Two things:
1. They are indeed airborne, as noted by the "OTG 5B".
2. I really don't think 41236D~A would have superior follow ups (at least midscreen). The reason being is, with Litchi, you generally want to keep the staff in hand. Doing 41236D stuff makes the staff fly way too far away, without really being able to call it back in a non-ghetto way [edit: damn, I stand corrected, http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm5702416 , starting at 1:42]. Besides, tsubame 6C OTG 5C JB JC 5D (hold a little) airdash JC land to rekkas is hot.
You definitely need to hold it for a split second or so for almost all combos involving calling the staff back (except for the corner combo jB djB jC D, jC while falling, land, 6C, dp, 6C, etc. [edit: and possibly a few others, like the vid link above])
Speaking of the 3C D to dash up 6C combo:
...Again, how is it possible to delay a canned string?
Also, I forgot to mention that it'll work starting from close up if the corner is close by.