The majors got rid of their upstart, low-fare competitors by muscling them out of business.

The major airlines were also accused of preying on new low-fare competitors.

In fact, Mr. Mitchell said, they drove business travelers to low-fare competitors.

A low-fare competitor entering a major airline's hub is the industry's equivalent of the proverbial canary in the mine shaft.

When the low-fare competitor drops out of the market, service gets cut and fares go back up.

That airline emerged from bankruptcy in 2002 only to be hit by stiffer competition from low-fare competitors than it had expected.

The major airlines have been cutting fares on selected routes, often in response to price cuts made by small low-fare competitors.

One of United's biggest headaches, in fact, comes from a prospective low-fare competitor.

As major airlines reduce flights elsewhere, low-fare competitors are coming right in behind them to pick up business.

After years of losses, large airlines like Delta are making dramatic changes to their systems to adapt to new competition from low-fare competitors.