After weak start to year, airlines expect profitable summer

Most US airlines lost money in the first quarter, traditionally the weakest time of year for travel, but they are all eagerly looking ahead to a summer of full planes and high fares. American Airlines and Southwest Airlines said Thursday that they expect to be solidly profitable in the second quarter. They joined Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in giving an upbeat outlook for the April-through-June period, which includes the start of peak season for carriers. “We see a strong demand environment this summer, and we’re highly confident that will continue,” American CEO Robert Isom said on a call with analysts. Airlines are getting a tailwind from leisure travelers, who are still eager to leave home after a long pandemic lockdown. Their gaze is shifting this summer from domestic destinations to overseas. “Demand is smoking hot for international destinations,” said Ryan Green, Southwest’s chief commercial officer, “and then it’s the typical summer destinations that you would expect — Florida, the Southwest, Hawaii.” American cited strength in both domestic and international bookings. In the last two weeks, both Delta and United posted large losses for the first quarter but also spoke in glowing terms about the summer outlook.<br/>