AVIATION: To Europe for Less

New cut-rate transatlantic fares—some 25% below present tourist rates and about half the price of a first-class ticket—were approved last week by the Civil Aeronautics Board. In a letter to U.S. members of the International Air Transport Association, which has final authority over international airline fares, CAB pointed out that the new rates are "technically and economically feasible." The proposed new round-trip New York-London fare: $391.50.

First proposed by Pan American World Airways (TIME, May 14), cut-rate flights would be based on a new class of service. Passengers would sit five across and be allowed 44 lbs. of baggage, as on present tourist flights, but would have four inches less leg room between seats. The airlines would sell sandwiches, serve no hot meals or liquor. They would thus be able to cut down the galley, make do with two stewardesses, and carry as many as 104 passengers, v. 71 on present tourist flights. On a DC-7B, the flight would take 13 hours, including stopovers at Gander and Shannon, take two hours more than present nonstop tourist schedules.