Europe
Premium and Elite Carriers Enter Holiday Business Class Fare Fray
If you're seeking that extra measure of service and comfort of a Business Class flight for your December holiday air travel to Europe, three carriers who know how to pamper—British Airways, Eos, and Virgin—have arrived fashionably late to the party, with fares that represent excellent value.
Airlines of such pedigree are loathe to engage in anything so common as the fare wars the Mass Market Carriers (MMCs) started way back in early September, and they certainly won't disgrace themselves by offering the even cheaper Business Class flights, starting at $1,100 round-trip New York-London, advertised by American, Continental, Delta, and many others. Quality doesn’t always come cheap ... but right now it comes cheaper: about $2,000 for the New York-London route; around $3,000 from the West Coast. Arguably worth it! Ticketing deadline (as of today): Nov. 27, 2007.
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What do you get for the extra money?
Eos, one of very few airlines to earn my top designation of Elite Service Carrier (ESC), offers consummate customer service and superior sleeper seats in an aircraft limited to 48 passengers. A private-jet vibe for a comparative pittance. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic occupy my Premium Service Carrier (PSC) tier, and also offer terrific sleeper seats and luxurious service throughout the travel experience.
Short on miles for your elite status? Virgin’s Business Class tickets earn 150% and can be credited to Continental and Delta mileage programs. British Airways and Eos miles only apply to their own programs.
As a rule, I advise against using your miles to book holiday travel in favor of these cheap business class flights. Save them for when fares are at their peak.
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