Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 54: Qantas' Down Under Wonder

Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 54: Qantas' Down Under Wonder

Author: Skift September 6, 2016 Duration: 38:44
Qantas reported a best-ever annual result. Not bad for a company that’s 95 years old. And not bad for a company that was barely breaking even just a few years ago. Virgin Australia, on the other hand, with a 2% operating margin, isn’t breaking any records—well, any records you’d want to break, that is. And then across the Tasman Sea is Air New Zealand… way out there… all alone… with nothing to keep it company except a whopping 15% operating margin. From there, things take a bad turn as we check in on a number of troubled carriers in the world. Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Gol and Nok Air all had tales of woe in the second quarter (although Gol’s tale of woe at least was a lot better than it was a year ago). Finnair is also doing better, but how good is that? And lastly, will Scott Kirby’s arrival at United give the airline enough star power to finally deliver on its vaunted potential?

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
Is Travel Countercyclical? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:42
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian claimed this week, after his airline reported a robust third quarter profit and sees seemingly unsated demand, that travel is "countercyclical" to the economic winds. And he's not alone, In…
The World’s All-Star Airports [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:03
What's the ado with Austin, Cancun, Ho Chi Minh City, Paris Orly, and Riyadh? All of the airports are seeing tremendous growth above pre-pandemic levels. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss why. Plus, Boeing's 737 Max:…
American Airlines’ Blended Travel Boom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:51
The "real revenue growth" at American Airlines is in blended trips, or travel that includes both business and personal aspects, Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja said at the Skift Global Forum earlier in September. Near…
Orlando Airport’s Rebound [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:35
The U.S. travel recovery is strong, and maybe nearly complete. If there is one airport that epitomizes the strength of the leisure-first recovery, it is Orlando where seemingly endless domestic demand before the pandemic…
Indian Aviation’s Moment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:56
Is Indian aviation's moment here? Air India under Tata ownership has a deal for new airplanes, while the country's largest airline, IndiGo, keeps growing and several new startups are adding new competition to the market.…
China's Red Ink [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:40
Chinese airlines struggled mightily during the first half of the year under the country's zero-Covid policy. The Big 3 all lost money but China Eastern, based in Shanghai — which suffered several lockdowns — lost the mos…
Hawaiian Airline's Recovery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:44
What does post-pandemic life like for a destination carrier like Hawaiian Airlines? CEO Peter Ingram joins Edward Russell to discuss the airline's recovery and outlook, including the long-awaited reopening of Japan. Plus…
The London Airport Crunch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:49
Flying through London is getting a little better with the end of capacity caps at Gatwick Airport. But constraints remain in place at Heathrow until the end of October, and British Airways has already reduced its schedul…
Lufthansa, ITA and European Airline Consolidation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:00
The Lufthansa Group has spent the better part of 20 years trying to improve its fortunes through consolidation. Some deals, like of Swiss, have been winners, others, like of Austrian and Brussels, not so much. Edward Rus…
Southwest's Airports Czar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:52
Meet Steve Sisneros, the airport czar at Southwest Airlines. As vice president of airport affairs, he oversees current and future real estate at the carrier's 121 airports. Edward Russell and Sisneros chat about Southwes…