FORT WORTH, Texas – Several major airlines raised leisure fares by $10 round-trip this week as the industry continues to grapple with high fuel prices.
American, United Airlines and Continental Airlines all raised fares Thursday night, following a fare increase by Delta Air Lines, said Tom Parsons, chief executive of Bestfares.com, an Arlington, Texas-based firm that monitors airline ticket prices. US Airways matched the increase Friday.
While broad, the higher price does not include many markets where discount airlines, such as Dallas-based Southwest Airlines or AirTran Airways of Orlando, Fla., compete. It covers most advanced-purchase tickets, but did not affect last-minute tickets, which are generally the most expensive.
The fare increases are the first in 2006. Last year, airlines raised fares 12 times.
Despite the increase, Parsons predicted that fares will remain competitive in major markets this year, particularly those served by discount carriers.
Prices will likely continue to rise in smaller markets where low-fare airlines don’t fly, he said.
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