Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder discuss the business of the sky on this aviation podcast.
Brian Sumers and Jon Ostrower are back from the IATA annual general meeting in Rio. They tell Brett Snyder about what they saw and heard, from how US airlines aren't worried about the price of fuel to the way fares are moving differently in the US compared to Europe. Thank you to Points, a Plusgrade company, for sponsoring this week's episode. SHOW NOTES: The number of times Scott Kirby has been mentioned on the show...
U.S. aviation, the world’s original air travel marketplace, is going backwards rapidly. That's what Jon Ostrower argues, and he says there are signs in things like premium, capacity and airports. He'll try to convince Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder that America's aviation industry is on the verge of a major structural shift. Thank you to Points, a Plusgrade company, for sponsoring this week's episode....
With its largest airline – Spirit – out of business, FLL has become a fascinating airport where airlines are all jockeying for position. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder talk about which airlines are trying to get a leg up in Fort Lauderdale and, for that matter, all of South Florida. Thank you to Points, a Plusgrade company, for sponsoring this week's episode.
Just a few months after selling its ill-fated hotel in Florida, Allegiant completed one of its most profitable quarters in recent memory. Now, it needs to focus on how it can make its acquisition of Sun Country a winner. With the deal now closed, Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers, and Brett Snyder explain how the acquisition fits into Allegiant's strategy for growth.
Spirit is the first major airline to have abruptly shut down in the U.S. since 1991. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder explain how the government, from the Obama Administration to now, all had a role in the company's demise. Thanks to Plusgrade for sponsoring this episode.
The Airbus A220 Stretch, aka the A220-500, is a plane that's stalked the industry since the C Series was launched in 2008. But it sure looks like Airbus is getting closer to bringing it to reality. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder talk about why it was a threat to Boeing then, but not to Boeing now. We would like to thank Delight.ai for supporting The Air Show.
There’s been overwhelming weirdness in the decisions coming out of the federal government, and it is creating real harm in this industry. Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder talk about the President weighing in about a rumored United-American merger, Trump's suggestion that the government bail out Spirit, and the heated transcripts of an FAA meeting around who could fly what at O'Hare. We would like to thank Plusgrade for supporting The Air Show. Show Notes: U.S. DOT/FAA - Chicago O'Hare International...
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said recently that the administration would like to see one of the larger airlines buy one of the smaller ones. At around the same time, Bloomberg reported that United talked about buying American. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder discuss how real any of this is, and what it would look like if any of the U.S. airlines merged.
Brian Sumers talks with Lukas Johnson, Breeze Airways' opinionated chief commercial officer, to get his views on demand, fuel costs, credit card revenues and the power of an airline's brand. He also tells us who he thinks should replace Robert Isom (if Isom is let go) and why he's happy to be known as the industry's second-most arrogant commercial mind. Thanks to Gilat Stellar Blu for sponsoring this episode.
U.S. airlines may be cautiously optimistic about the effect that high oil prices will have on their bottom line, but not so much executives at non-U.S. airlines. Fuel is really expensive out there for them. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder talk about the real concerns those companies have about covering their costs. Thanks to Flagstaff Pulliam Airport for sponsoring this episode.
Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder report back from United's media day where new hard products were shown off on several different aircraft. It was also on full display that the airline has been preparing for the next downturn with strategies that allow it to move forward with long term plans even when things don’t look good in the short term. We would like to thank Plusgrade for supporting The Air Show.
U.S. airlines gave an update of the business at the JP Morgan Industrials Conference and, despite the state of the world and spiking fuel prices, they basically said everything is awesome. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder explain the reasons why the airlines are optimistic, including high consumer demand.
The war in Iran sent a massive wave of disruption to flights operating throughout the region and any flight crossing overhead because it's a major aerial thoroughfare between India, Australia, Southeast Asia and Europe. Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder examine the long-term effect on flows to places like Dubai and Doha as superconnecting hubs, and the impact that the swings in oil prices will have on all airlines globally.
Spirit Airlines has a plan to save itself by adjusting to seasonal demand, pivoting into more premium seats and shrinking its debt and lease obligations. Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder break down whether the move will revive the Spirit brand. Plus, the FAA is stepping in to mediate the "arms race" by American and United to win future gate space at O'Hare. Reach top leadership and decision-makers at airlines around the world by sponsoring The Air Show. We are currently booking campaigns for 2026. ...
United announced major changes last week to its MileagePlus loyalty program. It soon will offer the biggest incentives to credit cardholders, while removing perks from other flyers. Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder discuss why it's a good thing that United is rewarding its best customers, even if some travelers are upset. Reach top leadership and decision-makers at airlines around the world by sponsoring The Air Show. We are currently booking campaigns for 2026. Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to g...
