Comments on: Airline deathwatch: place your bets, please

By: Michael Jackson Updates

Michael Jackson Updates — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:09:09 +0000

I see that Champion, a Northwest subsidiary charter carrier, will cease operations at the end of May.

By: The Middle Seat Terminal : Moody's About to Downgrade AMR's Rating?

The Middle Seat Terminal : Moody's About to Downgrade AMR's Rating? — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:20:43 +0000

[...] some carriers could face bankruptcy or liquidation in 2009. There’s already fair bit of the airline-bankruptcy bingo being played around the [...]

By: JIm

JIm — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:14:53 +0000

I say, lets keep this simple- WE do like RUSSIA does, and that is have ONE airline for the whole country! PROBLEM solved!

By: tripso.com | Don’t hate the airlines — pity them

tripso.com | Don’t hate the airlines — pity them — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:59:22 +0000

[...] will probably be gone. With aviation fuel at astronomical rates with no sign of relief in sight, bets are being taken on which will be the first out of [...]

By: tripso.com | Who will be first to file? An airline bankruptcy oddsmaker

tripso.com | Who will be first to file? An airline bankruptcy oddsmaker — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:03:03 +0000

[...] ask which of the major airlines will be the first to run to bankruptcy court. Airline deathwatches may be amusing, but let’s be honest — do you think the federal government will let a big airline die? [...]

By: tripso.com - the last honest travel site

tripso.com - the last honest travel site — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:49:13 +0000

[...] latest bankruptcy comes just two weeks after Chris Elliott suggested reviving the “deathwatch list.” EOS wasn’t on the last list’s radar screen, but then again perhaps we need more [...]

By: Jared

Jared — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:32:22 +0000

I’m placing my bet on Silverjet, and if Mark Ashley is taking parlay bets, I’ll parlay that with Sun Country.

Though several people above have mentioned Allegiant, the airline is consistently profitable, and will continue to be so. It’s not so much an airline as a travel packager that owns an airline. It has virtually no competition (I believe they have nonstop competition on fewer than 10 of their routes), and generates something like 15% of their revenue from anciallary sources. They’ve done an amazing job.

AirTran will also be fine — solid cash position, though for whatever reason it’s gotten wrapped up in the Frontier situation, which is completely different. And with Delta focusing on the merger, I think they’ll be able to strengthen their position at ATL.

By: 2008 April 14 » Upgrade: Travel Better

2008 April 14 » Upgrade: Travel Better — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:58:23 +0000

[...] will be next to fall? Chris Elliott may be making book on which airline will fold next, but it won’t be Virgin America. (I put an exacta box on [...]

By: PeterGreenberg.com - Travel Destinations, Travel Deals, and Travel Tips from Peter Greenberg- The Travel Detective » Travel News Roundup, April 14, 2008

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:11:11 +0000

[...] Link: Elliott.org [...]

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:07:02 +0000

I have been hearing rumors that Southwest is going to be the next.

By: kenish

kenish — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:47:38 +0000

Speaking of gambling, add my vote for Allegiant. They fly gas guzzling MD-80s and depend on Las Vegas tourism. It would be interesting to see if LAS visitor numbers are down. (LA-LAS traffic on I-15 is noticeably lighter.)

Express Jet- They should have a good presence here in So Cal, but the typical reaction is “who??”

Frontier- I heard they were removing 24 (of 62) aircraft from their fleet. It’s hard to confirm. If true that’s almost a 40% reduction which sounds like a last ditch pullback.

On a happier note I predict Alaska will do OK. Good fares, not much competition on many routes, modern fleet, acceptable service, a lot of loyal customers. Could be a takeover target though.

By: John Vanderplough

John Vanderplough — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:12:03 +0000

I see that Champion, a Northwest subsidiary charter carrier, will cease operations at the end of May.

By: Aviatrix

Aviatrix — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:57:26 +0000

Mesa, fo’ sho’!

By: Jasper

Jasper — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 03:09:55 +0000

Virgin won’t go down. Owner Branson has too much money. 4 or 5 billion pounds or so. The Air Colbert may be down due to maintenance, but Branson’s in for the long run.

By: Christopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:41:30 +0000

Mark, you’re right, gambling is illegal. But I’m not gambling — just offering some uninformed conjecture for entertainment value. Yeah, that’s it …