Skift Take
The forecast speaks volumes about the pending merger of US Airways with American Airlines because American Express predicts a decline in North America airfares in 2014 -- unless there is further consolidation "among major U.S. airlines." The Department of Justice should cite the forecast in the upcoming antitrust case.
Increased competition from low cost carriers and tighter corporate control of business travel will likely lead to a decline in short-haul business class and long-haul economy fares in North America in 2014 -- unless the U.S. Airways merger with American Airlines actually goes through and upsets the calculations.
That's the word from the American Express Global Business Travel Forecast 2014.
"Overall, North American business travelers can likely expect mixed price changes across travel categor
