JetSuite founder and CEO Alex Wilcox believes he can expand the company's JetSuiteX business. He calculates it could have 100 airplanes at some point. JetSuiteSkift Take: The list of new brands that wanted to disrupt private jet flying in recent years is long, but successes are few. Having someone at the helm who has solid experience in commercial aviation sets JetSuite apart from the competition.

Spirit Airlines has sued its pilot union, accusing pilots of purposely slowing the carrier's operations. The company and the pilots are trying to negotiate a new contract. Spirit AirlinesSkift Take: These are the aviation trends we were talking about this week. — Sarah EnelowThroughout the week we post dozens of original stories, connecting the dots across the travel industry, and every weekend we sum it all up. This weekend roundup examines aviation. For all of our weekend roundups, go here.

Skift Take: Looking for reasons to attend Skift Global Forum? Look no further. — Rafat AliIf you’re a long time Skift fan, you know about the magic that happens at our annual event, Skift Global Forum. It’s sometimes the only few days of the year that travel’s leading professionals take the time to slow down and truly invest themselves in nonstop learning. This year’s conference, happening on September 26-27 at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P.

Norwegian Sky is shown in Havana on its inaugural voyage to Cuba. Demand for Cuba has been strong, but tensions between China and South Korea have resulted in a slowdown for the company's new business in China. Norwegian Cruise LineSkift Take: Expanding to new markets can be tough; Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is fortunate that its business in the rest of the world appears to be thriving.

Alaska Airlines will let new parents extend their elite status by one year. It is the first U.S. airline to create such a policy. Alaska AirlinesSkift Take: This makes perfect sense, and can't cost Alaska Airlines much in revenue. Why don't other U.S. carriers do the same thing? — Brian SumersNot long ago, a new mother contacted Alaska Airlines, asking if she could extend her elite status for one year because she recently had a baby and wouldn’t travel much in 2017.

Southwest is one of many airlines that soon will squeeze extra seats on its planes, including the Boeing 737 Max. But passengers still like the airline a lot. Southwest AirlinesSkift Take: The past six weeks have been disastrous for the U.S. airline industry. But that doesn't make this survey wrong. For most passengers (Yes, even those in coach) flying in North America is much better than it was a decade ago.

Gordon Wilson is President and CEO of Travelport, the travel marketplace company, who has served in this post since June 1, 2011, having previously served as Travelport's Deputy CEO since November 2009 and as head of the Travelport distribution division since January 2007. TravelportSkift Take: In his first Q&A with Skift, President and CEO of Travelport Gordon Wilson acknowledges that suppliers are no longer as dependent on distribution technology companies as they once were.

Skift Take: Travel's youngest seedlings — Apply for startup pricing to Skift Global Forum NYC. — Rafat Ali Our fourth annual Skift Global Forum will bring travel’s key players together for an immersive and inspiring 2 days this September 26-27, in New York City. And we want to enable startups to attend, understand, and get excited about the future of the world’s largest industry.

Dunne, the chief executive of eDreams Odigeo since 2015, has previously been chief commercial officer of EasyJet and chief executive of AOL Europe Sarl. eDreams OdigeoSkift Take: In his first Q&A with Skift, eDreams Odigeo CEO Dana Dunne says the travel company has made large gains since he took it over a couple of years ago. True. But more changes are needed before a conglomerate such as Ctrip would seriously consider buying it.

Allegiant Air soon will take delivery of its first new Airbus A320. Allegiant has never taken a new aircraft. P. Pigeyre / AirbusSkift Take: Did you know how much effort went into designing a plane's cabin? Skift got the scoop from Allegiant Air, which will take its first-ever new airplane from Airbus later this month. — Brian SumersOn 18 planes in Allegiant Air’s fleet, a bright orange stripe runs along the overhead bins, stretching from front door to the rear bathrooms.