As every year begins, resolutions and to-do lists emerge, aiming for completion before December arrives. My list consistently features the same essentials: hitting the gym (I’m already on it, let’s see how long it lasts), reading more (challenging with so many series available), and most importantly, traveling. Traveling constantly brings me immense joy. I’m not alone in this sentiment, and airlines are well aware. That’s why, at the start of the year, there are numerous enticing travel offers. Let me highlight one: LEVEL’s New Year’s Flydays. If you live in Barcelona and are tired of layovers on long flights, LEVEL is here to tell you that you can fly directly to destinations like New York, San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, and Santiago de Chile. Plus, you can do so at very attractive prices, paying only for what you need. Sounds good? Absolutely. Last year, I was fortunate to embark on one of my final trips to Los Angeles with LEVEL and Filmin. If I wanted to return now, selecting the right days, a round trip would cost around 600 euros, and I could fly to Boston for half that price. Want to know more? Follow along.
Discover LEVEL
LEVEL is the low-cost, long-haul airline of IAG (International Airlines Group), which also includes Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Iberia Express, and Vueling. LEVEL, operational since June 2017, and Filmin launched a guide late last year, highlighting iconic locations in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco through films available on the platform, also part of the in-flight entertainment. To experience what the guide reveals about Los Angeles firsthand, we embarked on a trip to the cinema mecca, exploring the city and its surroundings over five days, from Hollywood Hills to Downtown, the Getty Center and The Academy Museum to The Broad, Venice Beach to Santa Monica Pier. But let’s focus on LEVEL for now.
Customize Your Trip with LEVEL
When flying with LEVEL, you can tailor your trip, a concept they call Fly Your Way. If you’re thinking about booking a ticket, take advantage of the New Year’s Flydays. Choose your dates and find the fare that suits your needs best. There are five fare options, two of which are in Premium class. If you travel light, the Light fare allows only a 10 kg cabin bag, with additional costs for everything else, including meals. For a bit more, the Comfort fare includes meals and a 23 kg checked bag. The Extra fare permits two checked bags, seat selection, and flexible tickets, meaning you can change your flight up to the departure day without explanation. Premium class offers more, with Premium Comfort and Premium Extra fares, both providing a quieter, more exclusive cabin with greater seat distance and recline angle. The main difference is that Comfort requires payment for seat selection and flexible tickets, with one checked bag, while Extra includes two checked bags. Curious about Premium prices? Check their website.
Onboard Amenities and Entertainment
Anything not included in your selected fare can be purchased up to 12 hours before departure at my.flylevel.com. This includes various menu options, from salmon poke to chicken curry or a burger with baked potato. The food is quite good, which is important on flights. You can also buy drinks, headphones, and a comfort kit with a blanket, pillow, and accessories like a toothbrush and toothpaste. Onboard, WiFi is available for a fee, and the entertainment includes series, music, podcasts, and films, including Filmin titles featured in the guide, such as Woody Allen’s “Manhattan” (1979), David Lynch’s “Lost Highway” (1997), Sofia Coppola’s “Somewhere” (2010), and Tom McCarthy’s “Spotlight” (2015).
Exploring Los Angeles
It seems incredible that I hadn’t visited Los Angeles until now, but it’s true. The world is vast, and priorities play a role. Los Angeles, one of the largest metropolises, is nearly impossible to fully explore in five days, but it’s enough for a glimpse and to visit some of its most recognizable spots, many seen in movies.
From the airport, we head to Hollywood, where our accommodation awaits: the Hollywood Roosevelt at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, on the Walk of Fame. This legendary hotel, named after President Theodore Roosevelt, opened in 1927 and hosted the first Oscar ceremony two years later. Over the years, stars like Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Montgomery Clift, Gloria Swanson, and Marilyn Monroe, who lived here for two years, have stayed. The hotel fell into decline but was fortunately restored and is now a beautiful city landmark. The lobby’s coffered ceiling and the pool next to the Tropicana bar, featuring a mural by David Hockney, stand out. Today, the Hollywood Roosevelt remains a significant spot in the film industry, but at night, it’s easy to imagine its golden era with endless glamorous parties. The hotel’s dining options include The Barish, a restaurant specializing in meats and Italian cuisine, led by Michelin-starred chef Nancy Silverton.
Enjoy your trip and immerse yourself in the cinematic charm of Los Angeles with LEVEL.