Nonrevers Beware, Traveling on Labor Day Weekend? Don't..

Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, has delivered its Labor Day air travel forecast and first half 2014 results for U.S. passenger airlines, which reported improving profitability, enabling carriers to invest in their workforce, reduce debt and enhance the customer experience for airline passengers.
“Airlines are key drivers of jobs and economic growth, and improving finances have further accelerated their investments in people, products and technology to enhance the travel experience for customers”
A4A projects a 2 percent year-over-year increase in the number of passengers flying on U.S. airlines during the seven-day Labor Day travel period. From Wednesday August 27 through Tuesday, September 2, A4A expects 14 million air travelers will take to the skies, up from an estimated 13.8 million in 2013, with the busiest day of the period occurring on Friday, Aug. 29. Airlines are adding seats to the marketplace to accommodate the expected increase in demand.

First Half 2014 Financial Performance
Nine U.S. passenger airlines – Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and United – collectively reported a net profit of approximately $3.8 billion, up from $1.6 billion during the same period last year. This translated to a net margin of 5 percent, or 5 cents on every dollar of revenue, an improvement from the 2.1 percent margin reported in the first half of 2013.
The year-over-year improvement was driven by a 6 percent increase in operating revenues, which outpaced the 2.2 percent increase in operating expenses, including rising wages and benefits, airport landing fees, terminal rents and aircraft ownership costs. Despite remaining their largest and most volatile cost, fuel costs dipped 2.4 percent. Airlines also saw modest relief in maintenance expenses and aircraft rents.