US: Rivals match Southwest’s sale fares but not everywhere

Rival airlines are selectively matching some -- but not all -- of the sale fares that Southwest rolled out Tuesday as part of a 72-hour flash sale. Fares on several airlines – including American, United, JetBlue and Virgin America – have dropped to below $97 on some short routes where Southwest is offering similar fares. But it appears that Southwest’s rivals are being selective on which routes they’re matching the sale fares. Some city pairs show multiple airlines offering discount fares. On other routes, Southwest's fares are only partially challenged. Southwest first rolled out the sale on Tuesday, making dozens of its shortest nonstop routes available for fares of less than $100 round-trip. Other routes are also included, where one-way fares of $49, $99, $129 and $149 roughly correspond to the length of nonstop flights. Most connecting itineraries are excluded from the lowest sale fares. The sale ends at the end of the day Thursday.<br/>