Scott McCartney

Airlines Confidential Podcast

Business EN ↓ 344 episodes

Hosted by Scott McCartney, Fmr. Travel Editor/"Middle Seat" Columnist for The Wall Street Journal. Top Stories, C-Suite Guests, Listener Q's. The Leading Podcast Reaching Travel Industry Insiders, Frequent Flyers, & Aviation Geeks. Created by & Dedicated to Ben Baldanza.

Author

Scott McCartney

Category

Business

Latest episode

Jul 1, 2026

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Episodes

019 - More Coronavirus Effects 26.02.2020

This Week: An airline is going out of business but you might not even notice; More on the effects of the Coronavirus on travel; another installment of Passengers Behaving Badly; and this week's passenger complaint-is it fine? or is it a whine?

018 - Your Space on a Plane 19.02.2020

This week: Reclining in your seat-what space is really yours? Alaska Airlines joins Oneworld; Why does Delta seem so good? New segment: passengers behaving badly!

017 - American Employees Compensation 12.02.2020

#017 This week: Are American Airlines employees getting too good a deal in the new compensation agreement? Get ready for America's exciting new start-up airline - can it succeed? and in this week's "Fine or Whine" customer complaint segment Ben and Seth seem to be in complete agreement.

016 - Coronavirus Affects on Travel 05.02.2020

016: This week: The Coronavirus and how it might affect your travel; Is a Southwest safety response concerning?; A listener question about airline regulation; and in "Fine or Whine" a customer complaint about her gift card not being valid.

015 - When Support Animals Fly 29.01.2020

This week: Is that poisonous snake really a support animal? (new rules coming); Who should be examining the black box following an incident? How much profit does an airline make from each flight? "Fine or Whine?" listener complaint segment: How come there's no window next to my window seat?

014 - Boing Aircraft Branding 22.01.2020

This Week: Does Boeing need to change their aircraft branding? How do low cost airlines keep the cost low? A customer complaint begs the question...When does it make sense for you to purchase frequent flyer miles?

013 - Airline Financial Stability 15.01.2020

This Week: Tips on what to look for if an airline might be going out of business; Will the Iran situation affect air travel? How do airlines decide which flights to cancel? Customer Complaint: Did the credit card holder deserve to get charged for bags? Find out in "Fine or Whine".

012 - The Carbon Footprint 08.01.2020

This Week: Do frequent fliers increase the carbon footprint? High vs Low cost airports, what is the Airline Rat Pack, a customer complaint (about Spirit!)"fine...or whine?"

011 - The Congo Airways Purchase 01.01.2020

This Episode: What the Congo Airways plane purchase tells us, Delta's maintenance advantage, Flashback: Keith Olbermann calls Ben the 2nd worst person in the world, and which airlines get the most complaints?

010 - Delta Stops Certain Upgrades 25.12.2019

This Week: Delta stops certain auto-upgrades. Is Southwest really a low-cost carrier? Is the A380 on it's way out? Plus this week's customer complaint - Fine? or Whine?

009 - The 3 Hour Rule 18.12.2019

This Week: More delays around the holidays or just seems like it? The 3 hour rule. How long is "too long" a flight? Plus this week's listener complaint - "Fine? or Whine?"

008 - Behind a CEO Change 11.12.2019

This Week: Change at the top of United. A peek behind the scenes at an airline CEO change. Are "on-time" stats meaningful? and...hear from a customer upset that his airline "stole" his miles. Did they?

007 - Pilot Training 04.12.2019

This week: Is pilot training currently the most difficult issue facing aviation? An airline worker labor dispute update. And...Seth volunteers to be bumped, gets a flight +$1500...so what's his issue?

006 - FAA Looking at Safety 28.11.2019

This episode: Is the FAA looking more closely at safety? The most/least expensive airports to fly in/out of...and why? Industry job talent needs. And Viktor the 22 pound cat takes a flight...with consequences.

005 - What is Basic Economy 20.11.2019

This Week: What exactly do you get (and NOT get) with a "Basic Economy" fare? Are Frequent Flier Miles becoming extinct? plus... is boarding from the rear of the plane any faster?

004 - Best Time to Purchase Tickets 14.11.2019

Boeing & Airbus: Fleet commonality and profitability. More about when to purchase your ticket at the best price, and is a listener's pricing complaint fine or just whining?

003 - British Airways Buys More 08.11.2019

This Episode: International Airlines Group (IAG) owner of British Airways and many more, buys another airline, is buying your ticket via Hotwire/Priceline/Expedia a great deal?, and ESPN's Randy Moss flies to Bristol...sort of.

002 - What's Next for the 737 Max 02.11.2019

What's next for the 737-Max & Would you fly on it? Is your airline telling you the truth about your flight delay? This week's customer complaint: Is it fine...or is it a whine?

001 - Why Passengers Are Bumped 21.10.2019

This Week: Why do airlines bump paying passengers? What's the deal with all these annoying fees? Are planes without pilots coming soon? Complaint of the week - is it fine? or is it a whine?

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