BlackandBrown,
Stuck in the 70's? Yes part of it is, you're actually correct here. They've been around a long time doing what they do best. No rapid expansion or taking risky gambles. It seems to have worked for nearly 45 years.
Now...lets look at a few of the massive low cost airlines in the world with huge fleets operating for very small margins and how the effect of a rise in oil price could have on their sustainability?