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Explore every episode of the podcast Airline Weekly Lounge
Dive into the complete episode list for Airline Weekly Lounge. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster on Fuel, AI, and ATC Meltdowns | 01 Oct 2026 | 00:18:29 | |
Gordon Smith sits down with Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster on the sidelines of Skift Global Forum in New York. They discuss how fuel costs are weighing on the airline and why premium demand keeps holding up, before turning to recent air traffic control meltdowns that have disrupted transatlantic operations.
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0:00 Introduction1:00 Becoming CEO of Virgin Atlantic3:00 The Iran War and a Challenging First Year4:00 Fuel Costs Have Doubled5:30 Transatlantic Demand and Cargo Revenue7:00 The Premium Cabin Bet9:00 Keeping Premium Feeling Special10:00 The Delta Relationship12:00 AI at Virgin Atlantic14:00 ATC Failures and Infrastructure16:00 Vision for Virgin Atlantic | |||
| What American, Southwest and United Told Investors | 24 Sep 2026 | 00:37:30 | |
Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to unpack the recent Morgan Stanley Laguna conference, where executives from American, Southwest and United set out where they think the market is heading.
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00:00 Welcome and Setup
00:45 Laguna Conference Themes
03:46 Demand Strong Costs Rising
08:12 Premium Push and Lounges
15:23 Airline Strategies Compared
18:25 Wrap Part One and Break
20:53 Part Two Fuel Update
22:58 Capacity Cuts Ahead
24:48 Merger Rumors Return
30:55 Regulators and Rail Parallels
36:09 Final Thanks and Subscribe | |||
| Airlines Post Record Revenues But Costs Catch Up | 17 Sep 2026 | 00:41:56 | |
Gordon and Jay open with why record revenues still aren't covering a sharp rise in costs, then turn to what JetBlue's latest outlook tells the rest of the industry.
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00:00 Welcome and Agenda
00:50 Why Costs Matter Now
02:37 Six Inflation Buckets
03:01 Fuel and Labor Pressures
05:00 Aircraft and Maintenance Crunch
06:22 Airport Infrastructure Inflation
08:47 Premium Service Costs
09:49 Borrowing Costs Rising
11:32 How Airlines Fight Inflation
14:19 Capacity Cuts and Pricing Power
18:15 Demand and Supply Behind Fare Hikes
21:01 OEMs and Next Aircraft Programs
22:23 Forum Plug and News Notes
23:32 Back From Break Global Forum
26:36 JetBlue Investor Update Numbers
31:14 Fort Lauderdale Strategy Post Spirit
34:34 Losses Bankruptcy Talk and Options
36:11 Merger Prospects United Southwest American
38:19 JetBlue Right of Reply Context
40:34 Wrap Up and Subscribe | |||
| The Air Canada Anko Inherits | 10 Sep 2026 | 00:38:16 | |
In part one, Gordon and Jay weigh the opportunities in front of Air Canada against the challenges that come with them. In part two, the conversation turns to China, and why the country's Big Three carriers had such a rough second quarter.
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00:00 Welcome and agenda
01:38 Air Canada turnaround history
04:27 New CEO and headwinds
08:32 Competitive landscape and Aeroplan
14:25 Sixth freedom strategy explained
16:42 New aircraft and route growth
21:49 Forum plug and break
23:03 China big three losses
24:20 Why fares can’t rise
27:04 Fleet politics and economy
28:48 International bright spots
34:25 Wrap up and next week | |||
| Why US Airlines Are Betting Big on Europe in 2027 | 03 Sep 2026 | 00:32:07 | |
In part one, Jay and Meghna discuss the latest transatlantic expansion announcements from United and American Airlines and what they reveal about how US carriers are rethinking their European strategies. In part two, the conversation turns to the A321XLR, the narrow body aircraft making these new routes possible, and whether its heavy reliance on premium demand is a strength or a risk.
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00:00 Welcome and agenda
02:05 United Europe expansion
04:52 American routes and Philly hub
09:37 Why transatlantic is shifting
11:19 Partners and new entrants
15:29 Delta moves and break
16:39 A321XLR overview
17:58 Who ordered the XLR
19:57 Delta skips the XLR
25:35 Economics and range limits
30:36 Wrap up and subscribe | |||
| Qatar Airways: Skift Global Forum Preview | 27 Aug 2026 | 00:32:33 | |
In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss some of the biggest talking points at Qatar Airways, as the airline's CEO, Hamad Ali Al-Khater, prepares to join the Skift Global Forum in New York next month. In part two, the conversation focuses on impressive Q2 profitability at Kuwait's Jazeera Airways.
