Airlines Slash Prices, Fight for Passengers

DALLAS: American Airline's decision to slash domestic prices on average by 50 percent has sent fares falling throughout the airline industry. United, Northwest and Continental all trotted out similar discount plans this weekend in markets where they compete with American, leaving only Delta and USAir undecided among the major US airlines about which way the money is blowing. Reservation phone lines and websites for airlines with a discount plan were jammed Monday as passengers scrambled to take advantage of savings that are good only for tickets purchased by March 3. American is offering a 50 percent discount on average for all domestic flights through March 14 and a 45 percent discount for flights through May 30. Various discounts on international flights and double frequent-flier miles are also on hand for those who can wait indefinitely in front of a computer or by a telephone, waiting for a connection.