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
December 4, 2025 • 22 mins
Gordon and Jay reveal the major U.S. airports that are due to grow at an impressive rate in the coming quarter. From Texas to Tennessee, we break down the numbers and examine the factors driving rapid growth.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airlin...
Mark as Played
November 27, 2025 • 35 mins
In part one, Gordon shares an insider perspective on a major new Skift feature examining the business case for Qantas' 'Project Sunrise' ultra long-haul flights. In part two, attention swings to European carriers as Jay rounds up the most profitable airlines for the all-important Q3 peak season.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect...
Mark as Played
November 20, 2025 • 63 mins
In this special episode, we bring you the full recording from our recent LinkedIn Live webinar (Click This Link For Video Version).
Titled ‘Airlines in 2026: Flying into Trouble?’, Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to set the scene for the year ahead, with all of the challenges and opportunities that it may bring.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn...
Mark as Played
November 13, 2025 • 38 mins
In part one, Gordon and Jay reflect on the latest financial insights from Emirates, and examine the challenges that could lie ahead for the Dubai-based giant. In part two, the conversation turns to a disappointing set of Q3 results from KLM.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin....
Mark as Played
November 6, 2025 • 29 mins
In part one, Gordon and Jay break down Ryanair’s latest earnings and uncover what keeps Europe’s biggest low-cost airline flying high. In part two, they share key takeaways from the CEOs of Etihad and Oman Air at the Skift Global Forum East — including how Gulf carriers see the next phase of global travel growth.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
C...
Mark as Played
October 30, 2025 • 24 mins
In part one of this week's show, Jay and Meghna discuss the latest developments regarding the U.S. government shutdown and its impact on air travel. In part two, their attention turns to JetBlue and its latest earnings report.
Follow the Hosts:
Meghna Maharishi – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airli...
Mark as Played
October 23, 2025 • 34 mins
In part one of this week's show, Gordon and Jay examine some of the factors creating headwinds for United in the U.S domestic market. In part two, we turn our attention to Europe and discuss a rare joint interview with the CEOs of Air France-KLM and Lufthansa Group.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https:/...
Mark as Played
October 16, 2025 • 24 mins
In part one of this week's show, we discuss a changing of the guard at Virgin Atlantic, as CEO Shai Weiss prepares to step down after seven years. In part two, we contextualize a strong set of Q3 figures from Delta.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X:...
Mark as Played
October 9, 2025 • 27 mins
On the eve of Q3 earnings season, Gordon and Jay explore the key trends to watch as America's biggest carriers get ready to reveal their latest financials.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: ...
Mark as Played
October 2, 2025 • 33 mins
In this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss the latest developments in the Hong Kong aviation scene. From a return to profitability at Cathay Pacific to a new third runway at the city's international airport, the Asian hub is looking to reassert its dominance after a bruising few years.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: ...
Mark as Played
September 25, 2025 • 20 mins
In this week’s Airline Weekly Lounge, Jay Shabbat and guest-host Meghna Maharishi unpack the biggest takeaways from Skift Global Forum in New York.
The discussion spans airline labor challenges easing in the post-pandemic years, the impact of delayed aircraft deliveries on capacity and growth, and shifting demand patterns across the United States of America, Asia, and international markets.
They also explore how network strateg...
Mark as Played
September 18, 2025 • 32 mins
In part one of this week's show, we discuss the key developments from a major U.S. aerospace summit in Washington D.C. attended by Skift airline reporter, Meghna Maharishi. In part two, Gordon and Jay explore the factors driving impressive growth in the Greek airline market.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi – LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
Link...
Mark as Played
September 11, 2025 • 35 mins
As WestJet places the biggest aircraft order in its history, we discuss the past, present, and future direction of Canada’s second-largest airline. The conversation also includes updates on the latest developments at JetBlue and British leisure carrier Jet2.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline...
Mark as Played
September 4, 2025 • 29 mins
In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss robust financials from the Qantas Group and Virgin Australia, and explore why Air New Zealand continues to struggle.
In part two, the conversation turns to China and the headwinds dragging on profitability for the country's three largest airlines.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linke...
Mark as Played
August 28, 2025 • 27 mins
In part one, Jay and Meghna discuss the prospects of Spirit Airlines as it struggles to revive. In part two, the conversation turns north to Air Canada and its path ahead following a costly, peak-season flight attendant strike.
Five Key Takeaways
Spirit Airlines faces existential risk – with bankruptcy, liquidation, merger, or recovery as possible paths, but its ULCC model looks increasingly unsustainable in today’s market.
...
Mark as Played
August 21, 2025 • 29 mins
In this week's show, Gordon and Jay take a step back from the business of airlines to explore the world's busiest airports. As we discover, the global top 10 is constantly changing with a fierce battle to maintain international ranking and prestige.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: ...
Mark as Played
August 14, 2025 • 31 mins
In this week's show, Gordon and Jay unpack the latest earnings season data at major U.S. carriers. From the winners to the losers and everything in between, we examine the key factors driving profitability in Q2 2025.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Faceb...
Mark as Played
August 6, 2025 • 30 mins
In part one, Gordon and Jay unpack the latest financials from the Air France-KLM Group and explore a mixed set of results. In part two, the discussion turns to a superstar performance from South America's Latam Airlines Group.
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.i...
Mark as Played
July 31, 2025 • 32 mins
Today hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the latest earnings reports from major U.S. airlines, focusing on the performance of American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. They analyze the factors affecting profitability, including operating margins, domestic exposure, labor costs, and market dynamics. The conversation also touches on the upcoming European airline earnings and the competitive landscape in the a...
Mark as Played
July 24, 2025 • 33 mins
Gordon and Jay discuss the latest earnings reports from United Airlines and Ryanair, exploring their financial performance, market comparisons, and the broader economic outlook. They delve into United's strategic partnerships, the United Next strategy, and the implications of tariffs on the airline industry, particularly in relation to Ryanair's operations and aircraft orders. Their conversation highlights the current state of the ...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com