British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Reduce Fuel Supplements

Competitors British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic Airways have both announced that they are reducing their fuel surcharges due to the falling price of oil. The decrease in the charge will apply to tickets purchased beginning Thursday, December 18. Neither of the airlines is offering refunds to customers who booked flights earlier at the higher price.

Both airlines are cutting the charge on world traveler class flights of nine hours or longer from about $148 to about $102. First class and club class passengers on those long-haul flights will be $130, down from $178. Surcharges on domestic and European flights are being cut by 25 precent.

Meanwhile, Virgin is cutting its fuel supplement on long-haul economy flights from $148 to $102 and is expected to implement reductions were similar to BA.