
Advertise on podcast: Airline Weekly Lounge
Rating
4from
This podcast has
424 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
SkiftExplicit
No
Date created
2015/08/10
Latest episode
2026/04/23
Average duration
34 min.
Release period
7 days
Description
The editors of Airline Weekly discuss the most interesting developments within the commercial airline industry. In keeping with Airline Weekly’s style, conversation generally centers on one question: How do you make money in this industry?
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Check latest episodes from Airline Weekly Lounge podcast
Will Washington Save Spirit Airlines?
2026/04/23
Could the U.S. Government shore up Spirit Airlines? Gordon and Jay break down the latest industry chatter about the troubled carrier's future, including fresh commentary from President Trump. Then they shift gears to unpack Alaska Air Group's newest earnings report and what it signals about the carrier's post-Hawaiian merger trajectory.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
01:06 Spirit Trouble Update
03:27 Liquidation vs Survival Paths
05:05 Trump Comments and Bailout Talk
16:33 Merger Signals and Break
18:29 Back From Break Alaska Begins
19:44 Alaska Q1 Weakness and Fuel
23:12 Capacity Cuts and New Long Haul
28:12 Corporate Loyalty Bright Spots
32:27 Demand Headwinds and Closing
Could United Really Merge with American Airlines?
2026/04/16
Will two of America's biggest airlines become one? Gordon and Jay dig into whether a United-American mega-merger is actually on the table and ask what further consolidation would mean for the industry. Plus: Qantas cuts capacity and Korean Air's latest financials.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
00:32 United American Merger Rumor01:59 Regulatory and Fuel Context05:05 Duffy Comments and Caveats06:26 Consolidation Speculation08:32 Qantas Fuel Hedging Shock09:47 Network Shifts and Airspace13:15 More Headlines and Break14:23 Korean Air Q1 Overview15:59 Passenger Demand Drivers19:27 Cargo Boom and Other Units23:19 Asiana Merger Clarified25:29 Wrap Up and Subscribe
Delta Confronts the Oil Price Crisis
2026/04/09
Delta’s latest results are in and the fuel price challenge is front and center. Gordon, Jay, and Meghna dive into what the numbers say about the airline’s strategy and resilience. In part two, the conversation turns to Southwest and the next chapter of its transformation story.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
00:59 Delta Q1 Headline Numbers
01:54 Fuel Spike and Q2 Outlook
03:29 Earnings Call Tone
04:07 Premium Demand Holds
05:29 Main Cabin Inflection
06:48 Why Demand Stays Strong
11:12 High Fuel Means Consolidation
13:04 JetBlue Merger Speculation
17:42 Oil Volatility and 2008 Parallels
20:22 Premium Segmentation Tease
21:18 Delta Premium Basics
21:54 Tech Ops Profit Engine
22:27 Cargo Refinery Upside
23:14 Premium Seats Strategy
24:26 Post Pandemic Cost Reality
25:34 Wrap Part One
26:12 Listener Reminders Break
26:36 Idea Awards Spotlight
29:25 How To Enter Awards
31:35 Southwest 2.0 Pitch
33:23 Culture And Activist Push
35:34 Passenger Reactions Mixed
37:21 Middle Market Risk
39:44 Final Thanks Signoff
Who Will Lead IATA Next?
