Originally Posted by Bucking Bar

Having a realistic 5 year plan is unique in the airline business. I believe Mr. Anderson has pulled it off. We are stable enough to strategize that far out with some certainty.

Many airlines have had time horizons which were not even 5 weeks out. When cash is in short supply, very cheap airplanes and maintenance are your friend.

When you have the luxury of a longer time horizon managers can manage for marginal improvements through things like oil refineries and fleet upgrades.

And then there is the third track. Hubris used to lead to irrational orders ... like PSA flying L1011's up the west coast, or Braniff's pop & fizzle.