236 episodes

Hosted by Ben Baldanza, former CEO Spirit Airlines & Scott McCartney, former Wall Street Journal Aviation Editor/Columnist "The Middle Seat". Top stories, discussion, listener questions, and passenger complaints are all addressed head-on in each episode.

Airlines Confidential Podcast Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

    • Business
    • 4.3 • 100 Ratings

Hosted by Ben Baldanza, former CEO Spirit Airlines & Scott McCartney, former Wall Street Journal Aviation Editor/Columnist "The Middle Seat". Top stories, discussion, listener questions, and passenger complaints are all addressed head-on in each episode.

    236 - John Breyault, VP, Public Policy, Telecommunications & Fraud, National Consumers League

    236 - John Breyault, VP, Public Policy, Telecommunications & Fraud, National Consumers League

    This week: John Breyault, VP, Public Policy, Telecommunications & Fraud, National Consumers League; Also, a dreadful week of business news for airlines; Big losses at AA & SWA; SWA cuts routes, open to new fees; DOT refunds & fee display policy changes; Listener Q on SWA commuter policy concern.

    • 55 min
    235 - Sam Coats, Retired Airline & Corporate Executive & Civic Leader

    235 - Sam Coats, Retired Airline & Corporate Executive & Civic Leader

    This week: Sam Coats, Retired Airline & Corporate Executive & Civic Leader ; United CEO Scott Kirby reports Q1 loss & Boeing order conversions; Strong Q2 ticket demand; A close call at DCA; Southwest launches new marketing campaign.

    • 52 min
    234- Jay Sorensen, President, IdeaWorksCompany

    234- Jay Sorensen, President, IdeaWorksCompany

    This week: Jay Sorensen, President, IdeaWorksCompany; Loyalty program values; Delta Q1 numbers; Spirit woes deepen; Breeze shows a profit; Huge payday for AA CEO Robert Isom; Listener Q on new Boeing aircraft.

    • 34 min
    233 - Kevin O'Toole, Chief Strategy Officer, Cirium

    233 - Kevin O'Toole, Chief Strategy Officer, Cirium

    This week: Kevin O'Toole, Chief Strategy Officer, Cirium; Data on 2023 Airfares; Airline C-Suite compensation - who's on top? Oakland CA airport wants San Francisco name; Listener input on passenger security screening, crew bases and scheduling.

    • 40 min
    232 - This week: It's In The Bag - A Focus on the Business of Bag Fees

    232 - This week: It's In The Bag - A Focus on the Business of Bag Fees

    This week: It's In The Bag - A Focus on the Business of Bag Fees; Breezy Rewards Valuation; Listener input: Feedback on John Heimlich, American shifting to more domestic flights, United's overhead bins.

    • 30 min
    231 - John Heimlich, VP/Chief Economist, Airlines for America

    231 - John Heimlich, VP/Chief Economist, Airlines for America

    This week: John Heimlich, VP/Chief Economist, Airlines for America; Boeing searching for a new CEO; FAA moves EWR TRACON to PHL; JetBlue cuts routes; Is cutting costs ultimately more costly? Listener feedback: Public charter security, Rudy Maxa's destination judgements, Maintenance techs in the future.

    • 37 min

Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5
100 Ratings

100 Ratings

peterhill3505 ,

Always insightful and entertaining

Look, Ben and Scott are awesome and I look forward to this podcast every week. I don’t always agree with their views on the airline business (as a passenger at least) but their discussions are always thoughtful and piquant, and their positions earnest.

It’s unfortunat that the review average has been distorted by people with petty grievances. The fact that they (very mildly) encouraged people to get vaccinated and believe there is actually a pilot shortage shouldn’t discourage you from listening. You’ll learn a ton of interesting stuff.

Brianep ,

Love the show

I love the show, it’s very informative, entertaining, and always engaging. One request of the hosts - please, please invest in higher quality microphones. Most of the time you sound like you’re recording the podcast in a barrel. Sound quality could really use an improvement.

Vinn3208 ,

Because of Ben!

I only listen because Ben is a funny guy who uses his industry expertise to provide opinion to the stories shaping the industry. However, it seems like Chris is always annoyed or disagreeing with him during any opinion piece. Chris is smart, from what I can tell, but I don’t think this podcast is doing him any favors. He seems miserable.

If Ben could get a new host, there would be a better listening experience for everyone! Ben may become alive again, and the show will succeed!

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