Introduction: To Europe On SkyTeam In Business Class

Welcome to my next trip report, which will detail my recent journey to and within Europe on a combination of SkyTeam carriers plus a boutique airline that proved to be a very pleasant surprise onboard.

Europe on SkyTeam Plus An Unexpected Surprise On Bulgarian Air

I stumbled on some “saver” Delta Air Lines award space on the A330-900neo from Los Angeles to London in Delta One business class. Award seats on that flight are (well, were) almost as rare as sighting a unicorn despite very poor loads. In fact, since I took this journey Delta has suspended the flight entirely…

I paid 106,500 Flying Blue points for the flight plus $10.10 in taxes. A good redemption? Not really. But far better than via SkyMiles, where the one-way price was over 300K miles. And for whatever reason, it was not available on Virgin Atlantic. Even if it was, the one-way to London would have been 67,500 miles and over $800 in taxes/fees (meanwhile, European destinations cost only 50K miles + $5.60 for a nonstop flight in Delta One, but Virgin Atlantic has special pricing on Delta flights to London).

Flying Blue points are easy to come by (partnered with most transferable credit card loyalty programs) and there are frequent transfer bonuses.

Building the trip around that flight, I thought it would be a great opportunity to try out TAROM, the flag carrier of Romania. Thanks in part to your input, I booked an Airbus A318 from London to Bucharest direct rather than go through Amsterdam to catch a 737-700 with a “real” business class cabin onboard.  Then, I added a connection to Sofia, Bulgaria on an ATR-72 in business class, with a 21.5 hour connection in Bucharest. The cost of those two flights was 25,000 Delta SkyMiles and 65.49 GBP. Delta sill has sweet spots as long as your trip does not touch the United States or Canada.

In Bucharest, I stayed at the Marmorosch Hotel, part of the Marriott Autograph Collection (there is no Hyatt-affiliated property in Bucharest) and very much enjoyed it. I used a free night certificate associated with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card from Chase. I considered staying at the JW Marriott, but am so glad I tried the Marmorosch.

In Sofia, I stayed two nights at the Hyatt Regency and had a wonderful time exploring Sofia, a city I had never been to before and would now return to. The Hyatt Regency Sofia just switched from a Category 1 to a Category 2 property, but I booked under the old rate and paid 5,000 points per night (versus 150EUR) and was upgraded to a suite.

For my return, I flew a brand new Bulgaria Air A220-300 from Sofia to Amsterdam. Bulgaria Air has a “real” business class seat (as opposed to simply booking middle seats) and I had a very nice flight. Bulgaria Air is a treasure that I look forward to introducing to you as this report unfolds.

Finally, I flew on a KLM A330 from Amsterdam to Washington Dulles. That aircraft has a rather tired product in World Business Class (2-2-2 seating with B/E Diamond seats), but it was 50K Flying Blue points plus $324.50…a great deal considering carriers like KLM and United price one-way tickets at the same price as a round-trip ticket.

After speaking at a conference in Washington, DC, I flew home on a United Airlines 787-9 in business class, but I won’t review that flight. I stayed at Thompson Washington, DC for $159.

Here are the segments for this trip report:

• Private Delta One Check-In Facility At LAX
• Delta Sky Club LAX
• Delta Air Lines A330-900neo Business Class Los Angeles – London
• Plaza Premium Lounge (LHR- T4)
• Tarom A318 Business Class London – Bucharest
• No, I Don’t Want To Go Into The Strip Club!
• Great Coffee in Bucharest
• Marmorosch Hotel Bucharest
• Dacia Business Lounge Bucharest (OTP)
• Tarom ATR-72 Business Class Bucharest – Sofia
• The Lovely City Of Sofia, Bulgaria
• Great Coffee in Sofia
• Photo Essay: Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – Sofia
• Socialist Art Museum – Sofia
• Great Mexican Food In Sofia, Bulgaria?
• Hyatt Regency Sofia
• Aspire Lounge Sofia (SOF)
• Bulgaria Air A220 Business Class Sofia – Amsterdam
• KLM Lounge 52 Amsterdam (AMS)
• KLM A330-200 Business Class Amsterdam – Washington
• Thompson Hotel Washington, DC
• Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles (IAD)

I offered shorter teasers about these flights last month, but look forward to offering more in-depth reviews in the days ahead.

As always, if there is anything in particular you would like me to focus on in these reviews, do not hesitate to let me know.

Thanks for reading!

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