=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/chronicle/archive/2003/02= /11/BU209729.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, February 11, 2003 (SF Chronicle) British Airways cuts its fares to London David Armstrong, Chronicle Staff Writer In what could kick off a fare war, British Airways said late Monday that it will drop its midweek economy-class round-trip fares between London and all 20 of the U.S. cities it serves to $198 from Feb. 18 to March 31. Normally, San Francisco-to-London tickets run in the $400 to $500 range = in midwinter, when leisure travel slows down. However, weak leisure travel, slumping business travel and fears of war have pushed demand down. As a result, airline experts predict British Airways' actions could pave the way for a transatlantic fare war in the next few days. "This offer marks the first time anyone on the West Coast may purchase a ticket to London for the same price as anyone from the East Coast or Midwest," said Elizabeth Weisser, vice president of marketing in North America for British Airways. British Airways has twice-daily nonstop flights between San Francisco International Airport and London's Heathrow Airport. In summer, the airline typically adds a third daily nonstop. The busy, highly competitive SFO-to-London route is served by several carriers, including United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways. British Airways' latest fare initiative comes amid already-low fares to a variety of European cities by U.S. and foreign carriers, according to Tom Parsons, a principal of Bestfares.com, an air travel Web site. Typically, very low fares are matched by competing carriers, said Parsons, who added that he expects British Airways' rivals to match the low London fares. United Airlines, the largest carrier at SFO, operates daily nonstop flights to London. It did not say late Monday whether it would match the new fare. British Airways' fare announcement comes as airlines are pressing hard to fill seats by lowering fares. For instance, several carriers are selling round trips from the West Coa= st to Madrid for $300. US Airways announced a $199 round-trip flight from the West Coast to Munich on Monday. "The market is very cheap. There are a lot of bargains," said Parsons, adding that he expects leisure travelers to shy away from even these cheap fares if war breaks out. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has closely allied his country with the United States, and Blair's government has said it expects Britain could be a likely target for any terrorist reprisals. In past years, British Airways has offered a $198 London round-trip fare from Denver, Phoenix and San Diego, but this is the first time it has applied to other West Coast hubs such as SFO and Los Angeles International Airport. The discount fares go on sale at 7 a.m. today and must be booked and paid for by Thursday, according to the airline. The special fares will be offered again from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15. The offer comes with a number of other restrictions. It applies only on Monday through Wednesday for eastbound flights and Tuesday through Thursday westbound. With $96.50 in taxes, the total cost goes to $294.50. Round-trip fares on the largest British airline are low by historical standards during the rest of 2003: $498 in the peak July and August season, $398 in June and September, and $298 for April, May and October -- all before taxes -- the airline said Monday. E-mail David Armstrong at david armstrong@sfchronicle.com.=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2003 SF Chronicle