United hikes fares, matching Delta's increase

United Airlines climbed aboard Delta Air Lines' $20 roundtrip fuel surcharge increase earlier this afternoon, Rick Seaney of farecompare.com reports.

"This leaves US Airways, Northwest, and Continental with little or no matching activity," Seaney said in an email message. "I would be surprised not to see all three of them match by the end of the weekend."

Continental has had some "minor matching activity" on business fares in about 2,000 city pairs, "which is most likely attributed to their automated pricing systems and not a management decision to fully match the Delta-initiated systemwide increase -- yet," Seaney said.

Delta launched its increase Wednesday evening.

-- Scott Nishimura