Delta matched Northwest's fare sale in tonight's update filing 15,472 fare reductions with an average cut of $93. Delta's cuts affect 220 top markets. As with Northwest the fare reductions apply to walk-up, 3-day, 7-day, 14-day and 21-day advance purchase categories. Delta applied its own date restrictions. For the Delta sale fares there is no purchase date restriction (with Northwest it is Feb 22) and return travel must commence by March 31st.
Continental and United also joined in on the fare sale, although not as broadly as Northwest and Delta. Continental filed 5,679 fare reductions with an average cut of $88. Continental's sale affects 115 top markets. United filed 1,596 fare reductions for an average cut of $105 affecting 65 top markets. For both Continental and United there is no purchase date restriction and return travel must commence by Jun 06.
So far American and US Airways have not selected to join in on Northwest's fare sale.
Separately, in tonight's update US Airways filed 1,802 fare increases to match the Southwest increase of this past weekend.
Neil Bainton, FareCompare.com
