It’s time this week to geek out over airlines: We’re going to talk about the major U.S. carriers and what they’ve been doing right, and where they may be facing headwinds. In this episode, aviation editor Robert Silk and Brad Beakley, the founder of the Hospitio consultancy and an airline industry veteran, talk about the importance of “gauge” (the size of the airplane), route selection, the lingering benefits of revenge travel, the economy and how that might be affecting mainline carriers and low-cost airlines differently. Keep in mind that this conversation took place Oct. 20, ahead of earnings results for several carriers, including low-cost carriers Frontier and Spirit, so this conversations refers to their latest guidance.

In the later part of our episode, we’ll talk about the loyalty battle, which has been on the forefront of many road warriors’ minds since Delta reworked its SkyMiles program. How are other airlines – including Delta itself – responding? What is the right path forward for a loyalty program for an airline? Is it money, or miles, or is it something else that frequent flyers prize?

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Air France/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines https://www.afkl.biz

Related links

Hospitio consulting https://www.hospitio.com/

Is demand for air travel falling? Depends on who you ask https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Is-demand-for-air-travel-falling

In the fight for frequent flyers, Delta pulls back SkyMiles changes, rivals step in https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Rivals-try-poach-Delta-frequent-flyers

Earnings reports: United says basic economy fares are soaring https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/United-Airlines-earnings-Q3-2023

Earnings reports: American's new biz-travel incentive is for direct business only https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/American-biz-travel-incentive-direct-bookings-only

Earnings reports: Delta reports ebbs and flows in corporate travel https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Delta-earnings-Q3-2023

 

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