The World's Most Profitable Airlines

The World's Most Profitable Airlines

Author: Skift March 13, 2025 Duration: 31:35
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabbitt delve into the latest earnings season results for airlines globally. They discuss the impact of fluctuating fuel prices, analyze the performance of various airlines in Q4, and highlight the winners and losers in the industry. The conversation also covers the broader economic context affecting airline profitability and provides insights into future trends and expectations for the airline industry. Takeaways Fuel prices are trending down, which could benefit airlines. Thai Airways has made a remarkable turnaround, achieving high margins. Demand for air travel remains strong, especially in premium segments. US airlines like Delta and United are performing well due to premium demand. Air France and KLM are facing challenges despite some recovery in demand. Aeromexico's bankruptcy has led to a successful turnaround. The economic landscape is shifting, impacting airline performance. Airlines are adjusting their strategies in response to market conditions. The upcoming JP Morgan investor event will provide insights into US airlines. Future trends indicate a focus on profitability and operational efficiency. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.

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 83: Solid Start to Earnings Season [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:30
Despite being dinged by rising costs, Delta opened the third-quarter earnings season with its customary show of strength. Revenues rose 6% on just 2% growth, and it posted a 16% operating profit margin. While things aren…
Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 82: Whoa Mexico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:44
The food scene and the tequila are great in Mexico. The airline industry? Not so much—at least at the moment. Everybody lost money in the first quarter of 2017. In the second quarter, only one airline—VivaAerobus—did mer…
Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 81: Jet Airway’s Rise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:59
Jet Airways didn’t give up the ghost. Instead, it rose from the hospital bed and plodded toward recovery, and today the Indian airline is the proud owner of a profit streak of nine consecutive quarters. How did Jet avoid…
Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 80: Dismay at Cathay Pacific [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:34
Cathay Pacific has seen all its oxygen sucked out of the room by the hyper growth of the Chinese carriers. Is there anything to be done? Sometimes waiting is the best option. Australia has two major airlines with two ver…
Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 79: Turkish Airlines' Turnaround [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:34
After losing $300m in 2016 as a result of some horrific exposure to terrorism and political tumult, things are looking up for Turkish Airlines. In its second quarter, the airline posted a 5% operating profit margin and w…
Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 78: The United Weigh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:45
United is still trailing its peers, but can it catch up? That’s the question we weigh first in this episode. In the second quarter, American Airlines bested United with a 16% operating margin versus United’s 14%. One thi…
Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 77: Another Win for Delta [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:30
The airline is on such a roll that not even a grouchy demagogue can stop Delta. The Atlanta-based carrier posted a better second quarter than it did last year, and it leaves Delta with at least a slim shot of having its…
Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 76: Six Months in 30 Minutes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 2…
Airline Weekly Lounge Episode 75: Qatar Airways' Lessons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:24
So this is happening: A major international airline faces a blockade. We admit it—this is a new one for us, with little to no history as a guide. Nonetheless, Qatar Airways faces a travel and trade embargo from four near…