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Airline Weekly Lounge: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Skift
The editors of Airline Weekly discuss the most interesting developments within the commercial airline industry. In keeping with Airline Weekly’s style, conversation generally centers on one question: How do you make money in this industry?
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- 4 days ago18 min
Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster on Fuel, AI, and ATC Meltdowns
Gordon Smith sits down with Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster on the sidelines of Skift Global Forum in New York. They discuss how fuel costs are weighing on the airline and why premium demand keeps holding up, before turning to recent air traffic control meltdowns that have disrupted transatlantic operations. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat – LinkedIn Meghna Maharishi - 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. 0:00 Introduction1:00 Becoming CEO of Virgin Atlantic3:00 The Iran War and a Challenging First Year4:00 Fuel Costs Have Doubled5:30 Transatlantic Demand and Cargo Revenue7:00 The Premium Cabin Bet9:00 Keeping Premium Feeling Special10:00 The Delta Relationship12:00 AI at Virgin Atlantic14:00 ATC Failures and Infrastructure16:00 Vision for Virgin Atlantic
- 1 weeks ago37 min
What American, Southwest and United Told Investors
Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to unpack the recent Morgan Stanley Laguna conference, where executives from American, Southwest and United set out where they think the market is heading. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat – LinkedIn Meghna Maharishi - 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. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:45 Laguna Conference Themes 03:46 Demand Strong Costs Rising 08:12 Premium Push and Lounges 15:23 Airline Strategies Compared 18:25 Wrap Part One and Break 20:53 Part Two Fuel Update 22:58 Capacity Cuts Ahead 24:48 Merger Rumors Return 30:55 Regulators and Rail Parallels 36:09 Final Thanks and Subscribe
- 2 weeks ago41 min
Airlines Post Record Revenues But Costs Catch Up
Gordon and Jay open with why record revenues still aren't covering a sharp rise in costs, then turn to what JetBlue's latest outlook tells the rest of the industry. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat – LinkedIn Meghna Maharishi - 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. 00:00 Welcome and Agenda 00:50 Why Costs Matter Now 02:37 Six Inflation Buckets 03:01 Fuel and Labor Pressures 05:00 Aircraft and Maintenance Crunch 06:22 Airport Infrastructure Inflation 08:47 Premium Service Costs 09:49 Borrowing Costs Rising 11:32 How Airlines Fight Inflation 14:19 Capacity Cuts and Pricing Power 18:15 Demand and Supply Behind Fare Hikes 21:01 OEMs and Next Aircraft Programs 22:23 Forum Plug and News Notes 23:32 Back From Break Global Forum 26:36 JetBlue Investor Update Numbers 31:14 Fort Lauderdale Strategy Post Spirit 34:34 Losses Bankruptcy Talk and Options 36:11 Merger Prospects United Southwest American 38:19 JetBlue Right of Reply Context 40:34 Wrap Up and Subscribe
- 3 weeks ago38 min
The Air Canada Anko Inherits
In part one, Gordon and Jay weigh the opportunities in front of Air Canada against the challenges that come with them. In part two, the conversation turns to China, and why the country's Big Three carriers had such a rough second quarter. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat – LinkedIn Meghna Maharishi - 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. 00:00 Welcome and agenda 01:38 Air Canada turnaround history 04:27 New CEO and headwinds 08:32 Competitive landscape and Aeroplan 14:25 Sixth freedom strategy explained 16:42 New aircraft and route growth 21:49 Forum plug and break 23:03 China big three losses 24:20 Why fares can’t rise 27:04 Fleet politics and economy 28:48 International bright spots 34:25 Wrap up and next week
- Sep 3, 202632 min
Why US Airlines Are Betting Big on Europe in 2027
In part one, Jay and Meghna discuss the latest transatlantic expansion announcements from United and American Airlines and what they reveal about how US carriers are rethinking their European strategies. In part two, the conversation turns to the A321XLR, the narrow body aircraft making these new routes possible, and whether its heavy reliance on premium demand is a strength or a risk. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat – LinkedIn Meghna Maharishi - 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. 00:00 Welcome and agenda 02:05 United Europe expansion 04:52 American routes and Philly hub 09:37 Why transatlantic is shifting 11:19 Partners and new entrants 15:29 Delta moves and break 16:39 A321XLR overview 17:58 Who ordered the XLR 19:57 Delta skips the XLR 25:35 Economics and range limits 30:36 Wrap up and subscribe
- Aug 27, 202632 min
Qatar Airways: Skift Global Forum Preview
In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss some of the biggest talking points at Qatar Airways, as the airline's CEO, Hamad Ali Al-Khater, prepares to join the Skift Global Forum in New York next month. In part two, the conversation focuses on impressive Q2 profitability at Kuwait's Jazeera Airways. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat – LinkedIn Meghna Maharishi - 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. 00:00 Welcome and SGF Preview 01:06 Qatar CEO Transition 02:55 Qatar Financial Snapshot 05:34 Gulf Conflict Impacts 08:25 Sponsorships and Fleet Orders 12:47 Cabin Innovation and QSuite 15:37 Premium Economy Question 16:47 Skift Global Forum Details 18:14 Middle East Pivot 18:42 Jazeera Airways Surprise Profits 21:01 Why Jazeera Is Winning 25:07 Resilience and Kuwait Airways 30:08 Airline Weekly Return 31:06 Wrap Up and Subscribe
- Aug 20, 202639 min
Skift Global Forum 2026: Aviation Preview
In this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss two industry giants that are due to speak at the Skift Global Forum 2026 in New York between September 22-24. The conversation kicks off with Air Canada before turning to Virgin Atlantic. For the latest agenda and to book your ticket, visit live.skift.com Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat – LinkedIn Meghna Maharishi - 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. 00:00 Welcome and Forum Preview 00:52 Skift Global Forum Lineup 02:25 Air Canada Earnings Snapshot 04:44 Aeroplan Stake Sale 12:16 Questions for Mark Galardo 17:38 Break and Return 18:33 Virgin Atlantic New CEO 24:38 Virgin Profitability Challenges 31:07 Routes and Leisure Focus 36:57 Events and Closing Notes
- Aug 13, 202629 min
Turkish Airlines' Turbulent Quarter
In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss a mixed set of Q2 results for Turkish Airlines. In part two, the conversation turns to Allegiant Air, with the U.S. carrier now taking Sun Country under its wing. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat – LinkedIn Meghna Maharishi - 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. 00:00 Welcome and agenda 00:54 Turkish earnings overview 02:47 Why margins fell 05:16 Middle East disruptions 07:12 Gulf competition returns 08:56 Cargo boosts revenue 11:18 Q3 outlook and seasonality 12:46 Air Europa stake update 16:23 Wrap Turkish and break 17:17 Allegiant merger context 18:10 Best US margins 19:41 Product and distribution shifts 22:01 Demand and Florida focus 24:12 Fuel flexibility model 25:21 Pilot retention challenge 26:52 Forum announcements and close 28:31 Final subscribe reminders
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About Airline Weekly Lounge
The editors of Airline Weekly discuss the most interesting developments within the commercial airline industry. In keeping with Airline Weekly’s style, conversation generally centers on one question: How do you make money in this industry?
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