Episodes
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
Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss Frontier Airlines' bold new strategy which will see it cut capacity in Las Vegas and Florida. We also review the latest developments from Japan where the country's biggest carriers are enjoying a spike in premium demand.
Published 02/09/24
Ryanair has its problems, but it is doing much better than most. As the Irish low-cost giant posts its latest earnings, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat pick through the numbers and assess what the future could hold for the airline.
Published 02/02/24
As airline earnings season continues to gather momentum, this week we examine the fortunes of United and easyJet. Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the major developments and identify the key trends at these two very different carriers. 
Published 01/26/24
This week has seen major courtroom drama as the proposed JetBlue-Spirit merger was blocked by a U.S. judge. In this special episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the implications of the ruling and assess the likely knock on impact for the wider airline industry.
Published 01/19/24
Boeing's 737 Max is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. An Alaska Airlines 737-9 lost a door plug after a sudden decompression on January 5 that prompted the FAA to temporarily ground all Max 9 variants with door plugs. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Plus, JetBlue's leadership transition and outlook. Reading List Buttigieg on Boeing 737 Max 9’s Return: ‘Until It Is Ready, It’s Not Ready’ Alaska Cancels 737 Max 9 Flights Through Saturday as It Awaits FAA Approval for...
Published 01/12/24
What does Air France-KLM think of the future? It's bullish. Jay Shabat and Edward Russell discuss the group's recent investor day. Reading List Air France-KLM Bullish on the Future TAP Air Portugal Sale Delayed Up To a Year, Air France-KLM CEO Says The Airline Weekly team outlines the significant changes at Air France-KLM since Ben Smith became CEO in 2018. The airline, which was underperforming compared to its peers, has seen considerable improvements, particularly in the operating...
Published 01/05/24
Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest all dropped updates on the fourth quarter outlook in recent weeks. The verdict? Travel demand is good, fuel is down, and operations are largely better than expected. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat disucss. Plus, the state of airline labor relations in the U.S.  Reading List Delta Lays Out the Case For Continued Strength Flight Attendants Want More from U.S. Airlines. It Might Take a Strike to Get There. The flight attendants of CHAOS (Planet Money)
Published 12/15/23
There are three big reasons for Alaska Airlines proposed $1.9 billion merger with Hawaiian Airlines: scale, loyalty, and premium traffic. And there are lots of questions too. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Reading List Alaska Airlines in Deal to Buy Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 Billion Alaska Airlines Needs New Growth – That’s Why It’s Looking to Buy Hawaiian Alaska-Hawaiian Merger Faces a Justice Department Wary of Airline Combos What Could an Alaska-Hawaiian Loyalty Program Look...
Published 12/08/23
Virgin Atlantic in a good year turns a modest profit. In bad years, it loses money. So why is Shai Weiss so confident the airline will turn a profit next year? Jay Shabat and Edward Russell settle in for a cuppa to discuss. Plus, EasyJet's results. Reading List Virgin Atlantic CEO Focused on Return to Profitability in 2024 Virgin Atlantic Pressures UK for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Support EasyJet Raises Profit Outlook After ‘Record’ Summer, Orders More Airbus Planes
Published 12/01/23
With the team out for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, we're bringing you another session from the recent Skift Aviation Forum: Air Lease Corp. Executive Chairman Steven Udvar-Hazy in conversation with Brian Sumers of The Airline Observer. Enjoy!
Published 11/24/23
It was a busy week for Airbus and particularly Boeing in Dubai. The airframers racked up more than 330 firm orders for new aircraft from Emirates, Ethiopian, FlyDubai, and others at the airshow. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Plus, Korean Air's summer quarter results. Reading List Emirates’ Tim Clark on ‘Trust’ in Boeing, Supply Chain Issues and the End of Innovation Emirates Makes $52 Billion Deal With Boeing At Dubai Airshow
Published 11/17/23
Ryanair and Singapore Airlines had good summers, and the former will be among the most profitable globally. Both, however, are watching industry schedules closely as they look forward through the winter. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Reading List Ryanair Expects Summer Revenue Surge to Continue as Competitors Slow Growth Singapore Airlines Doubles Down on Strategic Initiatives as Competitors Recover
Published 11/10/23
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom joined Edward Russell on stage at the Skift Aviation Forum on November 1. Enjoy their wide-ranging discussion from the year-end holiday outlook to international growth and boosting loyalty revenues. Reading List American Airlines CEO Seeks to Boost Revenue and Enhance Loyalty Program American Airlines CEO Defends Direct Selling Push in Face of Travel Agent Complaints American Airlines Had a Rough Quarter, but Points to 2024 Tailwinds
Published 11/03/23