United Airlines News

United's first quarter earnings call was uneventful. For an airline that has had more than its share of drama over the past four years, that's a good thing.

Southwest added a bunch of flights earlier this year departing before 6 a.m., and passengers didn't seem to like them. But fear not. It's a short-term thing.

Could airlines stop with the 4 p.m. breakfasts? Savvy travelers want to get acclimated to their new time zone as fast as possible, and a later afternoon meal of sausage and eggs doesn't help. But keep the coffee. It's vital.

President Trump probably didn't consult many airline executives before announcing his China tariff plan. Airlines could be losers if this spurs a trade war.

Under Oscar Munoz, United Airlines has a knack for getting itself in the news with viral stories. But operationally and financially, the airline is doing OK, and sophisticated investors aren't calling for him to leave. He may get more time to fix what ails United.

A premium economy cabin on United's domestic fleet could give it a leg up on competitors in terms of both product and revenue. But can it actually execute?

Don't criticize airlines for segmenting their product. This is a basic business principle: Airlines want to sell customers the most expensive products they're willing to buy.

American Airlines knows a lot about its frequent flyers. Now it wants to use that data to improve revenue. That's sound strategy.

Isn't corporate posturing fun? American won't sign its Chicago lease because it fears United is getting a better deal. Since we're pretty sure American won't close its Chicago hub, we're betting this gets resolved. But how?

We're having a moment. In the wake of the Florida school shooting, travel companies are abandoning the National Rifle Association and its assault rifle advocacy. History would tell us that no substantial reforms will come out of this. But perhaps student and corporate pressure will make things different this time.