The Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast

IATA Sees Pent-Up Profits
Edward Russell

Are profits on approach for airlines in 2023? Edward "Ned" Russell and Jay Shabat discuss IATA's updated outlook, and Director General Willie Walsh's comments at the annual general meeting in Doha. Also, SkyWest Airlines has a novel approach to expanding...

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Wizzing Past the Competition
Madhu Unnikrishnan

Why is Wizz Air CEO Joszef Varadi "happy" to compete with Ryanair and why does he think it's the legacy carriers that should be scared? Edward "Ned" Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan, in his last appearance on the 'Lounge, discuss this...

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Delta’s Red-Hot Summer
Edward Russell

Delta Air Lines now forecasts its summer revenues will outpace 2019, a significant milestone in the U.S. airline industry's recovery. But all is not golden as costs, particularly fuel, are rising as well. Edward “Ned” Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan then...

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IndiGo Goes and Goes!
Jason Clampet

Just how bullish is IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta on India's airline market? Very, very bullish. But Edward "Ned" Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan note that others have predicted that India's aviation market is about to take off (Kingfisher? Jet Airways?). So...

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The South American Spider Web
Madhu Unnikrishnan

Abra, the new holding company planned by Colombia's Avianca and Brazil's Gol, would knit together South America in what Copa CEO called a spider web (although he said he's not too concerned about it). In this week's episode, Edward "Ned"...

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Who’s to Blame for the Pilot Shortage?
Madhu Unnikrishnan

Tempers are flaring as airlines, unions, and even Congress point fingers at who's to blame for the pilot shortage. Edward "Ned" Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan discuss an innovative program at Southern Airways Express, as well as why Mesa CEO Jonathan...

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Just What’s Happening in Newark?
Madhu Unnikrishnan

Airlines are sparring over Newark Liberty International Airport, as United claims the FAA is allowing low-cost-carriers to go over the 79 flight operations per hour cap. But Spirit and JetBlue refute that claim and say United should reduce its own...

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The Thick of Earnings
Edward Russell

Edward “Ned” Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan are in the thick of first quarter earnings. The takeaway so far: demand changed for the better in March but summer may not be as rosy as many hoped, at least for travelers. Staffing...

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Bellwether Delta
Edward Russell

Cape Air CEO Linda Markham warns that the U.S. industry’s every-airline-for-themselves approach to easing the pilot shortage may not be the best way to address supply. Edward “Ned” Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan discuss her comments, and our favorite spokes-seagull. Then,...

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A Tale of Two Quarters
Edward Russell

It’s that time of year again: earnings! Delta Air Lines kicked off the first quarter results season with better than expected financials that reflected the two halves of the quarter; one characterized by Omicron and the other by pent-up demand....

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JetBlue Wants Spirit
Edward Russell

In a surprise move, JetBlue Airways unveiled an unsolicited bid for Spirit Airlines, potentially derailing the latter’s deal with Frontier Airlines. But, given the potential market clout a larger ULCC could be to JetBlue, especially on busy Florida routes, maybe...

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What’s Delta Planning at LAX?
Madhu Unnikrishnan

Delta Air Lines is making a play for more premium passengers in Los Angeles. Our reporter Brian Sumers took a field trip to LAX to talk to Delta leaders to see what the airline thinks sets it apart at the...

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