Airline recommendations to Italy

LAX prices for business class are much better than San Diego prices. We drove up to LAX this past April, 2024, because prices were so high here.
We like British Airways new business class. We prefer to get over the pond on the first flight, on the red-eye option. Also, there's a better chance of sleeping if you have a flight that doesn't have a US connection, so you have 9-10 hours to relax.
We have been flying business class for years, and have paid between $1700 to $3000 each RT. We got lucky this past spring and paid $1850 each RT LAX to Amsterdam, British Airways. We purchased our tickets the summer before. There's no system, it's a crap shoot. I just Searched everyday for a month.

Look at Google Flights to compare prices. You can set up price alerts , price history, and look at an entire month to see how prices vary by day. You can also Search , for example, from LAX to Europe, for a certain date, and see the price for a variety of cities. Always book directly with the airlines, do not used third -party vendors, such as Expedia, etc

We used the AARP discount, stacked with the British Airways visa 10% discount . You have enough time to open a new credit card and earn signing bonuses for many airlines.

Good luck to us all. We are now starting to look for next spring. It's early yet, but I'd like to have flights by September, so I can have my choice of hotels. If there's no big fare sales, I'd say $2500 each RT from LAX is reasonable. By reasonable, I mean the chances of getting much lower could be slim. Many airlines still have a free change policy for business class. So if the prices go down after you purchase , you could rebook at the cheaper price.
Good luck!

I recommend flying Swiss. You will transfer at Zurich, which is the best airport in Europe. Very low, almost zero, risk of losing your luggage.

I dont believe there are non stop fights from LA to Venice or from Rome to LA. So look on Google Flights for multicity (not return, or 2 one ways) flights connecting in a major European hub, but with a comfortable connecting time. This is important, since you need to go through Passport Control at that airport. I'd want at least a 2 hour connection time. You should have several choices. And you can arrange for price alerts on Google Flights, to let you know of price drops.

Wow, the prices Pat managed to get for business class are remarkably good--maybe it is the booking a year out that is the real tip? I pay almost that much for premium economy plus from east coast, but I book a few months out (note to self: start booking earlier!).
I don't think it is about specific airlines, but about specifics, so looking at google flights and comparing details is really all you can do. If you have to chose one or the other, get business on the way there, when it matters more. Premium Economy Plus (this is probably called a different name on each airline) has gotten much better--premium is honestly just what all seats should be like for a bare minimum civilized society.
One thing I am seeing more in the last couple years is email offers close to check in date for business and PE plus seats at a good deal. If you get that email, jump on it. I was able to fly to Brazil in premium economy plus for a pittance, worth every penny.
congrats and good luck!

I fly out of LA when I go to Italy. I like to book business but only if I can afford it!! The less desirable times usually have cheaper prices but I'm not willing to get to the airport at 4am, especially since I prefer to arrive in Italy around the 2-4pm time. If you're flying directly over the ocean from LA, then I find that it is definitely nicer to be in business class. But if there's a stop in JFK or somewhere, then it becomes less worth it for me personally. I like to fly on Delta because I can't stand going into Heathrow and prefer Delta's partnering with Air France (makes the first class meal worth it when they're the carrier!!). I am flying there this October and I'm doing business class on the way over and premium economy on the way back (it was just too expensive for the return flight for me and I'd rather suffer after my vacation that on the way to it). To give you an idea, that is costing me $3400 and has time slots that I'm good with. I also originally booked the whole flight as premium economy but on a fluke was looking at the flight details about a month later and they had the option to upgrade to business on the way over for $700 so I decided to splurge and do it (which brought my total to $3400). But I wouldn't recommend doing that since they may not have 2 upgrade options available. Another way to reduce the cost might be to look at flying into Milan or Rome, and directly hopefully. Sometimes getting to the smaller destinations adds to the cost. And trains from those places to Venice are easy. I also looked into Turkish Airlines a couple years ago since they had amazing prices on their business/first class seats. Back then it was about $2200 for round trip. You fly straight from LA to Istanbul and then to your destination (I'm sure they have Venice although if it's off season they may not). I have not flown with them but I looked up reviews and they seemed positive. There are also some discount carriers that don't have the fancy lay flat seats but their top class usually have nice wide spacious seats that recline back quite a distant with a foot rest. Food service won't be as good either but it's a good option for getting there more comfortably the economy. Good luck and have a great trip!!

If you want a business class deal, fly Turkish. With a nonstop to Istanbul, it will take a bit longer but prices about 40% less than other airlines, and service is reported to be outstanding.
https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-turkish-airlines-business-class-lounge-istanbul-review-2024

I don't believe there are non stop fights from LA to Venice or from Rome to LA

Actually, ITA Airways flies non-stop between LAX and Rome at least five days per week. The advantage is that the majority of your trip is one long, hopefully comfortable leg, rather than a lengthy layover at LHR or CDG [read up on the anxiety related to making your connection in either location], and then a second leg to get to Italy. With ITA you can get a short connecting flight from FCO to Venice, or take the train. Coming back it would be FCO to LAX non-stop.

As for Turkish, please keep in mind that while the cash price may be lower, the overall duration of the trip is much longer, and your carbon footprint that much greater.

I flew ITA roundtrip to Rome last fall - the advantages of a non-stop cannot be overstated, especially if you're looking at connections in Heathrow or Paris.

You are looking at 'multi-city' (aka open jaw) tickets and not one-way tickets, correct?

Thank you for the helpful input everyone. I really appreciate it.

And yes, when doing a search, I'm doing "multi-city" rather than two one-way flights. Thanks again!!!

We flew Turkish business class two summers ago and had about a 6 hour layover in Istanbul airport, and took advantage of their amazing lounge. Huge with lots of different food and drink options (live cooking stations and amazing dessert bars to name a few options). Also had shower rooms so we could get cleaned up and refreshed while there. A bit out of the way on the way to Italy, but we enjoyed it. Flight was good with the lie flat seats. Big draw with Turkish is their catering as they do a pretty great job with food on the planes. We used miles, but worth checking cash prices.

We flew to Europe last month for the RS Village Italy tour which starts near Venice and ends near Milan. I discovered that we could fly business class into Munich for less $ than premium economy into Venice. The savings more than covered the cost of one night hotel in Munich and train ride to Venice. You might check out multi city fare into Munich and out of Rome. The train from Munich to Venice through the Brenner Pass in the Dolomites was fun and scenic. Good luck!