Airlines Confidential Podcast
Hosted by Scott McCartney, Fmr. Travel Editor/"Middle Seat" Columnist for The Wall Street Journal. Top Stories, C-Suite Guests, Listener Q's. The Leading Podcast Reaching Travel Industry Insiders, Frequent Flyers, & Aviation Geeks. Created by & Dedicated to Ben Baldanza.
Wed, April 02, 2025
281 - Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan; Guest: Eamonn Brennan, Fmr Director General, Eurocontrol
281 - Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan; Guest: Eamonn Brennan, Fmr Director General, Eurocontrol by Scott McCartney
Wed, March 26, 2025
280 - Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt; Guest: Justin Jones, EVP Operations, Southwest Airlines
This week: Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt; Guest: Justin Jones, EVP Operations, Southwest Airlines. Recorded in Dallas TX at Cirium OTP Board Meeting; News: Heathrow power failure; International travel slowdown; Report issued on Delta CRJ incident; Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford nominated to head FAA; SWA earns world's lowest cancellation rate; Could the SWA bag rule change be problematic? Listener input on shades during takeoff and landing.
Wed, March 19, 2025
279 - Guest Co-Host: Maya Leibman; Guest: Elise Eberwein, Fmr EVP, American Airlines
This week: Scott's Co-Host is Maya Leibman; Guest: Elise Eberwein, Fmr EVP, American Airlines; News: Crisis communication; Delta celebrates 100 Years; Revised earnings projections from United, Delta; The SWA transition; Spirit's quick exit from bankruptcy; Listener Q's on airlines deferring OEM deliveries.
Tue, March 11, 2025
278 - Big Southwest Bag/Policy Changes - Guest Co-Host Christina Cassotis
This week: Guest Co-Host Christina Cassotis; News: Big bag news & changes at Southwest; Can SWA remain SWA? Cost of enplaned passenger (CPE) & the structure around airport funding; AA asks for a NE Alliance deal review; Staffing requirement change at DCA; A Scott Mini-Rant on Axios fare data conclusion; Listener Q on the future of SWA, & a look ahead to Southwest 3.0.
Tue, March 04, 2025
277 - JetBlue's Top Senior Leadership - Joanna Geraghty, CEO and Marty St. George
This week: JetBlue's Top Senior Leadership - Joanna Geraghty, CEO and Marty St. George, President. News: The SWA go-around to avoid Flexjet in Chicago; SWA routes and distribution changes; Frontier makes significant moves in Atlanta; A rant from Scott; Some very much appreciated listener input.
Wed, February 26, 2025
276 - Guest Co-Host Doug Parker; Guest: Sara Nelson, Pres., Association of Flight Attendants
This week: Scott's Guest Co-Host is Doug Parker; Guest: Sara Nelson, President, Association of Flight Attendants; Topics: Organized labor, Partners and mergers, Delta 4819 flight lands, flips upside down, crew performs with excellence, all survive; A drop in government travel, A4A seeks congressional funding to fix the FAA; Spirit restructuring deal approved; AA announces routes expansion at ORD.
Wed, February 19, 2025
275 - Guest Co-Host Chris Sloan with info on BermudAir
This week: Guest Co-Host Chris Sloan with info on BermudAir; Several see Spirit as attractive; British Airways & Virgin participate in love triangle; Las Vegas "Supplemental" Airport in the works; American adds to BOS-LGA; Tom Doxey to Southwest as CFO; DCA incident news update; Boeing steps up deliveries; Listener comments on open skies in the new administration, post DCA crash reactions. Next week: The Delta crash and SWA layoffs.
Wed, February 12, 2025
274 - Guest Co-Host Dave Hilfman, Guest: Jim Compton, Fmr Vice Chairman, United
This week: Guest Co-Host Dave Hilfman, Guest: Jim Compton, Fmr Vice Chairman/Chief Revenue Officer of United Airlines. Topics: Pricing: Favorite Superbowl ads; United brings back stroopwafels; PSA 5342/PAT 25 Crash info update; JetBlue ending BOS-LGA service; United asking for American gates in ORD? Frontier reports interesting numbers.
Wed, February 05, 2025
273 - Guest Co-Host Oscar Munoz; Focus: A Tragic Week in Aviation
This week: Guest Co-Host Oscar Munoz; News: A tragic week in aviation; Context and elements to consider; Frontier (again) tries to buy Spirit; Is the American-JetBlue Northeast Alliance back on the table? Listener input on Spirit's attempt at upgraded services, plus differing thoughts on the work of the TSA and Fmr Admin David Pekoske.
