American Airlines' bright outlook: 1Q yield grows as international flights & product to be enhanced

American Airlines recorded first quarter revenue results that rivaled those of its legacy peers and brought its yields to commensurate levels. But its loss for the quarter is evidence of the cost disadvantage it has and is seeking to overturn in bankruptcy protection, just as its competitors achieved in a now well-trodden path. Yet this balance, simple on paper, is dismissed by American's over-zealous detractors. Even Southwest, the darling of the US industry, feels this narrowing cost gap.

But American is not entirely blame-free. Its disclosure of welcomed plans to increase international flights 6 ppts to 44% during the next five years will bring it in line with today's Delta and United. Like other moves, this latest seems to be one page behind in the playbook already worn in by the carrier's legacy peers, although American is catching up with a premium economy option and surpassing with a new business class product. If it can rein costs in, American has a clear future.