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Analyzing New York's Largest Airlines
New York City stands as a global aviation hub with its three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
The trio acts as hub airports within one of the biggest airline markets globally, similar to how six international airports, such as London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), and London Stansted (STN), cater to the Greater London region in the UK.
The New York metropolitan area has the busiest airport system in the U.S. And the second busiest in the world after London. NYC is also the most frequently used port of entry and departure for international flights. Over the past 12 months, these NYC airports collectively handled more than 600,000 departing passenger flights, offering a staggering 87 million seats and over 163 billion available seat miles, according to reports obtained from Cirium Diio, a leading airline analytics system.
Major global carriers have increased service to the city, which can be seen in the number of scheduled seats over the last year. These airlines represent a diverse range of carriers from various continents and countries.
This is how the new Terminal One is supposed to look. Photo: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) As we delve into the fourth quarter report of 2023, a notable trend emerges: all three of New York's main airports experienced a close to 6% increase in seat capacity compared to the same quarter in the previous year. Over the past ten years, EWR has shown remarkable growth, leading to a 40% increase in seat capacity. In contrast, JFK and LGA have seen growth rates of 24% and 14%, respectively, in these slot-constrained airports.
Looking at these figures, the growth in seat capacity is particularly commendable when considering the trend observed at these airports. EWR, for instance, has experienced a 6% increase in flight departures over the past decade, yet an impressive 40% surge in overall seat capacity.
United Airlines (UA) shows the same trend, with its San Francisco route witnessing a transition from narrowbody Boeing 737s in 2013 to a mix of widebodies such as Boeing 777s and 787s in Q4 of 2023. Despite offering 30% fewer flight frequencies, UA successfully managed to provide 1% more seat capacity on this route.
In this analysis, we explore some of the global airlines that offered the most seats on flights to New York City over the last 12 months.
N27258, United Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX @KEWR. Photo: Michael Rodeback. United Airlines: 21 Million Seats United Airlines claims the top spot as the largest carrier in the New York area, primarily thanks to its significant presence at Newark Liberty International Airport. As one of the major US carriers, the Chicago-headquartered carrier has offered more than 21 million seats over the past 12 months.
United's performance over the last 12 months underscores its strong presence in the region, where it has recorded a 40% increase in seat capacity over the past decade, largely attributed to a boost in flight operations.
Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines Group aircraft parked next to each other at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport. Photo: LATAM Airlines Group Delta Air Lines (DL): 19.8 Million Seats Delta offered close to 20 million scheduled seats during the same period. With its noteworthy presence at both JFK and LGA, DL competes closely with United for market share.
Its valuable slots at both of these major airports contribute to its significant flight operations in and out of New York. The Atlanta-headquartered carrier mainly operates hundreds of daily domestic flights, besides transatlantic flights from JFK alone.
N4062J JetBlue Airbus A321-271NX A21N at JFK. Photo: Francesco Cecchetti/Airways JetBlue Airways: 14 Million Seats With approximately 14 million scheduled seats, JetBlue (B6) has established itself as one of the prominent airlines in New York City. Renowned for its emphasis on customer satisfaction and extensive domestic routes, JetBlue's significant presence at JFK Airport contributes significantly to the city's aviation market.
American Airlines Boeing 777-200ER (N753AN). Photo: Brandon Farris/Airways American Airlines: 11.5 Million Seats With more than 11.5 million scheduled seats, American Airlines (AA) follows its counterparts in New York City flight operations, particularly at JFK. As one of the largest carriers globally, AA plays a crucial role in connecting the city with destinations across North America and beyond.
Spirit Airlines (NK) Airbus A320 (N642NK). Photo: Michael Rodeback/Airways Spirit Airlines: 2.7 Million Seats Although Spirit Airlines (NK) offers a smaller number of seats compared to the major legacy carriers, its presence still adds value to the options available to travelers in New York City. Over the past 12 months, the ULCC has provided more than 2.7 million seats, primarily targeting a specific market segment with its low-cost model.
Despite operating with a limited number of slots and focusing on narrow-body flights, this Miramar-based carrier's emphasis on affordable travel ensures that passengers have multiple choices when it comes to traveling to and from New York City.
