A Southwest Airlines jet takes off from Pittsburgh International Airport...

A Southwest Airlines jet takes off from Pittsburgh International Airport in Imperial, Pa. Lower oil prices early in the April-to-June quarter are helping Southwest shave 6 percent off its fuel bill, and planes are packed as the summer travel season hits full stride. (July 23, 2013) Credit: AP

Southwest Airlines is getting a small break at the fuel pump, and that's helping it beat Wall Street expectations for profit.

The airline said Thursday that net income in the second quarter was $224 million, or 31 cents per share.

That's down 2 percent from a year ago, but stripping away special items -- mostly changes in the value of fuel-hedging bets -- Southwest says it would've earned 38 cents per share. That's a penny better than analysts were expecting.

Lower oil prices early in the April-to-June quarter are helping Southwest shave 6 percent off its fuel bill, and planes are packed as the summer travel season hits full stride.

From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp, Kendall Rodriguez, Drew Singh; Anthony Florio, Randee Daddona, Morgan Campbell, Debbie Egan-Chin

Get ready for sun and fun with NewsdayTV's summer FunBook special! From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook.

From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp, Kendall Rodriguez, Drew Singh; Anthony Florio, Randee Daddona, Morgan Campbell, Debbie Egan-Chin

Get ready for sun and fun with NewsdayTV's summer FunBook special! From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook.

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