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00:00 Welcome and SGF Preview
01:06 Qatar CEO Transition
02:55 Qatar Financial Snapshot
05:34 Gulf Conflict Impacts
08:25 Sponsorships and Fleet Orders
12:47 Cabin Innovation and QSuite
15:37 Premium Economy Question
16:47 Skift Global Forum Details
18:14 Middle East Pivot
18:42 Jazeera Airways Surprise Profits
21:01 Why Jazeera Is Winning
25:07 Resilience and Kuwait Airways
30:08 Airline Weekly Return
31:06 Wrap Up and Subscribe | |||
| Skift Global Forum 2026: Aviation Preview | 20 Aug 2026 | 00:39:57 | |
In this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss two industry giants that are due to speak at the Skift Global Forum 2026 in New York between September 22-24. The conversation kicks off with Air Canada before turning to Virgin Atlantic. For the latest agenda and to book your ticket, visit live.skift.com
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00:00 Welcome and Forum Preview
00:52 Skift Global Forum Lineup
02:25 Air Canada Earnings Snapshot
04:44 Aeroplan Stake Sale
12:16 Questions for Mark Galardo
17:38 Break and Return
18:33 Virgin Atlantic New CEO
24:38 Virgin Profitability Challenges
31:07 Routes and Leisure Focus
36:57 Events and Closing Notes | |||
| Turkish Airlines' Turbulent Quarter | 13 Aug 2026 | 00:29:41 | |
In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss a mixed set of Q2 results for Turkish Airlines. In part two, the conversation turns to Allegiant Air, with the U.S. carrier now taking Sun Country under its wing.
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00:00 Welcome and agenda
00:54 Turkish earnings overview
02:47 Why margins fell
05:16 Middle East disruptions
07:12 Gulf competition returns
08:56 Cargo boosts revenue
11:18 Q3 outlook and seasonality
12:46 Air Europa stake update
16:23 Wrap Turkish and break
17:17 Allegiant merger context
18:10 Best US margins
19:41 Product and distribution shifts
22:01 Demand and Florida focus
24:12 Fuel flexibility model
25:21 Pilot retention challenge
26:52 Forum announcements and close
28:31 Final subscribe reminders | |||
| Swiss Shines But Lufthansa Lags | 06 Aug 2026 | 00:33:58 | |
Swiss out-earned the entire Lufthansa Group network division it belongs to last quarter, while the core Lufthansa brand slid back into an operating loss. Gordon and Jay work through how a fuel bill undid a solid demand quarter, and why Swiss keeps outperforming its much larger sibling.
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00:00 Welcome and Setup
01:05 Q2 Headline Numbers
02:45 The 60 40 Airline
06:38 Ritter on Strikes and Costs
10:12 Turnaround Strategy Levers
15:22 Fleet Retirements and TAP Angle
18:44 Part Two Break
19:08 Group Airlines and TAP Debate
23:06 Austrian Brussels Eurowings Check
25:25 airBaltic Stake Watch
26:42 Europe Big Three Scorecard
29:30 Gulf Hub Traffic Shifts
31:30 Events and Closing Thanks | |||
| Airshow Highs and Earnings Season Realities | 30 Jul 2026 | 00:42:33 | |
In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss the highlights from last week's Farnborough International Airshow, reviewing the big deals and longer term impact of the event. In part two, the conversation turns to earnings season, with a Q2 round-up from the main U.S. carriers.
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00:00 Welcome and Agenda
01:21 Farnborough Show Context
04:34 Biggest Orders and Lessors
07:45 Airline Deals Roundup
12:33 What Success Looks Like
14:38 Next Gen Aircraft Talk
18:16 Emirates and Airbus Plans
21:58 United A321XLR Cabin Tour
24:05 Q2 Earnings Pivot
24:42 US Margins Ranking
29:14 Industry Pricing Power
32:03 American Airlines Deep Dive
41:00 Wrap Up and Sign Off | |||
| Why 2026 Is Aviation's Most Volatile Year Since COVID | 23 Jul 2026 | 01:01:40 | |
The airline industry is navigating its most unpredictable period since the pandemic, with fuel prices, geopolitical tensions, premium travel demand, and aircraft shortages reshaping the competitive landscape. Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat break down the data behind the headlines, explaining why airlines remain profitable despite rising costs and unprecedented volatility.
