AMERICAN EXPRESS's latest Business Travel Monitor shows the average international fare in the fourth quarter of 2005 increased by 7% year-on-year to $1,666 (£955) one-way, with first class up 4% at $5,805, business class up 5% at $3,927 and discount economy up 9% at $1,113.
However, in a trend that North American airlines will find disquieting (but not the business travellers), US domestic flights declined to $216 (£124) one-way in 2005, its lowest for six years. An upturn is expected for 2006.
The Monitor is based on prices paid by Amex's business travel clients for 329 domestic US city pairs and 160 international city pairs. Average booked rates for US hotels, meanwhile, grew by nearly 4% from $132 in 2004 to $137 (£79) in 2005, marking a six-year high.
International booked rates were up almost 8% at $212 (£121), the highest since 2000. Finally, the Monitor found that the average daily cost per car rental rose by 1.5% to $66 (£38) last year.
http://www.americanexpress.com/businesstravel