2026/04/02
Gordon and Jay unpack major leadership moves shaping the industry, from Willie Walsh’s shift to IndiGo to Michael Rousseau’s departure from Air Canada. Later, they dive into fuel prices and what’s ahead for Alaska Airlines.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
02:26 JetBlue Seeks a Partner
04:42 Willie Walsh to IndiGo
08:25 IATA Succession Talk
11:11 Air India Leadership Rumors
12:00 Air Canada CEO Steps Down
18:50 What Are IDEA Awards
19:37 Who Can Enter
20:09 Airline Categories Explained
21:19 Quiz And Sample Forms
23:29 Back To Lounge News
23:53 Fuel Price Reality Check
24:49 Alaska Warns Bigger Loss
26:22 Mexico And Hawaii Demand Dip
28:41 Alaska Expands To Europe
30:33 Widebody Risk Debate
31:10 Why Buy Hawaiian
34:12 Seattle Long Haul Competition
37:35 Integration And Outlook
39:21 Wrap Up And Subscribe
An Aviation Crisis – with a Twist
2026/03/26
In part one, Gordon and Jay unpack a whirlwind few days for the global airline industry, including fresh insights on jet fuel prices. In part two, the conversation turns to intriguing developments at Filipino low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
01:17 Fuel Price Crisis Update
04:57 Other Industry Headlines
05:31 Earnings Season Preview
09:18 Demand Strong Despite Costs
11:30 Listener Mail and Break
11:53 Skift Idea Awards Spotlight
16:53 Back From Break and Setup
17:25 Cebu Pacific Overview
20:43 Profitability and Challenges
21:39 Fuel Shock and Fare Hikes
26:23 Wrap Up and Subscribe
Making Sense of the Fuel Price Crisis
2026/03/19
Fuel accounts for roughly 20–30% of an airline’s operating costs—so when prices surge, the impact can be immediate and significant. In this week’s show, Gordon and Jay break down how U.S. airlines are navigating this historic spike and explore what it could mean for supply and demand.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
Approximate Time Stamps
00:36 Fuel Crisis Reality Check
01:59 JP Morgan Conference Setup
04:19 March Bad Luck Streak
05:23 Jet Fuel Spike Numbers
07:09 Fares Rising Demand Strong
09:49 Pulled Forward Bookings
13:43 Q1 Earnings and Weather
16:28 New Revenue Levers
18:03 Legacy vs LCC Pricing
19:33 Subscribe and Break Tease
20:17 IDEA Awards Introduction
21:08 Impact Over Scale
21:56 Finding Your Category
23:06 Quiz and Sample Forms
23:40 How to Submit
24:46 Awards Wrap and Next Topic
25:16 Why JP Morgan Matters
27:20 Delta Refinery Explained
31:25 American vs United O'Hare
35:19 Fuel Shock and Recession Risk
37:32 Volatility Is the New Normal
Jet Fuel Shock and Shutdown Security Lines: Airlines Brace for a Volatile Spring
2026/03/12
Jay Shabat is joined by Meghna Maharishi and Skift's Head of Research Seth Borko for a crossover Airline Weekly Lounge that hits two pressure points at once: a sudden jet fuel spike and the growing airport disruptions from the current US government shutdown.
First, Seth breaks down what the fuel surge could mean for US carriers, using airline SEC disclosures to translate price moves into real dollars, and why the pain can vary by region even when the shock is global.
Then Meghna walks through what travelers are feeling on the ground as TSA agents miss paychecks, security lines balloon at several airports during spring break, and Global Entry remains suspended, creating additional bottlenecks for international arrivals. The team closes with what to watch next, including signals expected from airline leaders at the upcoming JPMorgan Industrials conference.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
A Gulf Airline Crisis Like No Other
2026/03/05
In a week when the world's busiest international airline ground to a halt and Gulf hubs faced aerial attack, Gordon and Jay explore the impact of the Iran war on the aviation industry. In part two, we take a closer look at the latest earnings from Qantas and Virgin Australia.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
Is Singapore Airlines Still A Profit Superstar?
2026/02/26
In part one, Gordon and Jay review the latest numbers from Singapore Airlines and explain why context is key when determining success. In part two, we preview the annual results from British Airways and Iberia's parent company, IAG.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
American Airlines Is Falling Behind. Here’s Why
2026/02/19
Delta and United are dominating airline profits while American falls behind, and Frontier struggles to recover.
Jay Shabat and Meghna Maharishi break down airline earnings, American’s leadership pressure, and Frontier’s turnaround strategy.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
Icelandair: Moving in the Right Direction?
