November 4, 2003 -- Humans have been flying for more than a hundred years now. Amazing, isn't it? We're reaching the point when there's no one who remembers a time before flight, a time before speedy, buzzing machines bridged the gap between states and nations.
In 1939, Pan American World Airways offered the first hop across the pond: a 29-hour ordeal with several stops from Baltimore to Foyne, Ireland. Tickets cost $750 roundtrip -- in 1939 dollars! Nowadays, it's easier for East Coasters to get to London than it is for them to get to parts of the Midwest, and roundtrips cost less than $300, including tax.
This brings us to British Airways' extraordinary offer celebrating the centenary of airplane flight. Through November 6 only, winter flights from 19 US cities to London are $200 roundtrip, plus tax. Spring and summer flights are also discounted, too, according to this schedule:
- Nov. 11 - Dec. 18: $200
- Dec. 19 - Dec. 23: Not discounted
- Dec. 24 - April 4: $200
- April 5 - May 30: $300
- May 31 - Sept. 3: $500
- Sept. 4 - Oct. 29: $300
Obviously, there are restrictions on this fare. Seats will sell out quickly, we're sure. The fares only apply on Monday-Wednesday flights (Thursday-Sunday flights are $60 more roundtrip), and a seven-day advance purchase and Saturday-night stay are required. The fares are good for a yearlong trip, though, so they're a terrific deal for students heading for a semester abroad.
The fare is good from the 19 cities below. When we tried to book online, we found the $200 fare available from all cities, although with a very limited selection of dates. (Forget about finding anything near a $200 fare for a flight on Jan. 2.) As usual, you've got to be flexible to get the best fares. Here's the true amount, including taxes, we got on the British Airways site:
- Orlando: $292.70
- Houston: $293.90
- Atlanta, Dallas, Tampa: $294.20
- Boston, New York, Newark: $296.90
- Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, LA, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, D.C.: $298.40
We've seen lower fares from New York, Boston and DC, such as the 1800-Fly-Europe fares recounted earlier this week. But from Dallas, Denver, Phoenix or Houston? Forget about it. This is the best fare you're ever going to see, for winter or spring.
For more details or to book, see www.britishairways.com/100years. British Airways has an extrordinarily friendly booking engine on their site that not only helps you find the best fares over a two-week period, it shows you all the higher fares available, as well. This is important because some flights are $248 rather than $200 -- still a great deal. That makes BA's site worth more than just a look if you're planning a trip to London any time over the next year.
But Wait! It Gets Even Cheaper for Some!
On Wednesday, Virgin Atlantic (www.virginatlantic.com) jumped in the game by undercutting BA's fares by $20 on certain gateways. Yep, that's right -- a sweet and low $180, but only if you can depart out of Los Angeles, Miami, NYC, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco, or Washington, D.C.
What's your take on flying British Airways? Past comments from our readers is a mixed-bag, to say the least -- stories range from friendly flight attendants taking that extra step to luggage lost forever. We'd like to hear from you on our Air Travel Message Boards.
