United Airlines, Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines Increase Domestic Fuel Surcharge To $20
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Last Updated: April 24, 2008
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Less than a week after the U.S.'s second-largest carrier increased fares to offset rising fuel costs, United Airlines said Wednesday it raised its domestic fuel surcharges by $10 to $20 roundtrip. Late Wednesday, Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines matched the fuel surcharge
increase.
 United's move, which went into effect late Tuesday night, comes after oil prices topped $115 a barrel for the first time. Travelers in some markets who were paying a surcharge of $25 one-way will now see that charge increase to $35, UAL spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said. Fliers in markets where Chicago-based United previously did not apply a surcharge, mostly where the carrier competes head-to-head with low-cost carriers, will now be charged an
additional $5 one-way.
Last week United raised fares by $4 to $30 round-trip,
citing "record-breaking fuel costs." That prompted other major
carriers to increase their own ticket prices. The added surcharge, which
amounts to a fare increase, marks the 12th time this year airlines have tried to
raise ticket prices across much of their route networks. Four of the past
increases were rolled back, however, after competitors failed to follow with
increases of their own. Urbanski said United expects to spend an
additional $2 billion on its fuel bill this year.
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