Wed, January 29, 2025
272 - Scott McCartney - Island Edition from Hawaii
This week: Scott McCartney - Island Edition from Hawaii; News: David Pekoske out as TSA Administrator; American reports good times-bad times; Operating margin numbers; Wall Street Journal's latest performance rankings; On Point Loyalty's report on loyalty program values; Lister comments: Comparing AOPA to NRA goes to far.
Wed, January 22, 2025
271 - Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt, Travel Industry Analyst
This week: Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt; SWA rejects outgoing DOT "chronically late" fine, DOT sues SWA; Service increase coming to TLV; A Delta - United near collision over PHX; Spirit announces layoffs; Can GoBig/GoComfy upsells drive significant revenue? AMEX GBT / CWT merger challenged by US Dept of Justice; Azul Abra/Avianca looking to merge; Nick Calio retiring from A4A; Air Wisconsin changing operations.
Wed, January 15, 2025
270 - Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan
This week: Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan, Fmr President, Norse Atlantic; News: Tough week for air travel; Questions around wheel well stowaways; Ed Bastian's Sphere presentation & numbers behind Delta's earnings report; Overall capacity changes taking hold; Bill Swellbar report referenced; Bob Jordan's 737 store open for business; Fmr Boeing CEO says time to design a new airplane; Listener Q's on service classes and privatizing ATC.
Wed, January 08, 2025
269 - Guest Co-Host Christina Cassotis; Guest Jeremy Bowen, CEO, Cirium
This week: Guest Co-Host Christina Cassotis, CEO, Pittsburgh Int. Airport; Guest Jeremy Bowen, CEO, Cirium; News: Context around recent airliner crashes; DOT fines JetBlue 2MM for chronic lateness; Silver Airways files Ch11, Alaska shares and others up significantly in 2024; 2025 expectations; Elements of Airport-Airlines communication and collaboration; Listener feedback on Doug Parker travel tip to avoid checking bags and a Question on how much time does Spirit have?.
Wed, December 18, 2024
268 - Guest Co-Host Doug Parker, Guest: Nick Calio, Pres/CEO, Airlines for America
This week: Guest Co-Host Doug Parker, Fmr CEO, American Airlines. Guest: Nick Calio, President/CEO, Airlines for America; News: New FAA Commissioner Jan 20th; Investor David Bonderman passes; Is Alaska's expanding international service from SEA sustainable? Infrastructure constraints. Listener Q's on best travel tips, privatizing ATC. Happy Holidays/New Year - Next episode: Jan 8, 2025
Wed, December 11, 2024
267 - Guest Co-Host Maya Leibman; Guest: Jim Butler, CFO, Gatwick Airport
This week: Guest Co-Host Maya Leibman; Guest: Jim Butler, CFO at London Gatwick Airport / Managing Director at Global Infrastructure Partners; News: TSA screening numbers; Some projections indicate travel rebound; Is Frontier adding big seats up front a good idea? Listener comments on airlines being likened to Amazon, JetBlue-Southwest merger viability.
Wed, December 04, 2024
266 - Guest Co-Host Dave Hilfman
This week: Guest Co-Host Dave Hilfman; A look into the "major" report on airline fees from U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) chaired by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT); Budget allocations & potential for privatizing ATC in new administration; High hopes for DOT Admin Nominee Sean Duffy; Reaction to NYT stories on padding schedules and loyalty program; Listener input on Spirit's approach for the future, salute to Jun Tsuruta.
Wed, November 27, 2024
265 - Guest Co-Host Oscar Munoz, Fmr Chairman, United; Andrew Watterson, COO, SWA
This week: Guest Co-Host Oscar Munoz, Fmr Chairman, United; Plus: Andrew Watterson, COO, SWA, with Scott McCartney at ONT "State of the Airport" day in Ontario CA; News: Spirit's "Basic Economy Bankruptcy" moves forward; A discussion around change fees; Lund out, Ackerman in as Boeing head of quality; Arthur Frommer passes at 95; Listener Q on Aer Lingus incentives at Indianapolis, and follow up to Chris Sloan A321 XLR segment.
Wed, November 20, 2024
264 - Chris Sloan Reports on the A321 XLR Inaugural Flight
This week: Chris Sloan flies Iberia and reports on the A321 XLR inaugural flight; Plus: Facts, context, and perspective on the Spirit prepackaged bankruptcy plan, what Ben would say, and what happens next; Gunshots hit multiple aircraft; Court rules Oakland is not San Francisco.
