United Closes the Gap on Delta

United Closes the Gap on Delta

Author: Skift October 18, 2024 Duration: 28:50
Presented by American Airlines In this week's episode Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat provide an early status update on Q3 earnings season. With Delta on the back foot after the CrowdStrike chaos and Olympic disruption, United is eyeing the top spot. The pair also discuss the latest financials from Virgin Australia and ask what could be next for the carrier. Key Takeaways: Upcoming Skift Aviation Forum  Hosts Gordon and Jay discuss the upcoming Skift Aviation Forum on November 12th in Dallas. The event will feature a star-studded lineup of airline executives, including CEOs from major carriers like American Airlines and Southwest. Visit live.skift.com for tickets and further information. Delta’s Q3 Earnings: Challenges and Setbacks  The conversation shifts to Delta's Q3 earnings, which were slightly weaker than expected, with a 9% operating margin. The airline was negatively impacted by a software issue with CrowdStrike, costing them about 2 percentage points in margin. Additionally, they lost around $100 million in potential revenue due to reduced travel to Paris during the Olympics. Domestic and International Trends for Delta  Jay explains other factors affecting Delta’s Q3 performance, including domestic overcapacity and softer international demand in regions like Korea and Taiwan. However, domestic conditions improved toward the end of the quarter, thanks to capacity cuts by rivals such as Southwest and JetBlue. Delta expects a strong Q4, driven by these adjustments and lower fuel prices. United Airlines and Q3 Competition  We preview United Airlines' Q3 results. Jay notes that United typically performs better in Q3 due to its business-heavy hubs and strong domestic capacity growth. United has increased its domestic seat capacity by 9% in Q4, with routes like Newark-San Francisco enjoying growth. Virgin Australia’s Latest Financials The podcast ends with a brief discussion about Virgin Australia, which recently made headlines after Qatar Airways acquired a 25% stake in the airline. This move has sparked industry interest as it could strengthen Virgin Australia's international partnerships and expand its market presence. Connect with Skift 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 travel industry.

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
High Flyers and Terminal Declines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the global airports that look set to be the big winners and losers in the coming quarter.
The Lufthansa Problem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:11
Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the latest developments from the Lufthansa Group and explain why the German flag carrier is trailing competitors. We also review the key aviation highlights from the J.P. Morgan Indust…
American Airlines Fights Back [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss a new strategy from American Airlines to win back domestic market share and boost loyalty. We also examine the impact of Turkish Airlines' Australian debut on Qantas and other major ca…
IAG Earnings in the Spotlight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:03
Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat examine the latest results from IAG to find out how they compare with Air France-KLM. We also take a deep-dive into Latin America to explore the fortunes of Latam Airlines.
Megatrends 2024: Supply Chains and Climate Change [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:02
Today we feature a portion of our Skift’s Megatrends for 2024, as Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit is joined by Airlines Editor and Reporter Gordon Smith and Airline Weekly Senior Analyst Jay Shabat, to discuss our some…
A Surprise Thai Turnaround [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:13
Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss how Thai Airways has shaken off its pandemic problems and emerged as one of the world's most profitable carriers.
Plotting A New Frontier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:38
Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss Frontier Airlines' bold new strategy which will see it cut capacity in Las Vegas and Florida. We also review the latest developments from Japan where the country's biggest carriers are…
The Rising Fortunes of Ryanair [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:46
Ryanair has its problems, but it is doing much better than most. As the Irish low-cost giant posts its latest earnings, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat pick through the numbers and assess what the future could hold for the a…
What do United Airlines and easyJet Have in Common? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:30
As airline earnings season continues to gather momentum, this week we examine the fortunes of United and easyJet. Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the major developments and identify the key trends at these two very d…
Judge to JetBlue: No Merger for You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:32
This week has seen major courtroom drama as the proposed JetBlue-Spirit merger was blocked by a U.S. judge. In this special episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the implications of the ruling and assess the likel…