United Airlines leads the way for British airlines to increase fares

British Airways passengers face the prospect of further fare increases this new year, after United Airlines set the lead for the industry by raising its prices to cover the soaring cost of fuel.

With oil prices topping $100 a barrel this week, the British airline would say yesterday only that it was keeping the situation under constant review. However, analysts believe that the airline, like others, will need to pass spiralling energy costs on to its customers.


United Airlines, the second-biggest airline in the United States and a big competitor to British Airways on transatlantic routes, said yesterday that it was raising fares to offset