ABSTRACT
The US is the largest commercial air transport market in the world, with the biggest airline companies and the greatest variety of regional and low fare earners. In addition, the US was ahead of other countries in liberalising the air transport market. Moreover, Southwest Airlines, the original and much copied LFA, is US-based and focused. As such, it is worth examining the US industry and market in comparative context with the EU. This chapter begins by examining the development of the US airline industry in the postderegulation era. This is followed by an evaluation of the Southwest model and the essence of its success. Finally, the more recent wave of US LFAs are examined, particularly the strategies and structures of prominent new entrants such as JetBlue, Vanguard and AirTran.