They also explore the winners and losers across global aviation, from the Middle East's disrupted hub networks and Europe's consolidation wave to the changing competitive dynamics in the U.S. Plus, they preview what to watch as airlines report Q2 earnings and why premium cabins continue to drive the industry's strongest financial results.
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00:00 Welcome to Skift Playbooks
02:35 Why Oil Sets the Tone
06:28 Airline Profits in Context
10:39 Gulf Disruption and Recovery
12:00 Demand Trends and Rerouting
17:03 Premium Boom Everywhere
19:31 Supply Crunch and Delays
25:37 Unit Costs Beyond Fuel
26:57 Skift Aviation Forum Plug
30:00 Back to Europe Volatility
30:57 Europe Consolidation Outlook
31:36 TAP Sale and EasyJet Bids
33:43 Why IAG Outperforms
34:09 Tourism Boom and Loyalty
37:27 US Market After Spirit
40:29 Premium Gap Delta vs Spirit
44:07 US Consolidation and American Chase
48:05 Q2 Earnings Season Themes
53:04 Global Airlines Scoreboard
57:22 Wrap Up and Subscribe | |||
| How Many Planes Does the World Need? | 18 Jul 2026 | 00:26:21 | |
Ahead of the Farnborough Airshow, for this special episode Gordon Smith and Meghna Maharishi are joined by Darren Hulst, Boeing's VP of Commercial Marketing. The conversation centers on the planemaker's latest Commercial Market Outlook, an annual report which asks how many aircraft the world will need in the decades to come.
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00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
00:45 Boeing Outlook Overview
01:33 Fuel Shock and Demand
04:28 How CMO Is Built
06:22 Big Headlines 44000 Jets
07:55 Where Growth Comes From
10:29 Neutral Forecast and Investment
12:40 Break and Return
13:24 Premium Cabin Boom
17:59 ULCCs After Spirit
20:23 Farnborough Airshow Preview
21:30 Supply Chain Complexity
23:58 Where to Read CMO
24:22 Wrap Up and Subscribe | |||
| Can a "New Class of BNPL" Become a Strategic Loyalty Play? | 16 Jul 2026 | 00:17:50 | |
ClarityPay recently partnered with JetBlue to introduce a new pay-later program that combines embedded financing, loyalty, and personalization to drive incremental revenue.
Learn more about ClarityPay here: claritypay.com/travel
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00:00 Welcome and Setup
00:28 What Airline Financing Means
00:55 Introducing Clarity Pay
01:45 Interview Begins Financing Shift
03:03 What Clarity Pay Does
04:12 Why BNPL Must Evolve
05:27 BNPL Meets Co-Brand Cards
06:33 Data Trust and White Label
07:49 Personalized Underwriting Example
09:16 JetBlue Partnership and Loyalty
11:42 Measuring Success Metrics
13:10 Future of Brand Control
14:21 Advice for Travel Brands
16:01 Where to Learn More
16:39 Subscribe and Closing | |||
| How Much is EasyJet Worth? | 09 Jul 2026 | 00:43:10 | |
An approach from U.S. private equity firm Castlelake has reopened the question of what EasyJet is actually worth. Gordon and Jay run through the latest takeover chatter before setting the scene for Delta's Q2 earnings.
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00:00 Welcome and Agenda
00:41 Earnings Season Setup
01:26 Castlelake Bids for EasyJet
04:21 What a Takeover Means
05:52 EasyJet Value and Assets
08:31 EU Ownership Rules
09:44 Who Could Be Next
10:46 Wizz Air and Finnair
19:37 More Targets Aegean to Condor
28:42 Jet2 and Package Holidays
32:33 Break and Listener Notes
33:08 Delta Q2 Preview
33:50 Industry Trends Demand Costs
39:21 Delta Margin and Fuel Outlook
41:20 Wrap Up and Next Dates | |||
| Does SAS Really Need 40 A330neos? | 02 Jul 2026 | 00:37:48 | |
Does SAS Really Need 40 A330neos?
In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss SAS Scandinavian Airlines' new widebody order and ask whether the carrier can justify that many additional planes.
In part two, the focus turns to Air New Zealand, where management has just published an updated turnaround plan.