Southwest Boeing 737 MAX 8 (N8800L). Photo: Daniel Gorun/Airways Southwest Airlines: 2 Million Seats Southwest Airlines (WN), recognized for its point-to-point service approach, provided nearly 2 million scheduled seats on its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, presenting an alternative option to conventional hub-and-spoke airlines.
G-STBN British Airways Boeing 777-300(ER) B77W JFK KFJK. Photo: Francesco Cecchetti/Airways International Airlines Group: 1.6 Million Seats After the US carriers, foreign operators now make their mark in the New York City aviation market. The International Airlines Group (IAG), which includes British Airways (BA), Iberia (IB), and Aer Lingus (EI), holds a prominent position with over 1.6 million seats offered in the past year, linking the city with numerous European destinations.
The significant presence of BA at New York airports plays a crucial role in strengthening the connections between the city and various European destinations. With its substantial seat capacity, British Airways greatly contributes to the robust ties between New York City and Europe.
Alaska Airlines N836VA Airbus A320-214, and a United Airlines A320 departing in the back. Photo: Brandon Farris/Airways Alaska Airlines: 1.4 Million Seats Despite its West Coast headquarters, Alaska Airlines (AS) plays a crucial role in connecting passengers to New York City, providing over 1.4 million seats annually to the market. The airline is renowned for its ability to connect the city with destinations on the opposite coast of the continent.
United Airlines and Air Canada take off. Photo composite: Luca Flores, Liam Funnell/Airways Air Canada: 1.1 Million Seats Air Canada (AC) plays a significant role as a major international carrier in the New York City market, with more than 1.1 million scheduled seats offered. The airline connects the city with various destinations in Canada.
Additionally, passengers traveling from Canadian cities often choose to use the New York area airports as a transit point when journeying to Europe and other locations.
Lufthansa Boeing 747-8I D-ABYT in Retro Livery. Photo: Alberto Cucini/Airways The Lufthansa Group: 1.1 Million Seats The Lufthansa Group, consisting of Lufthansa (LH), Swiss (LX), Austrian (OS), and Brussels Airlines (SN), is among the prominent airlines collectively offering over 1 million scheduled seats.
The Lufthansa Group plays a vital role in linking the city with a wide range of European destinations, ensuring extensive connectivity to Europe and other international locations. Alongside IAG, the German group significantly contributes to the transatlantic network originating from New York City.
By Patrick Handrigan, own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 New York City's Largest Airline Operators There is no doubt that North American carriers dominate the aviation landscape in New York City, with major US airlines leading the highly profitable market. Among these carriers, B6, headquartered in New York City, stands out as a local champion, providing domestic connectivity and contributing to the city's extensive air traffic.
Meanwhile, NK and WN introduced a mix of low-cost models, offering passengers a diverse range of affordable options. AS and AC play a crucial role in connecting the city with destinations across North America, bridging the geographical gap. And let's not forget Porter Airlines (PD) and its Canadian presence in the city's bustling air traffic.
In addition to the aforementioned ten airlines, numerous other global airlines also serve the New York City area. The following list highlights some of the largest airlines operating in New York City, demonstrating that the city accommodates airlines from all corners of the world.
The Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 family jets are the backbone of SWISS' long-haul network. Photo: Alberto Cucini/Airways European Carriers European carriers also hold a significant presence at the aviation hubs in New York City. Lufthansa Group airlines play a crucial role in connecting the city with major European hubs, while IAG airlines strengthen ties between the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New York. AF-KL brings French and Dutch traffic to the city's bustling air traffic, and EK adds a Middle Eastern touch to the global connections.
EI-IFE ITA Airways Airbus A350-941 A359 at JFK. Photo: Francesco Cecchetti/Airways Virgin Atlantic (VS), also representing the United Kingdom, greatly enhances transatlantic connectivity. AV contributes to the South American perspective; TK bridges continents with flights to Europe and Asia; and TP offers extensive European connectivity. Finally, we have ITA Airways (AZ), the Italian flag carrier, which adds to the extensive European network connecting to NYC.
9V-SKW Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-800 A388 JFK KJFK. Photo: Francesco Cecchetti/Airways South American and Asian Carriers In addition to the airlines from North America and Europe, airlines from South America, Asia, and other regions also contribute to the diverse list of international carriers operating flights in the skies of New York City. LA connects the city with South America, representing countries such as Chile and Brazil.
