United, Delta and American Airlines fare increase fails

United, Delta and American Airlines announced their latest USD10 hike on round-trip fares has failed as LCC giant Southwest Airlines did not follow suit (AP/Wall Street Journal, 06-Apr-2011). On 05-Apr-2011, the increase collapsed at the same time AirTran and Frontier put a limited number of seats for summer travel on sale. The average ticket price for a US domestic economy seat sold on Expedia has been up 6% to 17% weekly in 2011 compared with the same weeks in 2010. Services from LaGuardia to O'Hare cost 27% more in Mar-2011 on average. Tickets sold for LA-New York were 21% more expensive than in 2010.