Wed, November 13, 2024
263 - Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt, Pres. Atmosphere Research Group
This week: Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt, President, Atmosphere Research Group; Remembrance: B. Ben Baldanza passes at age 62 from ALS; News: New chairman & 5 new board members at SWA; Expected FAA changes in 2nd Trump Administration; SAF Policies; Is it time to privatize air traffic? Cirium holiday capacity projections; Back to work at Boeing; The raccoon at LaGuardia; Listener Q on increased labor costs.
Wed, November 06, 2024
262 - Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan; Guest: Frank Lorenzo
This week: Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan, Fmr President, Norse Atlantic Airways; Guest: Frank Lorenzo, Fmr CEO, Continental Airlines; News: JetBlue, SkyWest, Frontier Q3 report; Frontier takes deliveries of new Airbus 320neo; Increased competition for LCCs; DOT new refund rule result for consumers; Canadian Transportation Agency proposes fining airlines per complaint; Listener input on SWA route structuring.
Wed, October 30, 2024
261 - Guest Co-Host Christina Cassotis, CEO, Pittsburgh Int Airport
This week: Guest Co-Host Christina Cassotis, CEO, Pittsburgh Int Airport; Gary Kelly steps down while Bob Jordan stays at SWA-Can the culture survive?; Boeing strike drags on; AA gets hit with largest ever accessibility related fine; PIT seeing big increase in VIP travelers; A Frontier deal for Spirit may be back in play; The job of an airport CEO; Listener input on product-based terminal assignment.
Wed, October 23, 2024
260 - Guest Co-Host Doug Parker, Fmr CEO, American Airlines
This week: Guest Co-Host Doug Parker, Fmr. CEO, American Airlines & Co-Founder, Breaking Down Barriers; News: United earnings report, Southwest stockholder Elliott Mgt calls for shareholder meeting; What makes a good Board Member? A discussion on SWA current dynamics; The AA / Skiplagged decision and an airline perspective on Skiplagging; FAA launches runway incursion audit; LAX traffic down; A listener/SWA employee comment.
Wed, October 16, 2024
259 - Guest Co-Host Maya Leibman & Guest Patrick O'Keeffe, Fmr SVP, People, American
This week: Guest Co-Host Maya Leibman, Fmr EVP/CIO, American Airlines; Guest: Patrick O'Keeffe, Fmr SVP – People, American Airlines; News: Delta forecasts weaker revenue; Some CrowdStrike context; Disagreement over Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF); Are terminal robo-wheelchairs on the horizon? Boeing strike negotiations not going well; United announces unusual new foreign destinations; Listener Q's: Would consolidated check in be workable for airlines?
Wed, October 09, 2024
258 - Guest Co-Host Dave Hilfman, Fmr SVP, United Airlines
This week: Guest Co-Host Dave Hilfman, Fmr SVP, Worldwide Sales at United Airlines; News: Is Spirit planning for a bankruptcy? SWA Board member Rakesh Gangwal buys 3.6M shares - Can improvements be made fast enough? International conflicts affecting travel; Spy transfers FAA infrastructure intel to Iran; United FAA safety review completed; Toyota invests more in VTOL maker Joby; Reflections from working with Bethune/Munoz/Kirby.
Wed, October 02, 2024
257 - Guest Co-Host Oscar Munoz, Fmr Chairman & CEO, United Airlines
This week: Guest Co-Host Oscar Munoz, Fmr Chairman & CEO, United Airlines; News from Southwest's Investor Day: The SWA plan to increase revenue; GAO report on FAA sites unsustainable systems; The story behind the Munoz transformation of United. Book: Turnaround Time: Uniting an Airline and Its Employees in the Friendly Skies. https://airlinesconfidential.com/book-list/
Wed, September 25, 2024
256 - Jeff Martin, President/CEO, Aero Design Labs
This week: Jeff Martin, President/CEO, Aero Design Labs; Plus: Southwest's challenges; Alaska - Hawaiian a done deal with special DOT conditions - now what? Potential next moves for Hawaiian's Peter Ingram; JetBlue lounges coming soon; Listener Q on flight data. Next week: Oscar Munoz, Guest Co-host.
Wed, September 18, 2024
255 - Rob Gurney, Fmr CEO, Oneworld Alliance
This week: Rob Gurney, Fmr CEO, Oneworld Alliance, Also: Amy Spowart, Pres/CEO NAA & David Richardson, Pres Aero Club of Washington DC on the Wright Brothers Trophy; Plus: New format announcement; Lots about the situation at Southwest; Boeing on strike; AA F/A contract ratified; 2 airport collisions.
