As it plans to emerge from bankruptcy, America's first ULCC is trying to reinvent itself as a more upscale airline with higher costs. Spirit Airlines says it needs to move upmarket to attract new customers who want a better product. But hosts Brian Sumers, Jon Ostrower, and Brett Snyder are skeptical. They wonder if this is just a short pit stop on the way to consolidation.

Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us, and thank you for listening to the show.

It's our final episode of 2024! Brett Snyder, Brian Sumers and Jon Ostrower chat about what 2025 may bring: mergers and a new regulatory environment? a handoff at the FAA? assigned seating on an airline previously opposed to assigned seating? Plus: The Air Show's top interview requests for 2025.

We would like to thank Juliett Alpha for sponsoring this episode.

Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us, and thank you for listening to the show.

Ben Minicucci joins the show to discuss Alaska's big news today — and then some. Minicucci talks about the airline's aggressive growth plans, which it says target $1 billion in incremental profits by 2027. Those plans include new international routes to Asia next year, building up and defending its Seattle hub, expanding premium and loyalty offerings, and more.

We would like to thank Accelya for sponsoring this episode.

Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

The top U.S.-based airline continues to play it cool. Delta's execs were casual during the airline's most recent investor day — yes, Delta's targeting younger, more affluent customers and it's experimenting with A.I. for revenue management, but why overstate the possibilities? Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder talk about the state of calm, cool, confident Delta. Is it too confident? Could it use some humility, as United is motivated to overtake it?

We would like to thank Juliett Alpha for sponsoring this episode.

Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Marty St. George joins the show this week to discuss his second stint at JetBlue, this time as president. With Brian Sumers, Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder, St. George discusses the turnaround he intends to oversee at the struggling JetBlue to improve its profitability, culture, and operations (called Jet Forward). St. George also talked about how he's evolved as a manager and decision-maker, his dream airplane and how to deal with the effects of Pratt engine issues, and more.

We would like to thank Accelya for sponsoring this episode.

Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

The A321XLR entered service with Iberia on November 14, and so begins the next generation of long-haul, narrowbody flying. Will this usher in an era of new and exciting routes or will it just end up being a 757 replacement? Brett, Brian, and Jon ponder that topic in this week's episode.

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Is the drama over? Is this a ceasefire? An agreement to cooperate? Brett Snyder, Brian Sumers and Jon Ostrower discuss the recent détente between Southwest Airlines and Elliott Investment Management. Elliott gained five of Southwest's 13 board seats, and the two sides agreed to table the rest of their disagreements until Valentine's Day 2026. Will Southwest fix its revenue problem by then?

We would like to thank Rokt for sponsoring this episode.

Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

The Boeing strike continues. On Wednesday, 64% of machinists rejected Boeing's negotiated proposal, extending the strike indefinitely. Earlier that day, Boeing's third-quarter earnings revealed an expected $6.2 billion loss and an official delay until 2026 of the 777X. It's not great, for really anyone. Jon Ostrower discusses the dynamics here with Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder.

We would like to thank our sponsor, Intelsat.

Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

United Airlines is making moves and announcing splashy new routes — the kind you might expect from an airline with a healthy balance sheet and an innovative network chief. And still, there were some surprise additions to United's plans. Brett Snyder and Brian Sumers discuss Patrick Quayle's approach, including the airline's out-of-the-box new routes from Newark and Tokyo Narita.

We would like to thank Rokt for sponsoring this episode.

Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Brett Snyder and Jon Ostrower discuss Q2 2024 data for the domestic airline market. American Airlines faced significant challenges. Southwest, in contrast, actually did alright! This DOT data set also sheds light on the performance of new-ish ultra-low-cost carriers, Avelo and Breeze, which are privately held.

We would like to thank our sponsor, Intelsat.

Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.