Just a special opportunity for New Yorkers to enjoy this luxury airline

There’s a French luxury airline that’s been hiding right under our noses for nearly a decade… and there’s only one way for New Yorkers to take advantage.

La Compagnie is an exclusive airline with a fascinating business model: large aircraft without economy seats. This means that each of the 79 passengers that fit on board can enjoy a business class experience… and the only airport they use in the entire country is just a short drive from the Hudson Valley.

Luxurious boutique airline just minutes from New York

The airline’s mission statement makes it sound quite simple: “On flights from New York to Paris, Nice or Milan, La Compagnie offers a unique business class experience with only 76 full-size seats, free unlimited WiFi, fine dining and innovative services.” How to get on board:

French luxury airline flies exclusively from Newark

All of La Compagnie’s U.S. flights depart from Newark Airport (EWR), and although the brochure states that flights depart from New York, residents of the Empire State must travel a few miles to New Jersey to take advantage of this luxury airline’s services.

Amenities for the airline La Compagnie

Other amenities include access to special lounges at both Newark International Airport and in France. While most flights are direct, some trips (like the route to Nice) involve a transfer on easyJet, a British budget airline. Recently, the fancy French plane had to land unexpectedly somewhere in New York due to an emergency.

Emergency landing of a plane in Albany, NY

Last week, Albany International Airport released photos of an unexpected visitor: a La Compagnie plane (below). Due to bad weather, an emergency landing was necessary.

Increasing popularity of boutique airlines in New York

The concept of specialty airlines seems to be becoming increasingly popular. Recently, a company called Bark Air announced flights from New York specifically aimed at dog owners and their pets: they are allowed to fly in the cabin, regardless of their size.

Despite their convenient locations, both La Compagnie and Bark Air face a significant barrier to entry: their prices. La Compagnie’s flights from Newark to Paris start at about $4,500 and Bark Air’s flights from New York to London start at $8,000.