In part one, Jay and Meghna discuss the prospects of Spirit Airlines as it struggles to revive. In part two, the conversation turns north to Air Canada and its path ahead following a costly, peak-season flight attendant strike.

Five Key Takeaways

Spirit Airlines faces existential risk – with bankruptcy, liquidation, merger, or recovery as possible paths, but its ULCC model looks increasingly unsustainable in today’s market.

Structural industry shifts hurt ULCCs – post-pandemic demand favors premium and international travel, squeezing carriers like Spirit and Frontier that rely on dense domestic leisure routes.

Air Canada’s strike shows labor power – flight attendants achieved rare wins like boarding pay, setting precedents for North American labor negotiations.

Financial impact on Air Canada is major – losing nearly a quarter of annual operating profits during peak season could drag down 2025 results despite prior momentum.

Fleet and strategy decisions loom – Air Canada’s choice between Airbus and Boeing for widebody replacements could shape its competitive and political positioning in the next decade.

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In this week's show, Gordon and Jay take a step back from the business of airlines to explore the world's busiest airports. As we discover, the global top 10 is constantly changing with a fierce battle to maintain international ranking and prestige. 

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In this week's show, Gordon and Jay unpack the latest earnings season data at major U.S. carriers. From the winners to the losers and everything in between, we examine the key factors driving profitability in Q2 2025.

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In part one, Gordon and Jay unpack the latest financials from the Air France-KLM Group and explore a mixed set of results. In part two, the discussion turns to a superstar performance from South America's Latam Airlines Group.

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Today hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the latest earnings reports from major U.S. airlines, focusing on the performance of American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. They analyze the factors affecting profitability, including operating margins, domestic exposure, labor costs, and market dynamics. The conversation also touches on the upcoming European airline earnings and the competitive landscape in the airline industry.

Takeaways

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Gordon and Jay discuss the latest earnings reports from United Airlines and Ryanair, exploring their financial performance, market comparisons, and the broader economic outlook. They delve into United's strategic partnerships, the United Next strategy, and the implications of tariffs on the airline industry, particularly in relation to Ryanair's operations and aircraft orders. Their conversation highlights the current state of the airline industry amidst economic uncertainties and evolving trade relations.

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Today, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat are joined by their colleague Meghna Maharishi to discuss Delta's latest earnings report and what it signals for the airline industry. They then delve into the surprising strategic withdrawal of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, which Gordon revealed earlier this week on Skift. As the airline suspends operations and exits its joint venture, we explore the factors leading to this decision, including engine reliability issues, geopolitical volatility, and regulatory barriers. Join us as we unpack the implications for the airline industry and what this means for Wizz Air's future.

Takeaways

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is halting operations and exiting its joint venture due to engine issues, geopolitical volatility, and regulatory challenges.

The withdrawal follows earlier signs of market softness and service suspensions in Abu Dhabi.

Wizz Air's broader network is unaffected, with refunds or rebookings for impacted bookings.

The move underscores the difficulties low-cost carriers face in new, complex markets.

Wizz Air's decision reflects a trend of reassessing market opportunities amid global changes.

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In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the latest developments in the One World Alliance, including the recent addition of Oman Air as its 15th member. They explore the implications of this expansion, the challenges of airline alliances in covering global markets, and the potential for future memberships, particularly in regions like India and Latin America. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of airline partnerships, the role of IATA in the industry, and the current state of air traffic demand globally.

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In this episode, Gordon and Jay reflect on the first half of 2025 in the airline industry, discussing key trends such as global demand, the impact of the U.S. dollar, and the ongoing consolidation within the industry. They explore how weather patterns are affecting tourism, the economic implications of tariffs, and the potential for mergers and acquisitions as airlines navigate a changing landscape. Looking ahead, they highlight the importance of monitoring oil prices and supply chain issues as the industry moves into the second half of the year.

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In part one of this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss the major developments from this year's Paris Air Show. In part two, the conversation turns to Vietnam, as we learn more about its rapidly growing airline market.

Takeaways

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