Amid uncertainty in the U.S. economy and political climate, airlines say they're seeing softness in domestic demand. How bad is it? Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder followed the J.P. Morgan Industrials conference this week and they discuss whether airlines are taking this seriously enough or whether they are in denial, and whether Southwest has any real strategy, or whether it's just coasting on its reputation.

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Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Brett Snyder's annual Cranky Network Awards is the event of the year and the place to be for the airline industry professionals that some people (possibly his co-hosts on this podcast) think are the nerdiest of the aviation nerds: network planners. In all seriousness (well, not all...), Brian Sumers, Jon Ostrower and Brett talk about the winners, what makes routes sexy or not, and the behind-the-scenes (and grooming routines) of this year's prestigious bash.

We would like to thank TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.

Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Southwest Airlines is in a major transition — layoffs, an activist investor, and a changing product. Of course, it's an especially major transition for this airline because of its conservative culture, strategy, and history. Brett Snyder, Brian Sumers and Jon Ostrower debate the impact of Elliott Management's involvement, former CEO Gary Kelly's legacy, and the potential for new leadership to drive change.

We would like to thank TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.

Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

United thinks it has found a way to once and for all make the airline Chicago's dominant player, but American is still standing in the way. Jon and Brett talk about exactly what United has found, and then discuss what American's options are.  It's going to be a roller coaster of a decade at O'Hare.

We would like to thank TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.

Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Brian Sumers, Brett Snyder, and Jon Ostrower discuss Boom's recent supersonic test flights — a big achievement for the start-up — and the challenges ahead. Is there a market for a return to supersonic commercial flight? Is there enough money to develop an airliner? Can Boom develop its own engine?

We would like to thank TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.

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

Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder discuss the tragic collision of American Eagle flight 5342 and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington National Airport last week, ending an unprecedented era of US aviation safety. Jon Ostrower talks through what is known about the incident, what is ahead as the NTSB investigates, and the potential impacts of speculation  — on social media and by officials — in shaping public perception after disasters like this.

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

Brian Sumers puts Brett Snyder on the hot seat on a bunch of things going on at US airlines this month. They discuss schedule changes JetBlue made in Boston and New York, and rapid-fire questions about American and Chicago, Hawaiian and its 787s, new capacity in Anchorage, and the Delta show at CES.

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

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

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.