In a message dated 8/5/2003 1:25:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time, BraniffIntl@xxxxxxx writes: << America West's July load factor was up to an impressive 84.2% Meanwhile Southwest's load factor was also up to 77.5%. Pretty solid numbers for AmWest as they live side by side with LUV in Phoenix and Las Vegas. >> That is an impressive load factor for Ryanair. Looks like HP is finally shedding all the problems they had. WN's load factors are never that sparkling. They are usually around a 70% average for the year. It is because they are so big and have so many flights. They keeps costs down (though unionized and with competitive pay) and attract a lot of paying customers. The secret is to make just a little bit by packing the sale flights (like the 19 each way LAX/BUR/ONT-LAS) during the middle of the week and making a fortune charging more on the weekend and to walkups (though still usually the cheapest).