This week, Jon Ostrower and Brian Sumers welcome one of the most well travelled humans on the planet, Steve Giordano. He's founder of Nomadic Aviation Group and star of the YouTube channel "Cockpit Casual." They talk about the business of ferry airplanes around the world, what it was like for Steve to consult on the second season of HBO's "The Rehearsal," and more. Reach top leadership and decision-makers at airlines around the world by sponsoring The Air Show. We are currently booking campaigns...
There was a great deal of intrigue surrounding Frontier Airlines not for what it did, but for what it didn’t do – sell tickets beyond early April until just recently. But what is clear is that there is a shift under the brand new CEO Jimmy Dempsey. Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder talk about how Frontier is returning to growth and also going back to basics. Reach top leadership and decision-makers at airlines around the world by sponsoring The Air Show. We are currently booking campaigns for 2026. ...
Southwest made big changes in the past year, including the introduction of checked bag fees and assigned seating. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder talk about where the shifts take the airline with two Southwest executives – COO Andrew Watterson, and EVP and CFO Tom Doxey. Reach top leadership and decision-makers at airlines around the world by sponsoring The Air Show. We are currently booking campaigns for 2026. Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us....
Allegiant announced it will buy Sun Country with the deal expected to close later this year. Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder debate the possible benefits and risks of this combo. Reach top leadership and decision-makers at airlines around the world by sponsoring The Air Show. We are currently booking campaigns for 2026. Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.
Boeing's 787-9 has been the sexy airplane in the Dreamliner lineup until now, with the 787-10 occupying a smaller niche. But more recently, the 787-10 has excited Alaska, United, Delta and others. Jon Ostrower and Brian Sumers explain what's driving this interest, and what it means for future Boeing sales. Reach top leadership and decision-makers at airlines around the world by sponsoring The Air Show. We are currently booking campaigns for 2026. Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch w...
ATR has built an aircraft that should interest U.S. airlines because of its low relative operating costs on short routes. But with larger airlines unwilling to take a chance on a turboprop, ATR is hoping public charter operator JSX will change the market. JSX is testing ATR-42s from Santa Monica, and if it works, it may add more. Jon Ostrower and Brian Sumers recently took a ride on the first JSX turboprop and spoke with the CEOs of JSX and ATR to learn more about this partnership. Reach top lea...
Brett Snyder and Brian Sumers break down six notable network changes that American recently announced, including changing its bank structure at DFW, going big in Chicago, putting more premium-heavy planes into rotation, and more. Reach top leadership and decision-makers at airlines around the world by sponsoring The Air Show. We are currently booking campaigns for 2026. Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.
Brett Snyder offers a more advanced (and less time-consuming) lesson on revenue management — in response to the recent Airlines Confidential episode — in the final episode of 2025. Thank you for listening to The Air Show this year. Your company's support and sponsorship makes this podcast possible. To learn more about our rates and our very targeted audience, please email graham@bullpenstrategy.com.
Condor is one of Europe's only remaining independent long-haul airlines. It may not stay that way for long. Brian Sumers and Jon Ostrower spoke to Condor CEO Peter Gerber about the carrier's path forward now that its majority shareholder wants to pursue "strategic options." Another airline, perhaps from the Middle East, might want to take a stake in Condor, Gerber tells Ostrower and Sumers. Gerber also discusses Condor's unique model, its robust growth strategy, and its sometimes feisty feud wit...
Jon Ostrower is back from Dubai Airshow with news and highlights to share with Brett Snyder, plus listener feedback from our recent episode about Delta Airlines. We would like to thank Plusgrade for supporting The Air Show. Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.
A listener wrote to us: "I'm a United employee, so I do enjoy hearing about how much everyone except UA and DL sucks. That said, a more challenging series of episodes might be 'what's wrong with DL or UA'...so tell us where you think we suck, and you might as well do a similar episode for the other two airlines that are doing well." This week: Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder do just that, for Delta. We would like to thank SES for sponsoring The Air Show. Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www...
Brett Snyder and Jon Ostrower talk about the DOT and FAA ordering airlines to cut flights and the response from the airlines and the teams of people (listeners to this podcast) who are helping us all through it. They also respond to questions and comments from listeners about our recent episodes on American Airlines, the regional jet landscape, slot wars at O'Hare, and more. We would like to thank SES for sponsoring The Air Show. Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com ...
Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers, and Brett Snyder check in on Alaska Airlines' post-merger strategy, its network changes and new attention for San Diego and Portland, and the outlook for its new Atmos program. We would like to thank Plusgrade for supporting The Air Show. Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.
Jon Ostrower, Brett Snyder, and Brian Sumers finish their three-part series on American by talking through the airline's leadership issues. Leadership is one of the biggest issues facing American today, and they get into the weeds on what would help this airline to fly high again. We would like to thank Plusgrade for supporting The Air Show. Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us....
Jon Ostrower and Brian Sumers interview Emirates president Sir Tim Clark about his long career at the airline, including key decisions about aircraft and cabin design, and the challenges the airline faces today. We would like to thank Dohop for supporting The Air Show. Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.
