The Unfriendly Skies-Minyanville

The Unfriendly Skies

Minyanville Staff Apr 28, 2008 3:30 pm


		The airline industry is in a state of turbulence.

2008 hasn't been the kindest to America's troubled airline industry. Earlier this month, American Airlines (AMR) posted a quarterly loss of $328 million. Meanwhile, United Airlines (UAUA) reported a first quarter loss of $537 million due to surging fuel costs. And Skybus? Oh yeah, bankrupt.

But if it's been a bad year for airlines, it's been even worse for passengers. In an effort to recover losses, airlines have begun charging passengers for everything from meals to checking a second bag. Not to mention how annoying it would have been had one of your flights been among the 3,000 that American Airlines canceled because of mechanical issues, or when your Skybus flight got canceled because… well… Skybus went out of business.

But it's not all bad news. Consider that if you can actually get on a plane you're still entitled to some peace and quiet. The FCC recently ruled that using America's number one annoying gadget—the cellphone—is still prohibited while in flight. The ruling comes at a time when some countries, mostly in Europe, are opening up the airwaves to in flight cell phone use.

STOCKS
RELATED ARTICLES
ALSO BY...

Join Hoofy and Boo as they take a closer look at the pleasure of modern flight.


Rate this article:			(0 Votes)

more BUSINESS & MARKETS articles »

Daily Article Index �

tags:

SKYBUS

Comment (0)

See All Comments »


discuss this article and more on the mv exchange

No positions in stocks mentioned.

Get real-time options trading ideas from Steve Smith, veteran options trader and newsletter author, plus let him show you the way to cut risk and boost your returns through the strategic use of options. Click here for a free 14 day trial to OptionSmith by Steve Smith.

The information on this website solely reflects the analysis of or opinion about the performance of securities and financial markets by the writers whose articles appear on the site. The views expressed by the writers are not necessarily the views of Minyanville Media, Inc. or members of its management. Nothing contained on the website is intended to constitute a recommendation or advice addressed to an individual investor or category of investors to purchase, sell or hold any security, or to take any action with respect to the prospective movement of the securities markets or to solicit the purchase or sale of any security. Any investment decisions must be made by the reader either individually or in consultation with his or her investment professional. Minyanville writers and staff may trade or hold positions in securities that are discussed in articles appearing on the website. Writers of articles are required to disclose whether they have a position in any stock or fund discussed in an article, but are not permitted to disclose the size or direction of the position. Nothing on this website is intended to solicit business of any kind for a writer's business or fund. Minyanville management and staff as well as contributing writers will not respond to emails or other communications requesting investment advice.

Copyright 2009 Minyanville Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.