American Airlines (NYSE: AAL), Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK) are set to report third-quarter earnings this week with expectations set fairly low after a choppy summer for all three carriers. Wall Street analysts are currently expecting a fairly neutral performance from these three carriers, with demand remaining strong but pricing being relatively weak while cost shocks likely compressed margins.

Investors have fairly modest expectations for American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, with Alaska Airlines being a bit more positively viewed except for its cost and fuel price-related challenges. What will likely move these stock prices is likely not flashy guidance but rather steady execution, credible holiday bookings and a believable cost and fleet managem

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