U.S. airline consolidation chatter is deafening. But it might be much talk about nothing. At last week’s Bernstein investor conference, airline CEOs poured cold water on the speculation. United’s Scott Kirby called the economics of buying JetBlue “mathematically close to impossible,” while S outhwest’s Bob Jordan also downplayed dealmaking — even as he hinted at a future involving lounges, longhaul flying, and possibly first class. We unpack what these candid remarks reveal about the rapidly shifting U.S. airline landscape in this week's feature story. ...read more read less