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00:00 Welcome and World Cup Banter
01:48 SAS Order Breakdown
03:52 AF KLM Vision for SAS
05:07 Copenhagen Hub Consolidation
08:16 Network Growth and Fleet Mix
14:09 Why Copenhagen Wins
17:22 Airshow Timing and Industry Chatter
18:56 Group Rebrand Speculation
23:23 Part Two Air New Zealand Setup
24:58 Air NZ Challenges Fuel and Engines
28:50 Our Future Plan Priorities
32:25 Customer First Means On Time
34:12 Subscribe Forum Earnings Wrap
36:21 Final Thanks and Sign Off | |||
| Is Las Vegas Out of Luck? | 25 Jun 2026 | 00:37:08 | |
Las Vegas air traffic is down 6%. Gordon and Jay work through what's behind it, then turn to a U.S. market headed firmly the other way.
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01:55 Vegas Market Slump
03:55 Why Visitors Dropped
06:54 Premium Shift and Prices
11:00 Events and Seasonality
12:57 Gambling Competition Theory
16:00 Capacity Correction Debate
17:52 Airline Winners and Losers
19:32 Break and Listener Plug
20:22 San Diego Growth Story
22:09 Alaska vs Southwest Battle
23:14 Why San Diego Appeals
27:20 Airport Constraints and Planning
29:29 California Growth Limits Tangent
34:09 Wrap Up and Skift Forum
35:49 Final Thanks and Sign Off | |||
| What's the Most Profitable Airline in the World? | 18 Jun 2026 | 00:35:54 | |
The latest Airline Weekly global earnings scoreboard is in and the airline on top may not be the one you'd expect.
Jay joins Gordon and Meghna to sort the winners from the losers. Before that, we report back from the IATA AGM in Brazil, with the trends that mattered and essential insights from the conference floor.
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00:00 Welcome and agenda
00:35 First impressions in Rio
03:15 United CEO on engines
05:38 Canada market outlook
08:19 Finnair growth and hedging
10:02 JFK Terminal 1 revamp
13:10 Skift events announcement
14:35 IATA wrap and demand trends
16:45 Part two scoreboard kickoff
18:14 Top winners and Copa
21:07 More winners and US rank
25:57 Bottom losers and Frontier
31:07 Fuel market update
34:02 Final wrap and subscribe | |||
| The IATA AGM Debrief | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:40:47 | |
Gordon joins Jay from Rio as the IATA AGM wraps. The two then turn to Brazil itself: one of the world's largest aviation markets, and one of its most consolidated — a combination that shapes everything from pricing to who gets to compete.
Presented by WEX.
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00:35 IATA Rio Highlights
03:15 OEM and Engine Anger
10:05 Capacity Crunch Upside
13:58 Demand and Fare Limits
18:45 Fuel Price vs Shortage
22:43 Break and Reset
23:36 Brazil Market Overview
26:07 Triopoly and Bankruptcies
32:06 Why No New Entrants
35:01 Regulation and Gol Long Haul
37:19 World Cup Travel Talk
38:59 Wrap and Subscribe | |||
| Inside the Minds of America's Airline CEOs | 04 Jun 2026 | 00:38:22 | |
Gordon and Jay decode the most revealing CEO commentary from the Bernstein investor conference — what executives signaled about capacity, consolidation, and the months ahead. Then they look forward to the IATA AGM, one of the aviation industry's biggest gatherings, and what to watch for.
Presented by WEX.
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00:00 Welcome and Agenda
00:35 Coffee Confessions and Naps
02:14 Bernstein Conference Setup
03:11 JetBlue Buyout Rumors
05:39 Kirby Shuts It Down
08:39 Southwest Take on Mergers
12:42 JetBlue Response and Outlook
16:07 Fuel Prices and Guidance
20:07 Break and Listener Mail
20:30 IATA AGM Rio Preview
21:37 What IATA Is and Why It Matters
25:34 Key Themes Fuel Middle East Sustainability
27:53 Questions to Ask CEOs
32:31 Aircraft Supply Crunch
36:40 Wrap Up and Subscribe | |||
| EasyJet's Tricky Quarter and Atlanta's Crown | 28 May 2026 | 00:45:24 | |
A rough quarter for easyJet has the numbers telling a stark story. In part one, Gordon and Jay dig into a -27% operating margin and the missteps, market pressures, and industry dynamics behind it. In part two, they answer a deceptively simple question: why does Atlanta — not New York, London, or Dubai — top the global rankings for passenger traffic?
Presented by WEX.
