Continental Ups Fares; Most Others Hold Off

Continental Airlines raised its fares, but most other carriers did not match the increases, and analysts said the outcome might not be clear until Monday. Continental raised all domestic business and leisure fares by $10 to $30 per round trip, depending on mileage, in a move to cover the rising cost of jet fuel, a spokeswoman said. Only US Airways matched the increase. Northwest Airlines, which has often led resistance to other recent fare hikes, won’t match Continental on basic walk-up and seven-day and 14-day advance-purchase fares, spokesman Jon Austin said. But Northwest did match Continental’s increase in tickets with severe purchase and use restrictions.