Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 13: Great American

Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 13: Great American

Author: Skift October 27, 2015 Duration: 22:15
Well that didn’t last long. American Airlines, the biggest carrier in the world, set a new quarterly profit record, with a $1.9b net profit in the third quarter. Of course, there are some technicalities at play here, but it broke Delta’s two-week old record. Maybe even more astonishing was United’s $1.7b figure. Has United finally narrowed the performance gap between itself and Delta and American? Meanwhile all of these airlines look like a bunch of pikers compared to Alaska Airlines. Southwest did just fine, but not as well as Volaris (by operating profit margin anyway). Plus we check in on Tigerair, Vietnam Airlines and Norwegian.

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
Who's to Blame for the Pilot Shortage? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:06
Tempers are flaring as airlines, unions, and even Congress point fingers at who's to blame for the pilot shortage. Edward "Ned" Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan discuss an innovative program at Southern Airways Express as…
Just What's Happening in Newark? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:08
Airlines are sparring over Newark Liberty International Airport, as United claims the FAA is allowing low-cost-carriers to go over the 79 flight operations per hour cap. But Spirit and JetBlue refute that claim and say U…
The Thick of Airline Earnings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:28
Edward “Ned” Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan are in the thick of first quarter earnings. The takeaway so far: demand changed for the better in March but summer may not be as rosy as many hoped, at least for travelers. Sta…
Bellwether Delta [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:20
Cape Air CEO Linda Markham warns that the U.S. industry’s every-airline-for-themselves approach to easing the pilot shortage may not be the best way to address supply. Edward “Ned” Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan discuss…
A Tale of Two Quarters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:19
It’s that time of year again: earnings! Delta Air Lines kicked off the first quarter results season with better than expected financials that reflected the two halves of the quarter; one characterized by Omicron and the…
JetBlue Wants Spirit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:56
In a surprise move, JetBlue Airways unveiled an unsolicited bid for Spirit Airlines, potentially derailing the latter’s deal with Frontier Airlines. But, given the potential market clout a larger ULCC could be to JetBlue…
What’s Delta Planning at LAX? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:00
Delta Air Lines is making a play for more premium passengers in Los Angeles. Our reporter Brian Sumers took a field trip to LAX to talk to Delta leaders to see what the airline thinks sets it apart at the country's secon…
What Oil Crisis? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:41
Russia's invasion of Ukraine initially sent oil markets into a spiral. Prices may have come back down to earth, but oil remains volatile. Yet, U.S. airline executives aren't terribly concerned. More pressing is how to hi…
What Happens to Russia’s Leased Fleet? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:15
How does a country that spans 11 time zones function without long-haul aircraft? That is among the questions Russia Edward "Ned" Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan consider in this week's episode. Russia's invasion of Ukrain…