Airline Weekly Lounge
Skift
0
The editors of Airline Weekly discuss the most interesting developments within the commercial airline industry. In keeping with Airline Weekly’s style, conversation generally centers on one question: How do you make money in this industry?
Presented by WEX.
Epizódok
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EasyJet's Tricky Quarter and Atlanta's Crown 28.05.2026 45pA rough quarter for easyJet has the numbers telling a stark story. In part one, Gordon and Jay dig into a -27% operating margin and the missteps, market pressures, and industry dynamics behind it. In part two, they answer a deceptively simple question: why does Atlanta — not New York, London, or Dubai — top the global rankings for passenger traffic? Presented by WEX. 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. 00:00 Welcome and agenda 00:44 EasyJet origins and brand 02:32 Winter losses and margins 04:35 Core markets and bases 08:46 Italy slots and competition 16:20 Summer demand outlook 19:57 EasyJet Holidays growth 23:48 Loyalty plans and wrap 24:37 Atlanta busiest airport intro 27:03 Five reasons Atlanta wins 38:43 Airport design and future 41:45 Closing and IATA AGM plug
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The Airline Europe Wrote Off — and Shouldn't Have 21.05.2026 39pGordon and Jay unpack how Iberia engineered one of the most dramatic financial turnarounds in modern airline history. Plus: Singapore Airlines posts a solid start to the year, but its Air India stake is shaping up to be a costly bet. Presented by WEX 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. 00:00 Welcome and Agenda 01:39 Singapore Earnings Snapshot 03:28 Air India Stake Drag 04:17 Why SIA Keeps Investing 07:22 Vistara Merger Complexity 08:43 Air India Headwinds 09:47 CEO Transition Stakes 11:56 SIA Wrap and Break 14:09 Iberia Turnaround Setup 15:03 Profitability Like Ryanair 16:17 From Dysfunction to Reform 20:23 Margins Then and Now 22:51 Madrid Hub and Macro Tailwinds 27:23 Latin America Strategy 32:04 More Advantages and XLR Growth 36:57 Final Thoughts and Signoff
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The Profit Gap Splitting U.S. Airlines 15.05.2026 27pGordon sits down with Skift airlines reporter Meghna Maharishi to break down a revealing Q1 earnings season for U.S. carriers — separating the standouts from the strugglers. Plus: the latest merger chatter swirling around the industry, and could a major Boeing order follow President Trump's visit to China? 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. 01:10 Q1 Earnings Snapshot02:26 Southwest Surprise Quarter03:24 Bag Fees and New Model05:05 Elliott Pressure and Next Moves07:08 Lounges and Premium Light08:22 American Falling Behind10:39 Break and Return11:16 Scott Kirby Merger Talk14:59 DC Policy Watchlist16:50 Flying Taxis in NYC20:57 Spirit Collapse Aftermath23:23 Trump China Trip Aviation Angle25:11 Wrap Up and Subscribe
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Spirit Airlines: The Post-Mortem 07.05.2026 38pSpirit Airlines is the first major U.S. carrier to go out of business in more than two decades. In this special edition, Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to unpack what went wrong — from blocked mergers to shifting consumer demand — and what Spirit's collapse means for the future of low-cost flying in America. 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. 00:00 Spirit Collapse Begins 00:54 Meghna’s 3AM Breaking News 02:51 How Spirit Ran Out 06:10 Is ULCC Model Dead 09:00 Bankruptcy Missteps And Mergers 13:32 DOJ JetBlue Deal Fallout 17:59 Cost Math Writing Wall 20:34 Part Two What Happens Next 20:48 Who Fills Spirit Routes 23:19 Fares Rise And Route Gaps 25:26 What Low Cost Still Works 27:32 Mergers Partnerships After Spirit 33:34 Can A New ULCC Launch 36:42 Final Thanks And Wrap
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What's Going Wrong at JetBlue? 30.04.2026 33pGordon 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
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Will Washington Save Spirit Airlines? 23.04.2026 35pCould the U.S. Government shore up Spirit Airlines? Gordon and Jay break down the latest industry chatter about the troubled carrier's future, including fresh commentary from President Trump. Then they shift gears to unpack Alaska Air Group's newest earnings report and what it signals about the carrier's post-Hawaiian merger trajectory. 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. 01:06 Spirit Trouble Update 03:27 Liquidation vs Survival Paths 05:05 Trump Comments and Bailout Talk 16:33 Merger Signals and Break 18:29 Back From Break Alaska Begins 19:44 Alaska Q1 Weakness and Fuel 23:12 Capacity Cuts and New Long Haul 28:12 Corporate Loyalty Bright Spots 32:27 Demand Headwinds and Closing
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Could United Really Merge with American Airlines? 16.04.2026 27pWill two of America's biggest airlines become one? Gordon and Jay dig into whether a United-American mega-merger is actually on the table and ask what further consolidation would mean for the industry. Plus: Qantas cuts capacity and Korean Air's latest financials. 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. 00:32 United American Merger Rumor01:59 Regulatory and Fuel Context05:05 Duffy Comments and Caveats06:26 Consolidation Speculation08:32 Qantas Fuel Hedging Shock09:47 Network Shifts and Airspace13:15 More Headlines and Break14:23 Korean Air Q1 Overview15:59 Passenger Demand Drivers19:27 Cargo Boom and Other Units23:19 Asiana Merger Clarified25:29 Wrap Up and Subscribe
