More good news for “low cost” airlines

More good news for “low cost” airlines – AirTran posts 1Q profit

April 22, 2009 – 8:43 am – No Comment

Big news today from AirTran Holdings (parent company of AirTran Airways): Today the company posted its first ever first quarter profit. This came after the company made an announcement saying it would be profitable through every quarter in 2009.

The reported net income for AirTran was $28.7 million. When compared to a net LOSS of $34.8 million in the first quarter 2008, the company is doing much better.

AirTran CEO Bob Fornaro said “Our ability to report a profit today is rooted in the difficult decisions we made last year. AirTran Airways was among the first airlines to react to the changing economic environment and we are among the first to show signs of recovery.”

This news comes after Southwest Airlines (another low cost carrier) posted a loss, but continues its hiring practices.

Here’s a message to Delta, perhaps if you follow the methods of these low cost carriers (like not charging for the first checked bag) then maybe you won’t have to cut every single corner to pull a profit.