What's Going Wrong at JetBlue?

What's Going Wrong at JetBlue?

Author: Skift April 30, 2026 Duration: 33:03
Gordon and Jay open with JetBlue's latest quarterly results, unpacking what's behind the airline's struggles and what it might take to get back on course. Then they turn to Norwegian, where a strong set of numbers tells a very different story. Follow the Hosts:  Gordon Smith – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Jay Shabat – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Meghna Maharishi - ⁠⁠⁠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. 01:24 JetBlue Earnings Snapshot 03:31 Why JetBlue Is Struggling 07:40 Fort Lauderdale and JFK Strategy 11:15 Spirit Bailout Tangent 14:50 JetForward Plan and Levers 18:23 Fuel Shock and Demand Strength 19:34 Break and Subscribe Plug 20:06 Norwegian Reset and Q1 Results 23:26 What’s Driving the Turnaround 24:23 Europe Capacity Cuts and Demand 28:32 Fuel Supply and Industry Mood 31:15 Wrap Up and Final Thanks

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: 100

Airline Weekly Lounge
Podcast Episodes
The Joanna Geraghty Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:58
Recorded on-stage at our recent Skift Aviation Forum, Gordon is in conversation with JetBlue CEO, Joanna Geraghty. We hear why the deck is stacked against smaller carriers in the U.S., and why she thinks 2026 will be a b…
Is Breeze in a Squeeze? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:25
As Breeze Airways enters its fifth year of flying, Gordon and Jay discuss the challenges and opportunities for the David Neeleman-backed U.S. carrier. In part two, our attention turns to 2026, with a round-up of key indu…
In Conversation with DFW Airport CEO, Chris McLaughlin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:04
Gordon sits down with Chris McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, for a special episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge. In this wide-ranging conversation, the pair discusses everyt…
America's Airport All-Stars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:36
Gordon and Jay reveal the major U.S. airports that are due to grow at an impressive rate in the coming quarter. From Texas to Tennessee, we break down the numbers and examine the factors driving rapid growth. Follow the…
Inside Qantas' Project Sunrise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:37
In part one, Gordon shares an insider perspective on a major new Skift feature examining the business case for Qantas' 'Project Sunrise' ultra long-haul flights. In part two, attention swings to European carriers as Jay…
Airlines in 2026: Flying into Trouble? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:10
In this special episode, we bring you the full recording from our recent LinkedIn Live webinar (Click This Link For Video Version). Titled ‘Airlines in 2026: Flying into Trouble?’, Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to s…
Even Emirates Can't Rest on its Laurels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:47
In part one, Gordon and Jay reflect on the latest financial insights from Emirates, and examine the challenges that could lie ahead for the Dubai-based giant. In part two, the conversation turns to a disappointing set of…
What Makes Ryanair So Darn Profitable? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:11
In part one, Gordon and Jay break down Ryanair’s latest earnings and uncover what keeps Europe’s biggest low-cost airline flying high. In part two, they share key takeaways from the CEOs of Etihad and Oman Air at the Ski…
Is the Government Shutdown Affecting Air Travel? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:13
In part one of this week's show, Jay and Meghna discuss the latest developments regarding the U.S. government shutdown and its impact on air travel. In part two, their attention turns to JetBlue and its latest earnings r…
What's Driving United's Domestic Headwinds? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:14
In part one of this week's show, Gordon and Jay examine some of the factors creating headwinds for United in the U.S domestic market. In part two, we turn our attention to Europe and discuss a rare joint interview with t…