Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 37: Southwest and Alaska Outperform

Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 37: Southwest and Alaska Outperform

Author: Skift April 26, 2016 Duration: 25:42
While Delta, American and United have all seen both revenues and costs dropping, Southwest and Alaska just experienced the opposite in the first quarter. In fact, Southwest and Alaska rode a wave of rising revenues (say that three times fast) and rising costs to fantastic profits—and they did it in the normally sluggish Q1, no less. Speaking of American, how serious is the airline’s declining revenue, which is getting dinged by Southwest in Dallas and bruised by the economy in Brazil? Meanwhile, United is getting roughed up in Asia and simply hammered in Houston. Continuing to underperform its peers, United is making a change to its board. Will it help? And we raise a mai tai to Hawaiian Airlines, which posted a breezy Q1 in its own right.

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
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