA.
The Best Time to Travel
The best travel time with moderate temperatures is from April to June and from September to November. Summers can bring heat waves with high humidity. Winters are often snowy and very cold.
From the airport to the city
New York City is served by three commercial airports: John F. Kennedy Intl. Airport in Queens (probably the most famous), Newark Intl. Airport in Newark, New Jersey (which is not located in NYC, but serves the metropolitan area just like the others) and LaGuardia Airport also in Queens (which is closest to the city).
John F. Kennedy Intl. Airport
Public transport: From Manhattan by subway or LIRR to Jamaica (price varies from $2.75 – $10.00), continue with AirTrain to JFK ($8). Travel time 45 – 60 minutes.
Taxi: To Manhattan $62.50 (+ $5.50 toll), 45 – 90 minutes depending on traffic.
Newark Intl. Airport
Public transport: Almost $20 with a combination of AirTrain Newark and NJ Transit to Penn Station. Almost 45 minutes drive.
Taxi: To Manhattan $50 – $70 (+ $8 toll), journey time 35 – 60 minutes depending on traffic.
LaGuardia Airport
Public transport: LaGuardia is only served by buses, these are slow and don’t have much space to store luggage, but with $2,75 they are very cheap.
Taxi: To Manhattan $20 – $30, journey time 15 – 30 minutes depending on traffic.
→ All Dealz for New York
Information & Tips for USA
The USA offers many sights, natural wonders and cultural significance. Thanks to numerous airlines offering flights across the Atlantic, it is always pretty inexpensive to get there. Alternatively, you can also cross the Atlantic by boat.
Immigration, ESTA & Visa Requirements
The USA has one of the strictest entry regulations in the world. Most EU citizens, among others, are lucky to be able to participate in the so-called Visa Waiver Program. If you get an electronic entry permit (ESTA) for approximately €20, you don’t need a visa for entry.
The Best Time to Visit
Due to its sheer size, the perfect time to visit the USA varies greatly from region to region. In winter, Florida is very popular due to the mild temperatures. In the summer the West and East Coasts are flooded by tourists which drives up the prices for hotels and flights and during the Indian Summer in late autumn New England is a very popular destination. The hurricane season between July and September can be dangerous in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Florida and the southern states are regularly struck by these tropical storms. Blizzards occur from the East Coast to the Midwest during the winter months and regularly put air traffic and public life on hold.
Currency
The US dollar is widely used throughout the world and accepted as a currency in most tourist hotspots worldwide. That being said, carrying cash isn’t necessary in the US, all you need is a credit card! These are very common in the USA and are accepted pretty much everywhere without any issues. If you already have a credit card in your wallet, you should make sure that it does not charge a foreign currency fee if possible. Carrying a few dollars in cash doesn’t hurt though. You might need cash e.g. for the bus ticket if you want to buy it directly from the driver. Most of the time you even have to give exact change.
Finding the Best eSIM Plan
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as Knowroaming and Ubigi. 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 the USA 🇺🇸 Compared
→ All Dealz for USA
Cover Picture: © British Airways
Comments (3)
Thanks and to all at Travel-Dealz, Thanks and keep up the fantastic work 👍
Felix,
Keep up the great work, especially those “One World Alliance” Deals you keep coming up with 👍.
I have booked many flights after your great posts.
Started with Honolulu last year from Budapest.
This year, I have Fresno, California from Dublin (€1350)
Next year I also have
Madrid to New York and back to London, €980, booked two days ago before BA pulled it.
Dublin to LHR to Dallas to San Antonio, €1400.
All in business class, so lots of Avios and tier points.
So, thanks and keep up the posts 👍
Hi Simon!
First and foremost, you’re most certainly welcome. In the end, the author of the deal just stand at the end of the process that involves our entire team – so your thanks go out to everybody at travel-dealz.