Madhu Unnikrishnan

Some of the pandemic's long-term economic effects are yet unknown. But one thing is certain: A consumer shift toward e-commerce accelerated and is most probably lasting. And air cargo companies are cashing in on the change.

Allegiant Air CEO Maurice Gallagher thought returning to 2019 levels of flying would be as easy as "turning on a switch." He was wrong, and disruptions cost the airline millions during the third quarter. Still, Allegiant managed a rare pandemic-era achievement by turning a profit and increasing revenues vs. the 2019 period.

JetBlue claims its Northeast alliance with American Airlines will result in $800 million in annual consumer benefits, even though the U.S. Justice Department begs to differ. One thing is certain, though. The alliance will give leisure-focused JetBlue access to American's deep pool of corporate accounts.

Delta Air Lines is getting public relations blowback by not mandating its employees be vaccinated. Delta points to its voluntary vaccination program as a success, but the Atlanta-based carrier said it will fall into line when the federal government requires contractors to vaccinate crews.

Tripadvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer acknowledged that hotels objected to the discounted rates being advertised on the Plus program, but said the change to a points-based wallet will be a hit with consumers. Wall Street wasn't too sure, wiping out $374 million in the day after the news broke.

It's too early to tell if travelers will flock to the U.S. after the Biden administration eased entry requirements for European visitors to the U.S., Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith said. Instead, next summer could be when travel across the Atlantic resurges.

Incoming Southwest Airlines CEO Robert Jordan sees the pandemic's road to recovery in four stages: Survive, stabilize, repair, and prosper.  Right now, he says his airline is still in the stabilize phase.

Will business travelers return in force this fall? That's what Delta CEO Ed Bastian is betting on to help the airline reverse its $881 million second-quarter loss and return it to profitability.

United's 270-jet order is a milestone for the airline, but the carrier is playing catch-up with its rivals, Delta and American, which have newer aircraft in their fleets. Still, the order is a bet that the industry will not just bounce back but grow as it emerges from the pandemic.

When Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly took the job in 2004, the airline industry was reeling from the post-9/11 travel slump and rising oil prices. Now, as he gets ready to retire, it's slowly recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. in between, he remade the airline from scrappy discounter to one of the country's largest airlines.