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
Setting the Scene for Earnings Season [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:04
Presented by American Airlines In this week's show, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat explain the key elements to watch as third-quarter earnings season begins. The pair discuss all-important factors including aircraft supply…
Southwest and its New Plan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:38
Presented by American Airlines In this week’s episode, Jay Shabat and Meghna Maharishi discuss Southwest's latest turnaround plan. They also look at the current state of the transatlantic market connecting the U.S. with…
El Al Comes Out on Top [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:46
Presented by American Airlines In this week's episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the final results from Airline Weekly's Earnings Scoreboard for Q2 2024. From household names to niche regional players, we exami…
Skift Global Forum: The Airline Storylines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:23
Presented by American Airlines In this special episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat are in New York City for the Skift Global Forum. Recorded just minutes after stepping off stage, the pair debrief following a wide-rangi…
Southwest's Evolving Network [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:50
Presented by American Airlines In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat examine the huge changes taking place across Southwest Airlines' network and reveal the big winners and losers as the LCC's route map evolves. In pa…
Qantas in Focus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:57
Presented by American Airlines In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat take a closer look at Qantas and ask how major new projects could change its business. In part two, we turn our attention to Colombian national carr…
Busiest Global Airports: The Q4 2024 Preview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:52
Presented by American Airlines In this week’s show, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat examine the global airport capacity data for the coming quarter. Of the 100 busiest airports worldwide, we reveal the likely winners and los…
Our Air Canada Check-In [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:33
Presented by American Airlines In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the latest developments at Air Canada and find out what its international expansion plans could mean for future profitability. In part two,…
Jet2's Secret Sauce [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:43
Presented by American Airlines In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat examine the fascinating story behind British leisure carrier Jet2, and explain why it's an airline worth watching. In part two, we turn our attentio…
The Q2 2024 Earnings Scoreboard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:22
Presented by American Airlines In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat reveal which U.S. airlines had the best and worst second quarters of 2024. In part two, we turn our attention to the latest developments at European…