As avid travel bloggers, we’re always on the hunt for unique experiences and clever ways to stretch our budgets. Our recent trip to Italy was no exception, as we embarked on an adventurous journey across the Atlantic, savoring the comforts of premium cabins without breaking the bank. Join us as we share the secrets to affordable luxury on budget airlines and the delightful surprises that awaited us along the way.
Our elaborate air voyage commenced in Detroit, where we hopped on a no-frills Spirit Airlines flight to New York. From there, it was a hop across the Atlantic to Paris on the low-cost carrier Norse Atlantic. Bidding only $350, we snagged an upgrade to their premium economy cabin – and what an upgrade it was!
As the Boeing 787 Dreamliner took to the skies, we settled into roomy recliner seats, sipping complimentary beverages and savoring two meal services that belied the rock-bottom fare. The real treat, however, was enjoying that rarest of inflight amenities: a proper night’s sleep, stretched out in glorious comfort. It was the best sleep I had ever had on an airplane.
For the return journey, French Bee treated us to another premium transatlantic experience – this time we were upgraded to fully lie-flat business-class seats! From the celebratory welcome champagne to the metal cutlery at mealtimes, it was a far cry from your typical low-cost experience and by far the most comfortable flight of my life!
As we tallied our expenses, the wisdom of this circuitous air route became abundantly clear: by sprinkling in low-cost carriers and creative routings, we’d saved a bundle over traditional fares – likely $1,000 per person! Sure, it required a bit more planning and transit time, but the rewards were unbeatable: luxurious flat beds, multiple meals, and lack of jet lag to start our Italian adventure in top form.
For those bold enough to embrace budget airlines and patchwork itineraries, the experience is more than economical; it’s an adventure in itself. We may have gotten more than we bargained for, but where’s the fun in taking the path well-trodden? It’s all part of seeing, doing and embracing the unexpected. To book your budget transatlantic flights, check out Norse Atlantic and French Bee.
Thanks for stopping by! Check out our Go See Do Explore Podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts. To read more about our Italian Adventure, check out our La Dolce Vita Trip Report. To read about some of our previous trips, visit my Trips Page. If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram! For my list of gadgets to make your travels easier, click here. To see inside my camera bag, check out my Gear Page.
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