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Delta Confronts the Oil Price Crisis 09.04.2026 41pDelta’s latest results are in and the fuel price challenge is front and center. Gordon, Jay, and Meghna dive into what the numbers say about the airline’s strategy and resilience. In part two, the conversation turns to Southwest and the next chapter of its transformation 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. 00:59 Delta Q1 Headline Numbers 01:54 Fuel Spike and Q2 Outlook 03:29 Earnings Call Tone 04:07 Premium Demand Holds 05:29 Main Cabin Inflection 06:48 Why Demand Stays Strong 11:12 High Fuel Means Consolidation 13:04 JetBlue Merger Speculation 17:42 Oil Volatility and 2008 Parallels 20:22 Premium Segmentation Tease 21:18 Delta Premium Basics 21:54 Tech Ops Profit Engine 22:27 Cargo Refinery Upside 23:14 Premium Seats Strategy 24:26 Post Pandemic Cost Reality 25:34 Wrap Part One 26:12 Listener Reminders Break 26:36 Idea Awards Spotlight 29:25 How To Enter Awards 31:35 Southwest 2.0 Pitch 33:23 Culture And Activist Push 35:34 Passenger Reactions Mixed 37:21 Middle Market Risk 39:44 Final Thanks Signoff
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Who Will Lead IATA Next? 02.04.2026 40pGordon and Jay unpack major leadership moves shaping the industry, from Willie Walsh’s shift to IndiGo to Michael Rousseau’s departure from Air Canada. Later, they dive into fuel prices and what’s ahead for Alaska Airlines. 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. 02:26 JetBlue Seeks a Partner 04:42 Willie Walsh to IndiGo 08:25 IATA Succession Talk 11:11 Air India Leadership Rumors 12:00 Air Canada CEO Steps Down 18:50 What Are IDEA Awards 19:37 Who Can Enter 20:09 Airline Categories Explained 21:19 Quiz And Sample Forms 23:29 Back To Lounge News 23:53 Fuel Price Reality Check 24:49 Alaska Warns Bigger Loss 26:22 Mexico And Hawaii Demand Dip 28:41 Alaska Expands To Europe 30:33 Widebody Risk Debate 31:10 Why Buy Hawaiian 34:12 Seattle Long Haul Competition 37:35 Integration And Outlook 39:21 Wrap Up And Subscribe
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An Aviation Crisis – with a Twist 26.03.2026 28pIn part one, Gordon and Jay unpack a whirlwind few days for the global airline industry, including fresh insights on jet fuel prices. In part two, the conversation turns to intriguing developments at Filipino low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific. 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. 01:17 Fuel Price Crisis Update 04:57 Other Industry Headlines 05:31 Earnings Season Preview 09:18 Demand Strong Despite Costs 11:30 Listener Mail and Break 11:53 Skift Idea Awards Spotlight 16:53 Back From Break and Setup 17:25 Cebu Pacific Overview 20:43 Profitability and Challenges 21:39 Fuel Shock and Fare Hikes 26:23 Wrap Up and Subscribe
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Making Sense of the Fuel Price Crisis 19.03.2026 41pFuel accounts for roughly 20–30% of an airline’s operating costs—so when prices surge, the impact can be immediate and significant. In this week’s show, Gordon and Jay break down how U.S. airlines are navigating this historic spike and explore what it could mean for supply and demand. 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. Approximate Time Stamps 00:36 Fuel Crisis Reality Check 01:59 JP Morgan Conference Setup 04:19 March Bad Luck Streak 05:23 Jet Fuel Spike Numbers 07:09 Fares Rising Demand Strong 09:49 Pulled Forward Bookings 13:43 Q1 Earnings and Weather 16:28 New Revenue Levers 18:03 Legacy vs LCC Pricing 19:33 Subscribe and Break Tease 20:17 IDEA Awards Introduction 21:08 Impact Over Scale 21:56 Finding Your Category 23:06 Quiz and Sample Forms 23:40 How to Submit 24:46 Awards Wrap and Next Topic 25:16 Why JP Morgan Matters 27:20 Delta Refinery Explained 31:25 American vs United O'Hare 35:19 Fuel Shock and Recession Risk 37:32 Volatility Is the New Normal
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Jet Fuel Shock & Shutdown TSA Lines: Airlines Brace for a Volatile Spring 12.03.2026 40pJay Shabat is joined by Meghna Maharishi and Skift's Head of Research Seth Borko for a crossover Airline Weekly Lounge that hits two pressure points at once: a sudden jet fuel spike and the growing airport disruptions from the current US government shutdown. First, Seth breaks down what the fuel surge could mean for US carriers, using airline SEC disclosures to translate price moves into real dollars, and why the pain can vary by region even when the shock is global. Then Meghna walks through what travelers are feeling on the ground as TSA agents miss paychecks, security lines balloon at several airports during spring break, and Global Entry remains suspended, creating additional bottlenecks for international arrivals. The team closes with what to watch next, including signals expected from airline leaders at the upcoming JPMorgan Industrials conference. 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.
