Report: Despite Lower Fuel Costs And Ebola Fears, Many Airlines Just Raised Base Fares
Even as people stateside watch the Ebola outbreak unfold in West Africa and read the news about its effects here, it seems airlines aren’t worried that there will be fewer people booking travel: According to a report by the Associated Press, Delta Air Lines hiked its fares on many domestic routes by $4 per round trip last week, prompting others to match them.
Citing FareCompare.com CEO Rick Seaney and JPMorgan analyst Jamie Baker, the AP says that a few airlines bumped things by $6 and $10, but most hovered around $4.
While Delta didn’t respond to the AP’s request for comment, and neither did American and Southwest — both which reportedly raised prices — United Airlines did confirm it matched Delta’s $4 bump.
The good news? Just because base fares are higher doesn’t always mean you’ll pay more, due to frequent sales airlines often run, and adjustments made depending on customer demand.
These upticks show that any fear of Ebola isn’t tamping the urge to fly, as well as that airlines aren’t passing on savings to customers from those decreased fuel prices, Seaney told the AP.
Holiday travel just got pricier as airlines raise fares on U.S. flights [Associated Press]
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