American Airlines has been appallingly bad at offering award space on their own flights especially in premium cabins. When they’ve offered it, it’s been for a brief moment. And that space is crucial because awards on their primary transatlantic partner British Airways, while more available, incur punitive fuel surcharges.

We need American award space on American’s own flights, and when it’s available it’s worth jumping on. So even a little bit is notable.

Between January 31 and April 28 there are plenty of dates with 2 or more business class award seats available on American’s New York JFK – Barcelona flight. There are a few dates with 4 seats available. Here’s availability for two passengers in February:

It’s available in the other direction as well.

The flight is operated by a Boeing 777-200 with fully flat seats and direct aisle access. The flight has been getting American’s subfleet of 777-200s with 45 Zodiac (forward/backward facing) business seats and without premium economy.

That means the ‘Concept D’ business class seat rather than the B/E Aerospace Super Diamond.

American Airlines Boeing 777-200 Zodiac Concept D Business Class

American charges 57,500 miles each way. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan charges the same amount. British Airways charges 60,000 miles each way for the flight, however they’d charge additional miles for any connecting segment to and from New York and they’d add fuel surcharges ($956 roundtrip, $478 from the US to Europe and $208 Europe to US, a quick reminder that fuel surcharges are lower on 2 one ways than on a roundtrip that originates in the U.S.).