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British Airways has announced a limited-time discount on Business Class travel to Europe, and in doing so may have fired the opening salvo in a fare war.
Essentially an extension of a year-end 2007 holiday special, British Airways' Business Class promotional fares range from $1,998 for New York-London, to $2,894 from Los Angeles—a substantial discount from regular fares between $3,000 and $4,800 (before taxes). Flights must be booked by Jan 3, 2008, for travel by March 23, 2008.
What can we expect from the competition? After recent BA fare-promotion launches, they were quick to defend their turf. Virgin Atlantic, BA's fellow Premium Service Carrier (PSC), and Eos, representing the Elite Service Carrier (ESC) camp, responded with matching Business Class fares. I see history repeating itself … by Monday.
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You can also expect Mass Market Carriers (MMCs) American and Continental to respond with fare cuts, lest their less elegant Business Class cabins fly empty after becoming the higher-priced alternatives crossing the Atlantic.
For now, the deals are at British Airways and time is short. Or is it? BA has strung together extensions of this Business Class special for over a month now, and I foresee more to come.
For terms and conditions, visit: http://www.batraveltrade.com/trade/texpromo008/public/en_us
British Airways may talk about low business class fares; however, when I tried to book three tickets from DFW to London, they refused to assign seats and told me that they would be assigned only at the gate. That means that my wife and I may be seated apart and our 15 year old grandson somewhere else entirely. They also let me know in no uncertain terms, that they might oversell the business class cabin and we might get bumped to a later flight. They only have one flight a day and we are catching a cruise out of Southampton. BA is a joke and cares nothing about their customers if you are not paying full fare. Stay away from them.
I think is is very wrong and terrible that British Airways has such high fees from lagos to london, when we here in USA can get one at a third of the cost? i cant find my friend in lagos one much under 1k R/T and here i can get one from Dallas/Fort worth for $452, R/T?? both are about the same air time? Ann Smith
I love reading Flight Bliss, and there is always useful information for follow-up. Are there any consultants out there who can help me or others to assess our individual needs and questions on the travel and credit card (reward) questions? Caught in the web of everyday work and responsibilities, we are often burnt out by the time we have a quiet moment to solve our own questions, and strategize about our own travel.Thank you.
Why, Why is british airways so expensive. Ive just tried booking a trip, and the fees alone totaled close to 600.00 US Dollars. God help us..especially those that have children. The airfares have, and continue to be out of control....who is regulating these Airlines, Delta is the next over priced carrier! God Help us! Now that they have the oil prices blame, just watch how they use it as an excuse, remember the prices were high before the oil increase....WE ARE PAYING THE BA EXCUTIVES HIGH SALARIES, YES THE POOR PEOPLE..PLEASE CAN THE GOVERNMENT REGULATE THESE HIGH AIRFARES, WHEN WILL IT STOP...WHEN
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