I took the bait! Yesterday I saw a flash sale advertised on Dan’s Deals for a $1167 round trip flight from Newark (EWR) to Paris Orly (ORY) in lie-flat seats.
I booked the deal on Open Skies — a “luxury, boutique” offshoot of British Air.
$1167 is the price of a discounted economy fare ticket to Europe during high season!
Having missed the previous day’s hot deal of just $981 RT, I knew I had to act quickly to get in on possibly the second best bargain of the summer.
If this deal interests you jump on it quickly!
How to Hack Your Way to Paris in Lie Flat Seats for $1167 Roundtrip
Open Skies is running a promotion on their nonstop flights to Paris from New York’s JFK or Newark airports. They are advertising a sale price of $1698 round trip for business class, which they call Biz Bed service.
To discount the fare further, you need to join AARP (membership is $16,) which offers a $400 discount per passenger on Business Class flights on British Air.
To lower the price by an additional ten percent, apply the promo code CARDOFFERU, which is available to holders of the Chase British Airways credit card, and possibly others.
This brings the roundtrip fare for lie flat seats in business class down to $1167, just about the same as the OpenSkies price for economy seats.
Book Now, Ask Questions Later
Please, don’t! These are nonrefundable tickets so you need to know what you’re doing.
I had never heard of OpenSkies airline before.
But the time was right for me, so I booked the tickets first, and asked questions later.
What is a Luxury Boutique Airline?
OpenSkies has some slick marketing copy on their website — contrasting New York City to Paris, and touting their Biz Bed product.
With tickets in hand, I did some research, and found decidedly mixed reviews.
There are numerous reports on the web about delayed and cancelled flights, tired seats, and subpar service. I may need to temper my expectations to avoid possible disappointment.
Our flight leaves from the Newark airport, which is pretty convenient for us because we can take the train up from Washington, DC.
OpenSkies flies nonstop to Paris Orly, which I understand is a bit closer to the city than CDG.
We will take our chances.
What is OpenSkies’ Biz Bed Service?
OpenSkies touts their Biz Bed class as a “uniquely premium” direct service between New York and Paris.
They claim:
- spacious seat that converts to a fully flat bed
- access to comfortable private lounges
- dedicated check-in, fast track security, and priority boarding
- if you’re travelling from New York, a gourmet meal in the lounge before your departure
- an intimate and exclusive cabin with only 20 seats
- soft under-mattresses, luxurious Egyptian cotton duvet, full-size pillow, and pajamas
- exclusive and attentive service
- the finest French cuisine with a 4-course menu cooked by master chefs
- the finest wines French vineyards have to offer
- the famous Ladurée macarons
- a personal iPad, loaded with movies, music, games and entertainment
- noise cancelling headphones
- space for a handbag and small suitcase onboard, and three pieces of checked luggage included in the fare
It all sounds a bit over the top. Personally, it’s the Ladurée macarons that caught my attention!
Having never travelled in Business Class, I am sure I will be grateful just to stretch out.
I am not under any illusions about the “luxury” of air travel.
Suggestions for Paris, please!
I’ve been to Paris several times, but not in the last 25 years!
If you have any suggestions of the best places to stay (e.g. neighborhoods) and things to do, please share in the comments.
We hope to take some day trips by train so I welcome any ideas on destinations within striking distance of Paris.