NEWS: Airline 1st Quarter Results - Second Verse Same as the First

Overall Q1 results for the airlines are...well...dismal. Northwest, Continental, Delta , American, Alaska...ok almost everybody...lost money in the 1st quarter. Numbers range from the mere millions to a lovely $1 billion loss for Delta. Ouch! All these carriers remain incapable of finding a way to make money with fuel costs at their current level. New flash guys, find a way to cope or find your way out. Fuel costs are here to stay.

America West provided a nice surprise by putting up a $33.6 million profit for the first quarter joining the ranks of Southwest and JetBlue. Like Southwest, America West says strong fuel hedges carried the day. JetBlue still clings tenuously to its string of profitable quarters turning in a slim $7 million in Q1, over 50% lower than last year despite more traffic.