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Southwest Airlines is raising fares as the airline becomes more exposed to high fuel prices, a move that likely means higher prices for travelers who fly any airline competing with the discounter.

Executives with Dallas-based Southwest said Monday that they had raised fares between $1 and $3 each way on most flights.

The increases were $3 for routes longer than 750 miles, $2 for those 400 to 750 miles and $1 for some flights shorter than 400 miles.

The airline's $299 cap on all fares remains in place, spokeswoman Beth Harbin said. Fares in some markets where sales are going on, such as Denver and Dallas, remain unaffected, she said.

It was Southwest's first increase since September.

"We have to balance our desire to be the low-fare leader with the cost pressures in front of us," Harbin said.

The increase was modest compared with recent increases at other major airlines, including American Airlines, which has raised prices numerous times in the past year.

Other discount carriers have also increased prices recently, including JetBlue Airways, which raised fares $5 each way last week.