Airline Weekly Lounge

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? 

News
Business News
Leisure
26
The Airline Europe Wrote Off — and Shouldn't Have
Gordon and Jay unpack how Iberia engineered one of the most dramatic financial turnarounds in modern airline history. Plus: Singapore Airlines posts a solid start to the year, but its Air India stake is shaping up to be a costly bet.
38 min
27
The Profit Gap Splitting U.S. Airlines
Gordon sits down with Skift airlines reporter Meghna Maharishi to break down a revealing Q1 earnings season for U.S. carriers — separating the standouts from the strugglers. Plus: the latest merger chatter swirling around the industry, and could a major Boeing order follow President Trump's visit to China?
26 min
28
Spirit Airlines: The Post-Mortem
Spirit Airlines is the first major U.S. carrier to go out of business in more than two decades. In this special edition, Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to unpack what went wrong — from blocked mergers to shifting consumer demand — and what Spirit's collapse means for the future of low-cost flying in America.
37 min
29
What's Going Wrong at JetBlue?
Gordon and Jay open with JetBlue's latest quarterly results, unpacking what's behind the airline's struggles and what it might take to get back on course.
32 min
30
Will Washington Save Spirit Airlines?
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.
34 min
31
Could United Really Merge with American Airlines?
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.
26 min
32
Delta Confronts the Oil Price Crisis
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.
40 min
33
Who Will Lead IATA Next?
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.
40 min
34
An Aviation Crisis – with a Twist
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. 
28 min
35
Making Sense of the Fuel Price Crisis
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. 
40 min
36
Jet Fuel Shock & Shutdown TSA Lines: Airlines B...
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. 
39 min
37
A Gulf Airline Crisis Like No Other
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.
48 min
38
Is Singapore Airlines Still A Profit Superstar?
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. 
35 min
39
American Airlines Is Falling Behind. Here’s Why
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.
27 min
40
Icelandair: Moving in the Right Direction?
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.
37 min
41
Japan Airlines vs. ANA: Who's On Top?
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.
33 min
42
U.S. Earnings Season: Half-Time Report
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. 
35 min
43
New from Skift: Executive Conversations Shaping...
Skift Take Sessions is a weekly, journalist-led podcast built from the most important conversations shaping the global travel industry.
1 min
44
Delta vs United: Premium Boom, Economy Squeeze
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.
20 min
45
Allegiant–Sun Country Merger: What’s Really at ...
In this special edition of the Airline Weekly Lounge, Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to discuss Allegiant's plan to acquire Sun Country Airlines for $1.5 Billion. Fresh off the phone with Allegiant CEO, Greg Anderson, Meghna offers first-hand executive insights, while Jay delves into the data to discover the impact of the proposed tie-up.
34 min
46
Inside the Ethiopian Airlines Playbook
Ethiopian Airlines is one of African aviation's outstanding success stories. We explore how the carrier grew profitably, built global reach, and what its strategy means for the future of the sector. In part two, Gordon and Jay set the scene for Q4 earnings season, with a focus on U.S. airlines.
41 min
47
The David Neeleman Interview
Recorded on-stage at our recent Skift Aviation Forum, Gordon sits down with aviation legend David Neeleman.
25 min
48
The Joanna Geraghty Interview
Recorded on-stage at our recent Skift Aviation Forum, Gordon is in conversation with JetBlue CEO, Joanna Geraghty.
24 min
49
Is Breeze in a Squeeze?
As Breeze Airways enters its fifth year of flying, Gordon and Jay discuss the challenges and opportunities for the David Neeleman-backed U.S. carrier.
40 min
50
In Conversation with DFW Airport CEO, Chris McL...
Gordon sits down with ⁠Chris McLaughlin⁠, Chief Executive Officer of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, for a special episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge.
27 min