Airline Weekly Lounge

In this week's show, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat preview the latest financial results from Singapore Airlines, traditionally one of the world's most profitable long-haul operators. The pair also discuss highlights from an airline leadership conference and the latest Q1 earnings from global carriers. Connect with Airline WeeklyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/X: https://x.c...

In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat take listeners on a global tour of the airline industry's Q1 earnings results. They discuss the contrasting fortunes of airlines across Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia, highlighting optimism amidst challenges, mixed results, and shifts in consumer behavior. The conversation emphasizes the impact of oil p...

In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, Jay and Meghna discuss the recent Q1 earnings reports from major airlines, highlighting the mixed results and economic concerns affecting the industry. They delve into the challenges faced by American Airlines compared to its rivals, the importance of premium travel, and the potential impact of economic policies on consumer spending. The conversation t...

In this episode, Gordon and Jay delve into the latest financials from Korean Air, highlighting their Q1 earnings, the integration with Asiana Airlines, and the dynamics of the cargo business amidst global trade uncertainties. They also discuss the challenges faced by Chinese airlines, including their financial struggles and the impact of international relations on aircraft orders and operations. T...

In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss Delta Airlines' recent earnings report, highlighting a solid operating margin and the impact of tariffs and economic uncertainty on the airline industry. They explore the strength of Delta's loyalty program and the demographic trends influencing travel demand, particularly among baby boomers. The conversation a...

In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabbat discuss significant CEO departures in the airline industry, particularly focusing on Spirit Airlines and AirBaltic. They analyze the implications of these changes amidst economic uncertainty, including the impact of tariffs and fluctuating oil prices on airline operations and travel demand. The conversation shifts to...

In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, host Gordon Smith speaks with Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, about the launch of the new national carrier for Saudi Arabia. They discuss the airline's ambitious plans, including achieving an Air Operator Certificate, the importance of digital transformation in enhancing guest experience, and the strategic partnerships being formed with other airlines...

In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabbat discuss insights from the Skift India Forum, focusing on interviews with Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India, and Peter Elbers, CEO of Indigo Airlines. They explore the transformation of Air India under Tata's ownership, the competitive landscape of the Indian airline market, and the impressive growth of Indigo. The con...

In this week’s episode, Gordon and Jay delve into the Caribbean airline market, highlighting key players like American Airlines and the emerging low-cost carrier Aerojet from the Dominican Republic. They discuss the competitive landscape, including JetBlue's dominance in the New York to Santo Domingo route. The conversation then shifts to Lufthansa, examining its recent financial struggles, the im...

In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabbitt delve into the latest earnings season results for airlines globally. They discuss the impact of fluctuating fuel prices, analyze the performance of various airlines in Q4, and highlight the winners and losers in the industry. The conversation also covers the broader economic context affecting airline profitability an...

In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, host Gordon Smith, along with guests Jay Shabbat and Meghna Maharishi, discuss the significant strategic changes at Southwest Airlines. The conversation covers the airline's decision to implement bag fees, the introduction of a basic economy fare, and the overall impact of these changes on the brand and customer loyalty. The discussion also touches on...

In this week's episode, Gordon and Jay discuss the latest financial results and operational strategies of British Airways and Qantas. They delve into British Airways' impressive earnings, particularly in the North Atlantic market, and the implications of potential Heathrow expansion. The conversation then shifts to Qantas, highlighting its strong domestic performance and the challenges it faces in...

This week hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the upcoming Skift India Forum, focusing on major airline players like Air India and Indigo. They explore Singapore Airlines' strategic investment in Air India and the implications of fleet expansions for Indigo. The conversation shifts to insights from the U.S. airline industry, highlighting trends in consolidation and the future of low-cost car...

In this week's episode, Gordon Smith is joined by Airline Weekly's Jay Shabat and Skift airlines reporter Meghna Maharishi. Part one is focused on the big picture trends as U.S. earnings season draws to a close. In part two, the trio discuss the first involuntary layoffs in Southwest history and assess their wider impact on the airline.  Read the latest issue of Airline Weekly. Takeaways The US ai...

In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat delve into the current state of Japan Airlines and British Airways. They explore Japan Airlines' historical performance, recent financial trends, and the challenges it faces in a competitive market. The discussion then shifts to British Airways' recent changes to its loyalty program, which have sparked significant publ...

In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat delve into the potential merger between Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. They discuss the historical context of their relationship, the current status of Spirit's bankruptcy, and Frontier's renewed offer. The conversation explores the implications of a merger, including potential synergies and market power, while...

Note: This episode was recorded prior to the American Eagle collision with a military helicopter on January 29, 2025. In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Jay Shabat and Meghna Maharishi analyze the financial performance and strategic direction of American Airlines and Breeze Airways. American Airlines, despite improving its operating margin to 8% in Q4 2024, continues to lag behind...

In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabbat discuss significant developments in the airline industry, focusing on a potential mega merger in Brazil involving Azul and Gol, and the acquisition of ITA Airways by the Lufthansa Group. They explore the implications of these mergers on competition, market dynamics, and the challenges faced by low-cost carriers in Sou...

In this episode, Gordon and Jay discuss the current state of the Egyptian aviation scene, highlighting the booming tourism sector despite regional unrest. They explore the factors contributing to Egypt's tourism success, including its geographical advantages, affordability, and the influx of Russian tourists. The conversation then shifts to European air capacity trends, examining the disparities i...

Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat crunch the big numbers to reveal which U.S. carriers are in expansion mode in the first quarter of 2025 and which operators are shrinking year-on-year.  Takeaways The US airline industry is seeing a modest capacity increase of 1% for Q1 2025. Delta Airlines is focusing growth on mid-continent hubs like Atlanta and Minneapolis. United Airlines is experiencing the fastest...

In this week’s episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat turn their attention to the year ahead. Going region-by-region, the pair share the emerging stories that are on their radar for 2025 and beyond.  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.instagra...

In this week’s episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat are back for the second half of their 2024 trends countdown. Hot topics include the impact of a strong U.S. Dollar and chronic supply chain issues. 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.instag...

In this week’s episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the biggest trends to have shaped the airline sector in 2024. From continued consolidation to a horror show for U.S. LCCs, we reflect on a fascinating year for the industry. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlinewee...

In this week’s episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat are joined by Skift airlines reporter Meghna Maharishi to discuss why ancillary fees are coming under pressure from lawmakers in Washington. In part two, Gordon and Jay turn their attention to Taiwan’s booming airline market and explore the key factors behind its recent success.  Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/comp...

In this week's show, Airline Weekly's Gordon Smith is in conversation with Sean Donohue, CEO of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. This wide-ranging discussion includes insights into major terminal overhauls, attracting new airline partners, and ensuring operational resilience. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Wee...