Southwest triggers sales on late-winter fares
2009-01-24

Event 2008 Airlines Downturn Company AirTran Airways JetBlue Airways Southwest Airlines Continental Airlines US Airways Delta Airlines United Airlines American Airlines

DALLAS - Major airlines moved Friday to match a fare sale started by Southwest Airlines Co., as the carriers worry about weak demand for travel during a recession.

Southwest said that through Monday it would sell seats to almost everywhere it flies starting at $49 to $99 each way. Tickets must be bought at least 14 days before flying, travel must be completed by March 11 and seats are limited, the airline said.

AMR Corp.'s American Airlines, Continental Airlines Inc., US Airways Group Inc., JetBlue Airways Corp. and Delta Air Lines Inc. matched the Southwest prices, officials at those carriers said. UAL Corp.'s United Airlines has its own fare sale that began on Jan. 16, but was still studying Southwest's fare sale, spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said.

A three-day sale by AirTran ended Thursday night.

Dallas-based Southwest launched the sale shortly after announcing Thursday that it lost money in the fourth quarter, its second-straight losing quarter after 69 straight profitable ones.

Chief Executive Gary Kelly said Thursday that there was "notable softness" in February and March bookings. The day before, AMR Chief Financial Officer Thomas Horton said March looked particularly weak.

Airlines often match their rivals' fares rather than risk losing price-sensitive passengers.

Last year, airlines raised prices several times and imposed new fees on checked bags to counter rising fuel prices. Although fuel prices have fallen sharply, most of the fees are still in effect.