Lie Flat Seats in Business Class within Europe

Most short-haul flights within Europe are operated by narrow-body aircraft, which typically do not feature lie-flat seats in business class. However, there are several exceptions. Some routes are operated by wide-body aircraft, and increasingly, even some narrow-body jets are configured with lie-flat seats.

These flights are often a great value when redeeming miles or booking at a low cash fare. You get the full business class experience—normally reserved for long-haul flights—on much shorter journeys.

Is Business Class Worth It? Absolutely – Here’s Why

What’s the Difference Between Narrow-Body and Wide-Body Aircraft?

• Narrow-body aircraft: One aisle, typically 2–6 seats across (e.g. Airbus A220, A319, A320; Boeing 737; Dash 8)
• Wide-body aircraft: Two aisles, typically 7+ seats across (e.g. Boeing 747, 777, 787; Airbus A330, A340, A380)

Quick Links: Airlines with Lie-Flat Seats in Europe

• Air Europa
• British Airways
• Discover Airlines
• Emirates
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Finnair
• Iberia
• Singapore Airlines
• TAP
• Turkish Airlines

Lie-Flat Seats Routes in Business Class Within Europe

While short-haul flights within Europe are typically operated by narrow-body aircraft featuring traditional upright seats in business class, there are select routes where you can find true lie-flat or angled-flat seats. These routes are often operated by wide-body aircraft, either by local carriers or as part of 5th freedom rights, but some narrow-body jets like the Airbus A320neo family also offer lie-flat business class seats on certain European routes.

These short-haul lie-flat flights represent excellent value, especially if you redeem frequent flyer miles, and occasionally you can find great fares. They allow passengers to enjoy a full business class experience, similar to what you would expect on long-haul flights, on relatively short journeys.

Below is a comprehensive, alphabetically ordered list of airlines currently operating such routes within Europe. Please note that airlines may switch aircraft types on routes with little notice, which can affect the availability of lie-flat seats and does not guarantee compensation.

For the best experience, we strongly recommend verifying the aircraft type before booking, as many of these routes are also operated by narrow-body aircraft without lie-flat seats.

Lie-Flat Seat Routes Within Europe

Note: Airlines may change the aircraft type on short notice. Always check the aircraft type during booking to confirm lie-flat seating. Compensation is typically not available for equipment changes. (Last Updated: May 25)

All routes listed include both outbound and return flights.

Air Europa

• Madrid – Amsterdam
  Daily except Sundays – B787
  Flights: UX1093 / UX1094
• Madrid – Barcelona
  Daily – B787
  Flights: UX7703 / UX7706
• Madrid – Gran Canaria
  Up to 2x daily – B787
• Madrid – Tenerife
  Saturdays & Sundays – B787

British Airways

• London – Madrid
  A few times a week – A350

Discover Airlines

• Frankfurt – Mallorca
  May–September: Thursdays, Fridays & Sundays
  Until October: Fridays & Saturdays – A330
  Flights: 4Y512 / 4Y513

Emirates

• Larnaca – Malta
  Daily – B777
  Flights: EK109 / EK110

Ethiopian Airlines

• Stockholm – Oslo
  Daily – B787
  Flights: ET714 / ET715
• Geneva – Manchester
  Daily except Wednesdays & Fridays – B787
  Flights: ET278 / ET279
• Milan – Zurich
  Mon, Wed, Fri – B787
  Flights: ET736 / ET737
• Copenhagen – Vienna
  Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat – B787
  Flights: ET724 / ET725

Finnair

• Helsinki – Gran Canaria
  Seasonal: October–March – A350
  Flights: AY1721 / AY17222
• Helsinki – London
  Up to 2x daily – A350

Iberia

• Madrid – London
  A few times a week – A330 / A350
  Flights vary

Flight review: Iberia Business Class A340-600

Singapore Airlines

• Milan – Barcelona
  Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun – A350
  Flights: SQ378 / SQ377

TAP Air Portugal

• Lisbon – London Heathrow
  Occasionally – A321LR (review)
• Lisbon – Funchal
  Daily – A330
  Flights: TP1689 / TP1690
• Lisbon – Terceira
  Wednesdays – A330
  Flights: TP1823 / TP1824

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines operates many intra-Europe flights from Istanbul using wide-body aircraft. Yes, only part of Turkey lies in Europe, but the routes are relevant for this list.

• Istanbul – Amsterdam
• Istanbul – Athens
• Istanbul – Barcelona
• Istanbul – Berlin
• Istanbul – Düsseldorf
• Istanbul – Frankfurt
• Istanbul – Hamburg
• Istanbul – London Heathrow
• Istanbul – Madrid
• Istanbul – Manchester
• Istanbul – Milan
• Istanbul – Munich
• Istanbul – Paris
• Istanbul – Rome
• Istanbul – Stockholm (Not in winter)
• Istanbul – Vienna
• Istanbul – Warsaw (Saturdays)

Most routes operated by A330-200/300, A350, or B777. Check aircraft type before booking.

Also Read: 8 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Business Class Tickets

Know another European route with lie-flat seats? Let us know!

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