Cut-Rate to Europe

After four years of fighting for cut-rate transatlantic flights, T.W.A. and Pan American this week finally put them into operation. The new tourist rates, also effective on the nine scheduled foreign carriers,* are about 30% cheaper than first class, and are available on 39 flights a week. By August there will be 71 weekly tourist flights each way, with seats for 8,000 passengers. Already booked heavily through July, the tourist flights are expected to swell to a record 400,000 the number of American tourists traveling in Europe this year. Sample tourist fare this summer: round trip from New York to London, $486, v. $711 first class; (roundtrip tourist class by boat to Southampton, $340).

The new rates are still not a complete victory for the American-flag lines which fought for them. Because of opposition from European airlines, new rates are effective only on North Atlantic routes to Shannon, not on southern routes to the Mediterranean or on regular flights in Europe. The result is that the airlines, which are also offering low-cost, all-expense tours through Europe, are relying for the most part on land travel on the Continent to keep costs down. Among the better bargains:

P: T.W.A.: A 46-day "grand tour." Stops in 21 cities of "eleven nations, including Scandinavia and the Low Countries, with three days in London, three in Rome and four in Paris. Price: $1,388.10. P: Pan American: A "ten-day special." Four days in England, including London, Oxford, Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick Castle; four days in Paris, including a trip to Versailles. Price: $617. P: Sabena: Two weeks in Belgium, Holland, England and France, including a motor trip through Holland, excursions to Windsor Castle and Versailles. Price: $642. P: Scandinavian: A 23-day tour taking in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Lucerne, Interlaken and Geneva, for $715; also a special two-week trip to Finland's Olympic Games in July for $793.

In addition to these, literally hundreds of tours are being plugged by various travel agencies. Of some, tourists should beware; many of them cut corners so fine and economize so much that a trip to Coney Island would be almost as rewarding. But there are some that offer real values. One of the best, by Manhattan's House of Travel: Europe on $10 a day, with six optional routes that can be combined (at a nominal extra charge) into any number of variations. Minimum trip is ten days; prices include hotels, three daily meals and tips, land transportation and motor-coach sightseeing.

* Air France, BOAC, El Al (Israel), Scandinavian, K.L.M. (Dutch), L.A.I. (Italian), Sabena (Belgian), Swissair, Trans Canada.

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