Southwest leads way as 8 airlines raise fares

Southwest Airlines Co., the largest discount carrier, led eight of the biggest U.S. airlines in boosting round-trip fares as much as $20 to help offset higher fuel costs.

Southwest’s tickets rose $1 to $10 each way, depending on distance, on Aug. 31, spokeswoman Beth Harbin said yesterday. American Airlines, United Airlines, Continental Airlines Inc., Northwest Airlines Corp. and US Airways Group Inc. matched the fares over the weekend, spokesmen said. Delta Air Lines Inc. and AirTran Holdings Inc. raised prices to a lesser extent.

BaltimoreSun