Airlines’ attempt to increase fares fizzles

Low-cost airlines did not hike fares, forcing major airlines to pull back U.S. airlines’ second attempt of 2010 to raise ticket prices has fizzled, with major carriers pulling back fares over the long holiday weekend, according to Farecompare. Last week, UAL Corp’s United Airlines increased fares by $10 per round-trip, and other top carriers followed [...]

Peru tries to bring tourists to Cuzco

Peru’s government is cutting airfares and hotel rates hoping to draw tourists to the Incan city of Cuzco even though the country’s top tourist destination, the nearby Machu Picchu fortress, remains inaccessible. Tourism Minister Martin Perez says the promotion begins Thursday and will first be extended to domestic tourists before being offered to international visitors. [...]

Southwest Airlines launches 3-day fare sale

Southwest Airlines Co. is offering a sale geared toward leisure travelers who want to make short trips this spring. The discount carrier said Tuesday it will sell tickets starting at $39 each way on some routes under 500 miles. As usual, the airline didn’t say how many seats it will offer at the sale prices, [...]

American Airlines to charge $8 for blankets

If you want a pillow and blanket in coach on American Airlines, it’s going to cost you. The airline will charge $8 for a pillow and blanket in coach class for domestic trips and some international flights longer than two hours, beginning May 1. The international flights are to and from Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, the [...]

Airlines drop latest fare increase

Major U.S. airlines have dropped an effort to raise fares by up to $16 a roundtrip after some carriers resisted the increase. Fort Worth, Texas-based American Airlines confirmed on Monday that it had dropped a price hike from last week. American spokesman Tim Smith said Atlanta-based Delta had pulled the increase even before American did, [...]

Fewer flights, rising fares at some big airports

Air travel isn’t as quick and cheap as it used to be from some big-city airports. Airlines scrambling to reverse their financial free-fall by dropping unprofitable routes has left travelers with fewer nonstop options and, sometimes, higher fares on remaining flights. Blame the recession and airlines that added too many flights to too many places [...]

Changing flight plans due to illness can cost you

Passengers are encouraged not to fly if they are sick, but it could cost you if you follow that advice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people do not travel if they are sick, and that they stay home and avoid travel for at least 24 hours after fever or fever-like symptoms [...]