Airlines Confidential Podcast

This week: Rob Britton, Principal, AirLearn, Are alliances outdated? Southwest takes a $800M hit; What's the future of passenger re-accommodations? United's claims "best airline in the world" - has a mixed week; Delta announces free Wi-Fi; Mexico launching a military run airline? Listener Q: Airline foreign partnerships/equity stakes.

This week: Gordon Bethune, former CEO, Continental Airlines; Welcome Scott McCartney as Ben's new co-host; Southwest's Christmas Crisis - Blame IT? 2023 predictions; What to expect from the DOT this year; Changing loyalty programs; Listener "Old Croakey" thank you to Chris Chiames.

This week: 2022 wrap; Chris passes the mic as we welcome former Wall Street Journal "Middle Seat" columnist Scott McCartney to the podcast as Ben's new co-host; A fresh take from Scott on the JetBlue/American Northeast alliance; Frequent flyer programs get tighter; Where would our hosts invest $10k right now? Next episode Jan 4th, 2023. Happy New Year!

This Week: John Heimlich, VP & Chief Economist, Airlines for America on 2022/2023; JetBlue / American Northeast alliance increases flights; Huge Boeing order from Tata / Air India, plus United 787 order; Boeing requests extension on FAA requirement; Listener Q: Why not go direct to Europe from smaller markets with A220's? Unhappy with Delta Sky Club access changes.

This week: Anne Correa, SVP, Airline & Airport Services, mba Aviation; Chris Sloan reports on Southwest Airlines' Media Day; Listener feedback on the Hertz interview and the Kirby vs Biffle viewpoint discussion. Shout-outs.

This week: Mark Ross-Smith, CEO & Co-Founder, StatusMatch; Holiday travel & changes in travel patterns; Latest WSJ airport rankings; American sues Sabre for attorney fees; Listener Q: AA flight credit rules confusing; Frontier changes customer service; Shout-outs

This week: Thank you to our listeners & sponsors; American/JetBlue case goes to the judge; DOT orders $600M in refunds & fines airlines $7.5M; Airline vs Cruise industry difference in policies; Supply chain & aircraft delivery concerns; Listener Q: What's more disruptive to an airline-snowstorm or hurricane? Things to be thankful for in the airline industry.

This week: Steve Shur, VP Government Affairs EV Strategy, Hertz; Your next Amazon package might be dropped by a drone: Colombia objects to Avianca / Viva merger; United follows Delta's FF program changes; Listeners chime in: flights in Alaska, Allegiant's Q3 loss, why JetBlue FL service cuts? Shout-outs to Southwest's Ukulele promotion & Turkish Air tall accommodation.

This week: David Sunde, CEO/Co-Founder, Landline; Delta, United, American pilot negotiations; Alaska pilots sign new deal; Possible reasons for Allegiant's 2 quarter losses; TSA turns 21 & brings on new tech; Listener Q: Catering usage of dry ice; Why so much service to Ketchikan AK? Shout-outs.

This week: David Gunnarsson, CEO, Dohop; Positive earnings/projections; ITA Looks for new partnership Ryanair bets on Italy?; Scott Kirby says fuel/labor cost dooms LCC business model while Barry Biffle says Frontier will thrive; Listen Q: What's the logic in a crew changing aircraft in the same duty day?

This week: Chris Sloan on Routes World 2022 Las Vegas Conference; United, American, Alaska, strong Q2 results but what about costs? Wizz Air expands to Middle East; Hawaiian Airlines & Amazon team up; Listen Q: Are the more experienced regional pilots getting a fair shot at mainline jobs? Is SWA open seating policy a security risk? Shout-outs

This week: William Swelbar, Chief Industry Analyst, The Swelbar-Zhong Consultancy; Delta's robust Q2; Fares are up-is the sky the limit?; AA-JetBlue court case & is EWR NYC? Listener Q: AA data breach? Thoughts on Alaska's voluntary rebooking option; Shout-outs: Canada Jetlines, United's NY-Malaga Spain.

This week: Charles Leocha, President & Co-Founder, Travelers United; Virgin drops London-Hong Kong; FAA raises minimum Flight Attendant rest period to 10 hours; FlyerRights files with FAA for minimum seat sizes; Listener Follow-up on Boarding pass showing terminal; Pilot shortage & pay levels at regionals; DFW Listener shoutout.

