The current state of the airline industry Options

[Hartmann]

Things are getting really ugly, really quick.

United has reduced capacity, is cutting staff, and is killing of their low-cost carrier TED.
US Airways has not fulfilled its order for two planes that could fly their new route to China, so they'll lose the route and they're reducing capacity.
The Delta/Northwest Merger isn't complete yet, so who knows the outcome.
Continental announced this morning that they are reducing capacity and cutting some staffing.
ExpressJet (who Continental employs to fly their little jets) is on the verge of Ch11.
Southwest has raised fares considerably.
JetBlue has cut a number of routes.
AA is nickel and diming customers to make up the costs.


yikes.

[impala454]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5880641.html

US Airways says it will start removing in-flight entertainment systems on domestic flights in November to save about $10 million annually in fuel and other costs.

Spokesman Phil Gee says the movie systems weigh about 500 pounds each, forcing planes to use more fuel to get around the country.

what a buncha f'n losers. I don't know how much I believe that they'd save $10 million by shaving 500 lbs off of a 80,000 lb aircraft.