Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Airline Weekly Lounge
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Airline Weekly Lounge
Based on Podcast App listening data
Airline Weekly Lounge episodes
- Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster on Fuel, AI, and ATC Meltdowns
Gordon Smith sits down with Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster on the sidelines of Skift Global Forum in New York. They discuss how fuel costs are weighing on the airline and why premium demand keeps holding up, before turning to recent air traffic control meltdowns that have disrupted transatlantic operations.
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.
0:00 Introduction
1:00 Becoming CEO of Virgin Atlantic
3:00 The Iran War and a Challenging First Year
4:00 Fuel Costs Have Doubled
5:30 Transatlantic Demand and Cargo Revenue
7:00 The Premium Cabin Bet
9:00 Keeping Premium Feeling Special
10:00 The Delta Relationship
12:00 AI at Virgin Atlantic
14:00 ATC Failures and Infrastructure
16:00 Vision for Virgin Atlantic19 min - What American, Southwest and United Told Investors
Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to unpack the recent Morgan Stanley Laguna conference, where executives from American, Southwest and United set out where they think the market is heading.
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 Setup
00:45 Laguna Conference Themes
03:46 Demand Strong Costs Rising
08:12 Premium Push and Lounges
15:23 Airline Strategies Compared
18:25 Wrap Part One and Break
20:53 Part Two Fuel Update
22:58 Capacity Cuts Ahead
24:48 Merger Rumors Return
30:55 Regulators and Rail Parallels
36:09 Final Thanks and Subscribe
38 min - Airlines Post Record Revenues But Costs Catch Up
Gordon and Jay open with why record revenues still aren't covering a sharp rise in costs, then turn to what JetBlue's latest outlook tells the rest of the industry.
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
00:50 Why Costs Matter Now
02:37 Six Inflation Buckets
03:01 Fuel and Labor Pressures
05:00 Aircraft and Maintenance Crunch
06:22 Airport Infrastructure Inflation
08:47 Premium Service Costs
09:49 Borrowing Costs Rising
11:32 How Airlines Fight Inflation
14:19 Capacity Cuts and Pricing Power
18:15 Demand and Supply Behind Fare Hikes
21:01 OEMs and Next Aircraft Programs
22:23 Forum Plug and News Notes
23:32 Back From Break Global Forum
26:36 JetBlue Investor Update Numbers
31:14 Fort Lauderdale Strategy Post Spirit
34:34 Losses Bankruptcy Talk and Options
36:11 Merger Prospects United Southwest American
38:19 JetBlue Right of Reply Context
40:34 Wrap Up and Subscribe
42 min - The Air Canada Anko Inherits
In part one, Gordon and Jay weigh the opportunities in front of Air Canada against the challenges that come with them. In part two, the conversation turns to China, and why the country's Big Three carriers had such a rough second quarter.
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
01:38 Air Canada turnaround history
04:27 New CEO and headwinds
08:32 Competitive landscape and Aeroplan
14:25 Sixth freedom strategy explained
16:42 New aircraft and route growth
21:49 Forum plug and break
23:03 China big three losses
24:20 Why fares can’t rise
27:04 Fleet politics and economy
28:48 International bright spots
34:25 Wrap up and next week
39 min - Why US Airlines Are Betting Big on Europe in 2027
In part one, Jay and Meghna discuss the latest transatlantic expansion announcements from United and American Airlines and what they reveal about how US carriers are rethinking their European strategies. In part two, the conversation turns to the A321XLR, the narrow body aircraft making these new routes possible, and whether its heavy reliance on premium demand is a strength or a risk.
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
02:05 United Europe expansion
04:52 American routes and Philly hub
09:37 Why transatlantic is shifting
11:19 Partners and new entrants
15:29 Delta moves and break
16:39 A321XLR overview
17:58 Who ordered the XLR
19:57 Delta skips the XLR
25:35 Economics and range limits
30:36 Wrap up and subscribe
33 min - Qatar Airways: Skift Global Forum Preview
In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss some of the biggest talking points at Qatar Airways, as the airline's CEO, Hamad Ali Al-Khater, prepares to join the Skift Global Forum in New York next month. In part two, the conversation focuses on impressive Q2 profitability at Kuwait's Jazeera Airways.
