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Airline Weekly Lounge
Airline Weekly Lounge
Author: Skift
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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?
409 Episodes
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In this special edition of the Airline Weekly Lounge, Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to discuss Allegiant's plan to acquire Sun Country Airlines for $1.5 Billion. Fresh off the phone with Allegiant CEO, Greg Anderson, Meghna offers first-hand executive insights, while Jay delves into the data to discover the impact of the proposed tie-up.
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Ethiopian Airlines is one of African aviation's outstanding success stories. We explore how the carrier grew profitably, built global reach, and what its strategy means for the future of the sector. In part two, Gordon and Jay set the scene for Q4 earnings season, with a focus on U.S. airlines.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
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Recorded on-stage at our recent Skift Aviation Forum, Gordon sits down with aviation legend David Neeleman. In this fast-paced discussion, few topics are left on the table, as we hear Neeleman's views on everything from the health of the U.S. airline industry to sustainable aviation fuels.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
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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 better year for the New York-based airline.
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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 industry topics to watch.
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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 everything from route development and new terminals to AI and operational resilience.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
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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.
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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 rounds up the most profitable airlines for the all-important Q3 peak season.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
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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 set the scene for the year ahead, with all of the challenges and opportunities that it may bring.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
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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 Q3 results from KLM.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
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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 Skift Global Forum East — including how Gulf carriers see the next phase of global travel growth.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
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Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
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 report.
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Meghna Maharishi – LinkedIn
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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 the CEOs of Air France-KLM and Lufthansa Group.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
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Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
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.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
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On the eve of Q3 earnings season, Gordon and Jay explore the key trends to watch as America's biggest carriers get ready to reveal their latest financials.
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In this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss the latest developments in the Hong Kong aviation scene. From a return to profitability at Cathay Pacific to a new third runway at the city's international airport, the Asian hub is looking to reassert its dominance after a bruising few years.
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In this week’s Airline Weekly Lounge, Jay Shabbat and guest-host Meghna Maharishi unpack the biggest takeaways from Skift Global Forum in New York.
The discussion spans airline labor challenges easing in the post-pandemic years, the impact of delayed aircraft deliveries on capacity and growth, and shifting demand patterns across the United States of America, Asia, and international markets.
They also explore how network strategies are evolving, where low-cost carriers are pressing for expansion, and what global growth signals mean for legacy airlines.
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Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
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In part one of this week's show, we discuss the key developments from a major U.S. aerospace summit in Washington D.C. attended by Skift airline reporter, Meghna Maharishi. In part two, Gordon and Jay explore the factors driving impressive growth in the Greek airline market.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
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Meghna Maharishi – LinkedIn
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As WestJet places the biggest aircraft order in its history, we discuss the past, present, and future direction of Canada’s second-largest airline. The conversation also includes updates on the latest developments at JetBlue and British leisure carrier Jet2.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
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In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss robust financials from the Qantas Group and Virgin Australia, and explore why Air New Zealand continues to struggle.
In part two, the conversation turns to China and the headwinds dragging on profitability for the country's three largest airlines.
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Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
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