Airlines increase fares, cite fuel costs

NEW YORK (AP) — Turns out that new airline checked-bag fee wasn’t the end of it.

Airlines ratcheted up the pressure on fliers ahead of the holiday weekend, significantly raising ticket prices to offset the runaway cost of fuel. The three biggest carriers each boosted most domestic fares by up to $60 round trip, while budget airline AirTran Airways raised its leisure fares by $30 round trip.

UAL Corp.’s United Airlines led the bigger round of increases late Thursday, lifting round-trip ticket prices by $10 to $60, depending on how far passengers fly and the competition on the route. Travelers will pay the biggest increase on 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.

AMR Corp.’s American Airlines, the biggest U.S. carrier, said it matched the increase Friday.

Delta Air Lines Inc. also matched the increase, according to airfare research site FareCompare.com. Separately, AirTran raised leisure ticket prices by $30 and business-class fares by $50 round trip.