Originally Posted by MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

My belief is that here in the US the government will be forced to end the shut down before the crisis is over. It's simple math. The human misery index of millions unemployed (and many can't get through to file for unemployment benefits) will soon surpass the human misery index from COVID-19.

For the past 20 years airlines have had a business model based upon getting a butt in every seat on every flight, or close to it. So how will flyers feel about continuing to rub shoulders with perfect strangers for hours when the virus is still around, or not forgotten and could return?

Airlines could try to keep the draconian cuts in place, jack up fares and try to eek out a profit by flying around 1970s style 50% load factors. Some business travel will continue as well as non price sensitive leisure travel. But what about the ULCCs that have catered to the $49 ow crowd?

I suppose given how at least in the West people have become addicted to cheap prices with $108 round trip transcons they'd be willing to get back into sardine mode. But that's not exactly a recipe for sustained operations.