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While using Google Flights to look at business class flights to Europe earlier (See: How to find great business class fares with Google Flights), I stumbled on some excellent Star Alliance business class airfares to Kiev, Ukraine from New York and Chicago — with prices available from as low as $1399 (or available through Chase Ultimate Rewards from just over 100K round trip if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve). While this deal is narrow in terms of scope (only between New York / Chicago and Kiev), the price is so good that I figured it was worth sharing for anyone looking to get to Kiev this summer (or any time through the end of the schedule).
The Deal
- Business class fares from New York to Kiev from the $1400’s, including during peak summer season
- Available from late March through the end of the schedule
More information
Low fares are available from the end of March through the end of the schedule according to Google Flights. Here’s a look at New York City to Kiev in July and August:
Cheap flights are available on both Lufthansa and Swiss. Here’s New York to Kiev from July 20th to July 29th. You’ll see flights with a ~4hr connection from $1529, or an itinerary with a 22-hour stop in Zurich for $1507:
Some of those same itineraries are available through airfare metasearch site Momondo for even less — with an option on Swiss for $1,399 round trip (though note the 32hr stopover on the way and 13hr stopover on the way back:
Mixed itineraries with Swiss and Lufthansa are available in the $1400’s.
Prices are slightly higher from Chicago, but still a relative bargain around $1700:
Again, prices are even lower for some itineraries through the smaller online travel agencies listed on Momondo – with the same dates starting at $1577:
Bookable through bank portals
Prices through the bank airfare portals more closely match the Google Flights pricing, with the New York dates above showing up in the Chase portal for $1524 or 101,600 Ultimate Rewards.
A round trip should earn almost 10,000 miles (at 100% mileage flown) in a number of programs — not enough to make this any sort of mileage run, but a nice rebate nonetheless considering the fact that United would charge 140,000 miles round trip for the same flights (if they were even available at the saver level) — and then charge taxes on top.
Bottom line
While Kiev may not draw the same number of tourists as some of the more popular European destinations, these prices are excellent for solid business class long haul flights. Both Lufthansa and Swiss offer flat beds on the transatlantic flights and reliable service. These prices are considerably less than round trip business class to most European destinations. With wide availability through the end of the schedule, options are plentiful. Remember that you should have 24 hours to cancel without penalty when booking through most sites — but check the terms wherever you book.
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@Nick Reyes Not a 32 hour stopover or a 13 hour stopover… those are total travel times. The layover on the way there is 22 hours and the return is a mere 1:35.