Brian Sumers

In a typical liquidity crisis, credit card processors might institute holdbacks on airlines, so they wouldn't receive fare revenue until after a consumer flies. But this is no ordinary crisis.

Lots of travel brands are eligible to earn U.S. government money through the so-called CARES Act. But firms will need to move fast to get their share. Here's how it could all shake out.

Aviation has never faced a crisis as severe as the current one. Unfortunately, it may be a long time before the industry recovers.

People are being told to stay in their homes in many areas of the United States. Schools are closed. Is it the right time to be flying?

At first, U.S. airlines tried to keep prices steady for summer travel and beyond. But now that's going away. Most airlines are offering cheap fares on many routes through the end of their schedules.

Richard Anderson, the former Delta Air Lines CEO, loved to talk about how Delta was a high-quality industrial company. Delta is a great airline, no doubt. But let's be honest: Airlines are not regular companies. We're now being reminded of that fact.

Loyalty programs are one of the biggest assets at an airline. As bad as things are, the programs probably still have value that airlines can leverage for cash.

U.S. airlines hoped they had stopped the boom-and-bust cycle. And they may have been OK in facing a traditional recession. But coronavirus is something else altogether. With few people traveling, airlines may need to reduce their staffs.

United Airlines can do anything it wants to save its business. But we caution the airline against changing the rules after people buy tickets. Do that enough, and travelers will stop trusting you.

Coronavirus is a disaster for U.S. airlines. Some executives compare its impact to the fallout after 9/11. The big question is how long will it last? Airlines hope the revenue dip will be short-term.