"Greg J. Bamber, Jody Hoffer Gittell, Thomas A. Kochan, and Andrew von Nordenflycht explore questions about the future of the airline industry, using a mix of quantitative evidence and qualitative studies of airlines from North America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Up in the Air provides clear and realistic strategies for achieving a better, more equitable balance among the interests of customers, employees, and shareholders. Specifically, the authors recommend that firms learn from the innovations of companies like Southwest and Continental airlines in order to build a positive workplace culture that fosters coordination and commitment to high-quality service; labor relations policies that avoid long, drawn-out conflicts in negotiating new agreements; and business strategies that can sustain investor, employee, and customer support through the ups and downs of business cycles."--Jacket.