Hey {{first name | reader}},
Happy Wednesday! Halfway through the week. Coffee's ready, and I've got three things to keep you going:
Cash deal: Washington to Delhi in business for ~$2,500 (with a twist)
Finnair Business Class - the one still on my bucket list
American Airlines' new A321XLR brings lie-flat seats to transatlantic routes
Cash deal: Washington to Delhi in business for ~$2,500 (with a twist)
Since a lot of you loved the new cash deal section, here's a creative one: a round-trip business class fare from Washington D.C. (IAD) to New Delhi (DEL) for around $2,500 USD, combining Turkish Airlines and IndiGo flights.
On paper, that might sound odd since IndiGo is known as a low-cost carrier, but here's what's actually happening: IndiGo leases Boeing 777s from Turkish Airlines, and Turkish sells seats in business class on these flights. The experience onboard is essentially Turkish's older long-haul product, not IndiGo's usual narrow-body setup.
The routing looks like this:
Outbound: IAD → IST on Turkish Airlines' 777-300ER, then IST → DEL on IndiGo's leased 777, which features angle-flat seats in a 2-3-2 configuration.
Return: the same setup in reverse: IndiGo 777 → Turkish 777.
Turkish Airlines 777 Business Class
That means you get lounge access in Istanbul, full-service catering, Turkish hospitality, and two long-haul segments in proper widebody business seats, all for about half the usual price for India in premium cabins.
It's not the fanciest setup (no sliding doors or all-aisle access here), but if you value space, comfort, and solid food over hard product flashiness, this is a strong deal. Turkish Airlines is one of the best airlines in Europe so you should enjoy the trip!
[BUTTON: See the deal on Google Flights]
Would you book a deal like this if it meant mixing full-service and "hybrid" legs?
Finnair Business Class - the one still on my bucket list
There's one airline I keep talking about with Dan, and somehow I still haven't flown it long-haul: Finnair Business Class.
Technically, I have flown them once, but only on a short hop from Bergen to Stockholm in an A320. Great flight, friendly crew, but not exactly the full "lie-flat experience." So Finnair's long-haul product is high on my list, and I'm planning to route through Helsinki on an upcoming trip to Southeast Asia just to finally try it.
Here's why: Finnair’s AirLounge business seat - a non-reclining, deep shell seat with wide space to lounge, sleep, or sit upright comfortably. It's one of the most unique cabins in the sky: there's no traditional lie-flat mechanism, just clever padding and design that lets you stretch out flat naturally. Think of it as a hybrid between a sofa and a cocoon.
Finnair AirLounge business class seat
The cabin design is Nordic minimalism at its best, with calm lighting, soft blue tones, and Marimekko fabrics. Pair that with excellent catering (especially on Helsinki departures) and their signature cranberry juice, and it's no surprise that Dan is obsessed with this product. You can watch his full review here.
The best part? It's surprisingly accessible on points. Using Avios, you can book Finnair long-haul business class for around 62,500 Avios one-way, whether you're flying Europe ↔ Asia, the U.S., or the Middle East. That's incredible value for a product this polished.
So yes, it's officially on my "must fly next" list. I wouldn't mind a long layover in Helsinki if it means testing that AirLounge seat at last.
American Airlines' new A321XLR: long-haul comfort on a single-aisle plane
Big news for narrow-body lovers: American Airlines is getting ready to debut its brand-new Airbus A321XLR, and yes, it's bringing lie-flat business class seats to routes where you'd normally expect recliners.
The A321XLR ("extra long range") is a game-changer for transatlantic flying. It can fly for up to 4,700 miles nonstop, which means routes like Philadelphia to Rome or Boston to Dublin suddenly make sense on a smaller, more fuel-efficient plane.
But what matters most: the interior is nothing like your typical A321. American's new flagship narrow-body will feature 14 business class suites with doors, arranged in a 1-1 configuration, giving every passenger direct aisle access and privacy, a massive step up from the standard recliner-style business found on most A321s today.
American Airlines A321XLR Flagship Suite
The new Flagship Suite seats are designed with full-flat beds, large screens, wireless charging, and personal wardrobes. It's a scaled-down version of what's coming on American's 787-9s. Think of it as AA's answer to JetBlue Mint, but with more range and global reach.
When it's coming: The A321XLR will start flying soon, and early reports suggest first international routes to Europe and deep South America. This could create a completely new category of business-class experience: smaller, quieter, and hopefully, more consistent. Maybe I am lucky enough to see it on a direct flight from my hometown to the US!
Personally, I'm excited to see how it feels in the air. There's something weirdly cool about flying a single-aisle jet across the Atlantic and still getting a door, a bed, and a solid meal. If American nails the soft product (which is absolutely not their biggest strength), this could be one of the most comfortable "niche" long-haul products in the world.
That's it for today. More deals and strategies coming your way on Friday.
Catch you in the clouds,
Tomi