United raises airfares by up to $60; soon may charge for all checked luggage

NEW YORK — United Airlines ratcheted up the pressure on fliers ahead of the holiday weekend, raising most domestic fares by as much as $60 round-trip to offset the runaway cost of fuel.

A representative for the second-largest U.S. airline also said today the Chicago-based carrier is "seriously considering" following American Airlines in charging passengers to check their first piece of luggage.

"It's part of all the work that we're doing to try to offset fuel costs," spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said.

The ticket price increase, which went into effect late Thursday, will leave travelers paying $10 to $60 more, depending on how far they fly and the competition on the route. The biggest increase affects routes of 750 miles or more that low-cost carriers such as Southwest Airlines do not serve.

Airlines have come under intense pressure to boost revenue and cut costs as the price of fuel has soared. United has been among the most aggressive carriers in pushing fares and fuel surcharges higher in recent months, and its increases are often rapidly matched by competitors. Airlines are prohibited from agreeing to simultaneously raise fares, but nothing prevents them from following rivals' lead.

"Will the other legacy airlines match? To that I respond: Do they really have a choice? I would be surprised if we don't see wide spread matching over the long weekend," said Rick Seaney, chief executive of airfare research site FareCompare.com, in an e-mail.

American Airlines became the first major domestic carrier on Wednesday to say it would charge passengers $15 to check their first bag.