Air fares going in only one direction: up, up and away

Posted 02/11/2011

Airlines say they are responding to higher fuel prices and have raised fares nine times since the beginning of the year for an average hike of $80, according to airline analysts and FareCompare.com.

Fares on different airlines are up anywhere from 7 to 11 percent.

United and Continental Airlines raised fares $2 to $5 one-way on domestic routes this week. American Airlines, Delta, and US all matched the $4 to $10 round-trip Increases on most of their routes.

"There have been two fare hikes attempts in the last few days," airline analyst Will Randow told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Bob McAdoo, airline analyst with Avondale Partners L.L.C., predicted fares will probably rise even more during upcoming peak holiday periods.

Analysts say the highest fare increases are for nonstop flights.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the most expensive day of the year to fly. One of the cheapest days to fly is Thanksgiving Day.

"The trick is to leave Thanksgiving morning, and come back on the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving," said George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com.

By David Wilkening

Originally published 1 Nov 2011 at: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/398/f/5923/s/19bcaa02/l/0L0Stravelmole0N0Cstories0C1150A0A420Bphp0Dmpnlog0F1/story01.htm