With Delta in bankruptcy we see the more successful discount air carriers going in to the kill. JetBlue is expanding, buying planes and opening routes while fuel costs are at a record high and other airlines are in bankruptcy. Delta and Northwest are both jettisoning some of their aircraft from their fleets, closing some routes and giving away some gates at some of the busiest airports.

Because JetBlues cost structure is lower and it operates in a hybrid model, rather than the standard spoke and hub routing structure it can fly for less. By having cheaper fairs it has consistently had fuller flights. Their hybrid point-to-point and larger Hub and Spoke model at its largest airport markets it is able to get the benefit of maximum efficiency. Its newer aircraft are also more efficient, which is helping in its per passenger cost model.

Some folks are worried about pre-paying for tickets on a bankrupt airline and skeptical even more due to the higher prices. If you do not book well ahead you cannot get the savings, yet at the no frills JetBlue you can get the savings without that perceived risk, same with Southwest Airlines. The discount airlines are weathering the storm much better than the larger airlines like Delta, which is in bankruptcy. Who are you going to fly this season? Think on it.