British Airways sale this weekend only

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For ajc.com

If you were entertaining the idea to head across the Atlantic during the winter season, check out a new round of discounts from British Airways.

In the past, BA service to most destinations across Europe was convoluted as the carrier served two major hub airports in London. Gatwick was used mostly for inbound and outbound transatlantic flights and Heathrow for flights within Europe and to Africa. Travelers making a same day journey beyond London had to change airports at their own expense -- resulting in a cross town trip of up to two hours and about $40 for the one-way bus ride.

But that has changed as BA now uses Heathrow for most transatlantic flights. That makes it relatively simple to make BA flight connections to points beyond with tolerable layovers of a couple of hours.

As to those new BA discount rates. The carrier offers one round-trip rate of $338 to the following destinations:

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Athens, Greece

Bologna, Florence, Milan, Naples, Rome or Venice, Italy

Nice or Paris, France

Vienna, Austria

That $338 rate is the base rate and taxes, fees and surcharges of about $350 to $370 must be added. For instance the total price to Athens is $708.20; $666.80 to Rome.

Sale rates are valid on trips started on or after Jan. 1 and through March 31. Stays from one weekend to one year are permitted. Rates are $30 higher each way when traveling Thursdays-Sundays.

Basically, the savings are up to $200 per ticket when compared to other carriers -- making this sale significant.

Also, if you're traveling beyond London, BA permits travelers to stopover for a night, two nights or longer at no additional cost. The stopover can be as many days as desired. One stopover is permitted free.

Buy tickets through midnight, Sunday (11/29).

http://www.britishairways.com