For years, it's been evident that smaller airlines have had an operating advantage, particularly when they use less expensive airports. They've been able to post better numbers as a result, and in the current travel slump, they've outperformed the larger carriers. Well, they've also picked up a considerable amount of market share.

According to a report by USA Today, low cost carriers now have 30% of the market in the United States. Price-sensitive consumers are turning to cheaper alternatives, even if it means (for fliers with elite status) giving up the perks they've earned through years of customer loyalty.

Across the country, big jets are disappearing -- nudged shoved aside by the little guys, which are cheaper to operate and don't require as many butts to fill seats.

The number of empty seats falls, and revenue per available seat-mile (RASM) goes up. It's pretty straightforward. But, for crowded flights, this could leave a few people stuck without their preferred routes. The alternative, of course, is an unsustainable status quo, in which a few passengers remain happy ... until the airline folds.

American Airlines (NYSE: AMR - option chain) shares are rising today along with most other major airlines this morning after the International Air Transport Association said international passenger demand rose 0.3% year-over-year in September, the first month of growth in the past year. AMR, Delta (NYSE: DAL), Continental (NYSE: CAL) and United (NASDAQ: UAUA) are all in the green between 2% and 3% so far today. If you think that AMR won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on the stock.

AMR opened this morning at $5.68. So far today the stock has hit a low of $5.55 and a high of $5.70. As of 11:50, AMR is trading at $5.57 up 13 cents(2.4%). The chart for AMR looks neutral and S&P gives AMR a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

Late Monday, Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) announced it raised $600 million in cash and refinanced $1.5 billion in debt in order to help strengthen its liquidity position in 2010. DAL now believes its unrestricted cash balance will be $5.6 billion at the end of the quarter, adding that its refinancing has now addressed more than 40% of next year's loan maturities. The airliner stated that its refinancing has now addressed more than 40% of next year's loan maturities.

Strengthening liquidity is a smart move as it can help the airline conquer some of its technical hurdles. DAL is enjoying a bit of a rally thus far in the calendar year (after starting 2009 with a sharp drop), but I am a bit concerned about its current battle with the $10 level. This round-number level has acted as resistance during the past two weeks, and it could continue in this role. The shares could overcome this resistance with some help from its 10-week and 10-day moving averages.

United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA), US Airways (NYSE: LCC) and American Airlines (NYSE: AMR), according to an influential analyst, have run out of options. Jamie Baker of JPMorgan said in a July 20, 2009 report that these companies couldn't do anything to prevent a cash crisis. They only savior available to them would have to be an outside investor. To call the position grim would be optimistic. Unfortunately, it couldn't have come at a worse time.

As Baker was walking the bear into the airline industry, United was starting to celebrate its change in direction. The carrier has improved its on-time rate, according to a USA Today report, and its operations are coming around. Despite the fact that the airline industry has been brutalized by the global recession, the airline has made some progress. Through August, the company's share price doubled, and its ascent has continued in September. So, the company is locked in an ongoing struggle to manage its identity, cope with its past and shape how the world sees it today.

The operational "makeover" has resulted in a reduction of its fleet from 601 jets in 2000 to 386 as of the summer of 2009. In terms of passenger traffic, it's in the #4 spot in the United States – trailing Delta (NYSE: DAL), Southwest (NYSE: LUV) and American. With Q2 revenues off 25.2% year-over-year, however, drastic measures are still necessary.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) was on the upswing Monday after the firm raised its forecast for third-quarter margins. The airline issue now expects operating margin of 3% to 4% for the current quarter, compared to its midsummer outlook of 1% to 3%. Third-quarter fuel prices are now expected to average $2.14 per gallon, down from a prior prediction of $2.17.

The update comes courtesy of a regulatory filing, wherein Delta noted that many of its financial metrics are improving on both a sequential and a year-over-year basis. Load factor for September and October is pegged at 82%, narrowly above last year's level. Meanwhile, revenue per available seat mile is expected to decline in the third quarter, but less so than in the second quarter.

Japan Airlines (OTC: JALSY) gained 8% Monday morning, thanks to weekend rumors that Delta Airlines (NYSE: DAL) and American Airlines (NYSE: AMR) are vying for a piece of the largest airline in Asia's largest travel market. Both Delta and American hope to use an investment in JAL to gain broader access to the Japanese travel market.

Though JAL refuses to comment on any talks, it's been reported over the weekend that Delta could be interested in buying a minority stake in the airline for several hundred million dollars, while American's bid could be $1 billion or more for a joint venture. At the same time, JAL has mentioned wanting to raise a total of $2.8 billion.

August brought more misery to the airline industry in the United States. Seven of the country's nine largest carriers saw traffic drop, with only Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and JetBlue Airways Corp (NASDAQ: JBLU) bucking the trend. The continued upward climb of unemployment, tighter corporate budgets and sluggish demand for leisure travel has resulted in fewer passengers in seats.

