I'm not rooting for the ULCCs demise, just observing that they have failing business models. You describe our major airlines as a "cartel." America has 3 huge airlines (DL, UA and AA), and 2 other viable very large airlines (AS and WN). They also face dozens of foreign competitors, and have much less than a 50% share of int'l flights to the US. That's a lot of competition! And the financial results show it: their profit margins are poor compared to other industries. I do think average airfares might rise a little if most of the other unprofitable airlines somehow shut down, but I don't think travellers would be "screwed" if only the more successful airlines survive.