Europe
British Airways Business Class Deal Extended, Fare War Looms
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
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