This week: Chris Sloan: Huge Expansion at Orlando International (MCO); Airline performance during Ira; BOOM shops for an engine; Listener Q: Economics of Delta insourcing M&R; Ticket cost difference between European and US credit card? Air France Paris-Boston booking non-notification: Fine or Whine?

This week: Kevin Cox, CEO, Ferrovial Vertiports (re: eVTOL); The state of business travel & ESG targets; Worst airports for delays; Canadian airport issues; FAA rejects Republic's proposal; Could required pilot hours be safely lowered? Listener input: Potential Delta stock buybacks, Southwest's lack of interline agreements; Why no terminal on boarding pass? Shout-outs.

This week: Jonathan Sutter: 2022 J.D. Power Airport Satisfaction Study winners announcement; Plus, United / Emirates codeshare; shifting alliances; Air India update; Listeners comments, shout-outs.

This week: Special Legal Edition with Sidley Austin's Kevin Lewis, Bart Biggers, Michael Burke, Karen Kazmerzak. Topics include: Inflation Recovery Act, Clean fuel/SAF tax credit, Foreign carriers filing for Ch. 11 in US Courts, Stepped up antitrust enforcement, Pilot shortage/Pay; Listener input: Charging differently for bags, 737 vs 320. Shout-outs.

This week: Erik Sabiston, RTAG, Veterans to Aviation; Momentum at David Neeleman's Azul; Expansion in South America; New Icelandic low-cost airline "Play" launches service from Dulles to Iceland; Listener Q's: Recommendations for airline data web sites? Can the boarding process be improved? Shout-outs to Travelers United plus all airport & airline workers.

This week: Scott Lincicome, Dir. General Economics, CATO Institute; Big news for Regionals, Air Wisconsin to American; Mesa's E175 Pilot pay; Ramifications of such increases; Schiphol (AMS) makes a profit; Delta orders more A220s; Listener reaction to the Norse Atlantic interview; Complaint: Out $900 due to an AA operational issue: Fine? or Whine?

This week: Bjorn Larsen, CEO, Norse Atlantic Airways; DOT Summer performance, refund policies; AA cuts 30k+ flights; Earnings around the globe; Listener feedback: Difficulty using flight credits & Ben & Chris are "too friendly" to airlines; Pick a favorite: 737 or 320? Share buy-backs now? Airport proximity complaint follow up; Shout-outs to Bessie Colman & Zoya Agarwal.

This week: Bob Brantner, Author, Skyheist; Evidence of Schiphol (AMS) "de-hubbing"? Dulles area residents flight path complaints; United's $10M deposit for eVTOL; Listener Q's: Increased FAA inspection fees for Boeing? Why no food for sale in AA Coach? What about that JetBlue Q2 loss? Plus: An R-Rated Fine or Whine from Boston. Shout-out to Arajet.

This week: Mobile AL Mayor Sandy Stimpson & Chris Curry, President. Mobile Airport Authority; Plus, AirFrance/KLM report Q2 profit; Boeing 787 delivery back on track; fall vs summer pricing; Listener Q: How will summer pilot schedules affect total caps? CASM explained + comparisons between carriers.

This week: The JetBlue/Spirit Deal - AP's David Koenig; Southwest, Frontier, Ryan, Wizz, earnings reports; Ugly numbers from FlightAware; Operational Issues at Toronto; Listener Q: Will AA bring Envoy Piedmont into mainline? Passenger "sobbing" due to American's 6 hour CLT incident. Shout-outs to LGA and Emirates.

This week: Creighton Scarpone, Director of Business & Commercial Aviation Sales, Garmin International; Q2 earnings: American, United, Alaska; Farnborough orders & insights; Amsterdam & other European operations still in meltdown, KLM says "no checked bags"; Listener Q's: Pathways for Women industry advancement, Is Sun Country's Eau Claire, WI EAS Service legit?

This week: Sara Nelson, International President, Association of Flight Attendants; Delta's Q2 report's broader industry indicators; The viability of Cuban travel; DOT policy & directive update; Listener Q: Hub & Spoke system at risk? Shout-outs