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Discussion Forum

If you'd like to add your own commentary, ask questions, or offer suggestions, please go to the Airline (mis)Management Forum.

But in a mindlessly gratuitous insult to its customers, AA chooses to squeeze more seats into its 757s and A300s, even though it is suffering the lowest percentages of filled planes of any of the big six carriers. How stupid is that - adding more seats when you can't even fill the seats you already have?

Although the planes are no longer new, they have been lovingly maintained and upgraded. They have comparatively low flight hours and are certified as airworthy until 2009 (with further extensions possible).

But now, British Airways and Air France announce a double blow : They will both withdraw their planes from service in October, and they are refusing to sell them to any other airline to operate. Why?

But after two decades of resting on its laurels, Boeing is now equally obviously losing the right to that title, while Airbus is winning on every front, with every airplane type.

In this five part series, we chronicle Boeing's rise to success, explain how it then lost its dominant position, and offer suggestions for its future.

Maybe part of the problem in the airline industry at present is due to its protected nature. Let's not continue to give them taxpayer handouts to perpetuate their loss making inefficiencies.

Instead, we should fully implement the American ideal and bring full free competition to our skies, by allowing international investors and airlines open access.  This article rebuts every possible reason naysayers advance in an attempt to preserve the status quo.

What would happen to our ability to travel conveniently and affordably if several major airlines went bankrupt? Are there alternatives to simply giving more billions of dollars to the airlines to keep them alive?

Find the answers these questions in this article.

But, in my opinion, the most mind-numbingly irresponsible action of all was Goodwin's semi-public letter, released just two days ago.

This, along with many other examples of strange actions by the airlines, makes me wonder if the airlines are suffering from a collective death wish.

Read an online transcript of our discussion.

Also, will your favorite airline go broke and this week's stupidest airfare sale.

This article explains the challenges that airlines face, and also dispels the myth that 'discount' carriers make money from selling cheap tickets.

Send a copy of this article to your favorite airline CEO!

Here, in simple language - intended to be understood even by airline executives - is an analysis of what went wrong and what needs to be corrected.

Here's an explanation of their obligations - and your rights - in such situations.

Is there any reason to expect that Delta's next attempt will be any more successful? I think not!

In a desperate search for solutions, they are paying $1.5 million monthly to a management consultancy for ideas and advice. I give them six action items for free.

Delta's recent changes to its frequent flier program have a major sting in their tail that we must not allow to continue. This column suggests what you should do in response.

His open letter to Geoff Dixon creates a spectacular 'win-win' for Branson (and perhaps a lose-lose for Dixon!).

Whatever now happens, the certain result is that Branson will earn substantial more publicity for himself and his airline, in the 'underdog' role that he portrays so well.