Delta matches American, United on $10 holiday surcharge

By Kelly Yamanouchi


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Delta Air Lines said it has added a $10 surcharge for flights on three peak holiday travel days in November and January, matching a move by American Airlines and United Airlines.

Delta, Atlanta’s largest airline, added the surcharge Friday for domestic flights Nov. 29, Jan. 2 and Jan. 3, all days when hordes of fliers will be returning from holiday trips.

It’s one of a variety of surcharges the airline imposes. In most cases, however, such extra charges are used to offset costs such as spiking fuel prices rather than to raise ticket prices on high-demand days.

Fort Worth-based American tacked on its surcharge Wednesday and Chicago-based United matched the move Thursday evening, according to FareCompare.com .

The Sunday after Thanksgiving -- Nov. 29 this year, -- is typically among the busiest travel days of the year, along with the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

The days following New Year’s Day are also busy as travelers return home from the Christmas holidays.

Surcharges must be included in base prices listed in advertisements and on Web sites, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

AirTran Airways, the second-largest carrier in Atlanta, said it will not match the holiday fare surcharge.