Furthermore, Air India (AI) connects New York with destinations in the Indian subcontinent. Singapore Airlines (SQ) and Korean Air (KE) introduce an Asian presence, enhancing the city's global connectivity and offering passengers a wide range of travel options. The presence of these airlines from various regions further enriches the international air travel experience in New York City.
N12114 United Airlines Boeing 757-224 B752 JFK KJFK. Photo: Francesco Cecchetti/Airways New York's Major Commercial Airports in Brief John F. Kennedy International Airport New York JFK, along with LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark Liberty (EWR), form the primary trio of airports in the region. Serving as a major gateway for international arrivals in the United States, JFK is one of the country's largest international air freight gateways in terms of shipment value. Since 1984, it has been designated as a foreign trade zone, attracting around 100 airlines from over 50 countries to operate flights in and out of JFK.
The JFK-LHR route stands out as the top international airport pair in the United States, with over 3.8 million passengers recorded in 2023. In addition, JFK offers direct flights to several notable international destinations, including Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, Barajas Airport (MAD) in Madrid, Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Narita (NRT) and Tokyo International (HND) airports, Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv, and Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in Sao Paulo.
N67134, United Airlines BOEING 757-200, KEWR EWR. Photo: Yifei Yu/Airways Newark Liberty International Airport After JFK, EWR holds the distinction of being the first major commercial airport in North America. It is renowned for its historical significance, as Amelia Earhart dedicated the Newark Metropolitan Airport Administration Building in 1935. EWR ranks as the fifth-busiest international air gateway and the busiest in terms of the number of flights in the region, largely due to the strong presence of UA.
In 2003, EWR hosted the world's longest non-stop scheduled airline route with Continental's service to Hong Kong. SQ would later surpass this record with its nonstop, 18-hour flights to Singapore.
Located approximately 12 miles west of downtown Manhattan, some of the busiest international destinations from EWR include London, Toronto, and Tel Aviv. In 2022, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) removed Newark from the NYC city code, marking a significant change in its designation.
Delta Air Lines N306DU Airbus A220-300. Photo: Michael Rodeback/Airways LaGuardia Airport LaGuardia, the smallest of the three major airports in New York, primarily focuses on domestic air service and flights to Canada. It is named after Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the mayor of the city during the Great Depression and a prominent reformist. The airport is located in northern Queens, approximately 6 miles from downtown Manhattan.
In 1984, the "perimeter rule" was introduced at LGA to alleviate congestion. This rule imposes restrictions on incoming and outgoing flights that exceed 1,500 miles (2,400 km), except Saturdays. As a result, most transcontinental and international flights shifted to operate from JFK and EWR.
However, it is important to note that there are exceptions to this rule, particularly for short-haul international flights to Canadian cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. In July 2015, a multibillion-dollar project was announced to rebuild and replace the aging facilities at LGA, indicating a commitment to modernize and improve its infrastructure.
G-VMAP Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner B789 JFK KFJK. Photo: Francesco Cecchetti/Airways. New York City's Busiest Routes In December 2023, JFK experienced a 2.2% increase in seat capacity compared to December 2019, offering a total of 3,155,094 seats. This represents a notable 6.0% growth compared to the previous month, November 2023.
Similar to JFK, most major airport hubs have witnessed a rise in scheduled seat capacity in December compared to the previous month. This can be attributed to the typical seasonal uplift that occurs during this time of year. Among global airports, Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) stands out with the largest increase in scheduled seat capacity, experiencing a significant 9.9% growth compared to November.
Alaska Airlines 'Honoring Those Who Serve' E175 N651QX taxis for departure while the Boeing 737-900ER version of that scheme, N265AK, waits to cross the active for its gate. Also, we have a Delta operated by Skywest E175 departing from 16L. Photo: Brandon Farris/Airways Although none of the airports in New York City will host one of the top 10 busiest domestic or international routes in the world in 2023, they do serve a number of the busiest routes within the U.S. This is primarily due to the distribution of air traffic among the three airports in the city.
The route from New York JFK to Los Angeles LAX is the busiest route out of New York, offering a seating capacity of 3,241,663 seats in 2023. AA, DL, and B6 connect these two prominent cities within the country.
