How Durable Is The U.S. Airline Recovery?

Six things I'll be listening for on U.S. airline earnings calls.

Dear readers,

U.S. airline earnings season begins Thursday when Delta Air Lines reports first quarter results. I'm not so interested in the numbers, because early-year net income won't tell us much about trends or profitability. The first quarter is the weakest of the year, with a major trough in the first two weeks in January. Some demand patterns chang…