Delta Air Lines sparked a fare sale Monday, offering 20 percent discounts on most fares booked through www.delta.com and trimming fares on selected routes.

        American Airlines matched Delta's fare cuts and trimmed some fares to Europe, a market excluded from Delta's deals, said spokesman John Hotard. He said American was still studying Delta's 20 percent online discount.

        United matched Delta's discounts in North America, Asia and on some Latin American routes, said Chris Brathwaite, a spokesman for the airline.

        The airlines have lost high-ticket business travel because of the slow economy. In May, airline revenues were down 12 percent, according to a report by analyst Samuel Buttrick of UBS Warburg.

        Delta, the nation's third-largest airline, has a particular reason to attract new business. Fliers shied away after a strike threat by its pilots and a shutdown at the company's Comair commuter carrier. The two pilot groups voted for new contracts last week.

        Delta's sale is good on tickets sold through July 8 for travel no later than Oct. 31. American's sale applies to tickets sold through Friday on travel through Nov. 15. The round-trip tickets must be purchased at least 14 days before travel.

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