Pula's tiny Istrian airport isn't built for transatlantic arrivals, which is precisely why the routing matters more than the destination on this itinerary. There is no nonstop option for business class from Salt Lake City to Pula, so the real decision is which European gateway you connect through, and after many iterations of this journey I've settled on Frankfurt or Munich via Lufthansa as the most reliable combination. Lufthansa's long-haul segment out of SLC connects onward through its German hubs, and depending on aircraft assignment you may find yourself in the newer Allegris business suite with its sliding door and adjustable seat configurations, though older 747-8 or A350 business cabins still appear on many rotations — worth checking your specific equipment before booking. Croatia Airlines (OU) then handles the short regional hop into Pula, a workhorse turboprop or regional jet leg that's more about efficiency than luxury, so don't expect premium cabin amenities on that final stretch.
Turkish Airlines offers a compelling alternative worth considering, routing through Istanbul's expansive hub with lie-flat business class seating on the long-haul segment and a stopover that, if timed well, lets you sample Turkish's celebrated business lounge before the connection down to Croatia. I've found the Istanbul routing particularly useful in shoulder season when Lufthansa's Frankfurt connections get tight on Pula's limited OU frequencies — Pula airport essentially shuts down its more robust schedule outside summer, so April, May, September, and October require careful attention to flight timing, not just fare hunting. My insider tip: book the Munich connection over Frankfurt when possible, since MUC's shorter walking distances and less congested passport control meaningfully reduce the risk of misconnecting on tight layovers into Pula's limited OU schedule.
Given the multi-carrier complexity and Pula's seasonal flight patterns, fares on this routing fluctuate more than typical transatlantic business class prices, making automated fare tracking especially valuable for travelers willing to be flexible on connection cities and travel dates.