3 Major Airlines Discount Fares on Some Spring Trips

Three of the nation’s major airlines lowered fares as much as 50% on Tuesday for trips between April 19 and June 15 on routes where they compete.

USAir initiated the move, with United Airlines and American Airlines quickly following suit.

The sales cover the period between Easter and summer vacations, when travel is fairly light.

USAir said in a statement from its Arlington, Va., headquarters: “Based on the strong response seen in recent sales, we’re extending the opportunity for our customers to travel during the pre-summer period at discounted levels.”

For this sale, USAir said, it selected markets where it has a sizable presence and where additional capacity is usually available during the post-Easter period. Not all routes are included in the sale.

In markets where lower promotional or regular fares already apply, USAir said it will continue to offer those fares.

USAir gave as examples fares of $198 round-trip between Eastern Seaboard cities and Florida; $298 round-trip between Eastern cities and New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin, and $398 for a coast-to-coast round trip.

Dallas-based American will match USAir’s discounts in competing markets, spokesman Marty Heires said.

United, based in Chicago, said it will match discounted fares by USAir in competing markets by offering 40% to 50% off the price of trips taken between April 19 and June 15.

All three airlines said tickets must be purchased by March 31 and carry significant restrictions, such as a Saturday night stay.