Air Tran: An airline that may actually make some money

Air Tran Holdings Inc. (AAI) Chief Executive Bob Fornano made headlines this week when he predicted that the discount airline would be profitable in every quarter this year. Investors cheered the news, boosting shares of the Orlando-based airline.

Airlines have suckered many an investor for years. Shares rise when fuel prices are low and fall when they are higher. Carriers buckle under from the rising fuel costs and file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It's the same pattern decade after decade. But experts say AirTran has got quite a bit going for it.