Airbus' A321 jets are reshaping transatlantic travel. I've toured 3 airlines' business classes — here's how they compare.
- Airlines are increasingly using Airbus A321neo family planes for transatlantic flights.
- These single-aisle aircraft offer efficient long-haul economics for routes to Europe.
- JetBlue, La Compagnie, and Iberia offer lie-flat business class on these narrow-body planes.
More airlines are flying single-aisle Airbus A321neo family planes across the Atlantic.
The aircraft are a popular choice because of their favorable long-haul economics. They can efficiently fly routes that may not have the demand to fill a widebody and still be profitable for airlines.
Because the planes can cross oceans โ with the longest-range variant, the A321XLR, flying up to 11 hours nonstop โ many airlines have equipped them with lie-flat business class to optimize comfort (and revenue).
I've seen three examples of these transatlantic premium Airbus cabins: JetBlue Airways, French boutique airline La Compagnie, and Spanish flag carrier Iberia.
Iberia is nice, but it and La Compagnie lack a flyer-favorite perk, while JetBlue offers the most amenity-heavy business experience.
La Compagnie is a small, all-business-class airline that serves Paris, Nice, and Milan from the US with A321neoLRs. It offers many cost-friendly fares, with roundtrip tickets starting at $2,500,
Iberia's new A321XLR will cost customers up to $5,000 or more roundtrip, depending on the season.
JetBlue's A321neoLR offers some discounted Mint fares to London, but other destinations are typically at least $3,000-$4,000.
La Compagnie and Iberia don't sport the sliding door that is standard at every JetBlue Mint seat. The privacy perk is increasingly popular on wide-body premium seats.
The French carrier's 2ร2 layout would make one impossible to fit, while Iberia carefully designed its 1ร1 cabin to be private without one. It has angled seats, high walls, and large wings.
La Compagnie has the most awkward layout of the three. The 2ร2 layout optimizes the space, but it means flyers could be sleeping right next to a stranger on a full flight โ and the window seat can't freely access the aisle.
There is a small divider between seats, but it doesn't do much to block travelers from one another. The airline is largely meant for families and couples, so you may not have an unknown neighbor.
Two of JetBlue's 24-person Mint business class seats are designated as the extra-large "Studio" with a companion seat to dine or meet with another traveler.
La Compagnie offers more legroom in its exit rows and bulkhead. This provides more ease for the window passenger if climbing over an aisle seatmate.
Iberia's smaller 14-person business class does not have any extra-large seats available.
Iberia's 18.5-inch television has Bluetooth built-in, allowing travelers to connect their own wireless headphones to the screen.
JetBlue provided customers on its inaugural flight from New York to Paris in June with a free AirFly Pro Bluetooth audio transmitter, but it doesn't come as the standard โ future travelers need to bring their own.
La Compagnie's 15.6-inch screen also didn't have Bluetooth. All three did have a remote, with JetBlue's Studio having the largest screen at 22 inches. Its regular suites boast a 17-inch television.
La Compagnie had barely any storage space aside from the overhead bin that was big enough to fit bigger items, like a laptop or a small backpack.
Iberia's storage under the television and behind the screen provides more ample storage, as does JetBlue's design. And both have more tabletop space โ something La Compagnie customers have the share.
JetBlue's "do not disturb" sign tells flight attendants not to wake up passengers, even during a meal service.
It's likely a welcome perk for overnight flights. Iberia and La Compagnie don't have the same feature.
All three airlines offer the same standard business-class perks, including an amenity kit, hot meals, a tray table, linens, WiFi, and power.
For power, the airlines each have a USB-A port and a universal outlet. JetBlue and Iberia both also offer a USB-C port, and the former includes a wireless charging pad that the other two don't.
Iberia has its own branded business-class lounges in Madrid. In the US, flyers can use Oneworld partner lounges. La Compagnie offers their travelers lounge access via partnerships.
JetBlue, however, does not have a dedicated lounge. However, JetBlue plans to build airport lounges to expand its premium offerings.
For now, flyers can access airport lounges via a credit card, like American Express or Chase.
Despite JetBlue's lack of a lounge, the cabin seat is the most amenity-heavy with its door and do-not-disturb sign. Plus, its Studio offers more choice.
Iberia is a close second with good privacy and comfort, but I'd personally prefer JetBlue when flying transatlantic for price and amenities.
La Compagnie has the most awkward design, but there isn't a logical other way to configure its planes because it needs to optimize space.
Still, the prices are among the cheapest ways to cross the Atlantic in business class. I think it's a good option for leisure travelers willing to splurge but don't want to pay for more expensive airlines.
JetBlue offers the most A321neoLR routes across the Atlantic with service to London, Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin, and Edinburgh, Scotland, from New York or Boston.
Iberia flies the A321XLR to Boston and, soon, to Washington Dulles.ย JetBlue plans to eventually receive the A321XLR, which could open new European routes, such as Italy and Spain.
La Compagnie indirectly competes with JetBlue in Paris. Instead of flying from New York-JFK to Charles de Gaulle like JetBlue, it flies from nearby Newark to Paris-Orly.
There are a few other narrow-body, lie-flat business classes that I haven't yet seen, like Aer Lingus 'A321neoLR. Starting in 2025, the airline will also fly bed-equipped A321XLRs on routes like Nashville to Dublin.
American and United are among the other carriers planning A321XLR flights with beds in business class โ with United replacing its lie-flat Boeing 757s with the A321XLR in 2026 and adding new routes.