Airlines try fare hike of up to $16

An airfare watcher says airlines are trying their fourth fare hike since June.

American Airlines started by raising fares as much as $16 round trip on a large number of U.S. routes, FareCompare.com CEO Rick Seaney wrote in a note to travelers Wednesday. Other big carriers have matched it, he said, although Southwest Airlines Co. capped its increase at $10 round trip.

Carriers often keep fare hikes if others match them, or drop back to previous fares if other carriers hold their ground. If it sticks, this increase would be the fourth since June, Seaney wrote.

Fares are still at their lowest in years. The amount passengers pay to fly one mile was down 14 percent through August compared with the same period last year, according to the Air Transport Association.