Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast - podcast cover

Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast

Skiftskift.com
The editors of Airline Weekly discuss the most interesting developments within the commercial airline industry. In keeping with Airline Weekly’s style, conversation generally centers on one question: How do you make money in this industry?
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Episodes

Emirates Earnings and Booming Brazil

In part one of today's episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss Emirates' record-breaking results and ask how long these good times can last. In part two, we turn our attention to Brazil and find out how two of the country's biggest airlines are performing. Read the latest issue of Airline Weekly every Monday morning at http://airlineweekly.skift.com.

May 17, 202431 min

Spirit Airlines and Japan

Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat explore two big topics in this week's episode. In part one, we examine what Spirit Airlines' Q1 numbers mean for the future direction of the carrier. In part two, we turn our sights across the Pacific to Japan.

May 10, 202431 min

Euro-Things

In this week's episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat take a deep-dive into the latest earnings from carriers across the European continent. From airline supergroups to more niche Nordic players, we make sense of the big numbers and ask what they could mean for the coming summer season.

May 03, 202432 min

JetBlue and Volaris

With earnings season well underway, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat examine the key trends and finer details from JetBlue and Volaris - two of the largest low-cost carriers in the Americas.

Apr 26, 202433 min

United's Fascinating First Quarter

Fresh out of United's Q1 earnings call, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the headline numbers and critical trends facing the U.S. carrier.

Apr 19, 202433 min

Why Delta's Flying High

In this week's episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat dig into Delta's latest earnings report to find out what's making the U.S. carrier one of the industry's biggest success stories.

Apr 12, 202431 min

Low-Cost, Long-Haul Challenges

In this week's episode, Gordon Smith is joined by Ashab Rizvi from Skift Research to discuss the key findings from a new report into the low-cost, long-haul airline sector.

Apr 05, 202430 min

The Michael O'Leary Interview

In this special edition of the Airline Weekly Lounge, we sit down with Ryanair Group CEO Michael O'Leary. No subject is off the table as we discuss everything from social media to Southwest's business model. Connect with Skift Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Sub...

Mar 29, 202433 min

High Flyers and Terminal Declines

Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the global airports that look set to be the big winners and losers in the coming quarter.

Mar 22, 202428 min

The Lufthansa Problem

Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the latest developments from the Lufthansa Group and explain why the German flag carrier is trailing competitors. We also review the key aviation highlights from the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference in New York.

Mar 15, 202431 min

American Airlines Fights Back

Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss a new strategy from American Airlines to win back domestic market share and boost loyalty. We also examine the impact of Turkish Airlines' Australian debut on Qantas and other major carriers.

Mar 08, 202428 min

IAG Earnings in the Spotlight

Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat examine the latest results from IAG to find out how they compare with Air France-KLM. We also take a deep-dive into Latin America to explore the fortunes of Latam Airlines.

Mar 01, 202426 min

Megatrends 2024: Supply Chains and Climate Change

Today we feature a portion of our Skift’s Megatrends for 2024, as Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit is joined by Airlines Editor and Reporter Gordon Smith and Airline Weekly Senior Analyst Jay Shabat, to discuss our some of our most "problematic" Megatrends. They cover the continuing supply chain issues faced by the aviation sector, and the impacts of the burgeoning climate crisis on the business of travel. You can see all of Skift’s Megatrends for 2024 right now at Skift.com/megatrends.

Feb 23, 202426 min

A Surprise Thai Turnaround

Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss how Thai Airways has shaken off its pandemic problems and emerged as one of the world's most profitable carriers.

Feb 16, 202428 min

Plotting A New Frontier

Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss Frontier Airlines' bold new strategy which will see it cut capacity in Las Vegas and Florida. We also review the latest developments from Japan where the country's biggest carriers are enjoying a spike in premium demand.

Feb 09, 202429 min

The Rising Fortunes of Ryanair

Ryanair has its problems, but it is doing much better than most. As the Irish low-cost giant posts its latest earnings, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat pick through the numbers and assess what the future could hold for the airline.

Feb 02, 202428 min

What do United Airlines and easyJet Have in Common?

As airline earnings season continues to gather momentum, this week we examine the fortunes of United and easyJet. Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the major developments and identify the key trends at these two very different carriers.

Jan 26, 202443 min

Judge to JetBlue: No Merger for You

This week has seen major courtroom drama as the proposed JetBlue-Spirit merger was blocked by a U.S. judge. In this special episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the implications of the ruling and assess the likely knock on impact for the wider airline industry.

Jan 19, 202432 min

What’s the Latest with Boeing’s 737 Max?

Boeing's 737 Max is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. An Alaska Airlines 737-9 lost a door plug after a sudden decompression on January 5 that prompted the FAA to temporarily ground all Max 9 variants with door plugs. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Plus, JetBlue's leadership transition and outlook. Reading List Buttigieg on Boeing 737 Max 9’s Return: ‘Until It Is Ready, It’s Not Ready’ Alaska Cancels 737 Max 9 Flights Through Saturday as It Awaits FAA Approval for Inspecti...

