Skift

Airline Weekly Lounge

News EN ↓ 435 episodes

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? 

Author

Skift

Category

News

Podcast website

skift.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

Our Air Canada Check-In 23.08.2024

Presented by American Airlines In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the latest developments at Air Canada and find out what its international expansion plans could mean for future profitability. In part two, we examine the latest Q2 earnings from global carriers and discover who is leading the pack. Connect with Skift Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-we...

Jet2's Secret Sauce 16.08.2024

Presented by American Airlines In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat examine the fascinating story behind British leisure carrier Jet2, and explain why it's an airline worth watching. In part two, we turn our attention to Azul to learn how the Brazilian firm fared in the second quarter. Connect with Skift Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com...

The Q2 2024 Earnings Scoreboard 09.08.2024

Presented by American Airlines In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat reveal which U.S. airlines had the best and worst second quarters of 2024. In part two, we turn our attention to the latest developments at European supergroup IAG, as it withdraws from a planned acquisition of Air Europa. This episode is presented by American Airlines. Connect with Skift Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.l...

Former American Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja on Aviation's Current Inflection Point 07.08.2024

Today we’re bringing you a bonus episode featuring an exclusive interview with former American Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja, who left American earlier this year after two years in the role and 20 years at the airline. Vasu sat with Skift Founder and CEO Rafat Ali as well as Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi, and offered some expert analysis about the current state of the airlines,...

How Was Q2 for JetBlue? 02.08.2024

In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the latest earnings from JetBlue and examine the U.S. carrier's turnaround plan. In part two, we turn our attention to IndiGo and discover what makes it the world's most ambitious airline. Connect with Skift Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/a...

The Ben Smith Interview 26.07.2024

As the 2024 Olympics get underway in Paris, we speak with the CEO of the Air France-KLM Group, Ben Smith. He’s in conversation with Skift’s Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko, for a special edition of the Airline Weekly Lounge.   Connect with Skift Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://w...

Hong Kong's Slow Climb 19.07.2024

In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss Q2 results from Delta Air Lines and Norwegian, looking for clues as to what the future could hold for other operators. In part two, we turn our attention to Hong Kong and examine the factors behind its slow aviation recovery after the pandemic. Connect with Skift Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x....

Qantas: From Perth to Paris 12.07.2024

In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss Qantas' latest ultra long-haul endeavor and ask what it tells us about the carrier's wider commercial strategy. In part two, we examine the latest twists and turns at Southwest Airlines as the company continues to fend off an activist investor. 

Air France's Olympic Headache 04.07.2024

In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat examine why this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris are likely to be a financial drag on Air France. In part two, we turn our attention to U.S. airlines and ask what the second half of 2024 could hold for some of the country's biggest carriers. Key Points: Air France and the Olympics Impact Olympic Disruption: Air France expects a revenue hit of...

More Headwinds for Southwest Airlines 28.06.2024

In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss why Southwest has cut its revenue outlook for the current quarter. In part two, we take stock for our Airline Weekly mid-year review, and ask what the coming six months could hold. Get more airline news at http://airlineweekly.skift.com

Why is Korean Air so Profitable? 21.06.2024

In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the factors delivering consistently strong results for Korean Air. In part two, we reveal the global airlines that were the most and least profitable in the first quarter of 2024.  Get more airline news at http://airlineweekly.skift.com

What's Going on at Southwest Airlines? 14.06.2024

In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss a fascinating week at Southwest, as the low-cost carrier navigates the challenges of a very vocal new activist investor. In part two, Gordon chats with Skift Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi about a major new feature examining female representation across the aviation sector.  Get more airline news at http://airlineweekly.skift.com

Captain Theresa Claiborne Interview 07.06.2024

Captain Theresa Claiborne was the first black female pilot in the United States Air Force and joined United Airlines as its second-ever black female pilot. Last month, she retired from United after 34 years and 10,000s of flight hours. Captain Claiborne has piloted everything from the KC-135 to the Boeing 787 and has done it all while championing diversity and inclusion. In her first-ever podcast...

American Airlines and Southeast Asia 31.05.2024

In part one of this week's specially extended episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss a dramatic few days at American Airlines. In part two, attention turns to Southeast Asia as we discover how some of the region's biggest carriers are performing.  Get more airline news at http://airlineweekly.skift.com

Ryanair Earnings and U.S. Summer Trends 24.05.2024

In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the latest earnings from low-cost giant Ryanair. In part two, our focus turns to the upcoming summer travel season and what it means for the big U.S. airlines. Background Reading: Ryanair ‘Don’t Care’ Who the Next Boeing CEO Is https://skift.com/2024/05/20/ryanair-dont-care-who-the-next-boeing-ceo-is/ Ryanair CEO Slams Boeing Culture: ‘They Love Tal...

Emirates Earnings and Booming Brazil 17.05.2024

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.

Spirit Airlines and Japan 10.05.2024

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.

Euro-Things 03.05.2024

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. 

JetBlue and Volaris 26.04.2024

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.

United's Fascinating First Quarter 19.04.2024

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.

Why Delta's Flying High 12.04.2024

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.

Low-Cost, Long-Haul Challenges 05.04.2024

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.

The Michael O'Leary Interview 29.03.2024

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: http...

High Flyers and Terminal Declines 22.03.2024

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

The Lufthansa Problem 15.03.2024

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.

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