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
Delta's Bad Week in the News [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:31
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Qatar Airways thinks leisure and visiting friends and relatives traffic will rebound this summer, and it thinks it has the right fleet for the moment. And Eurowings is betting the same, planning its first routes in Europ…
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Duration: 26:27
U.S. airline CEOs are pretty confident that they've turned the corner. The pandemic isn't in the rearview mirror yet, but they're fairly certain travel will rebound this summer, and some think their airlines will return…
Frontier's IPO: Crazy or Crazy Like a Fox? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:51
In this week's episode, Airline Weekly colleagues Edward "Ned" Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan get into why going public may not be the craziest idea of an airline, despite the once-in-a-century industry-wide crisis. They…
Cargo and Maxes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:04
Much of the world is trapped at home and shopping online. Who's transporting all those goods? Airlines, and cargo. has been the one silver lining in the airline's terrible pandemic year. But it's not a savior; airlines s…
The Opportunities Norwegian Air Is Leaving Behind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:13
Norwegian's retrenchment is providing opportunities for all sorts of airlines, like Finnair, United, and Virgin Atlantic, Airline Weekly colleagues Edward "Ned" Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan say in this week's episode.…
United Channels 'The Jetsons' With Electric Air Taxis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:27
United's plan to bridge the "last mile" with electric aircraft is ambitious, especially since the FAA hasn't approved any electric engines for flight yet. Meanwhile, Spirit could have its 2019 capacity back by this summe…
Now Is When Sun Country Plans IPO? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:40
Sun Country has been planning to go public for more than a year, but it made it official now, during the worst crisis to hit the airline industry. Airline Weekly colleagues Edward Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan talk abou…
Will 2021 Be Any Better? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:17
The six largest U.S. airlines have reported their fourth-quarter and full-year 2020 results, and while we knew last year was historically bad, it doesn't look like this year will be any better. Airline Weekly colleagues…
Why the A220 Works Now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:38
Airbus has a winner with the A220, and airlines are just starting to discover what they can do with the aircraft’s size and range. Chris Sloan, publisher of theairchive.net joins for a discussion on the A220 and the Boei…