American Airlines increases round-trip fares $10

American Airlines raised fares on round-trip flights by $10 and was followed by United Airlines and US Airways, according to FareCompare.com.

The boost is the fifth this year and the second in two weeks, Rick Seaney, chief executive officer of the Dallas-based provider of ticket-price information, said in a report. There were 15 fare increases in 2008, he said.

``Airfare hikes that are matched this quickly by all network airlines rarely fail,'' Seaney said in the report. He said he will be watching to see whether discounters such as Southwest Airlines and AirTran go along with the higher fares.

American on Thursday matched the increase of $5 one way and $10 round trip, which was started by Delta on Oct. 21 and applies to most U.S. flights, said Steve Schlachter, a spokesman for Fort Worth, Texas-based American.