Airlines Confidential Podcast

This week: Michael Lombardi, Senior Corporate Historian, The Boeing Company - Last 747 rolls off the production line. Learn what made the 747 so special to aviation; New Wall Street Journal airline rankings & methodology; Reaction to more Scott Kirby statements; SWA pilot union mentions potential strike vote; Listener Q topics: The "Captain Shortage", Which airline is flying the oldest fleet.

This week: Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor at CBS News; FAA's NOTAM system fails, 10,000+ flights affected; Scott reports on his conversation with Southwest CEO Bob Jordan. What happened, refund status, independent investigation, and more; Original Air Force One being restored.

This week: Rob Britton, Principal, AirLearn, Are alliances outdated? Southwest takes a $800M hit; What's the future of passenger re-accommodations? United's claims "best airline in the world" - has a mixed week; Delta announces free Wi-Fi; Mexico launching a military run airline? Listener Q: Airline foreign partnerships/equity stakes.

This week: Gordon Bethune, former CEO, Continental Airlines; Welcome Scott McCartney as Ben's new co-host; Southwest's Christmas Crisis - Blame IT? 2023 predictions; What to expect from the DOT this year; Changing loyalty programs; Listener "Old Croakey" thank you to Chris Chiames.

This week: 2022 wrap; Chris passes the mic as we welcome former Wall Street Journal "Middle Seat" columnist Scott McCartney to the podcast as Ben's new co-host; A fresh take from Scott on the JetBlue/American Northeast alliance; Frequent flyer programs get tighter; Where would our hosts invest $10k right now? Next episode Jan 4th, 2023. Happy New Year!

This Week: John Heimlich, VP & Chief Economist, Airlines for America on 2022/2023; JetBlue / American Northeast alliance increases flights; Huge Boeing order from Tata / Air India, plus United 787 order; Boeing requests extension on FAA requirement; Listener Q: Why not go direct to Europe from smaller markets with A220's? Unhappy with Delta Sky Club access changes.

This week: Anne Correa, SVP, Airline & Airport Services, mba Aviation; Chris Sloan reports on Southwest Airlines' Media Day; Listener feedback on the Hertz interview and the Kirby vs Biffle viewpoint discussion. Shout-outs.

This week: Mark Ross-Smith, CEO & Co-Founder, StatusMatch; Holiday travel & changes in travel patterns; Latest WSJ airport rankings; American sues Sabre for attorney fees; Listener Q: AA flight credit rules confusing; Frontier changes customer service; Shout-outs

This week: Thank you to our listeners & sponsors; American/JetBlue case goes to the judge; DOT orders $600M in refunds & fines airlines $7.5M; Airline vs Cruise industry difference in policies; Supply chain & aircraft delivery concerns; Listener Q: What's more disruptive to an airline-snowstorm or hurricane? Things to be thankful for in the airline industry.

This week: Steve Shur, VP Government Affairs EV Strategy, Hertz; Your next Amazon package might be dropped by a drone: Colombia objects to Avianca / Viva merger; United follows Delta's FF program changes; Listeners chime in: flights in Alaska, Allegiant's Q3 loss, why JetBlue FL service cuts? Shout-outs to Southwest's Ukulele promotion & Turkish Air tall accommodation.