Flying business or first class across the Atlantic has always been out of reach for many travellers. Ticket prices from New York to London normally start around $3000 and can easily reach $7000. Here are some top tips to reduce that airfare and maybe get you in to that premium class cabin.

Tip 1: Fly low-cost MaxJet

Check out the new low-cost all business class options. MaxJet started flying a daily service between London Stansted and New York JFK in November 2005. It operates a 102 seat Boeing 767 with 60 inch seat pitch and provides a multi-course meal. On March 15 2006 they will begin a daily service from Washington Dulles to London Stansted. As a special promotion they are pricing the initial tickets at a tempting $999 return including taxes and fees. The normal airfare will come in as low as $1750 return all inclusive. The pricing works on a first come, first serve basis so book early to get the very best fares.

Their tickets are also now bookable at major online agent Expedia as well as on their own website.

Passengers from the UK are also getting some good deals. Recently the airline had a January post-Christmas offer from London to New York at a very competitive £599 return.

MaxJet are undercutting the major established carriers significantly and it will be interesting to see if this causes any downward pressure on Trans-Atlantic business class ticket prices. Remember how the budget airlines in Europe completely changed the short-haul air market, where you can now find flights for little more than taxes and charges. Also consider how lucrative the Trans-Atlantic market has been in the past for the big airlines, with high revenues gained from business and corporate flyers. 2006 will be an interesting year in commercial aviation from this perspective.

Tip 2: Try First Class Eos Airlines

If you are flying first class Trans-Atlantic you should have a look at Eos Airlines, another recent start-up flying the same London Stansted to New York JFK route. Eos runs a 48 seat Boeing 757 with 78 inch flat beds. The service is a lot more expensive than MaxJet with return tickets starting at $3200 but this product is competing with the high quality first class cabins of British Airways and Virgin Upper Class.

Note, London Stansted is situated north east of London. The Stansted Express train runs between Stansted and Liverpool Street station and the journey takes around 45 minutes.

Tip 3: Fly Off-be

If flying Trans-Atlantic business class, get price quotations from the more 'off-beat' airlines that you may never have considered. For example, Iceland Air flies from Europe to New York via Reykjavik and can be extremely competitive with business class airfares under $1700. It routinely undercuts the big boys by 30-40% in a bid to poach traffic to route through Iceland rather than fly non-stop.

Some other off-beat airlines ply their trade between the UK and North East USA such as Kuwait Airlines and Air India, which fly from London and New York, and Pakistan International Airlines which serves Manchester, UK to both Chicago and the Big Apple. You can often find some excellent cheap deals on these Middle Eastern and Asian carriers.

Tip 4: Go Premium

If your budget doesn't stretch as far as business class, then book a premium economy ticket. You will get superior legroom and possibly a better chair than the standard economy class seat. It will also mean that you are more likely to be upgraded for free to business class. This is due to the relatively small number of premium economy seats available - any overbooked situation in economy will overspill to premium economy and you could be bumped up to business class. This doesn't happen everytime, but choose a busy flight and you will not harm your chances.

Tip 5: Ultimate Upgrades & Airfares Guide

You should invest in the AirTravelGenius Ultimate Airfares & Upgrades Guide. Learn many more insider tips and tricks to maximise your chances of flying business or first class, find the rock-bottom lowest fares worldwide in any class and how to really make the most of your airmiles (most miles are unfortunately wasted). A must for any international air travellers.

Safe flying!