In March, other carriers did not match a modest 2 percent increase proposed by United Airlines.

Several other carriers have since matched the increases.

Several weeks ago, for example, America West reduced fares 35 percent, and other carriers matched that on their competing routes.

So far, other domestic carriers with international routes have not matched United's across-the-board fare increase.

No other carrier can match those speeds because they don't have the spectrum available.

The next day, American countered with half-price fares for everyone, and the other big carriers matched the offer.

By 1983, however, the large carriers were matching most of Midway's fares.

Within days, most major carriers matched the changes.

If the industry follows usual practice, the other carriers will match Continental's changes.

But no other major carrier except for Eastern matched the move.