Now fly first for a little more than coach.

The price of a full-fare business-class seat to Europe just got a lot more affordable. Azores Express, a US-based tour operator, and SATA International Airlines have launched a new business-class service from Boston to the Azores and mainland Portugal. Starting September 1st, for as little as $140 each way, SATA International passengers can upgrade from coach to SATA Plus Business-Class.

A coach ticket this fall on SATA International to the Azores can cost as little as $420 roundtrip, plus tax. For an additional $280 round trip a passenger can upgrade to business-class, making the ticket price just $700 roundtrip, plus tax. A business-class ticket to Europe on other carriers can run as high as $4,800 round trip.

SATA Plus service is offered on the airline’s new fleet of on widebody A310 aircraft. SATA Plus service includes a reclining business-class seat with lots of leg room and a foot rest, special catered meals, a selection of Portuguese wines, in-flight entertainment, priority boarding and baggage handling, departure lounges in Portugal, amenities kit, and SATA’s “white glove service.”

Azores Express offers two direct flights to São Miguel, the main island in the Azores archipelago, a week, with connecting service to Lisbon and Madeira. All SATA flights conveniently connect with inter-island flights in the Azores. The flight from Boston to Ponta Delgada is only four hours in length.

The archipelago of the Azores, the closest point in Europe to New England, was discovered during the first half of the 15th-century by Portuguese navigators. Consisting of nine islands, it is divided into three groups: the eastern (São Miguel and Santa Maria), the central (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial), and the western (Corvo and Flores).

The sapphire blue and emerald green lakes, fertile prairies, volcanic cones and craters, colorful hydrangeas and azaleas, 15th century churches and majestic manor houses make the Azores unlike anywhere else on earth. The islands have year-round mild climate (between 57°F and 71°F).

Azores Express has connected New England with the Azores and mainland Portugal for more than 17 years. The carrier is part of the SATA Group, which connects the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, with the world. SATA, founded in 1946, offers connecting service to all nine islands in the Azores. The SATA Group is one the few airlines in Europe to report an operating profit in 2002.

For more information and reservations, contact your travel agent, or Azores Express at 800-762-9995, www.SATA.pt.