Our Condor Premium Economy Review of the A330neo starts with first impressions: bold stripes, a new cabin, and the question – does Premium Economy really deliver a step up, or is it smarter to save the money (or jump straight to Business)?
✈️ Quick Flight Facts
- Route: Frankfurt (FRA) → Boston (BOS)
- Aircraft: Airbus A330-900neo
- Flight Time: ~7h 45min (day flight)
- Seat: Premium Economy (standard Economy seat with extra pitch)
- Cabin: Separate PE section, wider pitch vs. Economy, same seat shell
- Booking: Cash ticket; PE typically priced well below legacy carriers
- Date Flown: 2025
Booking & Value
Condor positions Premium Economy as a value step-up: more legroom, a bit more food, and included alcoholic beverages, without the high price of Business. If your priority is budget and a daytime crossing, the math can make sense. If you’re buying PE for sleep on an overnight, you’ll likely be happier saving the money or going Business.
Ground Experience (FRA T1)
Departures are from Terminal 1, Area C. As a leisure carrier, Condor’s bag-drop can mean long queues, and our gate (B60) was an out-position served by bus. Security in that B concourse was down to a single lane when we arrived – it took a while. While a Condor Business Class Ticket gives you access to the Lufthansa lounges in Frankfurt, you won’t get into any lounges with your Premium Economy ticket. Even with American Express Platinum you won’t get into the Lufthansa Lounges as they require a Lufthansa Group Ticket. In short: expect a functional, not premium, ground flow.
Cabin & Seat
The A330neo hard product looks fresh, but Premium Economy uses the same seat shell as Economy. The upgrade is primarily extra pitch/legroom – which, to be fair, was sufficient even at 195 cm. The seat itself isn’t built for sleeping; for a day flight, it’s fine. Storage is standard, and the PE cabin feels calm and new, but don’t expect a full dedicated product like you have on most other carries.
Food & Beverage
Quantity over finesse. Shortly after takeoff we were served a tray with starter, hot main and sides. Our main was Italian spinach gnocchi, asparagus, lemon cream sauce; pre-landing came a hot mini pizza plus a light snack in between. Flavors were good (exactly what you’d expect), but we were positively surprised by how much food was offered on a relatively short hop.
Drinks are the bright spot: beer, wine and spirits are included in Premium Economy. We loved the BrewDog x Condor collaboration – a fun, well-branded touch that Condor absolutely nails. Coffee/tea and soft drinks are available throughout.
Service
Crew were efficient and friendly, more “charter energy” than boutique polish – which fits Condor’s brand. Service ran smoothly despite the bus-gate boarding scrum.
IFE & Connectivity
The A330neo has a modern IFE look and a fair selection for a sub-8-hour crossing. Expect the typical pay-Wi-Fi tiers; we treated this as a watch-a-movie-and-chill flight and skipped connectivity.
The A330neo Vibe
Condor’s striped livery and clean new cabin are undeniably fun. If aesthetics and a fresh aircraft matter to you, you’ll enjoy the ride – just remember PE is a soft step up, not a sleeper seat.
Verdict
- Best for: Daytime crossings where extra legroom + included drinks are enough.
- What stood out: Generous catering cadence, fun BrewDog collab, brand-new A330neo cabin.
- What could improve: True PE seat (wider seat base/leg-rest), ground experience at FRA bus gates.
- Would we book again? Yes, for daytime value. For overnight comfort, we’d choose Business or a legacy PE with a better seat.
Pro-Tips
- At FRA T1: Arrive early for C-area bag drop and allow extra time for B-gate security and bus boarding.
- Seat strategy: Pick PE rows away from galleys/lavs to keep the cabin quiet.
- Expectations: Think “Economy+ with perks,” not a true PE recliner – great for day flights, less ideal for sleep.
Compare Next
Curious how this stacks up against premium cabins? Read our Lufthansa First Class on the A340-600, our Lufthansa 747 Business Class (Upper Deck), and our Qatar Airways 787-9 Business Suite. Planning the trip around it? Don’t miss our New England Road Trip guide.
Have you flown Condor Premium Economy? Drop your questions below or join us on Instagram @urbanescapestories for behind-the-scenes clips from this flight.