The higher the Class, The higher the Tax
Mar 31, 2001 | 9:44 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 371
The higher the Class, The higher the Tax
I have just discovered that if you fly from the UK to say SFO you pay 55gbp tax in economy, yet if you fly business it is more likely to be 75gbp. Can anyone especially UK Flyers point me in the direction of a web site where I can find out more 
Mar 31, 2001 | 2:22 pm
#2
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Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Since you're from the UK, I'd check your government website under the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I believe the tax levels were set in the last budget. Someone posted a link when we discussed this several months ago.
Apr 1, 2001 | 3:15 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 371
The problem has come to light for me because I have enough Virgin Flying Club miles(62500)to have a free Premium Economy to SFO when I come over for the Reno Air Races in September. Out of curiousity I checked what the fare should be(about1700gbp) and noticed the increaseed tax. Now we know why it is called Rip Off Britain, the gas price in the states is possibly at it's highest level, but you've still got a bit of catching up to do.
Apr 2, 2001 | 3:46 am
#5
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See http://www.hmce.gov.uk/bus/excise/apd-upd.htm.
Air Passenger Duty (a UK Government tax, not an airport tax) on flights from UK airports:
- EU/EEA destinations: 5 economy or single class; 10 business/first
- other destinations: 20 economy or single class, 40 business/first
So a Y flight to Glasgow, Paris or Frankfurt incurs 5 APD. A Y flight to JFK, DEL or SYD incurs 20 APD. C/F flights cost double APD.
Curiosities:
- Switzerland: Zurich costs 20/40 APD, while Geneva and Basel cost 5/10 as they are regarded as EU (physical location of airport decides). With a Zurich-based family, I protest strongly!
- Concorde: 20 only, as a single class operation.
The website gives info on upgrades, crew etc.
[Edited for typo.]
[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 04-02-2001).]
Air Passenger Duty (a UK Government tax, not an airport tax) on flights from UK airports:
- EU/EEA destinations: 5 economy or single class; 10 business/first
- other destinations: 20 economy or single class, 40 business/first
So a Y flight to Glasgow, Paris or Frankfurt incurs 5 APD. A Y flight to JFK, DEL or SYD incurs 20 APD. C/F flights cost double APD.
Curiosities:
- Switzerland: Zurich costs 20/40 APD, while Geneva and Basel cost 5/10 as they are regarded as EU (physical location of airport decides). With a Zurich-based family, I protest strongly!
- Concorde: 20 only, as a single class operation.
The website gives info on upgrades, crew etc.
[Edited for typo.]
[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 04-02-2001).]
Apr 2, 2001 | 11:32 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 371
Once agan a big thanks to Roger for the info.
If you are travelling in the lowest class of travel then you pay the lowest amount of tax, if you are not travelling in the lowest class you pay the higher amount.
If you are upgraded by the airline you are not liable for the higher amount but if you ask for the upgrade then you are liable for the higher amount of tax.This also applies if you are travelling on a reward from your FF account.
If you are travelling in the lowest class of travel then you pay the lowest amount of tax, if you are not travelling in the lowest class you pay the higher amount.
If you are upgraded by the airline you are not liable for the higher amount but if you ask for the upgrade then you are liable for the higher amount of tax.This also applies if you are travelling on a reward from your FF account.