An overview of markets where the fundamental rules don’t apply

Once dominated solely by American Airlines, new entrants in the last few years have affected premium fares for the better. Increased service by Continental,and especially Delta, have created more supply, but American—which normally matches fares without blinking—is holding out for full price. Here’s an overview of how the market looks from the premium fare perspective.

Delta Leads

For the lowest fares, look to Delta. A 50-day advance-purchase Business Class ticket starts at $2,300 round-trip. We found similar low fares from about half the US cities we checked.

Continental and United, a Distant Second

United matches Delta on one route, Atlanta Sao Paulo, at $2,904 round-trip. There were only four routes on which Continental (Delta’s SkyTeam partner) is playing ball with fares under $3,000.

American Nowhere to Be Found

American Airlines, which usually matches any other carrier’s Business Class fare, flies above the fray in deep South America. It doesn’t offer one fare under $5,000 from the 10 US cities we checked to Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, or Santiago.

LAN Chile and TAM are Pricey

Neither Chile’s pride and joy, or Brazil’s emerging carrier, offer low published fares. LAN does offer new, lie-flat Business Class seats. Amex’s 2-for-1 program is a good deal if you’re traveling together on LAN. (More coming soon on 2-for-1s to South America.)

‍Aerolineas Argentinas not recommended: For every reason.

Northwest and US Airways absent: Neither offers service to deep South America.

All things being equal, find a non-stop like Delta from Atlanta and buy a separate ticket to Atlanta from your departure city.

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