United, Delta Increase Fares, Cite Fuel Costs

United Airlines increased U.S. business-class fares on tickets purchased the same day of travel by $50 each way, the biggest increase since 2000.

UAL Corp.’s United also raised U.S. leisure fares by $2 to $4 each way to counter increases in fuel costs. Delta Air Lines Inc. matched the move, a spokeswoman said. Spokesmen at AMR Corp.’s American Airlines, Continental Airlines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp. said their companies were studying the increase.