Star Alliance - which carrier NYC-Barcelona

I'm planning a rtw business class itinerary. I'll need to travel from New York to Barcelona. There are a variety of choices:

LGA-PHL-BCN on US
JFK-FRA-BCN on LH/LH or SQ/LH
EWR-LIS-BCN on TP
EWR-DUS-BCN on LH
JFK-MUC-BCN on LH
EWR-CPH-BCN on SK/Spanair
JFK-VIE-BCN on OS
JFK-WAW-BCN on LO

Since most of my travel is in Asia, I don't have experience with most of European carriers except a couple of long hauls on LH. I've also never flown US trans-Atlantic. Appreciating any recommendations based on the usual criteria of seat comfort & service.

Do any of these options provide a true business class on all segments?

Intra-europe business class generally same seat as economy (but with much more chance of empty middle seat).

While their biz class is not quite on the same level as some of the others you mention, you can also do a non stop JFK-BCN on DL.
Opps, sorrry- didn't notice this was in Star Alliance, thought you were just looking to do the easiest NYC-BCN. :o

Privatair for LH also goes EWR-MUC.. and Privatair for Swiss goes EWR-ZRH. Privatair routes generally have good service.. otherwise, I'd vote for the all-LH routes.

Can you use Privatair on *A rtw tickets? Would you recommend Privatair (to either MUC or DUS) versus LH biz class JFK-FRA?

I would assume you could - the EWR-MUC/DUS flights have a LH flight number. Perhaps they are excluded in the fare rules - you'd have to ask someone more knowledgable.

Personally I would go with the Privatair flights over the JFK-FRA in LH.. you have a smaller cabin with 4 FAs.. service is good and it's all biz class travelers. Nobody "upgraded" into that cabin. ;) If you haven't flown in a single cabin premium service setting, it's a diff experience. There are pictures and trip reports to give you an idea of what to expect.

If you must do it with just one connecetion, I would do:
JFK-FRA (SQ)
FRA-BCN (LH)
or
JFK-VIE-BCN (OS)

If you must do it with just one connecetion, I would do:
JFK-FRA (SQ)
FRA-BCN (LH)
or
JFK-VIE-BCN (OS)

I'd consider multiple connections if there were a good reason. Any ideas?

I took TP in C in August. EWR-BCN via LIS and return MXP-EWR via LIS. I tried TAP because they have attractive C fares, about $2K, which are fully flexible and refundable, and they have lie-flat seats on trans-atlantic legs. (Oh, and you get 25% EQM bonus on UA even tho it's a Z fare.)

EWR-LIS was decent. Reconfigured A310 with Spacebed-esque lie-flat pod seats (not completely horizontal) which I liked. I was exhausted and I am a side sleeper which seems to be key for enjoying these seats, so I ate my dinner and promptly passed out and awoke shortly before arrival in LIS. It's only a 6 hour flight anyway. Service was utterly indifferent, but the food was OK, better than UA C. They have personal IFE but I didn't even check it out, the movie roster looked interesting.

The LIS-BCN hop was actually quite pleasant. A320 craft. As many have noted, intra-Europe C essentially amounts to a blocked middle seat. The front cabin was nearly empty tho and the service was quite nice - the senior male purser made a bit of a fuss over his passengers, in stark contrast to the blank stares offered by the long-haul crew. A very nice breakfast was served - not sure if food is same in Y on intra-Europe flights.

On my return MXP-LIS, another A320 with good service and a nice lunch. Empty cabin essentially populated with me and an elegant Italian woman behind me who apparently passed out under the weight of her jewelry.

I was looking forward to a nice nap on the EWR-LIS leg after a late night in Lisbon -- was very dismayed to board the A310 aircraft and find it was not reconfigured with sleeper seats. It has 80's era (and that's being generous) seats with about 40 degrees of recline and a pathetic footrest. Service ranged from indifferent to downright hostile. Food was pleasant. IFE consisted of a a single monitor in the front of the cabin which for several hours projected a loop of promo pics of the new lie-flat business class...rub it in guys, rub it in. This was followed by a children's animated film....sigh.

I think I unluckily scored the only non-converted A310 still floating around TP. They also run A340s between EWR-LIS , all of which are converted, so I would recommend TP if you can book the 340 and if SQ-style service is not important to you. EWR-LIS-BCN does have the benefit of being very direct with an easy transfer in LIS.

Oh for the loungeheads, TP uses the VS lounge in EWR which is pleasant enough, kind of claustrophobic but modern furniture and free cocktails. The LIS lounge is decent, snacks and booze and free internet and fairly airy and quiet. They use a group lounge at MXP which is quite nice, big with lots of computers and coffee and booze.

Cheers

Great info JFKSYD2004. I'm hoping a deal I'm working on will pan out, which would require me to travel regularly to BCN. I've flown the Delta non-stop but, it is only seasonal service and I prefer to stick with *A or OW if possible. TP sounds like a good option (all things considered). I'll have to look out for those discounted biz class fares.