2026/02/12
In part one of this week's show, Gordon and Jay crunch the latest financials from Icelandair and discuss how it plans to become sustainably profitable. In part two, the conversation turns to global airports, as we reveal the major hubs with the biggest shifts in capacity for Q2.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
Japan Airlines vs. ANA: Who's On Top?
2026/02/05
In this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss the latest results from Japan's two mega-airline groups. With inbound visitor numbers soaring, but domestic air travel down, we analyze the key financial and operational metrics separating ANA from JAL.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
U.S. Earnings Season: Half-Time Report
2026/01/29
In part one of this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss the latest quarterly earnings from American Airlines and JetBlue. In part two, the discussion turns to Ryanair, with a deep dive into its financials and 2026 strategy.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
New from Skift: Executive Conversations Shaping the Travel Industry
2026/01/26
We’re sharing a preview of a new podcast from Skift called Skift Take Sessions.
Skift Take Sessions is a weekly, journalist-led podcast built from the most important conversations shaping the global travel industry. Each episode features candid interviews with CEOs and senior leaders across airlines, hotels, and travel platforms, recorded live at Skift events and expanded with context around why the conversation matters now and what we learned.
Hosted by Wil Slickers, the show brings listeners inside executive-level thinking from leaders at companies like Hilton, Expedia Group, Airbnb, JetBlue, and more.
New episodes drop every week.
Listen and follow Skift Take Sessions:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skift-take-sessions/id1871511773
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oKApv7z0I65VpySjh9rqP?si=2e8f1e3e83e8459d
Skift.com: https://skift.com/skift-travel-podcasts/
Delta vs United: Premium Boom, Economy Squeeze
2026/01/22
It is earnings season, and this week on the Airline Weekly Lounge, Jay Shabat and Meghna Maharishi break down Q4 2025 results from United and Delta, recorded on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
They compare operating margins, unpack how fuel price differences shaped the quarter, and dig into what United’s call revealed about demand, costs, and competitive pressure points. Key themes include the growing gap between premium and main cabin performance, why leaders say domestic softness is more about supply than demand, and how ultra-low-cost carrier capacity cuts could set up a rebound in economy results.
On the Delta side, they cover the airline’s push to diversify revenue through areas like MRO, cargo, and loyalty, plus what Delta’s new widebody order signals for fleet and network strategy, including selective international expansion.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
Podcast reviews
Read Airline Weekly Lounge podcast reviews
mtee2 2025/09/28
Good info, inconsistent delivery
I like the podcast and usually the topics as well. What drives me crazy is having to constantly adjust the audio volume so I can hear what Jay is sayi...
Nebke 2026/03/19
Good show getting better
This is a good show and the hosts are great. It has continued to improve over time and I hope they begin to release longer episodes.
Mjc3000 2025/04/24
Audio Quality
Content is find for mindless commutes. Jay seems like a lovely person but his speaking volume and microphone is not meant for podcasting. Need a consi...
Hirhino 2025/08/20
Want to be great but unlistenable
The narration is awful: audio and delivery. These two are very smart and I believe know their content but they are not meant for podcasting.
Crazy192837 2025/07/25
Utterly unlistenable
Audio is so bad, it makes the podcast unlistenable.
As anti American hosts as you can get. Jay is clearly butthurt over Trump. Can’t even report air...
Corporate Pilot 2024/08/08
Good show
Please get better microphones and recording instruments. Sometimes it’s hard to hear what you guys are saying. Maybe you should invest a better microp...
amm201125 2025/03/27
Unlistenable
Jay is just unlistenable. Every other word is uuuuhhhhhh. It’s beyond nails on a chalkboard
sirobin171 2024/12/10
Blessed
I have noticed that the podcast is getting more and more religious over time. I came to inform myself about aviation not religion.
DFR91 2023/12/07
Great Content, Terrible Production
The quality of the episodes is terrible, even though the content is great.
KeroseneKowboy 2023/12/01
Quality Content; Poor Production
These guys clearly know the business and provide great insights into an exciting industry. Unfortunately, it seems like nobody listens to the episodes...
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