From the LA Times:
Jan Brueckner, an economics professor at UC Irvine, is not as critical of airlines. "Airlines have been historically big money losers, so having airlines make a profit is a good thing," Brueckner said. "It means the industry is healthy."

For the full story, please visit http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-holiday-air-fares-20141023-story.html.