Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 89: Delta’s Clear Skies

Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 89: Delta’s Clear Skies

Author: Skift January 24, 2018 Duration: 31:05
Delta’s 2017 profits were down slightly from the glory days of 2015 and 2016. But make no mistake: This airline is performing very well. Consider that fuel prices increased 23% in the fourth quarter, and the airline was still slightly more profitable in the quarter year over year. The transatlantic market is performing well. The Asian market is performing well. The South American market is performing better. And that’s all before you get to Atlanta, which is one of the most valuable pieces on the worldwide airline chessboard. For a little more color on Delta’s positioning around the globe, this episode includes an interview with Steve Sear, Delta’s President of International and Executive Vice President of Global Sales. Click here to subscribe to podcast. –Jason Cottrell Subscribe to Podcast | Listen Whenever: iTunes | Stitcher

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
The Return of Icelandair [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:09
Icelandair had a rough few years before and during Covid. But the airline believes it has turned the financial corner, and forecasts its best results in seven years. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss. Plus, Turkish A…
Air Canada Off to a Good Start [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:28
Air Canada lost money in the first quarter of 2023. But that's no surprise. Wintertime losses are common for the carrier. But the red ink was minimal, setting it up for a strong year. Plus, a discussion about San Francis…
Ryanair Makes Up With Boeing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:29
Ryanair gave Boeing a boost, and let bygones be bygones, by ordering up to 300 new 737 Maxes. It’s the European discounter’s largest-ever order. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss the deal. Plus, Air France-KLM and IA…
Alan Joyce's Legacy at Qantas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:39
Alan Joyce took over Qantas Airways just as the Great Recession descended in 2008. He set about turning around its money-losing longhaul business, forging new international ties, and cementing Qantas' dominance of the Au…
JetBlue and New York's Problems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:43
JetBlue has a New York problem. The city that made the airline could hold it back this summer if the Federal Aviation Administration’s air traffic control staffing issues are as bad as forecast. Edward Russell and Jay Sh…
United and Alaska Airlines Navigate Uncertainty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:38
Airline Weekly’s Jay Shabat is joined by former Airline Weekly Editor Madhu Unnikrishnan to discuss United Airlines’ and Alaska Airlines’ first quarter earnings reports from earlier this week. The conversation starts wit…
First Quarter U.S. Airline Earnings Preview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:44
Delta Air Lines kicked off the first-quarter earnings season this week. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss what they expect. Plus, can American Airlines catch up to the pack? Reading List Delta Margin Recovery to Near…
Let's Hear It For Delta's Atlanta Airport Powerhouse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:12
Atlanta retained its title as the world’s busiest airport last year, shocker we know. But more interesting is the rise of the Denver and Istanbul airports — to third and seventh busiest, respectively — that were not even…
Lufthansa Nears ITA Airways Deal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:15
Lufthansa is closer than ever to a deal for Italy's state-owned carrier, Alita..., oops, ITA Airways. But can Lufthansa turn loss-making ITA into a gem? That remains to be seen. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss, plu…
The Different Ways Aviation Is Booming in India and Saudi Arabia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:28
Big changes are underway in Saudi Arabia and India, with both poised for rapid growth in airline traffic. Each, however, is taking a distinct approach with respect to protecting their domestic airlines. Airline Weekly’s…