1st-Air.Net reports that several international flag carriers have quietly begun to cut business class fares on popular long haul routes from the U.S. Travelers that purchased business or first class tickets in 2008 for travel in 2009 may be eligible to receive a refund for the difference in the original fare paid and the new lower fare level. Notable declines have been identified with Air New Zealand between the West Coast and New Zealand and with Singapore Airlines on their all business class flights between Newark and Los Angeles to Singapore…
1st-Air.Net reports that several international flag carriers have quietly begun to cut business class fares on popular long haul routes from the U.S. Travelers that purchased business or first class tickets in 2008 for travel in 2009 may be eligible to receive a refund for the difference in the original fare paid and the new lower fare level. Notable declines have been identified with Air New Zealand between the West Coast and New Zealand and with Singapore Airlines on their all business class flights between Newark and Los Angeles to Singapore.
On September 15th, 2008 Air New Zealand’s lowest published business class fare between Los Angeles and Auckland, New Zealand was $7,779 plus taxes for travel anytime in 2009. This fare was non refundable and subject to change penalties. Air New Zealand has since reduced its lowest business class fare by 26% to $5,778 plus taxes. The penalties have also been relaxed as these lower fare levels can be refunded for a $300 penalty. One way business class fares have fallen by over 30% to $5,056 plus taxes. One way business class fares between Los Angeles and Auckland purchased in December 2008 started at $7,298 plus taxes. Passengers that purchased non penalty business class tickets in 2008 for travel in 2009 with Air New Zealand should contact the carrier or their travel agent to see if their specific itinerary qualifies for a rate reduction.
Singapore Airlines has also reduced fares on its all business class flights between North America and Singapore. Singapore Airlines had previously charged premiums of over 25% to fly on its all business class Airbus A380 aircraft from Newark or Los Angeles to Singapore compared with its three cabin service. This policy has also been relaxed with the “A380 premiums” being cut to less than 10%. Travelers that had purchased tickets on Singapore Airlines all business class flights in 2008 for travel in 2009 should contact the carrier or their travel agent to see if their itinerary qualifies for a rate reduction.
1st-Air, an international premium class specialist, offers premium class international travel at savings of 20% or more in markets without competitive fares. Since 1998, the company has used its proprietary routing technology and alliances to create value for premium class travelers.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
