But in an era of supposed cutthroat competition among airlines, intensified by fierce fare-cutting to compete with aggressive low-fare carriers, I was surprised by the obvious closeness of the relationship that has developed between Continental and Northwest.
Fierce competition, fare wars, weak currencies and high fuel prices have savaged airline earnings in Australia and New Zealand this year.
The Ryanair boss's outlook suggests competition will be fierce and fares will remain low, as analysts predict other carriers likely to follow suit.
Lufthansa has cut its operating profit guidance for 2015 due to concerns about a global economic slowdown and "fierce competition" over fares.
With strict industry regulations, fierce competition for a fare, and the amount of people claiming that most drivers are reckless, dangerous, and possible threats to society, one can only assume that it's a tough break driving people around for a living.
Mr. Selvaggio said he wanted a promotion that would set Song apart from rivals like Southwest Airlines, which kicked off a fierce battle for low-fare customers earlier this month with a nationwide seat sale, and JetBlue, which cut fares on one million fall tickets, with some New York-to-Florida seats going for as little as $49 each way.
Stung by high fuel prices and fierce competition from low-fare upstarts, the industry is in a sorry state.
Noting that fierce competition from low-fare carriers "threatens our survival," Mr. Tiliacos wrote: "I thought I would share with you some 'eye-opening' feedback we've received from some of our corporate accounts".
And his band — the ultimate hip-hop luxury item — sounded fierce, especially on full-dress fare like "Show Me What You Got".
Railtrack's chaotic demise in 2002 is seen by many within the industry as an indictment of privatisation, amid fierce criticism of the steep fare increases regularly imposed by franchise owners.
While the core elements of the obesity campaign healthier school fare and the fierce urgency of exercise are sound and, at least in theory, conducive to better health, they are unlikely to diminish, let alone eliminate, childhood obesity.
