Jaunted

American Airlines

More Airlines Cutting Fuel Surcharges

October 15, 2008 at 8:50 AM | 0 Comments

More carriers are joining the ranks of Air Canada, WestJet and Bangkok Airways, cutting fuel surcharges as the price of oil continues to decline. American, Delta, United and Virgin Atlantic have all trimmed their extra fees in the past few days.

Richard Branson's carrier is lowering the round-trip surcharge by an average of $40 depending on destination, but most tickets will still include a three-figure fee for fuel. A spokesman explains why:

Oil remains our largest cost and now represents about 35 percent of our cost base. Just five years ago it was nearer [to] 10 percent.

American and United both reduced some surcharges on flights to Europe by about 15 percent, but as with Virgin's cuts, the lower fee only applies on certain economy-class tickets.

Delta meanwhile has cut its charge on round trips to Asia by an average of $74 to $305.

Related Stories:
· Virgin Atlantic Cuts Fuel Surcharges [The Telegraph]
· US Airlines Reduce Fuel Fees [Canadian Press]
· Bangkok Airways Cut Fuel Surcharges [Jaunted]

[Photo: striatic]