It's no surprise that many millionaires who travel prefer to fly (instead of, say, taking a train or riding the bus). But all airlines are not created equal when it comes to deep-pocketed passengers.
Despite the State Department issuing a travel alert Sunday following the killing of infamous terrorist Osama Bin Laden, Wall Street analysts expect airline stocks to continue their upward ride.
The United-Continental merger was supposed to bring together the best of both carriers, but it doesn't always work that way. Continental is following United's lead and eliminating its free pretzels. But there are still a few options for flyers seeking free munchies -- and some of them are mighty tasty.
A half-dozen Delta Air Lines flight attendants sued the carriers for what they say is discrimination in the form of smaller profit-sharing paychecks for former Northwest Airlines employees, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Those irritating fees aren't going away, but over the next few years, some of them will be attached to new a la carte services that travelers may be happier to pay for. Think personal concierge services, intercity rail ticket sales -- and even in-flight spa treatments.
The storms last month not only inconvenienced travelers; they also cut into Delta Air Lines's profit, the company warned Wednesday. Delta has lowered its profit guidance by $45 million as a result.
Delta, US Airways and AMR, the parent of American Airlines, all posted higher-than-expected earnings for the peak summer travel season. Airlines have pushed fares up by limiting the number of seats for sale, and have also seen growing international and corporate travel.
With its lack of premium amenities and upgrade options, Southwest has been an airline that many business travelers try to avoid. But after it absorbs AirTran next year, those frequent fliers will have almost no choice on some routes.
Don't believe the fairy tales United and Continental are spinning about their proposed merger being beneficial to travelers and carriers alike: Beyond the deal to bring Southwest to Newark Airport that they cut placate the antitrust watchdogs, this merger is all bad news.
Competition is supposed to create superior value and better service for customers, but the airline industry is so unprofitable that competitors try to outdo each other in giving passengers less while charging more. And the major carriers' strategy of mergers is only creating bigger, less service-oriented airlines.
