Alaska, JetBlue and US Airways see pockets of softness amidst overall positive demand trends

Increasing caution is underlying positive commentary by US carriers Alaska, JetBlue and US Airways as each airline faced some areas of softness during 3Q2012 in their respective networks. But their overall view of trends throughout the remainder of 2012 and into 2013 remains optimistic, as reflected by Alaska and JetBlue adhering to previous capacity guidance that remains well above supply growth planned by their legacy carrier peers.

The bulk of JetBlue's growth will continue in its Boston focus city, Latin America and the Caribbean, while Alaska plans to introduce three new markets during 2013 which should be unveiled in the coming weeks. It is unlikely that Alaska will continue its aggressive push into Hawaii as the carrier continues to reiterate that capacity gaps created by the demise of Aloha Airlines and ATA have been filled. Alaska also faced some competitive capacity pressure during 3Q2012 in its Hawaiian markets.