Airline execs look towards recovery

US airline CEOs are encouraged by the recent trends and continued demand to domestic leisure destinations. “It feels like the beginning of the end,” Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said, while Delta CEO Ed Bastian echoed similar statements, saying, “This seems like it’s real,” noting that he sees “glimmers of hope.” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is hopeful that the airline will break even for the first time since last year while JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes says the airline’s vacation department sold “more packages than they ever have” in the past week. Southwest, Delta, United, American and JetBlue all reported increased bookings in recent weeks. “Those last three weeks have been the best three weeks since the pandemic hit, and each week has been better than the one prior,” American CEO Doug Parker said.