Additionally, the route from Atlanta (ATL) to LGA is also one of the busiest routes in the US, providing a seating capacity of 2,707,958 seats in 2023. DL, B6, NK, Frontier (F9), and WN operate multiple daily flights on this approximately 2-hour-long route.
Bottom Line New York City holds a prominent position as one of the busiest aviation hubs, with tens of thousands of flight operations conducted by airlines from North America, Europe, South America, Asia, and beyond. Each airline mentioned above brings its distinct operational strategies and perspectives on flight operations to the city that never sleeps.
The northeastern U.S. Hub serves as a testament to how aviation connects people across the world. It also signifies the continuous evolution of air travel on a global scale, with flight capacity gradually recovering and expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels sooner than expected.
Feature Image: N812NW Delta Airlines Airbus A330-323 A333 at JFK. Photo: Francesco Cecchetti/Airways
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2019 has been a troubling year for aviation. If there was ever a place to look for a global slowdown, it is in the airline sector. Multiple carriers from around the world have gone out of business this year, but it's not all doom and gloom.
Contrastingly, for some of the more established carriers around the world, revenue and passenger loads are very strong. However, with competition from low-cost carriers stronger than ever, and a cannibalisation of ticket prices globally due to strong price sensitivity, airlines can fail due to very small market movements. With input costs varying from fuel to wages, maintenance to fleet renewal, running an airline is no easy business. The failure rate for a carrier, both big and small is higher than in almost any other sector.
This picture shows an aircraft of Thomas Cook airline on September 24, 2019 at the airport in ... [+] Duesseldorf, western Germany. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP) (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty ImagesThis weekend we saw a last-minute cash injection to save Hong Kong Airlines from the brink of bankruptcy, but other major carriers that have recently gone bust include Jet Airways in India, Iceland's WOW and Thomas Cook in the U.K. This year.
Elsewhere the aviation sector has seen continual consolidation for growth and survival. In the U.S. Many well-known carriers from Northwest to Continental have been absorbed by Delta and United respectively to ensure market survival and growth.
However, there have been many high profile instances where major airlines just haven't made it. Here are some of the biggest airlines to ever go bust.
PanAmPan Am - Pan American World Airways Boeing 747-100 taxiing named Clipper Juan T. Trippe. (Photo by: ... [+] aviation-images.Com/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesOne of the most well-known carriers in the world, even today, eventually failed in 1991. PanAm is widely recognised as being the airline that coined mass travel in the golden years. Operating the world's largest fleet of Boeing 747 jumbo jets, PanAm seemed unstoppable in the 1960s. However, over-expansion began to take its toll in the late 1970s and 1980s. With a growing fleet of 747s and a reputation for glamour, PanAm simply couldn't make enough money to keep up with rising fuel costs and competition when the oil crisis hit in 1973. Issues with labor unions and the fatal downing of Pan Am 103 were the eventual nail in the coffin for one of the world's most famous carriers, even today.
Trans World AirlinesNEW YORK, NY - MAY 15: "Connie," the 1958 Lockheed Constellation airplane restored as a cocktail ... [+] lounge is seen at the newly opened TWA Hotel at JFK Airport on May 15, 2019 in New York City. The new, 1960's themed hotel built inside the former Trans World Airlines terminal includes high end retail shops, restaurants, and a rooftop bar with runway views. (Photo by Kevin Hagen/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesTWA was Howard Hughes's brainchild to compete with Pan Am during the glory days of air travel. Pan Am was afforded much protection as the incumbent U.S. Carrier and Hughes wanted to challenge that. Similarly to PanAm, TWA was a cultural icon, which is illustrated by the resurrection of the infamous TWA terminal into a hotel at JFK airport in NYC over the last year. With a large order for intercontinental Boeing aircraft, Hughes had used almost the last of his financial resources to purchase the aircraft and began to decline deliveries from manufacturers in a bid to delay payments. A changing of the guard at the airline occurred and the true aviator in Hughes was replaced by essentially a consortium of bankers who didn't fully back the airline industry. Talking TWA private in 1988 saddled the airline with a heap of debt and from that moment on, after selling the TWA prized London routes to American Airlines, the carrier had been asset stripped and was destined for its inevitable bankruptcy in 1992.
Laker Airways SkytrainSIR FREDDIE LAKER CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR LAKER AIRWAYS (BAHAMAS) LTD. (Photo by PA Images ... [+] via Getty Images)
PA Images via Getty ImagesSir Freddy Laker was another visionary who wanted to disrupt the corporate aviation model that PamAm had taken such a strong grip of across the Atlantic. Laker purchased a fleet of DC-10 and A300 aircraft that cruised across the Atlantic at half the cost of other carriers. As we have seen lately with so many airline failings, the same old error repeats itself. Over expansion in the 1970s meant that the airline had borrowed $270 million at an interest rate it could only afford if it kept up rapid expansion, and it didn't. At the time, Laker failed in 1982 and this was called the biggest corporate failure ever in the U.K. At the time.
Ansett Australia(Original Caption) Ansett airlines aircraft bearing the Olympic colors. (Photo by John van ... [+] Hasselt/Sygma via Getty Images)
Sygma via Getty ImagesMany Australians will remember the days when Australia had a major rival carrier to Qantas. Qantas has long survived and even thrived by taking the majority of market share on international routes to and from Australia. Ansett was already facing serious financial difficulties and by September 2001, could no longer afford to stay in business.
Braniff InternationalA 'Big Orange' Braniff International Airlines' Boeing 747 'Jumbo Jet' at Newcastle Airport. The ... [+] aircraft had landed after being diverted from Gatwick due to freezing fog and atrocious conditions. 10th December, 1981 . (Photo by NCJ Archive/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesMany aviation geeks will remember Braniff for perhaps adding the most color into aviation we have ever seen. Multicolored aircraft from green to orange originated from Texas. Such was the strength of the brand that on multiple occasions attempts have been made to resurrect the airline, without luck. Similar to many airlines at the time, Braniff expanded rapidly on international routes, and when revenues couldn't keep up with soaring fuel costs the airline could no longer sustain its debts, eventually failing in 1982.
Eastern Air LinesMIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 19: Carlos Gimenez ,Miami-Dade County's Mayor, (3rd L) poses with others in ... [+] front of the new Eastern Air Lines plane, a Boeing 737-800, after it arrived at the Miami International Airport on December 19, 2014 in Miami, Florida. The re-launch of Eastern Air Lines follows the first Eastern Air Lines that operated from 1927 until 1991 and was once the largest employer in Miami-Dade County, and the largest airline serving Latin America. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesEastern has recently seen its resurrection, by name brand at least. Like so many other carriers that didn't make it on this list, their brand was so infamous that many investors have wanted to keep them alive. Many analysts will point to the fact that labor unions and strikes brought down the Miami-based carrier in 1991. The airline gave 25% of its stock to its 38,000 workers in 1984 in an attempt to keep its 190-string fleet flying, but the bitter strikes never stopped, with the airline's eventual demise sending shockwaves through the aviation industry.
InterflugDas endgültige Startverbot für die Maschinen der ehemaligen DDR-Luftfahrtgesellschaft Interflug ist ... [+] ausgesprochen (Foto vom 26.04.1991). Zum 30.04.1991 stellt Interflug offiziell den Betrieb ein. Foto: Waltraud Grubitzsch +++(c) dpa - Report+++ (Photo by Waltraud Grubitzsch/picture alliance via Getty Images)
picture alliance via Getty ImagesGermany used to have a second major airline. Interflug was considered Eastern Germany's main carrier, however, after the reunification of Germany and stiff competition from Lufthansa, Interflug couldn't find a buyer for its business in 1991 and ceased to operate.
TransaeroA Transaero Boeing 747 is parked at Moscow's Domodedovo airport on October 8, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ... [+] ALEXANDER NEMENOV (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty ImagesTransaero was a serious competitor to Aeroflot in Russia. Similar to Kingfisher and Jet Airways in India, the airline was strongly successful as a private entity as passengers craved completion from the incumbent flag carriers. After many successful years of profitability, the tables quickly turned for Transaero, who had accumulated over $4 billion of debt. With no bank bailout or bid from Aeroflot, the huge airline ceased operations in 2015.
