The Wall Street Journal today began publishing a weekly report on business fares. The index tracks changes in 7-day fares for American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United. The current index level is $763.
What’s especially interesting to note about the business fare index is that it tracks separately from the national fare index. For instance, when Delta raised fares by $5 one-way on March 22 both indexes shot upwards. When Delta pulled back its increase the national index returned to pre-increase levels. In the case of the business fare index, fares did not return to pre-increase levels and the index stayed at the new higher level.
The report will be updated every Tuesday and includes the top movers for the week (largest increase and decrease)
