US airlines prefer higher fares over full planes as fuel costs squeeze margins

A Reuters analysis found that US airlines are now more willing to fly with empty seats rather than cut fares to fill them, betting that disciplined pricing will protect their profits as fuel costs rise. Government data show that domestic ticket prices rose in all of the 50 busiest cities between April and June.

AI-written summary of 4 sources; every verified point is backed by a verbatim quote. How Iyan works

• Passenger revenue at major US domestic airlines rose by about 18% in the third quarter compared with last year, while the number of travelers grew by less than 1%.

  «passenger revenue rose nearly 18% in the third quarter from a year earlier, while passenger traffic was up less than 1%.»

  NBC News
• Government data show that the average domestic fare rose between April and June in every one of the 50 busiest cities.

  «In each of the 50 busiest metro areas, the average domestic fare was higher from April to June»

  Miami Herald
• Airlines are betting that disciplined pricing will protect their profits, even if their planes fly with empty seats.

  «US airlines are increasingly willing to fly with empty seats rather than slash fares simply to fill them»

  Reuters on MSN

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