Virgin America shares soar on IPO as airline industry shakes off turbulence

Shares of Virgin America Inc, a low-cost airline partly owned by Richard Branson, soared as much as 28% in their market debut, underscoring the buoyant mood in an industry that is emerging from a long spell of turbulence.

Can US airlines attract investors with better returns?

ATLANTA: US airline stocks, long derided as investment duds, have been gaining altitude in recent years. Now, some see room for them to fly even higher. Recent mergers have brought in new, profit-focused managements who are running larger, leaner operations than in the past.