Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 76: Six Months in 30 Minutes

Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 76: Six Months in 30 Minutes

Author: Skift July 4, 2017 Duration: 33:34
Terror attacks… a blockade… Alitalia… The first half of 2017 has been interesting—even against the airline industry’s high standard in that department. In just a 30-minute episode we attempt to unpack the first half of 2017. Despite a lot of excitement, the most significant story of the year—low oil prices—is really rather mundane, but still a very big deal. For instance, it means the U.S. earnings bonanza might be more sustainable. Europe is enjoying one of its better years in recent memory. Gulf carriers are cutting capacity, which might (or might not) be the start of a seismic change in the industry. Kenya Airways is back on its feet, while South African Airways is on it back. New entrants are riding an economic resurgence in South America. Lion Air, VietJet and Air Asia are ensuring capacity remains high in the ASEAN region. And that’s all before we get to China, which continues to be the 800-pound panda in the room.

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
Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 2: Postcards from the Hedge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:24
American Airlines doesn’t hedge its jet fuel, and now it’s enjoying the fruits of that somewhat contrarian strategy. Is AA onto something here? Is fuel hedging a smart play? Will other airlines mimic AA and reject hedgin…
Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 1: Can It Get Any Better? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:41
Our inaugural episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge went live today. Within it, Seth Kaplan and I discuss this golden age for U.S. aviation. Can profits get any better? Along those lines, Delta reported earnings last week…