Brian Sumers

From a public relations perspective, United has had a near flawless rollout of its new Polaris Business Class. But with it now flying, can the airline meet customer expectations? Or did the carrier over-promise what it can deliver?

Willie Walsh is not afraid to make decisions that anger employee unions and disappoint some passengers. That may seem like poor strategy, but it's a big part of the reason that International Airlines Group is in better shape than most of Europe's other airlines. Sometimes, an executive must make unpopular decisions to ensure the long-term success of a business.

Jeff Smisek has been gone from United for a long time, but the airline is finally starting to change its strategy in meaningful ways. That's definitely good news for investors, and probably for consumers too.

Watch this video to learn about how various airlines created iconic designs in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Some carriers, such as Lufthansa, still use design elements made popular decades ago.

During Jeff Smisek's reign, industry insiders used to poke fun at United for copying Delta on key decisions. But with its new Basic Economy product, United is thinking outside the box. United's new fare may not be great news for flyers, but investors should be happy.

Most travel brands probably get too focused on day-to-day operations to think about stepping back and telling a story. That should probably change, and Nwokorie's ideas seem like a good place to start.

The good news is that Internet speeds on American Airlines will improve markedly. The bad? This will take "years," according to an airline spokesman. So travelers should be patient.

Anyone who thought the three new online travel agency leaders — Jane Sun, Glenn Fogel, and Mark Okerstrom — intended to be mere caretakers of their predecessors’ policies and legacies would have been mistaken. To a large degree, they are stepping out into new territory.

Giant legacy companies the size of Air France-KLM have trouble innovating regardless of the industry. We can give it some credit for trying, but it's not clear the strategies outlined this week will markedly change the company's fortunes.

Since 2009, Air Canada has reinvented itself, taking delivery of new Boeing 787s, improving passenger cabins, and adding international routes to Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The airline's management, including Benjamin Smith, deserves credit for making Air Canada relevant again.