United ups fares $10-$60, may add checked bag fee

5/24/2008

NEW YORK United Airlines raised most domestic fares by as much as $60 round trip to offset the runaway cost of fuel.

A representative for the second-largest U.S. airline also said the Chicago-based carrier is seriously considering following AMR Corp. s American Airlines in charging passengers to check their first piece of luggage.

The ticket price increase, which went into effect late Thursday, will leave travelers paying $10 to $60 more, depending on how far they fly and the competition on the route. The biggest increase affects routes of 750 miles or more less than the distance from New York to Chicago that low-cost carriers such as Southwest Airlines Co. do not serve.