Is the fare more expensive BACK from Europe, as that's when most of the transatlantic taxes are collected (leaving Europe, entering USA)?

Not sure how many people here agree with me but, unless I was going to travel to Europe anyway and my alternative was to pay nosebleed summer coach prices, I wouldn't pay even $1300 to sit in biz class across the Atlantic. That said, I agree that this is a rational fare to pay out of your own pocket if you fancy a little extra transatlantic comfort.