Major carriers match Southwest’s fare increase

American Airlines, United Airlines and other major carriers matched Southwest Airlines Co. in raising some U.S. round-trip fares by as much as $6 because of higher jet fuel costs.

Delta Air Lines Inc., Continental Airlines Inc., Northwest Airlines Corp. and US Airways Group Inc. also followed Southwest in boosting one-way ticket prices by $2 for flights of less than 400 miles, $3 for flights of 400 to 750 miles and $3 on some longer flights. Southwest is the largest low-fare airline.

The increases by AMR Corp.’s American, UAL Corp.’s United, Delta, Continental and Northwest meant that the five largest U.S. airlines joined Southwest. Major carriers last raised prices after American increased round-trip fares as much as $40 on Dec. 21. That was the 10th industrywide boost of 2006.