Business: Fare Flight

No more transcon cheapies

One of the last bargains left for inflation-battered Americans is about to disappear. Riddled by revenue losses, the airlines declared a cease-fire last week in their price war on transcontinental routes. First, Eastern revealed that beginning in January its lowest advance-purchase round-trip fare between New York and Los Angeles would soar by 70%, from $268 to $455. Soon after, American and United announced similar hikes, and TWA is expected to follow them this week.

A newcomer to the transcontinental market, Eastern started the fare fight last June by offering round trips on some flights for $198, the lowest...

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