Cheaper Flights to New York due to "Open Skies"

blindman

Now don't get your hopes up, BUT if the EU open up the routes to the US to more competition then maybe there'll be a price war and ultimately cheaper fares.

Air fares from London to New York are likely to be slashed after the European Union broke the British Airways stranglehold on flights from Heathrow.
EU and US negotiators took an important step towards liberalising air travel between the two continents by agreeing yesterday to break the cartel of airlines operating on the lucrative transatlantic route. Currently only BA, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines and United are permitted. More than 40 per cent of flights from Europe to America leave from Heathrow, but now the route will be open to any airline.
Liberalisation of air travel could also encourage the no-frills airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet to set up operations in the US, pushing down prices even further. BA is by far the most dominant transatlantic carrier and the route accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the company’s profits.

Date to look out for is 22nd March

The “open-skies” agreement reached by the EU and US should mean changes to all transatlantic flights from October, assuming EU transport ministers agree the plan on March 22.

So if you're planning a US trip it may be prudent to wait a while before booking airline tickets.

richardw

BA currently have NYC from £221 for registered users, but you have to stay a saturday night.
Open skies may get rid of the saturday night stay requirement and lower premium class fares, but may not go much lower than the cheap £221 that you can get already.

Narva

I went to NY in feb for 160.00 each including all the add ons, so it is possible to get excellany flights with a hunt on internet.

blindman

Narva wrote:

I went to NY in feb for 160.00 each including all the add ons, so it is possible to get excellany flights with a hunt on internet.

That was a promotional fare from Delta to advertise their new route and was posted here on MSE

Sam_Bee

I wouldn't hold your breath, and I wouldn't hold off booking if you definitely intend to travel, it'll take a while.

But seriously, of all the routes in the world, do you not think New York is not great value already? Paying £70 each way (ex. tax) is great value for a 7 hour flight.

I want more competition on other overpriced routes....!

richardw

Sam_Bee wrote:

I want more competition on other overpriced routes....!

That is a very good point, some flights from UK to South America are expensive.

Teahfc

South Africa flights kill me at those prices :eek:

Cheap Cheap Cheap please

Sam_Bee

richardw wrote:

That is a very good point, some flights from UK to South America are expensive.

I work on the basis that £10 per flying hour (excluding tax) is a very, very good deal already. You can get it for Europe, USA and Australia / NZ due to competition. You struggle pretty much elsewhere.