Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 101: Delta Holds Up Well

Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 101: Delta Holds Up Well

Author: Skift July 17, 2018 Duration: 36:09
Rising costs aren’t keeping Delta down. Delta overcame a 33% year-over-year increase in fuel costs to produce more than $1.2b in net profits (excluding special items) and a handsome 16% quarterly operating margin. In fact, despite the increased costs, Delta almost matched last year’s 18% Q2 margin. And the airline thinks it can return to improving margins by year’s end. Meanwhile, it’s hard to imagine Norwegian’s results being more different. Norwegian chalked up a negative 3% operating profit margin, a ghastly result for the usually strong second quarter. JetBlue ordered CS300s—except now we’re calling them A220-300s. That deal surely made Airbus and its new partner Bombardier happy. In turn, Boeing is partnering with Embraer. What does this shakeup to the aircraft manufacturer space mean?

Step inside the Airline Weekly Lounge, a podcast from Skift where the editors behind the industry publication gather for a deeper, more conversational look at the world of commercial flight. This isn't just a recap of headlines; it's a focused exploration of the complex forces shaping how airlines operate, compete, and ultimately survive. Each episode digs into the week's most intriguing developments, from fleet strategies and route networks to labor dynamics and the evolving culture of travel, always with a keen eye on the bottom line. The central, driving question remains: how do carriers actually turn a profit in this famously volatile business? You'll hear analysis that connects financial results to real-world operations, discussing everything from premium cabin innovations and loyalty program economics to airport politics and environmental pressures. The tone is informed and accessible, peeling back the layers on both major global network carriers and regional players. For anyone curious about the business realities behind their boarding pass, this podcast offers a regular dose of context and clarity, revealing the intricate balance of economics, service, and strategy that keeps the industry aloft. Join the editors in the lounge for a perspective that goes beyond the news cycle.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 423

Airline Weekly Lounge
Podcast Episodes
Hawaiian and Volaris's Struggles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Duration: 26:26
If one thing's clear from the airlines that have reported third-quarter results it's that the U.S. domestic travel recovery has plateaued. That's not necessarily bad, passenger numbers are above 2019 levels, but the indu…
Delta's Profit Machine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:42
The reaction to Delta Air Lines' controversial loyalty program changes so far have proved more bluster than anything else. Its profit, and outlook, remain sound even as U.S. domestic demand slows to "steady." Edward Russ…
Air France-KLM Moves on SAS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:41
SAS is making some big changes. As part of its bankruptcy restructuring, Air France-KLM, along with other investors, will take a minority stake in the Scandinavian airline prompting a new commercial alignment and its mov…
Breeze Founder and CEO David Neeleman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:34
Breeze Airways founder and CEO, and perennial airline entrepreneur, David Neeleman sat down for a wide ranging conversation with Brian Sumers at the Skift Global Forum in New York this week. On stage, Neeleman spoke of e…
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Duration: 24:52
Mexico's airlines face two countervailing trends: the reopening of the U.S. to new growth countered by new restrictions at the country's busiest airport, Mexico City International. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss.…
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Duration: 24:01
Slower bookings and "heightened" airfare discounting are hurting Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines this quarter. That means potentially deep losses for the ultra low-cost carriers. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discu…
Fuel Costs Take a Bite Out of Airline Outlook [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:32
Fuel prices keep steadily rising after bottoming out in May. That's beginning to take a bite out the airline financial outlook for the third and fourth quarters. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Plus, competition i…
What Do Airlines Face This Autumn? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:24
How are airlines doing as the second-quarter earnings season wraps up? Generally good, but yield and cost concerns persist. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Plus, Air Arabia’s impressive results. We are taking a su…
The World's Most Profitable Airlines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:34
Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss the latest Airline Weekly profit rankings for the second quarter. Plus, the latest developments at Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific.