Released: October 19, 2007

Airlines squeeze fliers as profit soars

Source: Peter Pae, Los Angeles Times (Free Registration)

The nation’s airlines were late more often this summer, lost more baggage and bumped more passengers off flights than in any summer this decade. They also made more money.

Despite the worst summer ever for air travelers, major airlines posted huge profits as they packed more passengers into fewer and smaller planes.

Profit at American Airlines, the nation’s largest carrier, jumped more than tenfold to $175 million in the third quarter while Delta Air Lines, the third-largest, said net income quadrupled to $220 million compared with the year-earlier period. Profit would have been higher if not for rising fuel costs.

The results elated investors but fueled anger among consumer groups.

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