Wed, September 11, 2024
254 - Vasu Raja, Fmr. Chief Commercial Officer, American Airlines
This week: Vasu Raja, Fmr. Chief Commercial Officer, American Airlines; Also: Sept. 11th reflection; JetBlue revises earnings guidance; DOT decides to evaluate award programs instead of addressing flight delay causes; Orlando & Las Vegas market data; Listener input on keeping labor in mind at Spirit.
Wed, September 04, 2024
253 - Dominic Gates, Aerospace Journalist, The Seattle Times
This week: Dominic Gates, Aerospace Journalist / Boeing Reporter, The Seattle Times; Plus: SAS emerges from bankruptcy with new owners Air France/KLM and more; Norse Atlantic trims fleet, puts focus on 787-9s, joins GDS; Canada based Flair seeks new partners; A SeaTac hack; Airlines gained/lost share in key markets; Listener response to Spirit ticket tax story. Additional tributes to Ben Baldanza.
Wed, August 28, 2024
252 - Suzanne Neufang, CEO, Global Business Travel Association
This week: Suzanne Neufang, CEO, Global Business Travel Association; Breaking News: Which airline might trigger Congressional action on "Taxable Transportation"?; TSA Labor Day weekend projections; Mike Spanos out as Delta's EVP/COO; John Laughter & Allison Ausband assume operational responsibilities; Listener Q on 1st class boarding; an equipment change by AA on BOS-MIA.
Wed, August 21, 2024
251 - David Seymour, COO, American Airlines
This week: David Seymour, COO, American Airlines; The Alaska-Hawaii situation in depth; JetBlue leverages TrueBlue; Shares down on multiple carriers; Breeze blows down Avelo's neck in New Haven; Questions & comments: Southwest vs Spirit new in-flight experience; Listeners thank Ben Baldanza.
Wed, August 14, 2024
250 - An announcement from Ben Baldanza
This week: An announcement from Ben Baldanza; Plus, never before told Ben stories as Scott McCartney welcomes back Seth Kaplan, Chris Chiames, and Chris Sloan as guests to salute Ben; News: Air & Cruise travel demand; Aircraft delivery delays; Capacity discussion; Delta reliability; Listener Q: What would you do if you were CEO at SWA?
Wed, August 07, 2024
249 - Bob Jordan, CEO, Southwest Airlines
This week: Bob Jordan, CEO, Southwest Airlines; Airlines as an economic indicator; Will Spirit's new fare classes be the solution to current woes? DOT lays out new rules on family seating; Boeing has a new leader: Robert K. “Kelly” Ortberg; Two airlines cut Austin routes; Listeners input on the SWA boarding process and aircraft types, plus fees.
Wed, July 31, 2024
248 - Bill Swelbar, Chief Industry Analyst, Swelbar-Zhong Consultancy
This week: William Swelbar, Chief Industry Analyst, Swelbar-Zhong Consultancy; Southwest short on communicating some big changes; A look at Delta's IT meltdown; American down and projects worse; Listener Q on SWA employee reaction to changes.
Wed, July 24, 2024
247 - Allison Pohle, Travel Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
This week: Allison Pohle, Travel Reporter, The Wall Street Journal; Evacuating an aircraft; American comes to agreement with flight attendants; Exploding soda at Southwest; United reducing capacity; IT debacle hits airlines hard, especially Delta; Takeaways from TSA Administrator David Pekoske on stats & plans; Listener takes issue with Scott on fees; Q's on air traffic controller hiring lawsuit, fee display dropdowns.
Wed, July 17, 2024
246 - David Pekoske, Administrator, TSA
This week: David Pekoske, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Delta and other's earnings; Delta announces partnership with Riyadh Air; Cirium seat data released; Rakesh Gangwal joins Southwest Airlines Board of Directors; Listener Q on bad weather flight decisions.
Wed, July 10, 2024
245 - Boeing in the News
This week: Boeing pleads guilty to defrauding the government; Boeing to buy back supplier Spirit AeroSystems; and more Boeing news; The fee-based travel economy-Have fees gotten out of hand?; Universal Hydrogen burns through $100MM; SWA Q3 revenue down; Listener Q on Spirit Airlines furloughing while increasing executive pay.
Wed, June 26, 2024
244 - Scott McCartney interviews Ben Baldanza
This week: Scott McCartney interviews Ben Baldanza, Fmr CEO, Spirit & current Board Member JetBlue: Ben has been selected to receive National Aeronautic Association 2024 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy; FAA looking at new public charter rules; The Basic Economy misnomer with almost incomprehensible policies; SWA flight low altitude situations cause concern; Listener input: APUs, should a pilot stay at Spirit.
