Airlines Hike Ticket Prices

United raises prices by up to $60; American, Delta follow its lead
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted May 24, 2008 11:05 AM CDT
Airlines Hike Ticket Prices
In this April 15, 2008 file photo, a Delta Airlines plane prepares to take off from a runway as a United Airlines plane, rear, lands at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco.    (AP Photo)

The big three US airlines responded to soaring oil prices by boosting most domestic prices by up to $60 roundtrip in the last few days, the AP reports. United led the way with increases from $10 to $60 Thursday; American and Delta followed suit yesterday. Meanwhile, low-cost AirTran raised its leisure tickets $30 and business tickets $50.

Spot prices for jet fuel in New York yesterday were 43% higher than they’d been early this year, analysts said; light, sweet crude oil closed at $132.19 a barrel. “Airlines have no choice but to pass on the cost of fuel to consumers,” said an American Airlines spokesman, adding that “slashing capacity” may be the next step. (More airline industry stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X