Virgin Atlantic Gets a New CEO

Virgin Atlantic Gets a New CEO

Author: Skift October 16, 2025 Duration: 24:27
In part one of this week's show, we discuss a changing of the guard at Virgin Atlantic, as CEO Shai Weiss prepares to step down after seven years. In part two, we contextualize a strong set of Q3 figures from Delta. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jay Shabat – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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: 422

Airline Weekly Lounge
Podcast Episodes
Is Southwest Airlines Losing its Magic? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:53
In this week's episode, Gordon Smith is joined by Airline Weekly's Jay Shabat and Skift airlines reporter Meghna Maharishi. Part one is focused on the big picture trends as U.S. earnings season draws to a close. In part…
Breaking Down Japan Airlines and British Airways [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:59
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat delve into the current state of Japan Airlines and British Airways. They explore Japan Airlines' historical performance, recent financial tr…
What a Frontier-Spirit Merger Means for Air Travel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:34
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat delve into the potential merger between Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. They discuss the historical context of their relationship, th…
Breeze Airways' Big Break: A ULCC Finally Profits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:11
Note: This episode was recorded prior to the American Eagle collision with a military helicopter on January 29, 2025. In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Jay Shabat and Meghna Maharishi analyze the financ…
Setting the Scene for a Brazilian Airline Mega-Merger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:10
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabbat discuss significant developments in the airline industry, focusing on a potential mega merger in Brazil involving Azul and Gol, and the acq…
Why Egypt Is an Airline Market Worth Watching [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:35
In this episode, Gordon and Jay discuss the current state of the Egyptian aviation scene, highlighting the booming tourism sector despite regional unrest. They explore the factors contributing to Egypt's tourism success,…
The U.S. Airlines Growing and Shrinking in 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:02
Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat crunch the big numbers to reveal which U.S. carriers are in expansion mode in the first quarter of 2025 and which operators are shrinking year-on-year. Takeaways The US airline industry is see…
What Does 2025 Mean for the Airline Industry? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:19
In this week’s episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat turn their attention to the year ahead. Going region-by-region, the pair share the emerging stories that are on their radar for 2025 and beyond. Connect with Airline W…
The Biggest Airline Trends of 2024 (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:38
In this week’s episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat are back for the second half of their 2024 trends countdown. Hot topics include the impact of a strong U.S. Dollar and chronic supply chain issues. Connect with Airlin…
The Biggest Airline Trends of 2024 (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:05
In this week’s episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the biggest trends to have shaped the airline sector in 2024. From continued consolidation to a horror show for U.S. LCCs, we reflect on a fascinating year for…