Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 107: Amazing Race

Delta is doing a remarkable job keeping pace with rapidly rising costs. Sure, the airline’s third-quarter fuel bill rose 35% year over year. But rising revenues offset enough of those costs that Delta’s operating profit margin fell only two points.

Meanwhile, what’s behind American’s recent troubles? Unfortunately, when American reports later in the month, it’s expected to be a much less happy affair. Alitalia looks like it will be restructured. Is this new direction the right direction? Canada’s WestJet announced its first Dreamliner routes, which were a little surprising—at least until you look at Air Canada’s network. Lastly, Russia’s Pobeda is proving to be an atypical success.