Northwest-KLM Reduce Europe Fares Up to 40%

Northwest Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines on Friday announced reductions of up to 40% on discount fares to Europe--the first joint sale under their recently approved global partnership.

The prices largely match a transatlantic sale started by Trans World Airlines, but also offer fares of between $70 and $100 for non-stop trips within Europe on KLM. Travelers must purchase at least three $100 coupons.

Most other U.S. carriers lack inter-European service, giving KLM and Northwest an advantage that would be hard to match.

“It looks like something that the U.S.-based carriers are going to have to become concerned about because I don’t think they will be able to become competitive,” said Thomas Nulty, president of Santa Ana-based Associated Travel Management.

The fares available beginning today offer reductions of up to 40% from regular advance-purchase fares for travel from the United States to Europe between April 1 and Oct. 31, the carriers said. The discounts are significantly less for flying during the peak summer months of June, July and August.

The fares to Europe will be sold through Feb. 19 to nearly all KLM and Northwest destinations in Europe. During the off-peak spring and fall seasons, a round trip between Los Angeles and London will cost $598--a 25% reduction off the regular discount price. The fares require a Saturday night stay and are non-refundable.

So far, no other airlines have matched the Northwest or TWA fares.

One of the goals of the Northwest-KLM partnership is to make it easier for passengers to make connections for flights within Europe. The airlines plan to coordinate their operations so closely that passengers won’t notice a difference when moving from Northwest to KLM.