Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Airline Profits Soar on Hellish 3Q

Consumer groups are furious

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 19, 2007 6:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – The worst summer in a decade for the air traveler turned into the most lucrative for the airline industry. Carriers' profits soared on overbooking that led to cramped conditions and a quarter of all flights arriving late, the LA Times reports. Consumer groups are furious. "They're making money hand over fist at the expense of passengers," says one advocate.

Were it not for rising oil prices, airline profits would have been in the stratosphere. "It was the best quarter since 9/11," says an analyst. Fares stayed manageable this year, and more people flew this summer than ever, the Times says. But it's not just airlines' fault—the archaic air traffic control system also badly needs an update.

Waiting at the airport. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
Waiting at the airport. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)   (Associated Press)
An American Airlines passenger jet prepares to land at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, file)
An American Airlines passenger jet prepares to land at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, file)   (Associated Press)
A Continental Airlines plane is refueled as another plane takes off at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007.  Continental Airlines on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007 said its profits rose about 2 percent in the third quarter, as it had double-digit passenger revenue growth in every segment of its...
A Continental Airlines plane is refueled as another plane takes off at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007. Continental Airlines on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007 said its profits...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

And the Airline With the Most Complaints Is...

Airlines Fasten Seatbelts for Bumpy Ride

Airline Bag Fees Hit $400

Airlines Banning Short-Faced Dogs

Airline Customer Satisfaction Rises (for Once)


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne