United Airlines Profit Rises Despite Boycott Threats Over Passenger Treatment<br />Dr. Dao’s lawyer said the removal, to make his seat available to a United employee, had left<br />Dr. Dao with a broken nose, a concussion, two knocked-out teeth and sinus problems.<br />“It’s very difficult at this point in time for consumers to exact a penalty against airlines<br />that have exhibited poor customer service” or been involved in a high-profile situation like Mr. Dao’s removal, said John Kwoka Jr., a Northeastern University economics professor who has advised state attorneys general on airline mergers.<br />In a separate report this month, United said that it had more than 71 million passengers<br />during the first half of the year, up 4.2 percent compared with last year.<br />The results point to an underlying principle about the airline business: Passengers, by<br />and large, look for the most convenient and cheapest fares, not which airlines claim to offer the best service.
