THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 25, 1994 TAG: 9410250262
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D01 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORT
DATELINE: MINNEAPOLIS LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Airfares dropped like leaves this weekend, with carriers cutting prices to cities in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Northwest Airlines, which announced the most sweeping cuts, trimmed as much as 40 percent off the price of tickets purchased through Friday for travel in the continental United States, Alaska and Canada.
Its offer was matched Monday by American Airlines, United Airlines, Continental Airlines, Trans World Airlines and USAir Group in markets where they compete with Northwest.
Tinee Johnston, owner of Lunar Travel in Virginia Beach, said her agency was busy Monday handling calls about the new fares. She said this is the second straight hectic week for airfare inquiries. Last Friday was the final day for a previous round of fare discounts.
She said that she had mixed feelings about the cuts. ``It's good and bad. We have a lot of happy clients because it's a good price for holiday travel. But it's hectic for us and the commissions aren't as good.''
The discount fares are good for travel from Nov. 14 to Jan. 14. Generally, the deepest discounts are available on midweek flights and carry some restrictions.
Discounts are not available on certain popular days, including Nov. 23 and Nov. 26, and Dec. 23 and Dec. 26.
TWA said it will cut as much as 30 percent from the price of tickets bought through today for flights from 15 U.S. cities to 10 European destinations.
The best TWA prices are available on midweek departures and must be purchased by midnight today for travel from Oct. 25 to March 15. The discounts are not available from Dec. 21 to Jan. 4, and other restrictions apply.
The TWA offer was matched Monday by United and Northwest. ILLUSTRATION: Staff color graphic
Ticket Prices: Month-By-Month Average
Source: Bloomberg News, American Express Travel
Color graphic
From Norfolk
To Denver
To Los Angeles
For copy of graphics, see microfilm
by CNB