One of the best things about living in New York City is having access to just about everything. You can try food from all over the world, find that gadget that was supposed to only be available in Asia and even spot trends in fashion, finance or the tech industry before everyone else in the country just by walking down the sidewalk. But, if you ask me, the best access New Yorkers have is that to international airlines—at a much cheaper cost than just about anyone else in the country.
Think about it. Most foreign airlines that fly into the states make a point to have NYC as one of their flight destinations. And the reason is simple: People from all over the world have business ties to the U.S. by way of NYC. It’s the city that most foreigners dream of visiting and because NYC airports have flights to just about every other airport in the country, it is the perfect place for a layover.
One of NYC’s foreign airline gems is the French airline La Compagnie, pronounced “La Company,” a boutique airline that offers daily flights from Newark Liberty International (just over the bridge in Jersey) to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport. I have had the opportunity to fly to Europe with them several times, and each time I do, it is an experience I don’t want to end. There are so many things to love about them, but in honor of my ode I’ll only mention my top five (don’t judge me on my rhyming skills).
“The entire cabin is business class. With service so good, your expectations they will surpass.”
La Compagnie prides themselves on being a “boutique-style flying experience.” Every single seat offered on the plane is considered to be in business class. With no more than 74 passengers aboard at a time, guests have their needs catered to by the French flight attendants, while lounging in a luxurious seat that reclines nearly 180 degrees—making for one extremely comfortable ride. Once onboard you’ll receive a pouch filled with in-flight necessities, such as eye cream, socks, a toothbrush and toothpaste and a sleep mask. La Compagnie is made up of a small fleet of smartly redesigned Boeing 757s.
“The tickets are sold at a discounted rate. The money you save will surely be great!”
The only thing better than La Compagnie’s planes is their ticket prices. Because they are a boutique airline, they are able to sell tickets at a discounted rate. A round-trip flight from NYC to Paris during the first week of October will run you approximately $6,000 in business class on United Airlines and as much as $9,000 on Delta/Air France. If you’re willing to fly that far in coach you can get a round-trip ticket for as cheap as $600 on Aer Lingus, but you’ll have a layover in Ireland. La Compagnie can take you from NYC to Paris, in business class, for approximately $2,000 round-trip. That ticket will also grant you access to the lounges in both airports during both legs of your trip.
“You’re served French food and sparkling wine from Champagne. This seven-hour flight will certainly not be a strain.”
One of the greatest perks of being in business class is you are served a meal. One of the greatest perks of being in business class on a French airline is you are served a French meal! French chef, Christophe Langrée, develops seasonal meals for a memorable in-flight dining experience. And of course, no French meal is complete without the wine from the country’s most famous region, Champagne. Toast to the good life as many times as you want on board, or have your own little tasting with the other wines. Whatever you choose, the seven-hour flight is sure to fly by!
“An airline so good, they make your proud to have worked so hard for your salary. You’ll feel so sophisticated viewing work from film festivals or admiring an in-flight art gallery.”
I believe most people work hard so they can enjoy the fruit of their labor. If you are one of those people, then the La Compagnie experience is definitely for you. Everything about the flight reminds you of why you work hard—so you can afford to be treated so well. One of the things that most impressed me is their attention to detail. Each passenger is offered a personal iPad on which to screen films, view flight details and listen to music, as well as a pair of branded headphones that are as comfortable as a pair of Beats by Dre. Last time I flew La Compagnie, they were displaying what they referred to as “the first in-flight art gallery.” In every passenger window there was a decal of one of Kevin Lyons’ recognizable characters. I spent most of the flight capturing pictures of my little window-mate with the sun changing behind him.
“But of all the great things, the best one of all is that it’s a direct flight to Paris, winter, spring, summer or fall!
La Compagnie is honestly so great because they are a reliable company than will get you to Europe comfortably for a fraction of the cost of other airlines—at any time of the year. You won’t see prices drastically rise because of a holiday or an entire season such as summer. And once you get to Paris (thought by most to be a Euro hub), you can get to so many other places on that side of the world at rates that would cost less than you’d pay to get from the East Coast to the West Coast. If you ask me, there really is no better way to get to Europe than through Charles de Gaulle via La Compagnie.
Megan Pinckney (@shadesofpinck) is a retired beauty queen turned lifestyle blogger who loves exploring the world and writing about it.
