As mainstream airlines sell seats in fare classes that promise an increasing degree of comfort and luxury, multiple airlines have tried positioning themselves as boutique carriers in which every seat is business class.
Although vacation airline BermudAir eventually abandoned its initial all-business model in favor of cheaper tickets, the biggest success with this model is currently that of French boutique airline La Compagnie.
Founded by French businessman and pilot Frantz Yvelin out of Orly Airport in Paris in 2013, the airline operates a fleet of three Airbus A321LR long-rage passenger jets equipped with 76 lie-flat seats each on routes between Newark Liberty and Paris, Nice, and Milan.
La Compagnie launching new service to Düsseldorf, adding third A321neo plane
Despite a round-trip ticket starting at approximately $3,500, the model of leaning into “French style” and a more luxurious way to travel to these European cities quickly found a market amid wealthier Europe-bound Americans, given that the price is slightly less than business class on a mainstream airline.
This week, the airline confirmed that it will add a fourth European city to its network, made possible with the addition of a third Airbus A321neo long-range plane to its fleet, Simple Flying reported.
Related: What does it mean to fly business on a vacation airline
The capital of Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia region was chosen due to the large number of business travelers to the economic hub, which is the home of major global corporations such as ThyssenKrupp, Henkel, and Vodafone Germany.
According to the numbers that pushed La Compagnie to launch the route, more than 24,000 international companies and 1,700 U.S. companies have bases in the wider Düsseldorf area. La Compagnie is also betting on summer tourism to a region of Germany known for its historic towns, castles, and vineyards.
Düsseldorf is a major European hub for many international companies.Mrkit99 / Getty Images
La Compagnie CEO calls flights to Düsseldorf a “natural next chapter”
“Düsseldorf represents a natural next chapter in La Compagnie’s development,” CEO Christian Vernet said in a statement, according to Simple Flying.
“At the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic economic regions, with strong international businesses and longstanding ties to the United States, North Rhine-Westphalia is well-suited to our unique all-business-class model. We look forward to welcoming travelers from the region on board, while also offering our American clientele a new and convenient gateway to Germany.”
More Travel News:
Airline to launch unusual new flight to Cayman Islands from the U.S.
There is a very cool Irish version of swimming pigs in The Bahamas
Unexpected country is most luxurious travel destination for 2026
Low-cost airline launches easier way to get to Sri Lanka
The first flight is set for April 27, with tickets already available on the La Compagnie website. La Compagnie will take delivery of the new A321neo aircraft at some point prior to the launch in early 2027; it will also have the same configuration of 76 lie-flat seats in a two-two layout.
The flight between New York and Düsseldorf will run five times a week during the summer season, as uptake during the first season determines whether the route returns or expands to year-round service in the coming years.
La Compagnie will also take delivery of an Airbus A321XLR at some point in 2028, as the new aircraft enables future expansion to other European destinations.
Related: What to do if you’re in Frankfurt for a short or long layover