For each of the past several summers sales for premium cabin travel have been offered by a number of airlines, looking to cash in on the lower demand for business travel during the period. This year’s sales launched today. In addition to the first class sale that Lufthansa is advertising (coverage from Lufthansa Flyer here) there is also a business class sale on offer, with United Airlines publishing a number of fares.
The bad news (and it comes as no real surprise) is that the prices are higher than they have been in the past. Definitely still discounted fares, but not so many of the bargains that there used to be. Here are some sample numbers:
Definitely worth looking in to the numbers if you were thinking of dropping $2500-3500 on a trip to Europe anyways this summer and you can meet the advance purchase (60!! days) and minimum stay requirements. Some more of the fine print includes:
Travel must be booked by May 31, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. Sale is valid on UnitedBusinessFirst® fares for travel starting between June 29, 2012, and September 1, 2012. Return travel must be completed on or before September 6, 2012. Saturday night stay required. A 60-day advance purchase is required. Fares are nonrefundable and require a $400 USD change fee.
Also of note is that the fares, while advertised by United, are available across the anti-trust immunized group of carriers, so if you’d rather fly on Lufthansa or Swiss odds are you have that option.
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400 change fee. Nice.