OpenSkies has been celebrating its official launch with premium economy deals on flights between New York and Paris. Well, that airfare sale is coming to an end, so if you want to enjoy a bit of added comfort, more legroom, a personal entertainment system, and all of the other OpenSkies Prem+ perks for less, you’ll need to book fast.

The Paris airfare sale ends on July 4th, and it’s good for travel through August 31st. You’ll find premium economy airfare for as low as $770+ each-way.

Keep reading for more details on OpenSkies’ Prem+ offerings, and visit OpenSkies Launch Offer for more details…

Members of frequent flier programs have managed to remain relatively unscathed during recent fuel surcharge and airline fee hikes. However, Delta Air Lines has brought all of that to an end.

The carrier announced that it will now tack on a $25 fuel surcharge for Award Travel between the 50 states and Canada, and a $50 fuel surcharge for Award Travel between the 50 states/Canada and all international destinations.

For more on Delta Airlines’ latest move and the continuing decline of frequent flier perks, visit RickSeaney.com.

Bored with typical luxury trips? Simply taking a quick hop on a private jet not quite enough for you? Why not try a private jet vacation? It combines all of the perks of flying a private jet with all of the sights, sounds, comforts, and amenities of a luxury vacation package.

At this point in time, private jet vacations aren’t for everybody. In fact, there not even for most first class travelers. However, there are a few private jet vacations out there that include luxury hotel stays, private flights, champagne, gourmet meals, and more for not much more than an international first class airline ticket. Of course, there are some private jet vacations that will run you over $30,000 per person.

MSNBC has put together a list of top private jet vacations ranging in price from about $4,000 per person to about $90,000 per person.

Learn how you can see the Wonders of the World, the hidden secrets of Easter Island, the height of European culture, and much more all from the privacy of your chartered jet or your 5-star accommodations.

Want to leave the cold of winter behind this November and December? Head to the Southern Hemisphere where spring will be wrapping up and summer will be settling in.

Qantas is launching premium economy service from LAX to Sydney, and to kick things off, they’re offering premium economy travel deals for as low as $4098+ R/T from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Sydney. For an extra cost ($135 - $455) , you can fly out of other US cities including Dallas/Ft. Worth, Chicago, and New York. This premium economy airfare sale from Qantas is good for travel from November 14th to December 8th, but you have to book by June 30th to take advantage of the deal.

The flight to Australia is a long one, but premium economy seats on Qantas can make things go a little more smoothly for you. Keep reading to see what this class has to offer…

The hits keep coming for first class and business class travelers. We’ve already seen Virgin Atlantic increase fuel surcharges for its “Upper Class” passengers, and now British Airways is following suit:

“Flyers in first class, Club World and World Traveller Plus will pay up to 24 more per flight than those in economy.” (from BBC News)

The fuel surcharge increase (about $47.27 USD) marks the first time British Airways has initiated class-dependent fee levels. British Airways execs (and many travelers) see the move as “appropriate,” noting that first class and business class travelers already enjoy added space, comfort, and baggage allowances. Of course, there are first class and business class travelers that feel as though those additional perks are covered in the cost of the airline ticket.

So, should first class and business class travelers take on additional charges to help offset rising fuel costs? Let us know what you think.

The business class leisure airfare from Air France is designed to make all of the creature comforts of business class available to vacationers who don’t have the financial support of a corporation behind them.

While Air France’s business class leisure airfares won’t sway most average travelers from leaving those cheap economy airfares behind, they do provide the comfort and elegance of business class for a bit less.

You’ll find business class deals from US cities including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston to European destinations like Paris, Nice, and Barcelona. Current Air France business leisure airfare deals require a 50-day advance purchase and a minimum one-Sunday stay.

Keep reading for sample business class leisure airfares from Air France…

It could happen.

According to this report from Bloomberg, the all-coach JetBlue may go to a “two-class cabin with premium pricing”.

Don’t look for this to happen today or tomorrow, but JetBlue’s CEO did say, everything is on the table.

The airline already has extra legroom (6-rows worth on their Airbus A320 jets), and while they do charge extra for those seats now, they’re thinking of transitioning it into a whole new class.

Interesting. There are reports that some premium travelers are “fleeing the airlines” but JetBlue thinks maybe they can make this work (and make money in these times of soaring oil prices). Not sure if that’s possible, but JetBlue is a scrappy airline, and if anyone can…

Amidst the rising costs, fuel surcharges, fractured routes, long lines, and general annoyances that seem to accompany air travel these days, the number of passengers willing to purchase first class and business class airfare on commercial airlines is dwindling. Full-fare coach airline tickets are taking a hit, too:

“The Standford Transportation Group, a US based aviation consulting firm, has completed its biennial review of US domestic airline passenger activity and business aircraft activity. The study found that the number of airline passengers purchasing the premium, or first class, discounted first class, business class and full price coach airline tickets on US domestic airlines has fallen from 20% of overall airline travel before 9/11 to less than 10% of overall airline travel today.” (from All Things Aviation)

So, where are the “premium” passengers going? Well, a large number of travelers (90% — according to the study) are using discounted airfare for travel. The report also touches on the shift that many business travelers have made from commercial airlines to alternative business aviation options.

We know that higher prices, the weakened dollar, and the growing fuel issue have soured a number of first class and business class passengers on commercial airlines. Regardless of whether these travelers seek out other means of transport or if their companies resort to booking them in a discounted coach seat as opposed to a first class or business class seat, the airlines will likely continue to see business travel numbers and profit drop.

Rising fuel surcharges aren’t just for domestic flights. International travelers are feeling the brunt from fuel surcharges on flights to Europe, Asia, and all over the globe.