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00:00 Welcome and agenda
00:44 EasyJet origins and brand
02:32 Winter losses and margins
04:35 Core markets and bases
08:46 Italy slots and competition
16:20 Summer demand outlook
19:57 EasyJet Holidays growth
23:48 Loyalty plans and wrap
24:37 Atlanta busiest airport intro
27:03 Five reasons Atlanta wins
38:43 Airport design and future
41:45 Closing and IATA AGM plug | |||
| The Airline Europe Wrote Off — and Shouldn't Have | 21 May 2026 | 00:39:34 | |
Gordon and Jay unpack how Iberia engineered one of the most dramatic financial turnarounds in modern airline history. Plus: Singapore Airlines posts a solid start to the year, but its Air India stake is shaping up to be a costly bet.
Presented by WEX
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00:00 Welcome and Agenda
01:39 Singapore Earnings Snapshot
03:28 Air India Stake Drag
04:17 Why SIA Keeps Investing
07:22 Vistara Merger Complexity
08:43 Air India Headwinds
09:47 CEO Transition Stakes
11:56 SIA Wrap and Break
14:09 Iberia Turnaround Setup
15:03 Profitability Like Ryanair
16:17 From Dysfunction to Reform
20:23 Margins Then and Now
22:51 Madrid Hub and Macro Tailwinds
27:23 Latin America Strategy
32:04 More Advantages and XLR Growth
36:57 Final Thoughts and Signoff | |||
| The Profit Gap Splitting U.S. Airlines | 15 May 2026 | 00:27:00 | |
Gordon sits down with Skift airlines reporter Meghna Maharishi to break down a revealing Q1 earnings season for U.S. carriers — separating the standouts from the strugglers. Plus: the latest merger chatter swirling around the industry, and could a major Boeing order follow President Trump's visit to China?
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01:10 Q1 Earnings Snapshot02:26 Southwest Surprise Quarter03:24 Bag Fees and New Model05:05 Elliott Pressure and Next Moves07:08 Lounges and Premium Light08:22 American Falling Behind10:39 Break and Return11:16 Scott Kirby Merger Talk14:59 DC Policy Watchlist16:50 Flying Taxis in NYC20:57 Spirit Collapse Aftermath23:23 Trump China Trip Aviation Angle25:11 Wrap Up and Subscribe | |||
| Spirit Airlines: The Post-Mortem | 07 May 2026 | 00:38:35 | |
Spirit Airlines is the first major U.S. carrier to go out of business in more than two decades. In this special edition, Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to unpack what went wrong — from blocked mergers to shifting consumer demand — and what Spirit's collapse means for the future of low-cost flying in America.
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00:00 Spirit Collapse Begins
00:54 Meghna’s 3AM Breaking News
02:51 How Spirit Ran Out
06:10 Is ULCC Model Dead
09:00 Bankruptcy Missteps And Mergers
13:32 DOJ JetBlue Deal Fallout
17:59 Cost Math Writing Wall
20:34 Part Two What Happens Next
20:48 Who Fills Spirit Routes
23:19 Fares Rise And Route Gaps
25:26 What Low Cost Still Works
27:32 Mergers Partnerships After Spirit
33:34 Can A New ULCC Launch
36:42 Final Thanks And Wrap | |||
| What's Going Wrong at JetBlue? | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:33:03 | |
Gordon and Jay open with JetBlue's latest quarterly results, unpacking what's behind the airline's struggles and what it might take to get back on course. Then they turn to Norwegian, where a strong set of numbers tells a very different story.
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01:24 JetBlue Earnings Snapshot
03:31 Why JetBlue Is Struggling
07:40 Fort Lauderdale and JFK Strategy
11:15 Spirit Bailout Tangent
14:50 JetForward Plan and Levers
18:23 Fuel Shock and Demand Strength
19:34 Break and Subscribe Plug
20:06 Norwegian Reset and Q1 Results
23:26 What’s Driving the Turnaround
24:23 Europe Capacity Cuts and Demand
28:32 Fuel Supply and Industry Mood
31:15 Wrap Up and Final Thanks | |||
| Will Washington Save Spirit Airlines? | 23 Apr 2026 | 00:35:08 | |
Could the U.S. Government shore up Spirit Airlines? Gordon and Jay break down the latest industry chatter about the troubled carrier's future, including fresh commentary from President Trump. Then they shift gears to unpack Alaska Air Group's newest earnings report and what it signals about the carrier's post-Hawaiian merger trajectory.
