The nation's largest airlines increased most round-trip fares by $10, following Southwest's lead. (Los Angeles Times) |
A fare increase of $10 per round-trip, initiated by Southwest Airlines and matched Thursday by most of its competitors, represents the second industry-wide price hike in 2012.
Southwest, the nation's largest carrier of domestic passengers, increased its round-trip fares for most of its routes starting Wednesday. By Thursday, most of the nation's major carriers had matched Southwest's price hike.
On Jan. 12, Delta Air Lines initiated the first price hike of 2012 by increasing round-trip fares up to $20, a hike that was matched by most of its competitors.
Delta tried another hike of up to $10 per round-trip Jan. 17, but rescinded the raise after its competitors refused to match the increase.
Rick Seaney, founder of the travel website farecompare.com, said the airlines are hoping the fare hikes will help recover some of the cost they are paying for higher fuel prices. But he said airline passengers may resist further increases.
"U.S. carriers continue to have difficulty pushing through fuel-related ticket increases on cost-conscious travelers," he said on his site.
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