Brian Sumers

American Airlines has never flown to Africa, and the last time it flew to India, it lost lots of money. But the airline is now the world's largest, and it could soon expand internationally.

If you've invested in Alaska Airlines or JetBlue Airways, you'll feel squeezed by this transcontinental fare war. But if you're a traveler, you'll love it.

It is not rare for an airline's operation to suffer when a major work group is unhappy with contract negotiations. Pilots and maintenance technicians have considerable authority to defer an issue, or to demand it be fixed right away.

The Department of Transportation means well with its tarmac delay program. And it has been helpful for customers, who need not fear being trapped on planes for hours. These fines on the airlines are nothing, but the publicity is a reminder to try to do better.

Since its merger with US Airways, American has taken a cautious approach with new routes. It has expanded to major Asian and South Pacific markets out of necessity but otherwise hasn't taken too many chances. It is nice to see the airline considering adding India and Africa.

There are remarkably few top female executives at airlines. This needs to change — and soon.

Delta Air Lines wants U.S. regulators to award it a disproportionate number of slots at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, a preferred airport among business travelers. Other airlines disagree, but Delta probably does deserve better access, as it is the only one of the big three U.S. carriers without a Japanese partner.

Can these two giant global travel companies work out their differences? Surely consumers would prefer to keep searching for United fares on Expedia.

KLM CEO Pieter Elbers has done a fine job with his airline. It is a good thing he is staying put. But how will he work with group CEO Ben Smith? We'll find out.

Now is the time to score deals for economy class travel between the United States and Europe. Come April, people will want to fly transatlantic again and prices will go up.