Episodes
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:...
Published 07/26/24
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.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook:...
Published 07/19/24
Published 07/19/24
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. 
Published 07/12/24
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 €160-€180 million ($175-$200 million) for Q3 due to international markets avoiding Paris...
Published 07/04/24
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
Published 06/28/24
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
Published 06/21/24
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
Published 06/14/24
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 interview she reflects on a genuinely illustrious career, before discussing her vision for the...
Published 06/07/24
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
Published 05/31/24
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 Talking Corporate Bullsh*t’ https://skift.com/2024/03/20/ryanair-ceo-slams-boeing-culture/ What Are...
Published 05/24/24
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.
Published 05/17/24
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.
Published 05/10/24
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. 
Published 05/03/24
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.
Published 04/26/24
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.
Published 04/19/24
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.
Published 04/12/24
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.
Published 04/05/24
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. 
Published 03/29/24
Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the global airports that look set to be the big winners and losers in the coming quarter.
Published 03/22/24
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.
Published 03/15/24
Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss a new strategy from American Airlines to win back domestic market share and boost loyalty. We also examine the impact of Turkish Airlines' Australian debut on Qantas and other major carriers. 
Published 03/08/24
Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat examine the latest results from IAG to find out how they compare with Air France-KLM. We also take a deep-dive into Latin America to explore the fortunes of Latam Airlines. 
Published 03/01/24
Today we feature a portion of our Skift’s Megatrends for 2024, as Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit is joined by Airlines Editor and Reporter Gordon Smith and Airline Weekly Senior Analyst Jay Shabat, to discuss our some of our most "problematic" Megatrends. They cover the continuing supply chain issues faced by the aviation sector, and the impacts of the burgeoning climate crisis on the business of travel.  You can see all of Skift’s Megatrends for 2024 right now at Skift.com/megatrends.
Published 02/23/24
Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss how Thai Airways has shaken off its pandemic problems and emerged as one of the world's most profitable carriers.
Published 02/16/24