Just in case you were worried that airlines were going to have a problem battling rising jet fuel prices, here's news for you that should set your mind at ease: They have a solution.
Apparently, the easiest way to remedy fuel prices that are rising faster than airlines can hedge against is to charge for everything -- and I mean everything!
If you look at the quartet of quarterly results that came out last week, you'll notice a not-so-surprising trend in that airlines that could easily pass along rising costs to customers fared considerably better in their bottom lines than those that could not.
Take JetBlue
Some of its competitors were not as lucky. Many analysts expected the United Continental
Even traditional Wall Street darling Southwest Airlines
Alaska Air Group
The lesson here is that an airline can still be successful even in a rapidly rising cost environment if it can pass along costs to customers and keep those customers flying. Alaska Airlines and JetBlue have done an exceptional job of this so far.
Slated to report next week are Delta Air Lines
Who are your favorite plays in the airline sector if fuel prices keep rising? Share your thoughts in the comments section below and consider adding these and your own personalized portfolio of stocks to My Watchlist.
Add JetBlue, United Continental, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Air to My Watchlist.
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