More airlines boost fares for flights in U.S.

7/24/2012

DALLAS -- Several big airlines have matched United Airlines' increase in base fares of up to $10 per round trip within the United States. Fare watchers said it was virtually certain that the new prices would stick, resulting in the fourth fare increase this year and the first since late March.

United raised fares Friday by $4 to $10 per round trip, depending on flight length. Over the weekend Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, US Airways, and JetBlue all matched that. So did Southwest Airlines and its AirTran subsidiary on flights of at least 500 miles. Southwest carries more passengers within the United States than any other airline and is seen as a price-setter on many routes.