Years ago many airlines did away with their group travel discount programs. They just weren’t profitable for the airlines and their rigid restrictions often didn’t work well for the meeting planner either. With airlines in trouble, it looks like group discount programs are regaining popularity.

I’ve done the research for you – below are the top US airlines with summaries and links to their individual group discount programs.

AirTran Airways
EventSavers program available for 10 or more attendees offers a 10% discount with no Saturday stay requirement, change fee waived once per reservation and flexible arrival and departure dates (3 days pre/post event).

American Airlines
American’s AAsociation Fares program offers 5% off published fares with a minimum of 10 passengers flying on one of their partner airlines, even from different origins. American also offers discounted zone fares, reduced rate tickets for site inspections and complimentary staff airline tickets based on your group’s potential.

Continental Airlines
With a minimum of 20 participants from two or more origins, Continental’s MeetingWorks program offers your choice of global zone fares or percentage discounts. You can also earn free tickets based on earned program credits.

Delta Airlines
Offered for both domestic and international travel, Delta’s Group Services will give discounts for 10 or more persons traveling together. Because it is designed more for group tours than for meetings, there are many restrictions to this program.

Hawaiian Air
Groups of 10 or more participants qualify for block seating, zone fares, site inspection tickets, 7-day pre/post travel window and additional complimentary ticket potential based on group credits.

JetBlue Airlines
With the JetBlue Meeting program you get one complimentary ticket for every 40 booked, additional complimentary tickets based on group credits, free unlimited name changes, the flexibility of having attendees from different origin points, the option to average all fares across the board (so each attendee pays the same flat fare), the ability to release up to 10% of reserved seats 60 days prior without penalty and your list of participant names isn’t due until 30 days prior to departure.

Midwest Airlines
Group discounts available of up to 10% off published fares, plus 7-day pre/post travel window, multiple points of origin, online self-booking capability and one complimentary ticket for every 30 tickets booked.

Northwest Airlines
Special fares and discounts offered for groups of 10 or more people traveling to a single destination from multiple points of origin. You have the option of zone fares or discounts, plus you earn one free ticket for every 40 purchased.

United Airlines
United’s programs offer perhaps the best array of options for group planners. Their MeetingsPlus program discounts airfare for both domestic and International conferences, and can net your business free tickets based on accumulated passenger totals. Minimum of 25 passengers to a single destination from multiple points of origin within the US or Canada. For multi-national conferences StarAlliance Conventions Plus gives greater flexibility provided a minimum of 500 attendees are traveling from at least two continents and three countries.

US Airways
Group travel discounts are available for 10 or more persons traveling together. This program waives the 24-hour ticketing time limit (can be 30, 45 or 60 days depending on the group’s size) and allows for fee-free name changes.

Note: The information provided above is provided for your general assistance. Additional ticketing fees may apply and as the airlines are an ever-changing, sometimes volatile industry, terms and restrictions can change daily. Group discount information was not available for Southwest, Alaska/Horizon Airlines or Frontier (though Frontier does have an online group booking tool).