Episodes

  • What is America's Most Profitable Airline?

    What is America's Most Profitable Airline?
    Aug 14 2025
    In this week's show, Gordon and Jay unpack the latest earnings season data at major U.S. carriers. From the winners to the losers and everything in between, we examine the key factors driving profitability in Q2 2025. 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/⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠@SkiftNews⁠⁠ and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
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    31 mins
  • What is Air France-KLM's Weakest Link?

    What is Air France-KLM's Weakest Link?
    Aug 6 2025
    In part one, Gordon and Jay unpack the latest financials from the Air France-KLM Group and explore a mixed set of results. In part two, the discussion turns to a superstar performance from South America's Latam Airlines Group. 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/⁠ Subscribe to ⁠@SkiftNews⁠ and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
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    30 mins
  • American, Alaska, Southwest: Who Came Out on Top?

    American, Alaska, Southwest: Who Came Out on Top?
    Jul 31 2025
    Today hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the latest earnings reports from major U.S. airlines, focusing on the performance of American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. They analyze the factors affecting profitability, including operating margins, domestic exposure, labor costs, and market dynamics. The conversation also touches on the upcoming European airline earnings and the competitive landscape in the airline industry. Takeaways Delta and United reported strong operating margins of 13% and 12%. American Airlines' operating margin was 8%, indicating challenges ahead. Southwest Airlines reported a disappointing 3% margin, half of last year's performance. Non-fuel costs have significantly increased for airlines, impacting profitability. Premium travel demand remains strong, benefiting airlines like Delta and United. American Airlines has a higher domestic exposure compared to its competitors. A distribution misstep has negatively affected American Airlines' performance. American Airlines faces a credit card contract disadvantage compared to Delta and United. Alaska Airlines is performing well, with a strong loyalty program and corporate travel exposure. The upcoming European airline earnings reports are highly anticipated. Connect with Airline WeeklyLinkedIn: 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/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
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    32 mins
  • United Airlines and Ryanair in an Age of Uncertainty

    United Airlines and Ryanair in an Age of Uncertainty
    Jul 24 2025
    Gordon and Jay discuss the latest earnings reports from United Airlines and Ryanair, exploring their financial performance, market comparisons, and the broader economic outlook. They delve into United's strategic partnerships, the United Next strategy, and the implications of tariffs on the airline industry, particularly in relation to Ryanair's operations and aircraft orders. Their conversation highlights the current state of the airline industry amidst economic uncertainties and evolving trade relations. Takeaways United Airlines reported an 11.6% operating margin for Q2 2025. Despite disruptions, United's demand for premium services remains strong. United's growth strategy includes up gauging to larger aircraft. Economic uncertainties persist, but the outlook remains optimistic. Ryanair achieved a 21% operating margin, benefiting from strong travel demand. Tariff negotiations between the US and EU could impact airline operations. Ryanair's capacity is constrained due to aircraft delivery delays. The US economy shows signs of resilience despite tariff concerns. Low oil prices are beneficial for consumer spending and airline profitability. The future of US-EU trade relations remains uncertain, with potential implications for the aviation sector. Connect with Airline WeeklyLinkedIn: 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/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
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    34 mins
  • Wizz Air Abu Dhabi: What Went Wrong?

    Wizz Air Abu Dhabi: What Went Wrong?
    Jul 17 2025
    Today, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat are joined by their colleague Meghna Maharishi to discuss Delta's latest earnings report and what it signals for the airline industry. They then delve into the surprising strategic withdrawal of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, which Gordon revealed earlier this week on Skift. As the airline suspends operations and exits its joint venture, we explore the factors leading to this decision, including engine reliability issues, geopolitical volatility, and regulatory barriers. Join us as we unpack the implications for the airline industry and what this means for Wizz Air's future. Takeaways Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is halting operations and exiting its joint venture due to engine issues, geopolitical volatility, and regulatory challenges. The withdrawal follows earlier signs of market softness and service suspensions in Abu Dhabi. Wizz Air's broader network is unaffected, with refunds or rebookings for impacted bookings. The move underscores the difficulties low-cost carriers face in new, complex markets. Wizz Air's decision reflects a trend of reassessing market opportunities amid global changes. 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/⁠ Subscribe to ⁠@SkiftNews⁠ and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
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    33 mins
  • Who Wants to Join an Airline Alliance?

    Who Wants to Join an Airline Alliance?
    Jul 10 2025
    In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the latest developments in the One World Alliance, including the recent addition of Oman Air as its 15th member. They explore the implications of this expansion, the challenges of airline alliances in covering global markets, and the potential for future memberships, particularly in regions like India and Latin America. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of airline partnerships, the role of IATA in the industry, and the current state of air traffic demand globally. Takeaways Oman Air has joined the One World Alliance as its 15th member. The One World Alliance aims to strengthen its presence in the Middle East. There is a debate on the depth versus breadth of airline alliances. One World lacks representation in Sub-Saharan Africa and South America. Indigo Airlines is not prioritizing alliance membership currently. Hawaiian Airlines is expected to join One World by 2026. Airline alliances primarily benefit loyal customers by providing access to global networks. Southwest Airlines has joined IATA but remains independent from alliances. The airline industry is experiencing robust growth post-COVID. The domestic US market is currently shrinking, contrasting with global growth. Connect with Airline WeeklyLinkedIn: 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/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
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    31 mins
  • The 2025 Half-Time Airline Report

    The 2025 Half-Time Airline Report
    Jul 3 2025
    In this episode, Gordon and Jay reflect on the first half of 2025 in the airline industry, discussing key trends such as global demand, the impact of the U.S. dollar, and the ongoing consolidation within the industry. They explore how weather patterns are affecting tourism, the economic implications of tariffs, and the potential for mergers and acquisitions as airlines navigate a changing landscape. Looking ahead, they highlight the importance of monitoring oil prices and supply chain issues as the industry moves into the second half of the year. Takeaways The first half of 2025 saw strong global demand for air travel. Weather conditions are impacting tourism patterns in Europe. The U.S. dollar's decline has significant implications for airlines. Tariffs have created uncertainty but the overall impact was modest. Consolidation discussions are prevalent in the airline industry. Airlines are exploring mergers and partnerships to strengthen their positions. The integration of Air India and Astara is a notable example of consolidation. The performance of the U.S. dollar affects international travel demand. Oil prices and supply chain issues will be critical in the second half of 2025. The airline industry is always subject to unexpected changes and challenges. Connect with Airline WeeklyLinkedIn: 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/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
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    24 mins
  • Paris Air Show 2025: Highs and Lows

    Paris Air Show 2025: Highs and Lows
    Jun 26 2025
    In part one of this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss the major developments from this year's Paris Air Show. In part two, the conversation turns to Vietnam, as we learn more about its rapidly growing airline market. Takeaways The closure of Qatari airspace has significant implications for airline operations. The Paris Air Show showcased a mix of optimism and caution in the aviation industry. Boeing's presence at the Paris Air Show was notably diminished due to recent tragedies. Embraer is facing challenges in the US market due to pilot scope clauses. Vietjet is aggressively expanding its fleet to accommodate growing demand in Vietnam. Vietnam's aviation market is on track for record traffic in 2025. New airport infrastructure is being developed in Vietnam to support growth. The competition among airlines in Vietnam is intensifying with new entrants. Foreign investment in Vietnam's aviation sector is increasing, particularly from Asian carriers. The future of new airlines in Vietnam will depend on their ability to secure aircraft in a tight market. Connect with Airline WeeklyLinkedIn: 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/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
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    33 mins