American Airlines Cuts Some Fares to Match Rival AirTran

American Airlines, responding to an incursion on its home turf by discount carrier AirTran Airways, is expected today to slash one-way fares on nonstop flights between five Southern California airports and its base at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

American, a unit of AMR Corp., said its unrestricted “walk-up” coach fares would be cut to as low as $199 on nonstop flights between Dallas/Fort Worth and airports in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Burbank, Orange County and Ontario. Fares with a 14-day advance purchase will start at $99.

The lower prices are effective immediately, but American said seats would be limited. American’s unrestricted coach fare between Burbank and Dallas/Fort Worth was $431, and it was $429 between Long Beach and Dallas/Fort Worth, according to American’s website.

American’s move came after AirTran, a unit of Orlando, Fla.-based AirTran Holdings Inc., announced plans to launch two nonstop daily flights between LAX and Dallas/Fort Worth starting July 1. AirTran’s restricted and walk-up fares also will be $99 and $199, respectively.

American already had planned to match AirTran’s prices on that route but decided to make the lower fares available to other Southern California airports besides LAX.

AirTran spokesman Kevin Healy said of American’s action: “We have a tendency to bring out the best in our competitors.”