Lie Flat Seats in Business Class within Europe

Most short-haul flights within Europe are operated by narrow-body aircraft, which typically do not offer lie-flat seats in business class. However, there are several notable exceptions. Some European routes are served by wide-body aircraft, and an increasing number of narrow-body jets, especially newer A320neo-family aircraft, are configured with true lie-flat or angled-flat business class seats.

These short-haul lie-flat flights can represent excellent value, particularly when redeeming miles or booking a low cash fare. They provide the full long-haul business class experience, lie-flat seats, superior catering, priority services, and better overall comfort, on routes that are often just a few hours long.

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

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

Narrow-body aircraft feature a single aisle and usually 2–6 seats across, such as the Airbus A220, A319, A320 family, Boeing 737 series, or the Dash 8. These aircraft traditionally offer standard upright business class seats rather than lie-flat options. A few exceptions exist, including certain A321LR/A321neo aircraft used by some European carriers that feature a true flat-bed seating layout.

Wide-body aircraft include two aisles and typically offer 7 or more seats across. Examples are the Boeing 747, 777, 787 and Airbus A330, A340, or A380. Wide-body aircraft almost always include lie-flat business class seats, and when they operate on short-haul segments within Europe, often due to operational rotations or increased demand, you can expect a full long-haul business class product.

Quick Links: Airlines with Lie-Flat Seats in Europe

• Aer Lingus
• Air Europa
• British Airways
• Discover Airlines
• Emirates
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Finnair
• Iberia
• Sichuan Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• TAP Air Portugal
• Turkish Airlines

Lie-Flat Seats on Intra-Europe Flights

While most short-haul flights in Europe operate with traditional recliner-style business class, several routes regularly feature true lie-flat or angled-flat seats. These flights are typically operated by wide-body aircraft, occasionally by airlines exercising 5th-freedom rights, and sometimes by narrow-body aircraft configured for long-haul operations. For travelers using miles, these flights frequently deliver exceptional value, offering a proper long-haul business class product on a short segment.

Because airlines frequently rotate aircraft or adjust capacity, the availability of lie-flat seats can change at short notice. We strongly recommend checking the aircraft type during booking to verify cabin configuration, particularly on routes that alternate between narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.

Routes with Lie-Flat Seats Within Europe

Note: Aircraft types may change with little notice. Always verify the aircraft type when booking to ensure lie-flat seating, compensation is typically not offered for equipment swaps.

All routes listed include both outbound and return flights.

Aer Lingus

• Dublin – Faro (from mid-April to October)
  Daily –A330
  Flights:  EI492/EI493
• Dublin – Malaga (from April to October)
  Daily –A330
  Flights:  EI580/EI581

Air Europa

• Madrid – Amsterdam
  Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Sundays – B787
  Flights: UX1091 / UX1092 or UX1093 / UX1094 depending on which day you fly.
• Madrid – Barcelona
  Up to two times a day – B787
  Flights: UX7701 / UX7702 / UX7703 / UX7704
• Madrid – Gran Canaria
  On Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays – B787
• Madrid – Tenerife
  Occasionally– B787

British Airways

• London – Madrid
  A few times a week – A350

Flight Review: British Airways Club World Suites

Discover Airlines

• Frankfurt – Mallorca
  May–September: Thu, Fri & Sun;
  Until October: Fri & Sat – 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 Wed & Fri – 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 (Oct–APR) – A350
  Flights: AY1721 / AY17222
• Helsinki – London
  Up to 2x daily – A350

Flight review: Finnair Business Class A350

Iberia

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

Flight review: Iberia Business Class A340-600

Sichuan Airlines

• Athens – Istanbul
  Daily – A330
  Flights: 3U3827 / 3U3828

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 a significant number of intra-Europe flights from Istanbul using wide-body aircraft. Although only part of Turkey lies in Europe, these routes are included due to their relevance.

• 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

Most flights are operated by A330-200/300, A350, or B777. Always check the aircraft type before booking.

Flight review: Turkish Airlines Business Class A330

Summary

Lie-flat seats on short-haul flights within Europe remain relatively rare, but several airlines consistently operate wide-body aircraft or long-haul–configured narrow-bodies on select intra-European routes. These flights offer a true long-haul business class experience on much shorter segments, often providing excellent value when redeeming miles or booking discounted fares. Because aircraft assignments can change at short notice, it is always advisable to verify the aircraft type at the time of booking. For travelers seeking maximum comfort on European routes, these lie-flat options represent some of the best opportunities available.

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

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

Note: All deals are personally verified and bookable directly with airlines or reputable travel partners.