Brian Sumers

In the near future, airlines expect fewer business travelers will fly. That means they need to attract people going on vacation. And a lot of those consumers do not like change fees.

For low-cost-carriers, loyalty programs often have been an afterthought. That's why Spirit's isn't worth much, compared to legacy carrier schemes.

Because these are airlines, consumers will want to know: What's the catch. But there probably isn't one. Times are tough in the airline industry, and this is as good a time as any to end unpopular fees.

In normal times, giant global network airlines don't cancel many flights for low load factors. They don't want to annoy high-value passengers, and they might need the airplane or crew at the next destination anyways. But United is now watching every penny.

JSX might be an option for people who want to fly but don't feel comfortable flying through a big airport terminal.

Airlines are using all the leverage they have to persuade Congress to extend their bailout. Congress will probably bite. But is that the right move?

U.S. airlines are flying all they can and selling cheap fares to fill planes. Copa was required by its government to do the opposite. It effectively stopped flying for months. It lost a lot of money in the second quarter, but perhaps not as much as you might think.

Private jet operators did not do well in the Great Recession. When March hit, they figured they were stuck in another disaster. But things have turned out better than expected.

The easy move is for U.S. airlines to take billions of dollars in new subsidies, if offered by the government. But there could be future repercussions.

Southwest had been among the more bullish U.S. airlines. But this fall, it will shrink considerably. It probably has no other choice.