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 SGF Preview
01:06 Qatar CEO Transition
02:55 Qatar Financial Snapshot
05:34 Gulf Conflict Impacts
08:25 Sponsorships and Fleet Orders
12:47 Cabin Innovation and QSuite
15:37 Premium Economy Question
16:47 Skift Global Forum Details
18:14 Middle East Pivot
18:42 Jazeera Airways Surprise Profits
21:01 Why Jazeera Is Winning
25:07 Resilience and Kuwait Airways
30:08 Airline Weekly Return
31:06 Wrap Up and Subscribe
33 min - Skift Global Forum 2026: Aviation Preview
In this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss two industry giants that are due to speak at the Skift Global Forum 2026 in New York between September 22-24. The conversation kicks off with Air Canada before turning to Virgin Atlantic. For the latest agenda and to book your ticket, visit live.skift.com
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 Forum Preview
00:52 Skift Global Forum Lineup
02:25 Air Canada Earnings Snapshot
04:44 Aeroplan Stake Sale
12:16 Questions for Mark Galardo
17:38 Break and Return
18:33 Virgin Atlantic New CEO
24:38 Virgin Profitability Challenges
31:07 Routes and Leisure Focus
36:57 Events and Closing Notes
40 min - Turkish Airlines' Turbulent Quarter
In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss a mixed set of Q2 results for Turkish Airlines. In part two, the conversation turns to Allegiant Air, with the U.S. carrier now taking Sun Country under its wing.
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
00:54 Turkish earnings overview
02:47 Why margins fell
05:16 Middle East disruptions
07:12 Gulf competition returns
08:56 Cargo boosts revenue
11:18 Q3 outlook and seasonality
12:46 Air Europa stake update
16:23 Wrap Turkish and break
17:17 Allegiant merger context
18:10 Best US margins
19:41 Product and distribution shifts
22:01 Demand and Florida focus
24:12 Fuel flexibility model
25:21 Pilot retention challenge
26:52 Forum announcements and close
28:31 Final subscribe reminders
30 min - Swiss Shines But Lufthansa Lags
Swiss out-earned the entire Lufthansa Group network division it belongs to last quarter, while the core Lufthansa brand slid back into an operating loss. Gordon and Jay work through how a fuel bill undid a solid demand quarter, and why Swiss keeps outperforming its much larger sibling.
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 Setup
01:05 Q2 Headline Numbers
02:45 The 60 40 Airline
06:38 Ritter on Strikes and Costs
10:12 Turnaround Strategy Levers
15:22 Fleet Retirements and TAP Angle
18:44 Part Two Break
19:08 Group Airlines and TAP Debate
23:06 Austrian Brussels Eurowings Check
25:25 airBaltic Stake Watch
26:42 Europe Big Three Scorecard
29:30 Gulf Hub Traffic Shifts
31:30 Events and Closing Thanks
34 min - Airshow Highs and Earnings Season Realities
In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss the highlights from last week's Farnborough International Airshow, reviewing the big deals and longer term impact of the event. In part two, the conversation turns to earnings season, with a Q2 round-up from the main U.S. carriers.
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.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
00:00 Welcome and Agenda
01:21 Farnborough Show Context
04:34 Biggest Orders and Lessors
07:45 Airline Deals Roundup
12:33 What Success Looks Like
14:38 Next Gen Aircraft Talk
18:16 Emirates and Airbus Plans
21:58 United A321XLR Cabin Tour
24:05 Q2 Earnings Pivot
24:42 US Margins Ranking
29:14 Industry Pricing Power
32:03 American Airlines Deep Dive
41:00 Wrap Up and Sign Off
43 min
About Airline Weekly Lounge
From the publisher's feed
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?
Best of Airline Weekly Lounge
Ranked by our users in the last 21 days
More shows like Airline Weekly Lounge
The Skift Travel Podcast
41 Listeners
Airplane Geeks Podcast
403 Listeners
Airline Pilot Guy - Aviation Podcast
646 Listeners
Aviation Week's Check 6 Podcast
397 Listeners
Pilot to Pilot
950 Listeners
AvTalk - Aviation Podcast
717 Listeners
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation News
769 Listeners
Skift Daily Briefing
39 Listeners
21.FIVE - Professional Pilots Podcast
345 Listeners
Flight Safety Detectives
332 Listeners
The SWAPA Number
182 Listeners
Airlines Confidential Podcast
137 Listeners
Simple Flying Aviation News Podcast
137 Listeners
Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's
160 Listeners
Ready 4 Pushback
767 Listeners
The Air Show
220 Listeners
Aviation Week's Window Seat Podcast
24 Listeners
Daily Departure
0 Listeners
GreenShift
0 Listeners