Jan 12, 202420 min

Air France-KLM's Outlook

What does Air France-KLM think of the future? It's bullish. Jay Shabat and Edward Russell discuss the group's recent investor day. Reading List Air France-KLM Bullish on the Future TAP Air Portugal Sale Delayed Up To a Year, Air France-KLM CEO Says The Airline Weekly team outlines the significant changes at Air France-KLM since Ben Smith became CEO in 2018. The airline, which was underperforming compared to its peers, has seen considerable improvements, particularly in the operating margin of Ai...

Jan 05, 202428 min

U.S. Airlines See Strong December Quarter Demand

Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest all dropped updates on the fourth quarter outlook in recent weeks. The verdict? Travel demand is good, fuel is down, and operations are largely better than expected. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat disucss. Plus, the state of airline labor relations in the U.S. Reading List Delta Lays Out the Case For Continued Strength Flight Attendants Want More from U.S. Airlines. It Might Take a Strike to Get There. The flight attendants of CHAOS (Planet Money)

Dec 15, 202328 min

The Alaska-Hawaiian Merger: Pros and Cons

There are three big reasons for Alaska Airlines proposed $1.9 billion merger with Hawaiian Airlines: scale, loyalty, and premium traffic. And there are lots of questions too. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Reading List Alaska Airlines in Deal to Buy Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 Billion Alaska Airlines Needs New Growth – That’s Why It’s Looking to Buy Hawaiian Alaska-Hawaiian Merger Faces a Justice Department Wary of Airline Combos What Could an Alaska-Hawaiian Loyalty Program Look Like? Th...

Dec 08, 202330 min

An All British Affair

Virgin Atlantic in a good year turns a modest profit. In bad years, it loses money. So why is Shai Weiss so confident the airline will turn a profit next year? Jay Shabat and Edward Russell settle in for a cuppa to discuss. Plus, EasyJet's results. Reading List Virgin Atlantic CEO Focused on Return to Profitability in 2024 Virgin Atlantic Pressures UK for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Support EasyJet Raises Profit Outlook After ‘Record’ Summer, Orders More Airbus Planes

Dec 01, 202326 min

Steven Udvar-Hazy at the Skift Aviation Forum

With the team out for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, we're bringing you another session from the recent Skift Aviation Forum: Air Lease Corp. Executive Chairman Steven Udvar-Hazy in conversation with Brian Sumers of The Airline Observer. Enjoy!

Nov 24, 202333 min

Boeing’s Big Week in Dubai

It was a busy week for Airbus and particularly Boeing in Dubai. The airframers racked up more than 330 firm orders for new aircraft from Emirates, Ethiopian, FlyDubai, and others at the airshow. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Plus, Korean Air's summer quarter results. Reading List Emirates’ Tim Clark on ‘Trust’ in Boeing, Supply Chain Issues and the End of Innovation Emirates Makes $52 Billion Deal With Boeing At Dubai Airshow

Nov 17, 202325 min

Ryanair and Singapore Airlines Watch the Competition

Ryanair and Singapore Airlines had good summers, and the former will be among the most profitable globally. Both, however, are watching industry schedules closely as they look forward through the winter. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Reading List Ryanair Expects Summer Revenue Surge to Continue as Competitors Slow Growth Singapore Airlines Doubles Down on Strategic Initiatives as Competitors Recover

Nov 10, 202325 min

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom joined Edward Russell on stage at the Skift Aviation Forum on November 1. Enjoy their wide-ranging discussion from the year-end holiday outlook to international growth and boosting loyalty revenues. Reading List American Airlines CEO Seeks to Boost Revenue and Enhance Loyalty Program American Airlines CEO Defends Direct Selling Push in Face of Travel Agent Complaints American Airlines Had a Rough Quarter, but Points to 2024 Tailwinds

Nov 03, 202337 min

Hawaiian and Volaris's Struggles

Hawaiian Airlines and Volaris are two very different carriers. But they have one thing in common right now: A lot of planes affected by the issues with certain Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines on Airbus A320neo-family aircraft. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Reading List Volaris Cuts Capacity Growth as Pratt & Whitney Engine Issues Ground 16 Planes Airbus A320neo Pratt Engine Issues to Ground 650 Planes Next Year Hawaiian Airlines Defends Tokyo Haneda Flight Rights as Unit...

Oct 27, 202325 min

The U.S. Air Travel Recovery Flatlines

If one thing's clear from the airlines that have reported third-quarter results it's that the U.S. domestic travel recovery has plateaued. That's not necessarily bad, passenger numbers are above 2019 levels, but the industry's higher cost structure could make a low-growth environment challenging. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Plus, the latest from Routes World in Istanbul. Reading List American Airlines Had a Rough Quarter, but Points to 2024 Tailwinds United Faces Higher Costs – and Wh...

Oct 20, 202326 min

Delta's Profit Machine

The reaction to Delta Air Lines' controversial loyalty program changes so far have proved more bluster than anything else. Its profit, and outlook, remain sound even as U.S. domestic demand slows to "steady." Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Plus, Virgin Australia is (finally) back in the black. Reading List Delta Profit Intact After Controversial SkyMiles Changes The U.S. Economy’s Secret Weapon: Seniors With Money to Spend Virgin Australia Back to Profitability but Still Faces Uphill Bat...

Oct 13, 202325 min
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