Delta raises fares $20 to cover fuel costs

Delta Air Lines increased most domestic round-trip fares by $20 to help cover surging fuel prices.

The increase in leisure fares purchased at least 14 days before travel, and business tickets bought closer to flights, was put in place Monday, Delta spokeswoman Betsy Talton said in an e-mail Tuesday.

"In the face of record fuel costs, fares remain comparatively low," Talton said.

If other airlines adopt the Delta increase, it would be the eighth by major U.S. carriers since Sept. 1.

American Airlines, United Airlines, Northwest Airlines and US Airways said they were studying whether to match the increase. Continental Airlines hasn't adopted it, spokeswoman Julie King said.

Delta raised prices by increasing the surcharge it places on tickets to help offset higher fuel costs, said Rick Seaney, chief executive officer of FareCompare.com.

Boosting surcharges instead of base fares can confuse competitors, and the charges are easier to rescind if needed, Seaney said in an e-mail.