Monarch and Thomas Cook AirlinesMonarch Airlines aircraft are pictured on the tarmac at Birmingham Airport in Birmingham, central ... [+] England on October 2, 2017. British short-haul carrier Monarch Airlines ceased trading suddenly Monday following a financial collapse, the biggest failure of its kind in Britain, prompting the government into emergency action in returning home 110,000 stranded passengers. Monarch and its holidays business entered administration, with KPMG appointed to oversee the financial chaos that has left about 2,100 staff likely having to find new employment. / AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty ImagesMonarch's failure can largely be attributed to actual market conditions rather than an aggressive expansion strategy. Both Monarch and Thomas Cook had been struggling for years due to stringent price competition from low-cost carriers in Europe including Ryanair and EasyJet who ran much larger operations. The airlines had attempted to reduce routes to strive towards profitability, but after rising fuel costs and forced cancellations of profitable routes to winter sunshine destinations in Egypt and Turkey hit, the airlines simply couldn't survive any longer.
Sabena396956 06: (FILE PHOTO) A plane from Belgium's flag airline carrier Sabena flies over the airport ... [+] July 24, 2001, in Brussels. Sabena became the first European Union flag carrier to go under amid the current global airline industry crisis on November 6, 2001, throwing some 12,000 workers out of a job. (Photo by Wertz/Isopress/Getty Images) (AMERICAS SALES ONLY)
Getty ImagesBelgium's National airline had been in operation for 78 years until they couldn't find further investment in 2001. There was chaos at Brussels on the airlines failing without a bailout as Sabena workers protested, with other carriers diverting flights away from the Belgium capital. SwissAir (which also collapsed a year later in 2002), was Sabena's co-owner and simply needed an investor to take them out of their stake, there was no more cash coming in to save the struggling carrier. European Commission rules on state aid prevented the Belgium government from stepping in to provide the airline support, and clearly, major political repercussions ensued.
MexicanaA Mexicana airlines plane flies over Mexico City on August 3, 2010. Mexicana airlines presented ... [+] before courts of Mexico and the United States an application for protection against creditors to continue operations, restructure its debt and avoid bankruptcy, the company reported Tuesday. AFP PHOTO/Alfredo Estrella (Photo credit should read ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty ImagesOne of the airlines on this list that operated for the longest period. From 1928 to 2010, Mexico's largest airline failed inevitably blaming expensive labor contracts. A very similar story to many previous airlines that met their demise, Mexicana simply couldn't find a bailout or investment to ensure its survival.
Air Berlin24 July 2019, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: At Düsseldorf Airport, an aircraft in Airberlin's ... [+] Livery paint scheme took off. Almost two years after its bankruptcy, the airline has almost completely repaid a multi-million loan from the German government. Of the loan of 150 million euros, only 10 million euros are still open, said insolvency administrator Lucas Flöther to the German Press Agency. Photo: David Young/dpa (Photo by David Young/picture alliance via Getty Images)
picture alliance via Getty ImagesIn recent years, no airline failure has left passengers with such a bitter taste that a strong brand has disappeared from the skies as Air Berlin. Similar to the major U.S. Carriers of decades past, Air Berlin was veneered by its customers. After the airline failed, branded items from food carts to branded seat rests were auctioned off. Etihad refused to pump more cash into the loss-making airline after cost-cutting plans failed to materialise. Once Europe's fourth-biggest carrier, the airline's losses scaled to a staggering $900 million a year over 2 years.
Most Airlines Did Okay For Holiday Travel, Except For Southwest; How They Performed At The 30 Largest U.S. International Airports
Conditions were mostly nice this year for travelers flying ahead of and on Christmas, but some naughty disruptions again plagued those flying with Southwest Airlines.
For millions of people traveling over the holiday, this year was much better than last. Christmas morning put a bow on a relatively smooth weekend.
Only 157 flights within, into or out of the U.S. Had been canceled and 2,111 were delayed as of late afternoon on Monday, according to the tracking website FlightAware.
For this holiday season, U.S. Airlines prepared for massive waves of travelers by hiring thousands of pilots, flight attendants and other workers — in an effort to avoid the delays and cancellations that marred travel in 2022, culminating with the Southwest Airlines debacle that stranded more than 2 million people.
Still, Southwest experienced hiccups again over the weekend that the airline was looking to clear by Monday.
Check out how airline performance has been recently at the 30 largest U.S. International airports.
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