I ask, because one sees a lot (esp if one subscribes for First Class Flyer electronic newletter, as I do) of deeply discounted flights from USA (and some from Canada on AC) to Europe, with the round trip fare may be less than $2000. These fares are valid for July or August flights.

I plan to go to Vienna for a conference in late Sept, and perhaps come back via Milan (and see the city, and see the expo), still in late Sept.

Does anyone remember if any airline from Canada or from USA (I have no issues flying to Europe to/from USA if necessary, esp as I have nexus) has in the past offered such "economical" business class fares to Europe for the period covering late Sept or early October.

Historically skyteam usually puts a discount out and star alliance matches. Last year this happened in June. But whether it will happen again or not is another story.

As they say in the RRSP business past performance is no indication of future returns so regardless of whether biz sales may have come up at a certain time of year in the past does not necessarily mean the same time of year will be put on sale again this year. You can cover your bases by buying a refundable biz fare and then should something better come along cancel and rebook.

My flying patterns allow me to barely make SE status for the following year - but I have been doing this when I first became SE in 2004.

So, if I can afford to fly on a Star Alliance partner - with the rule that I have to earn 50% of 100,000 AQMs flying AC - then I will fly one of LH or LX - except for the cheapest business class fares, they do offer 150% AQMs for mile flown - OS does not offer 150% on such cheaper (than full fare) business class fare.

Sometimes, such fares are cheaper from USA - so maybe I will take that option.

But if I can afford to fly on a non AC airline, and I really need the AQMs, then I might want to fly TAP - One can get 200% AQMs on all business class fares. Does anyone know about the business class seats on TAP planes flying TATL routes?

Really, fares do not go down when the business cycle picks up in September after the July and August doldrums. That's why there are $2K biz fares to many European locations during the peak summer months...business travelers don't so much business in Europe during the summer (the French take all of August off) and J/C cabins go begging, thus the deep discounts. Come September the world returns to normal and fares jump up in premium cabins...though it's the opposite for economy fares which rise during the summer since there's great demand for flights in that cabin, and they drop in the fall and winter to Europe.

Pretty standard old style biz pairs of seating, not pods nor herringbone. Like LAN or OS (old seat). Think they're layflat. Good food and service. Ecologically responsible ethos like Finnair.

Agree with SH that it is unlikely. There are generally 2 times each year when there are super cheap J TATL fares: July-August and the 7-10 day around US thanksgiving. In both cases, it is caused by the airlines normal J customers not flying.

I would bet on it again this year, DL/VS did introduce some capacity and Europe-USA traffic has been suffering from the EU economy slowdown. It probably won't be in time for September though.

Usually some fares around Christmas and New Year's too, particularly sun destinations

Maybe it's just me but I have not found the P/Z TATL fares to be as attractive this year as they have been in the past. Moreover, I do not recall them being advertised as they used to on AC.COM. There were some decent fares to Italy (about $2500RT) that were available until the end of April, and then the early March sale to most of Europe for fares between 2500-3000, but everything is running around 3000RT right now - which I think is somewhat of a bargain compared to winter fares, but not as low as we have seen summer fares in the past (I remember a RT to BUD from YOW two years ago for less than $2500AI and VCE 3 years ago, with a stopover in LHR for $2000AI)

Most of the advertised sales as of late have been mainly Canada/North America Y, and a continued focus on Quebec/Ontario flights, with that sale extended until the end of the month.

I too I am hopeful for some TATL bargains toward the late summer / early Fall but with many US airlines cutting TATL services next winter, it could be a case where supply becomes relatively tight (and prices remain relatively high)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premi...-business.html

Oneworld is running a Business Class sale fare to Europe which is valid in September and October as well. The price used to be as low as $1150, all-in, per person on BA if you have a U.S. Chase BA Signature Visa. I believe the sale is still available at a slightly higher price. These fares are also eligible for the various promotions they are running, which allows you to earn up to 115,000 bonus miles on AA. For those of us who booked earlier when they first launched this sale, I was able to use miles to upgrade from Business class to First class as well on BA, which makes this sale of $1150 to Europe in First Class a steal, not to mention all the bonus miles they shower you with. You should check this out, despite the unjustified loyalty towards Aeroplan.

I don't agree with forcing yourself to fork several thousands if not ten of thousands dollars more in fares that you would otherwise not spend in order to make certain status. Then the cost of such status becomes too high and unworthy of their upkeep.

On the contrary, I think the Business class fares to Europe and Asia have been astounding this year. The war between Delta and American have dragged their European partners into the fight, which resulted in some incredibly low fares to Europe and HKG and Japan.

I think you all need to bookmark the Premium Fare forum because it sounds like you have been missing on those sales.

Ok, let me rephrase that... I have not been that impressed with ACs ex YOW/YUL/YYZ Z/P fares compared to previous years. True, there has been a few impressive fares ex-USA, and some specific Canada-Europe route (mainly Italy throughout April for summer months)

Yeah, no good deals here so far.