Airfare deals bring Europe within reach

HAVE you crossed Europe off your list of possible summer vacation sites this year? Many Americans have focused on the high cost of hotels and meals in Europe and decided this isn’t the year to cross the Atlantic. The strong euro and British pound have made European travel too expensive, they say.

Overlooked are the deals available for transatlantic airfares. They’re at least $200 to $250 per person less this summer than they were in 2000. And that savings covers the increased cost of several hotel nights and tasty meals.

You can confirm that drop in transatlantic costs by contacting such leading discounters of overseas airfares as UKAir, (800) 577-2900, www.ukair.com; Destination Europe, (800) 359-3876, www.1800flyeurope.com; or by accessing an Internet booking engine such as www.cheapflights.com. Currently, UKAir is selling round-trip midweek flights between Los Angeles and London this summer for $763 plus government taxes and security fees of about $112. Before Sept. 11, summer flights to London from the West Coast were at least $1,000 plus tax.

Similarly discounted levels apply for flights to Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. Nearly all the bargain sources are now selling round-trip summertime seats from Los Angeles to Paris or Amsterdam from $764 and Frankfurt from $835. All rates are plus taxes and fees. Rates are lower for departures in autumn. From now through the end of June, Destination Europe will be selling a fly-and-drive package to London in September or October starting at $567 per person from Los Angeles, including a car for three days.

Can you buy tickets for less if you buy them from a consolidator (discounter) just before the flight? Maybe -- but maybe not. Last month, consolidators such as UKAir and Destination Europe were selling last-minute unsold seats to London for as little as $407 from Los Angeles. But the airfare specialists with whom I’ve spoken said it’s better to book now, since softness in transatlantic traffic will lead to capacity cutbacks. There will be fewer flights and fewer seats.