A new fare battle spread this week as major airlines said they matched new price cuts by American Airlines for the slow post-holiday season.

The latest fare competition was triggered when American, the nation's largest airline, said last week it was cutting fares by up to 50 percent on trips to all European cities it serves.For example, American's round-trip tickets for flights between Boston and London that cost $499 are now $318.

Delta Air Lines and Trans World Airlines on Monday said they were introducing similar fare cuts. It wasn't immediately clear whether United Airlines planned to follow.

Amy Spreeman, a spokeswoman at Northwest Airlines, said the airline was studying the fare cuts.

American's reduced fares are for flights between Jan. 7 through March 31, with return travel required by April 7. Tickets must be purchased by Jan. 15 and are generally nonrefundable.

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The competing fares have similar restrictions. TWA said that its savings are less for more popular European destinations such as London.

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