US airline stocks had an exceptionally strong week last week on rising hopes that summer travel would be better than originally feared.The nation's four major airlines, which had lost between 40% and 68% of their value year-to-date through the end of May, all posted solid gains last week,including a 77% jump at industry leader American Airlines (AAL) anda 19% gain at Southwest (LUV).Airline stocks were up again Monday after Bank of America raised its recommendation on two smaller airlines — JetBlue (JBLU), to neutral from sell, and Alaska Air (ALK), to buy from neutral. Most of the airline stocks were up between 5% and 11% in midday trading Monday.

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