Airlines Confidential Podcast

This week: Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan. Guest Dave Emerson, CEO, Virgin Australia. Also:  Delta reports lower earnings; Riyadh airport war disruptions; JetBlue financials; Gary Leff's View From The Wing reports change in American's bumping policy; Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) new terminal opens; SWA said to add widebody; Listener request for ramp operations info,  joint ventures.

Scott McCartney with Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt. Topics: Terrorism by 1st officer on FlyDubai; A NASA SR-71 Blackbird revival? Scott Kirby envisions massive increase in United Chicago flights; United launches Base First fare and status match; Does Starlink move customers? Alaska Atmos Rewards & product offerings; Listener input on fleet composition, SWA lack of first class.

Guest Co-Host Oscar Munoz. Guest: Ben Minicucci, CEO, Alaska Air Group. Also: Airline market capitalization, Primary and backup system failure at Philly TRACON; Market share numbers & discussion; Listener input on Frontier's "Spirit" plane, and pilot pay.

Scott McCartney with Jimmy Dempsey, CEO, Frontier Airlines - From the stage of The American Bar Association's 2026 Forum on Air and Space Law Annual Meeting in Denver. Session presented by Husch Blackwell. Plus: AirBaltic bankruptcy filing; Ryanair adds capacity; US airlines cutting certain routes due to fuel costs; FAA tech budget increases; Listener input on renaming BNA, MIA accident.

Scott McCartney with Guest Co-Host Maya Leibman. Guest: Andrew Levy, CEO, Avelo Airlines. Also: The London UK ATC system failure; Gate Pass pilot program; Positive signs from JetBlue; Hyatt splits with American and announces Delta partnership; The Miami incident; Listener reaction to Beverley Bass interview.

Scott McCartney with Guest Co-Host Doug Parker. Guest: Beverley Bass, Pilot, American Airlines - Remembering 9/11 - 25 years later plus reflections on Come From Away. Also: Doug Parker receives 2026 L. Welch Pogue Award for Lifetime Achievement in Aviation; SWA confirms lounge openings; Sean Duffy withholding ATC pay increases; Listener input on BNA renaming, EU security.

Guest Co-Host Dave Hilfman. Guest: Reporter Chris Sloan profiles Canadian North Airlines; Topics: United's new international destinations; TSA drops Gold+ Program, Keeps SPP; Carl Icahn divests most of JetBlue stake, gives up Board seats; FAA seeks termination of 2 LGA controllers; Proposal to rename Nashville Int Airport for Dolly Parton; Listener input on AA's product improvement plans, Would Delta be losing money without AMEX partnership?

Guest Co-Host Christina Cassotis. Guest: Brett Burgess, CEO, ATPCO. Also: American's product improvement plans for 2028; Washington Dulles (IAD) Approves rebuild plan; Thoughts on the PFC model; PBI officially now DJT; Google attempting to buy Spirit data; Concerns raised on ATC improvement contractor; Listener input on TSA airport Gold+ Program, AA duplicate flight numbers.

Scott McCartney with Delta CEO Ed Bastian. Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt. Also: Leadership changes at American Airlines - is it enough? The two American #2482 flights; Apollo to acquire EasyJet; Additions to AA & SWA Boards of Directors; European passport control delays; Listener Q: Did the AA Board make a mistake?

Scott McCartney with Jay Sorensen, CEO, IdeaWorks Company: Ancillary Revenue in Depth. Bag fees, Seat options, co-branded credit cards, lounges, and more.