US. Airlines make money again by flying less

Ummm.... Duh. It doesn't take a genius to figure this out. Instead of flying a small plane 10 times a day that is only 1/2 or a little more full you could fly the same or bigger plane 5 times or less a day and fill it up. Basic business 101 with a little Supply and Demand rolled in.

If the flying public were not a captive and helpless audience I suspect that the opportunity to even stay in business at all would be tenuous. I think that's the only reason they are still in business. Not many options.
Strange that a business model that treats customers like the enemy and does everthing possible to discourage their business is even able to turn the lights on never mind make a profit.