JetBue was the only carrier not to report a drop in available seat miles (ASMs), the primary measure of airline productivity. Load factors, however, which indicate how full a plane is, tended to be higher, largely a result of flights that have been cut in an effort to reduce costs.

There may be new hope for the perpetually ailing airline industry. While I wouldn't expect these companies to become top performers anytime soon, it looks like the best revenue stream is the one nobody's been talking about: change and cancellation fees.

These penalties, which can reach up to $150, bring $2 billion in revenue into the industry annually. According to the Department of Transportation, they were good for $527.6 million in the first quarter -- in the United States alone. This is 3.2% of U.S. airline revenue.

American Airlines parent AMR (NYSE: AMR) raked in $116 million in revenue from these penalties in the first quarter of 2009 -- compared to $108 million from the more highly publicized extra bag fees. For JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU), the numbers are smaller (JetBlue, of course, isn't as big as AMR) but no less compelling. By pumping its change and cancellation fee from $100 to $150, the airline scored $32.2 million in Q1 2009, up from $25 million in Q1 2008.

I take my absolute return approach to a deeper level by periodically buying and selling positions during the year. In late February, I suggested that investors cover the short position of Delta Airlines (NYSE: DAL) at $6.35 per share.

In my last update of the stocks on this list, I suggested that I would still be a seller of Delta. Shares of Delta did indeed lose value over the last three months. This move coincided with a blast in oil prices. Airlines are already struggling with a weak economy and excess capacity. Rising jet fuel prices make matters worse.

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says the diamonds in the rough don't get much press, but they're the real heroes in this market.

The troubled airline industry. The troubled auto industry. Have they ever not been "troubled"? For as long as I have been in this business, these two industries have been in huge trouble. Yet somehow it is news that United (NASDAQ: UAUA) (Cramer's Take), AMR (NYSE: AMR) (Cramer's Take) and Delta (NYSE: DAL) (Cramer's Take) are in trouble. Somehow we're still sweating the auto program -- and I, for one, thought Steve Rattner was doing a pretty good job and don't want to read into his resignation because too many times in my life I have seen the smear and know it for what it is.

I want to talk about the industries that aren't troubled. Last night CSX (NYSE: CSX) (Cramer's Take) reported a hugely profitable quarter despite a big decline in revenues. At one point the rail industry was a hugely troubled industry and you used to worry about the companies swinging to big losses every downturn. Now CSX gets 6 inches of ink today and the deeply troubled airline industry gets reams.

Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) just got the relief it needs to compete. Despite resistance from the Department of Justice (which can only recommend), the Department of Transportation has granted the airline immunity from antitrust laws. This clears the way for Continental to work with United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) -- and other carriers -- on international routes. Now, the airline can join Star Alliance, which already has antitrust immunity.

At the same time, DOT approved a joint venture among Continental, United, Lufthansa (OTC: DLAKY) and Air Canada. This new relationship would involve trans-Atlantic routes.

Quarterly earnings could be up year-over-year by the fourth quarter. A low threshold for improvement, as a result of last year's Q3 financial meltdown, could set the stage for the appearance of a recovery, but the ride from here to there will be a difficult one.

Data from Bloomberg and S&P suggests that profits for stocks comprising the S&P 500 Index may be down 21% next quarter. It's still a double-digit blow, but a better result than Q2's estimated 34% -- and far ahead of Q1's 60% year-over-year fall in profits. The driver of a recovery, however concealed by low expectations, is likely to be a combination of unemployment and consumer spending. Last month, we saw unemployment reach a 26-year high, putting obvious constraints on purchasing.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Adtran (NASDAQ: ADTN) to Buy from Hold on expectations the company will benefit from the broadband Stimulus funds.
• Morgan Stanley upgraded Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) to Overweight from Equal Weight based on relative valuation and views the company as a "survivor." Additionally, the analyst lowered 2009 industry estimates but believes it is the last cut for the year and is incrementally more positive on the sector.
• Morgan Stanley also upgraded EXFO Electro-Optical (NASDAQ: EXFO) to Overweight from Market Weight based on valuation.
• Tata Motors (NYSE: TTM) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Ascent Solar (NASDAQ: ASTI) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JP Morgan.
• Mechel Steel (NYSE: MTL) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Credit Suisse.

Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) is seeking immunity from antitrust laws to work more closely with United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) and others on international routes. And, since airlines operate in a state of seemingly perpetual turmoil, what's the harm? According to the Justice Department: plenty.

The airline sought broad immunity as part of an effort to join Star Alliance, which includes US Airways, Lufthansa (OTC: DLAKY), and Air Canada -- along with United. Continental believes that it needs to join Star Alliance in order to remain competitive, especially with airlines that have this type of immunity already.