JetBlue Rises Above the Storm (JBLU)

In an

released over the weekend by Andrew Bary of Barron's, JetBlue Airways

is highlighted as a diamond in the rough. JetBlue currently has two strikes against it as the airline industry has seen better days since the recession began in the recent years, and the fact that it is a start-up company that probably expanded too quickly. JetBlue took on too much debt too rapidly and ended up being beaten by its bigger stronger competitors like Delta

and American Airlines

. The airline is slowly making a comeback as many investors as well as travelers have noticed JetBlue's appeal. It has had rising profits, a moderate expansion strategy, growing appeal to business travelers as JetBlue's seats offer more leg room than other carriers, and widening alliances with foreign airlines through its presence at Logan Intl. and JFL Intl airports in Boston and New York, respectively. JetBlue is "In the midst of a profits turnaround" says Deutsche Bank Analyst, Michael Linenberg. JetBlue is slowly growing into a profitable airline. Airline traffic is picking back up and travelers are starting to take a second look at JetBlue as it continues to expand its fleet as well as destinations, though still not offered in many popular US cities. It is also a lower cost airline that is starting to gain strong connections in Europe with AerLingus and Lufthansa. While JetBlue may not be a preferred carrier for business travelers due to lack of current destinations, don't count it out as a future player in the airline industry. JBLU shares are trading 7% higher at $6.35