FareCompare CEO Rick Seaney, recently broke down fuel surcharges on a range of international routes, and it can be stunning to see how much your paying for an airline ticket before the actual airfare is even worked into the mix.

With Virgin Atlantic increasing fuel surcharges for “Upper Class” seats, it will be interesting to see if other carriers follow suit, and whether or not these additional fees will send even more business travelers to the back of the plane.

Please read Rick Seaney’s Airline Ticket Fuel Surcharges to London for a an in depth look at rising costs on international flights.

The holidays are still months away, but it’s not too soon to start planning your Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations. Continental Airlines filed BusinessFirst airfares on June 6th that will take to you Europe for less than economy prices. You’ll find business class deals to cities throughout the Continent for select travel dates in November and December.

Please visit RickSeaney.com for more details.

Continental Airlines’ BusinessFirst Airfare Sale is still in full swing and you can still find great business class deals to Europe.

There are actually two business class European airfare sales at work here. Continental Airlines is offering different airfares for 14-day advance purchase and 30-day advance purchase. Both business class airfare sales offer deals from New York (EWR) to cities throughout Europe including London, Edinburgh, Geneva, and Paris.

Keep reading for sample business class airfares to Europe…

The search for a decent airline meal in the US is, at this point, one akin to the search for Big Foot. Sure, there are rumors out there that it exists and people claim they have seen it, but it all seems like Legend at this point.

As airlines continue to charge for snack boxes (US Airways charges for soda at this point), the idea of a great meal on a plane seems like a joke at this point. However, for those who get the opportunity to fly in Europe and Asia, a delicious gourmet meal isn’t a thing of the past.

MSNBC broke down some of the finest meals you can find while high above the ground, proving that if you’re on the right flight, even the foodies among us can find a dish that satisfies.

Keep reading for a glimpse of some of the culinary delights awaiting you in foreign airspace…

OpenSkies, a subsidiary of British Airways is set to fly next week (June 19th), and the carrier is dedicated to creating a “complete travel experience” for its passengers. OpenSkies offers seats in business class (biz), premium economy (prem +), and economy, but there are only 82 seats onboard, so everyone will have ample legroom and comfort.

While business class-only airlines have not faired well of late, OpenSkies is a different animal. With its link to British Airways and its range of options, it may be able to avoid the pitfalls that carriers like eos, Silverjet, and Maxjet fell into.

You can currently book flights between New York and Paris, but OpenSkies has plans to expand to other EU markets. Keep reading for a look at Open Skies’ cabins and what they’re fond of calling the “OpenSkies Difference.”

That’s what they’re saying.

And it may be that the all-business class carrier is back in the skies within a matter of weeks.

Check out this post on RickSeany.com for more details.

With the announcement that Emirates will be the first commercial airline to bring the super-jumbo Airbus A380 to America, international travelers can start looking forward to a level of luxury that is unparalleled on most transcontinental flights.

Emirates has been committed to creating a first class experience on the Airbus A30 that gives passengers a similar travel experience to heads of state. Designed by B/E Aerospace, the Emirates A380 first class suite is designed to be a “cabin within a cabin,” providing levels of privacy and comfort that are most often associated with luxury hotels.

Keep reading for a look at the amenities Emirates will offer to its first class A380 passengers flying to Dubai…

Virgin Atlantic has first class travel deals for summer flights from New York to India for the summer. You can find Virgin Atlantic Upper Class airline tickets from JFK and Newark (EWR) to Delhi and Mumbai for as low as $2,142+ one-way.

These prices are good for travel from Jul 18, 2008 - Aug 31, 2008, but they require a 42-day advance purchase.

Keep reading for details on Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class cabin…

British Airways is offering up to $200 USD off on premium economy flights to all of their worldwide destinations from departure cities throughout the US. This deal is good for travel between June 3 and September 3, 2008.

With British Airways Premium Economy class you get a taste of the good life without having to pay as much for it. It’s not the same as business class by any means, but you do get some perks:

• Wider, more comfortable seats
• 7″ extra legroom
• priority meal service
• and much more

Travel the world with British Airways, save up to $200, and stretch your legs out. Keep reading for a list of departure cities and discounts…

Lufthansa is offering business class specials to cities throughout Europe including Glasgow, Amsterdam, Athens, London, and much more.

You can find business class airline tickets from New York to London for as low as $1,157+ each-way.

Keep reading for sample business class airfare from Lufthansa…

Rising fuel costs aren’t just affecting US-based carriers. Airlines all over the world are feeling the crunch, leading most major carriers to increase fuel surcharges, tack on fees, and do their best to open up new revenue streams.

In order to combat rising costs, Virgin Atlantic has decided to raise their fuel surcharge for premium economy and “upper class” passengers, meaning if you have more legroom and more luxury, you’re going to pay more for fuel:

“‘With jet fuel prices now at levels that challenge the very nature and structure of the entire airline industry, we have decided to levy fuel charges depending on where you sit in the plane,’ said Steve Ridgway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic.” (from Luxury Travel)

Virgin Atlantic’s new fuel surcharge policy will mean premium economy and upper class passengers will see an increase on airline tickets from about $35 USD to $166 USD depending on the length of the flight.

We’ll keep you updated if other airlines begin to follow Virgin Atlantic’s lead on this.

Whether you’re heading over to catch a glimpse of the Olympic Village before the Games begin, or you just want to spend the summer exploring the wonders of Beijing, Continental Airlines can help you fly there in business class luxury for less.

Continental Airlines is Beijing from New York, Cleveland, Boston, and Atlanta.

With a 15-day advance purchase and a minimum stay of eight days, you’ll find business class flights for as low as $1,544+ each-way. Prices are good for travel from June 10th to July 18th.

Keep reading for sample business class airfare to Beijing on Continental Airlines…