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01:06 Spirit Trouble Update
03:27 Liquidation vs Survival Paths
05:05 Trump Comments and Bailout Talk
16:33 Merger Signals and Break
18:29 Back From Break Alaska Begins
19:44 Alaska Q1 Weakness and Fuel
23:12 Capacity Cuts and New Long Haul
28:12 Corporate Loyalty Bright Spots
32:27 Demand Headwinds and Closing | |||
| Could United Really Merge with American Airlines? | 16 Apr 2026 | 00:27:38 | |
Will two of America's biggest airlines become one? Gordon and Jay dig into whether a United-American mega-merger is actually on the table and ask what further consolidation would mean for the industry. Plus: Qantas cuts capacity and Korean Air's latest financials.
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00:32 United American Merger Rumor01:59 Regulatory and Fuel Context05:05 Duffy Comments and Caveats06:26 Consolidation Speculation08:32 Qantas Fuel Hedging Shock09:47 Network Shifts and Airspace13:15 More Headlines and Break14:23 Korean Air Q1 Overview15:59 Passenger Demand Drivers19:27 Cargo Boom and Other Units23:19 Asiana Merger Clarified25:29 Wrap Up and Subscribe | |||
| Delta Confronts the Oil Price Crisis | 09 Apr 2026 | 00:41:43 | |
Delta’s latest results are in and the fuel price challenge is front and center. Gordon, Jay, and Meghna dive into what the numbers say about the airline’s strategy and resilience. In part two, the conversation turns to Southwest and the next chapter of its transformation story.
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00:59 Delta Q1 Headline Numbers
01:54 Fuel Spike and Q2 Outlook
03:29 Earnings Call Tone
04:07 Premium Demand Holds
05:29 Main Cabin Inflection
06:48 Why Demand Stays Strong
11:12 High Fuel Means Consolidation
13:04 JetBlue Merger Speculation
17:42 Oil Volatility and 2008 Parallels
20:22 Premium Segmentation Tease
21:18 Delta Premium Basics
21:54 Tech Ops Profit Engine
22:27 Cargo Refinery Upside
23:14 Premium Seats Strategy
24:26 Post Pandemic Cost Reality
25:34 Wrap Part One
26:12 Listener Reminders Break
26:36 Idea Awards Spotlight
29:25 How To Enter Awards
31:35 Southwest 2.0 Pitch
33:23 Culture And Activist Push
35:34 Passenger Reactions Mixed
37:21 Middle Market Risk
39:44 Final Thanks Signoff | |||
| Who Will Lead IATA Next? | 02 Apr 2026 | 00:40:56 | |
Gordon and Jay unpack major leadership moves shaping the industry, from Willie Walsh’s shift to IndiGo to Michael Rousseau’s departure from Air Canada. Later, they dive into fuel prices and what’s ahead for Alaska Airlines.
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02:26 JetBlue Seeks a Partner
04:42 Willie Walsh to IndiGo
08:25 IATA Succession Talk
11:11 Air India Leadership Rumors
12:00 Air Canada CEO Steps Down
18:50 What Are IDEA Awards
19:37 Who Can Enter
20:09 Airline Categories Explained
21:19 Quiz And Sample Forms
23:29 Back To Lounge News
23:53 Fuel Price Reality Check
24:49 Alaska Warns Bigger Loss
26:22 Mexico And Hawaii Demand Dip
28:41 Alaska Expands To Europe
30:33 Widebody Risk Debate
31:10 Why Buy Hawaiian
34:12 Seattle Long Haul Competition
37:35 Integration And Outlook
39:21 Wrap Up And Subscribe | |||
| An Aviation Crisis – with a Twist | 26 Mar 2026 | 00:28:46 | |
In part one, Gordon and Jay unpack a whirlwind few days for the global airline industry, including fresh insights on jet fuel prices. In part two, the conversation turns to intriguing developments at Filipino low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific.
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01:17 Fuel Price Crisis Update
04:57 Other Industry Headlines
05:31 Earnings Season Preview
09:18 Demand Strong Despite Costs
11:30 Listener Mail and Break
11:53 Skift Idea Awards Spotlight
16:53 Back From Break and Setup
17:25 Cebu Pacific Overview
20:43 Profitability and Challenges
21:39 Fuel Shock and Fare Hikes
26:23 Wrap Up and Subscribe | |||
| Making Sense of the Fuel Price Crisis | 19 Mar 2026 | 00:41:14 | |
Fuel accounts for roughly 20–30% of an airline’s operating costs—so when prices surge, the impact can be immediate and significant. In this week’s show, Gordon and Jay break down how U.S. airlines are navigating this historic spike and explore what it could mean for supply and demand.
