Domestic

Fly the A380 Business Class for Free on Miles from New York to Paris

In November, Air France will make aviation history when it becomes the first European airline to offer transatlantic service between Europe and America on the world's largest passenger jet, the Airbus A380. You could be the first onboard through a special auctioning of seats (beginning Oct. 1) for the inaugural flight from Paris to New York on Nov. 20, with the return flight planned for Nov. 21.

Or, even better, you could fly the fabled Super Jumbo for free (using miles) starting Nov. 23 when regular commercial air service for the A380 starts.

Wing Tips has discovered the best mileage availability dates for flying Air France's double-decker A380 in Business Class.

Air France will fly the A380 daily non-stop between New York/JFK and Paris/CDG, except Wednesdays. Flight AF006 will fly from Paris to New York leaving at 1:30 p.m. and arriving in New York at 3:45 p.m., and flight AF007 will leave New York at 7:10 p.m., arriving in Paris at 8:45 a.m. the next day. While details of the A380's interior won't be released until Oct. 30 during a special unveiling of the plane in Germany, we do know it will be fitted with three cabins classes holding 538 passengers, including nine seats in First (Première) on the upper deck and 80 seats in Business (Affaires) on the main deck.

Now to the Good Stuff. How to Fly the A380 for Free (with Miles)

How about Paris in July? Wing Tips found that July 2010 has the greatest mileage availability in Business Class on the A380 route from New York to Paris with availability wide open for two people using miles. August is also a great month for mileage availability for two traveling together on miles. And, if you need to go earlier than next summer, say for a last-minute business trip, try February, which shows a good amount of mileage seats.

With the Tour de France happening July 3 - 25, and 2010 hopefully the year Lance Armstrong will win his eighth title, what better time to be in France. July is also the month the French celebrate Bastille Day (the equivalent to American Independence Day), which marks the beginning of the French revolution and the country's road to becoming a republic. Called La Fete de la Bastille, the day is celebrated on July 14 with fireworks in Paris and a military parade on the Champs-Elysées. There is also a giant dance party called Le Bal du 14 juillet on the eve of Bastille Day at the Place de la Bastille, a square in Paris where the Bastille prison stood until 1790.

Is it Worth Using Your Miles to Fly the A380?

You might ask if using your miles to fly from New York to Paris on the new A380 is a good value mileage wise. With Business Class prices averaging $2,920 (plus taxes) for February, July, and August, and 100,000 miles needed to redeem a Business Class seat that comes out to be about 3¢ per mile. We'd say that is a half-decent value for your miles.

How to Redeem Your Miles on the A380

Obviously, if you have 100,000 Air France miles you are set. But, if you don't, then try redeeming miles from one of Air France's SkyTeam partners, including Delta, which codeshares with Air France on the A380 flights. You can also transfer Starwood Starpoints to Air France's Flying Blue mileage program, or transfer points from Amex's Membership Rewards program. If you are still a few miles short of the 100,000 needed, you can top off your account by purchasing Amex points at 2.5¢ each. You can also exchange your Hilton HHonor Points for either Delta miles or Air France/KLM miles.

For more mileage availability routes, check out First Class Flyer's Where the Seats Are: A Special Report that identifies where to find more than 25,000 free mileage award First Class seats over the next year. Which airlines, which routes, and which times to fly. Where the Seats Are is yours free when you purchase First Class Deals & Steals to Europe, and your satisfaction is guaranteed. And, Where the Seats Are is yours to keep even if you return First Class Deals & Steals to Europe, so there's no way to lose.

For more insider tips and strategies on how to make your travels more comfortable and productive, visit the Wing Tips archives page.