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A Gulf Airline Crisis Like No Other 05.03.2026 49pIn a week when the world's busiest international airline ground to a halt and Gulf hubs faced aerial attack, Gordon and Jay explore the impact of the Iran war on the aviation industry. In part two, we take a closer look at the latest earnings from Qantas and Virgin Australia. 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.
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Is Singapore Airlines Still A Profit Superstar? 26.02.2026 36pIn part one, Gordon and Jay review the latest numbers from Singapore Airlines and explain why context is key when determining success. In part two, we preview the annual results from British Airways and Iberia's parent company, IAG. 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.
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American Airlines Is Falling Behind. Here’s Why 19.02.2026 28pDelta and United are dominating airline profits while American falls behind, and Frontier struggles to recover. Jay Shabat and Meghna Maharishi break down airline earnings, American’s leadership pressure, and Frontier’s turnaround strategy. 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.
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Icelandair: Moving in the Right Direction? 12.02.2026 38pIn part one of this week's show, Gordon and Jay crunch the latest financials from Icelandair and discuss how it plans to become sustainably profitable. In part two, the conversation turns to global airports, as we reveal the major hubs with the biggest shifts in capacity for Q2. 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.
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Japan Airlines vs. ANA: Who's On Top? 05.02.2026 34pIn this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss the latest results from Japan's two mega-airline groups. With inbound visitor numbers soaring, but domestic air travel down, we analyze the key financial and operational metrics separating ANA from JAL. 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.
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U.S. Earnings Season: Half-Time Report 29.01.2026 36pIn part one of this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss the latest quarterly earnings from American Airlines and JetBlue. In part two, the discussion turns to Ryanair, with a deep dive into its financials and 2026 strategy. 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.
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New from Skift: Executive Conversations Shaping the Travel Industry 26.01.2026 2pWe’re sharing a preview of a new podcast from Skift called Skift Take Sessions. Skift Take Sessions is a weekly, journalist-led podcast built from the most important conversations shaping the global travel industry. Each episode features candid interviews with CEOs and senior leaders across airlines, hotels, and travel platforms, recorded live at Skift events and expanded with context around why the conversation matters now and what we learned. Hosted by Wil Slickers, the show brings listeners inside executive-level thinking from leaders at companies like Hilton, Expedia Group, Airbnb, JetBlue, and more. New episodes drop every week. Listen and follow Skift Take Sessions: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skift-take-sessions/id1871511773 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oKApv7z0I65VpySjh9rqP?si=2e8f1e3e83e8459d Skift.com: https://skift.com/skift-travel-podcasts/
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Delta vs United: Premium Boom, Economy Squeeze 22.01.2026 21pIt is earnings season, and this week on the Airline Weekly Lounge, Jay Shabat and Meghna Maharishi break down Q4 2025 results from United and Delta, recorded on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. They compare operating margins, unpack how fuel price differences shaped the quarter, and dig into what United’s call revealed about demand, costs, and competitive pressure points. Key themes include the growing gap between premium and main cabin performance, why leaders say domestic softness is more about supply than demand, and how ultra-low-cost carrier capacity cuts could set up a rebound in economy results. On the Delta side, they cover the airline’s push to diversify revenue through areas like MRO, cargo, and loyalty, plus what Delta’s new widebody order signals for fleet and network strategy, including selective international expansion. 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.
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