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Approximate Time Stamps
00:36 Fuel Crisis Reality Check
01:59 JP Morgan Conference Setup
04:19 March Bad Luck Streak
05:23 Jet Fuel Spike Numbers
07:09 Fares Rising Demand Strong
09:49 Pulled Forward Bookings
13:43 Q1 Earnings and Weather
16:28 New Revenue Levers
18:03 Legacy vs LCC Pricing
19:33 Subscribe and Break Tease
20:17 IDEA Awards Introduction
21:08 Impact Over Scale
21:56 Finding Your Category
23:06 Quiz and Sample Forms
23:40 How to Submit
24:46 Awards Wrap and Next Topic
25:16 Why JP Morgan Matters
27:20 Delta Refinery Explained
31:25 American vs United O'Hare
35:19 Fuel Shock and Recession Risk
37:32 Volatility Is the New Normal | |||
| Jet Fuel Shock & Shutdown TSA Lines: Airlines Brace for a Volatile Spring | 12 Mar 2026 | 00:40:08 | |
Jay Shabat is joined by Meghna Maharishi and Skift's Head of Research Seth Borko for a crossover Airline Weekly Lounge that hits two pressure points at once: a sudden jet fuel spike and the growing airport disruptions from the current US government shutdown.
First, Seth breaks down what the fuel surge could mean for US carriers, using airline SEC disclosures to translate price moves into real dollars, and why the pain can vary by region even when the shock is global.
Then Meghna walks through what travelers are feeling on the ground as TSA agents miss paychecks, security lines balloon at several airports during spring break, and Global Entry remains suspended, creating additional bottlenecks for international arrivals. The team closes with what to watch next, including signals expected from airline leaders at the upcoming JPMorgan Industrials conference.
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| A Gulf Airline Crisis Like No Other | 05 Mar 2026 | 00:49:17 | |
In a week when the world's busiest international airline ground to a halt and Gulf hubs faced aerial attack, Gordon and Jay explore the impact of the Iran war on the aviation industry. In part two, we take a closer look at the latest earnings from Qantas and Virgin Australia.
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| Is Singapore Airlines Still A Profit Superstar? | 26 Feb 2026 | 00:36:07 | |
In part one, Gordon and Jay review the latest numbers from Singapore Airlines and explain why context is key when determining success. In part two, we preview the annual results from British Airways and Iberia's parent company, IAG.
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| American Airlines Is Falling Behind. Here’s Why | 19 Feb 2026 | 00:28:16 | |
Delta and United are dominating airline profits while American falls behind, and Frontier struggles to recover.
Jay Shabat and Meghna Maharishi break down airline earnings, American’s leadership pressure, and Frontier’s turnaround strategy.
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| Icelandair: Moving in the Right Direction? | 12 Feb 2026 | 00:38:26 | |
In part one of this week's show, Gordon and Jay crunch the latest financials from Icelandair and discuss how it plans to become sustainably profitable. In part two, the conversation turns to global airports, as we reveal the major hubs with the biggest shifts in capacity for Q2.
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| Japan Airlines vs. ANA: Who's On Top? | 05 Feb 2026 | 00:34:17 | |
In this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss the latest results from Japan's two mega-airline groups. With inbound visitor numbers soaring, but domestic air travel down, we analyze the key financial and operational metrics separating ANA from JAL.
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| U.S. Earnings Season: Half-Time Report | 29 Jan 2026 | 00:36:23 | |
In part one of this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss the latest quarterly earnings from American Airlines and JetBlue. In part two, the discussion turns to Ryanair, with a deep dive into its financials and 2026 strategy.
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| New from Skift: Executive Conversations Shaping the Travel Industry | 26 Jan 2026 | 00:02:16 | |
We’re sharing a preview of a new podcast from Skift called Skift Take Sessions.
Skift Take Sessions is a weekly, journalist-led podcast built from the most important conversations shaping the global travel industry. Each episode features candid interviews with CEOs and senior leaders across airlines, hotels, and travel platforms, recorded live at Skift events and expanded with context around why the conversation matters now and what we learned.
Hosted by Wil Slickers, the show brings listeners inside executive-level thinking from leaders at companies like Hilton, Expedia Group, Airbnb, JetBlue, and more.
New episodes drop every week.
