Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast
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?
Episodes
July 17, 2025 • 33 mins
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...
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July 10, 2025 • 30 mins
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 tou...
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July 3, 2025 • 23 mins
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 th...
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June 26, 2025 • 32 mins
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 ...
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June 19, 2025 • 25 mins
Today Jay Shabat is joined by Meghna Maharishi to discuss the recent developments in the airline industry, focusing on Virgin Australia and its turnaround after bankruptcy. They explore the implications of Virgin's IPO, its financial health, and the impact of Qatar Airways' investment. The conversation then shifts to capacity trends for the third quarter, highlighting demand stabilization, fuel price concerns, and growth in various...
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June 12, 2025 • 36 mins
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat tackle the challenges faced by Wizz Air and Spirit Airlines. They discuss Wizz Air's struggles with engine issues, market exits, and future growth opportunities, particularly in Eastern Europe. The conversation shifts to Spirit Airlines, highlighting its financial difficulties, rising costs, and leadership changes.
Takeaways
Wizz Air is facing sig...
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June 5, 2025 • 24 mins
For this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat delve into the recent partnership between JetBlue and United Airlines. They discuss the implications of this collaboration, the financial struggles faced by JetBlue, and the potential benefits for both airlines. The conversation also touches on regulatory considerations, industry reactions, and the future of airline mergers. With insights into loyalty ...
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May 29, 2025 • 26 mins
In this special edition of the Airline Weekly Lounge, Gordon Smith shares highlights from a recent interview with Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA and former CEO of IAG. From Trump's tariffs to Russian airspace, and oil prices to sustainable aviation, you can't afford to miss this wide-reaching discussion with one of the industry's biggest names.
Connect with Airline WeeklyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-w...
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May 22, 2025 • 33 mins
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat delve into the latest financial results of Ryanair, discussing its operational strategies, challenges, and future outlook. They also explore the significant aircraft orders placed by Qatar Airways, analyzing the implications of these deals in the context of the current aviation market and geopolitical factors. The conversation highlights the contrasting...
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May 15, 2025 • 35 mins
In this week's show, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat preview the latest financial results from Singapore Airlines, traditionally one of the world's most profitable long-haul operators. The pair also discuss highlights from an airline leadership conference and the latest Q1 earnings from global carriers.
Connect with Airline WeeklyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/X: h...
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May 8, 2025 • 37 mins
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat take listeners on a global tour of the airline industry's Q1 earnings results. They discuss the contrasting fortunes of airlines across Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia, highlighting optimism amidst challenges, mixed results, and shifts in consumer behavior. The conversation emphasizes the impact of oil prices, demand trends, and the overa...
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May 1, 2025 • 23 mins
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, Jay and Meghna discuss the recent Q1 earnings reports from major airlines, highlighting the mixed results and economic concerns affecting the industry. They delve into the challenges faced by American Airlines compared to its rivals, the importance of premium travel, and the potential impact of economic policies on consumer spending. The conversation then shifts to innovations in aviati...
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April 24, 2025 • 35 mins
In this episode, Gordon and Jay delve into the latest financials from Korean Air, highlighting their Q1 earnings, the integration with Asiana Airlines, and the dynamics of the cargo business amidst global trade uncertainties. They also discuss the challenges faced by Chinese airlines, including their financial struggles and the impact of international relations on aircraft orders and operations. The conversation provides insights i...
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April 17, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss Delta Airlines' recent earnings report, highlighting a solid operating margin and the impact of tariffs and economic uncertainty on the airline industry. They explore the strength of Delta's loyalty program and the demographic trends influencing travel demand, particularly among baby boomers. The conversation also touches on the competitive land...
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April 10, 2025 • 30 mins
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabbat discuss significant CEO departures in the airline industry, particularly focusing on Spirit Airlines and AirBaltic. They analyze the implications of these changes amidst economic uncertainty, including the impact of tariffs and fluctuating oil prices on airline operations and travel demand. The conversation shifts to the Canadian airline market, explor...
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April 3, 2025 • 26 mins
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, host Gordon Smith speaks with Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, about the launch of the new national carrier for Saudi Arabia. They discuss the airline's ambitious plans, including achieving an Air Operator Certificate, the importance of digital transformation in enhancing guest experience, and the strategic partnerships being formed with other airlines. Tony shares insights into the fle...
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March 27, 2025 • 39 mins
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabbat discuss insights from the Skift India Forum, focusing on interviews with Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India, and Peter Elbers, CEO of Indigo Airlines. They explore the transformation of Air India under Tata's ownership, the competitive landscape of the Indian airline market, and the impressive growth of Indigo. The conversation also highlights Pegasus A...
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March 20, 2025 • 34 mins
In this week’s episode, Gordon and Jay delve into the Caribbean airline market, highlighting key players like American Airlines and the emerging low-cost carrier Aerojet from the Dominican Republic. They discuss the competitive landscape, including JetBlue's dominance in the New York to Santo Domingo route. The conversation then shifts to Lufthansa, examining its recent financial struggles, the impact of Germany's economic challeng...
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March 13, 2025 • 31 mins
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabbitt delve into the latest earnings season results for airlines globally. They discuss the impact of fluctuating fuel prices, analyze the performance of various airlines in Q4, and highlight the winners and losers in the industry. The conversation also covers the broader economic context affecting airline profitability and provides insights into future tre...
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March 11, 2025 • 25 mins
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, host Gordon Smith, along with guests Jay Shabbat and Meghna Maharishi, discuss the significant strategic changes at Southwest Airlines. The conversation covers the airline's decision to implement bag fees, the introduction of a basic economy fare, and the overall impact of these changes on the brand and customer loyalty. The discussion also touches on the competitive landscape of the ai...
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