Continental joins other large carriers in raising surcharges on peak travel days next spring
By APThursday, November 19, 2009
Continental matches hike in spring peak surcharges
DALLAS — Continental Airlines Inc. said it matched a move by other carriers to raise surcharges for travel on a few peak days in March and April to $30 each way.
The charges, tacked on to base fares, were already boosted from $20 each way by Delta, Northwest, United and American.
Surcharges range up to $50 for the day after the Super Bowl, while they remain $20 each way for certain days around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
The surcharges can differ by airline, but the $30 additional cost now applies on several of the largest carriers for travel on March 14, 20, 21 and 28 and April 5 and 11, according to Tom Parsons, CEO of travel web site Bestfares.com.
The extra charges started in September, and airlines have raised the amounts and applied them to more days — about 40 between now and next May.
Earlier this week, US Airways started a separate 5 percent surcharge on all flights on or after next May 8. The airline said it made the move because fuel prices could increase by then.