Listen and follow Skift Take Sessions:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skift-take-sessions/id1871511773
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oKApv7z0I65VpySjh9rqP?si=2e8f1e3e83e8459d
Skift.com: https://skift.com/skift-travel-podcasts/ | |||
| Delta vs United: Premium Boom, Economy Squeeze | 22 Jan 2026 | 00:21:27 | |
It is earnings season, and this week on the Airline Weekly Lounge, Jay Shabat and Meghna Maharishi break down Q4 2025 results from United and Delta, recorded on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
They compare operating margins, unpack how fuel price differences shaped the quarter, and dig into what United’s call revealed about demand, costs, and competitive pressure points. Key themes include the growing gap between premium and main cabin performance, why leaders say domestic softness is more about supply than demand, and how ultra-low-cost carrier capacity cuts could set up a rebound in economy results.
On the Delta side, they cover the airline’s push to diversify revenue through areas like MRO, cargo, and loyalty, plus what Delta’s new widebody order signals for fleet and network strategy, including selective international expansion.
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| Allegiant–Sun Country Merger: What’s Really at Stake? | 12 Jan 2026 | 00:34:54 | |
In this special edition of the Airline Weekly Lounge, Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to discuss Allegiant's plan to acquire Sun Country Airlines for $1.5 Billion. Fresh off the phone with Allegiant CEO, Greg Anderson, Meghna offers first-hand executive insights, while Jay delves into the data to discover the impact of the proposed tie-up.
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| Inside the Ethiopian Airlines Playbook | 08 Jan 2026 | 00:42:13 | |
Ethiopian Airlines is one of African aviation's outstanding success stories. We explore how the carrier grew profitably, built global reach, and what its strategy means for the future of the sector. In part two, Gordon and Jay set the scene for Q4 earnings season, with a focus on U.S. airlines.
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| The David Neeleman Interview | 01 Jan 2026 | 00:25:54 | |
Recorded on-stage at our recent Skift Aviation Forum, Gordon sits down with aviation legend David Neeleman. In this fast-paced discussion, few topics are left on the table, as we hear Neeleman's views on everything from the health of the U.S. airline industry to sustainable aviation fuels.
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| The Joanna Geraghty Interview | 25 Dec 2025 | 00:24:58 | |
Recorded on-stage at our recent Skift Aviation Forum, Gordon is in conversation with JetBlue CEO, Joanna Geraghty. We hear why the deck is stacked against smaller carriers in the U.S., and why she thinks 2026 will be a better year for the New York-based airline.
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| Is Breeze in a Squeeze? | 18 Dec 2025 | 00:41:25 | |
As Breeze Airways enters its fifth year of flying, Gordon and Jay discuss the challenges and opportunities for the David Neeleman-backed U.S. carrier. In part two, our attention turns to 2026, with a round-up of key industry topics to watch.
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| In Conversation with DFW Airport CEO, Chris McLaughlin | 11 Dec 2025 | 00:29:04 | |
Gordon sits down with Chris McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, for a special episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge. In this wide-ranging conversation, the pair discusses everything from route development and new terminals to AI and operational resilience.
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| America's Airport All-Stars | 04 Dec 2025 | 00:22:36 | |
Gordon and Jay reveal the major U.S. airports that are due to grow at an impressive rate in the coming quarter. From Texas to Tennessee, we break down the numbers and examine the factors driving rapid growth.
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| Inside Qantas' Project Sunrise | 27 Nov 2025 | 00:35:37 | |
In part one, Gordon shares an insider perspective on a major new Skift feature examining the business case for Qantas' 'Project Sunrise' ultra long-haul flights. In part two, attention swings to European carriers as Jay rounds up the most profitable airlines for the all-important Q3 peak season.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
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| Airlines in 2026: Flying into Trouble? | 20 Nov 2025 | 01:03:10 | |
In this special episode, we bring you the full recording from our recent LinkedIn Live webinar (Click This Link For Video Version).
Titled ‘Airlines in 2026: Flying into Trouble?’, Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to set the scene for the year ahead, with all of the challenges and opportunities that it may bring.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
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| Even Emirates Can't Rest on its Laurels | 13 Nov 2025 | 00:38:47 | |
In part one, Gordon and Jay reflect on the latest financial insights from Emirates, and examine the challenges that could lie ahead for the Dubai-based giant. In part two, the conversation turns to a disappointing set of Q3 results from KLM.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect with 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/
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| What Makes Ryanair So Darn Profitable? | 06 Nov 2025 | 00:29:11 | |
In part one, Gordon and Jay break down Ryanair’s latest earnings and uncover what keeps Europe’s biggest low-cost airline flying high. In part two, they share key takeaways from the CEOs of Etihad and Oman Air at the Skift Global Forum East — including how Gulf carriers see the next phase of global travel growth.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect with 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/
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