American Cuts Fares to Europe by 20%; Other Carriers Follow Suit

American Airlines on Thursday took about 20% off its lowest fares to much of Europe this winter in cuts that were immediately matched by competitors.

American said it made the discounts because of poor demand for travel across the Atlantic.

“Our advance bookings were running a little behind, and we felt that a little stimulation would probably correct that,” American spokesman Marty Heires said.

TWA matched the cuts in all markets where it competes with American. United did the same, adding fare cuts to Amsterdam and Athens. Delta also matched the cuts, applying the discounts to a total of 20 cities in Western Europe.

British Airways said it was studying the fare reductions.

With the cuts, the cost of a round-trip ticket, before airport charges, from Los Angeles to London is $538 and $598 to Paris.

American said its seven-day advance-purchase fares to any city the carrier serves in continental Europe will be on sale until Oct. 22.

The restricted fares require stays of seven to 30 days, including a Saturday night. They are good for travel between Nov. 1 and March 15, although the discounts will not be available from Dec. 16 through Jan. 2.

American’s European destinations include Paris, Stockholm, Munich, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Brussels, Zurich, Milan and Madrid.