Wed, June 19, 2024
243 - Tim Toerber, VP Business Development, Assaia
This week: Tim Toerber, VP Business Development, Assaia; A focus on Southwest - changes coming, overstaffing, the impact of Elliott Investment Management, and more; Mishandled bag numbers; Alaska must pay for a trademark they don't use; Listener suggestions for Southwest.
Wed, June 12, 2024
242 - Sammy Patel, VP/Commercial, Vantage Airport Group & Simon Gandy, EVP/COO, New Terminal One JFK
This week: Sammy Patel, VP/Commercial, Vantage Airport Group & CEO Midway Partnership and Simon Gandy, EVP/COO, New Terminal One: Rebuilding JFK: FAA understaffing continues; DOT issues minor fine to foreign carriers over passenger refunds; Increased flights to TLV; GBTA, business travel types, numbers, & average trip cost; Listener input: Differentiating between lower cost carriers; Unfair to blame F/A's for American operational issues.
Wed, June 05, 2024
241 - Michael Landguth, Pres. & CEO, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
This week: Michael Landguth, Pres. & CEO, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority; American CEO Robert Isom fires CCO Vasu Raja, actual margins, a brain drain, and more @ AA; Weather issues at DFW; FAA meets with Boeing; A near collision at DCA; Listener Q: If Spirit went bankrupt how would other airlines react?
Wed, May 29, 2024
240 - Chris Sloan: In depth on Hawaiian Airlines
This week: Chris Sloan: In depth on Hawaiian Airlines; Also: The reality of the London-Singapore flight story; Adding clarity to Frontier's pricing/change fee policy; Remembering Norm Mineta; Listener input: Calling out Allegiant on a "rip-off" ticketing fee, Expedia's multiple brands. Bonus interview content from AFA available at https://airlinesconfidential.com/afa2024
Wed, May 22, 2024
239 - Simon Newton-Smith, SVP Americas, EL AL Israel Airlines
This week: Simon Newton-Smith, SVP Americas, EL AL Israel Airlines; Cirium seat capacity growth data; Airlines For America sues DOT over fee listings; FAA reauthorization bill signed; Congress misunderstands aircraft capacity & evacuation reality; A change in Boeing assembly line process; Listener comments.
Wed, May 15, 2024
238 - Greg Schulze, Chief Commercial Officer, Expedia Group
This week: Greg Schulze, Chief Commercial Officer, Expedia Group; A tribute to Colleen Barrett, "The Mother of Southwest Airlines"; Ted Christie says the game is rigged; Spirit's plan moving forward; A new FAA investigation of Boeing relating to 787 inspections; Multiple listener response to last episode's William J. McGee interview.
Wed, May 08, 2024
237 - William J. McGee, Senior Fellow, Economic Liberties Project
This week: William J. McGee, Senior Fellow for Aviation & Travel, American Economic Liberties Project; An in depth discussion on pros/cons of more regulation; Plus, can/will Embraer challenge Boeing & Airbus?
Wed, May 01, 2024
236 - John Breyault, VP, Public Policy, Telecommunications & Fraud, National Consumers League
This week: John Breyault, VP, Public Policy, Telecommunications & Fraud, National Consumers League; Also, a dreadful week of business news for airlines; Big losses at AA & SWA; SWA cuts routes, open to new fees; DOT refunds & fee display policy changes; Listener Q on SWA commuter policy concern.
Wed, April 24, 2024
235 - Sam Coats, Retired Airline & Corporate Executive & Civic Leader
This week: Sam Coats, Retired Airline & Corporate Executive & Civic Leader ; United CEO Scott Kirby reports Q1 loss & Boeing order conversions; Strong Q2 ticket demand; A close call at DCA; Southwest launches new marketing campaign.
Wed, April 17, 2024
234- Jay Sorensen, President, IdeaWorksCompany
This week: Jay Sorensen, President, IdeaWorksCompany; Loyalty program values; Delta Q1 numbers; Spirit woes deepen; Breeze shows a profit; Huge payday for AA CEO Robert Isom; Listener Q on new Boeing aircraft.
Wed, April 10, 2024
233 - Kevin O'Toole, Chief Strategy Officer, Cirium
This week: Kevin O'Toole, Chief Strategy Officer, Cirium; Data on 2023 Airfares; Airline C-Suite compensation - who's on top? Oakland CA airport wants San Francisco name; Listener input on passenger security screening, crew bases and scheduling.
Wed, April 03, 2024
232 - This week: It's In The Bag - A Focus on the Business of Bag Fees
This week: It's In The Bag - A Focus on the Business of Bag Fees; Breezy Rewards Valuation; Listener input: Feedback on John Heimlich, American shifting to more domestic flights, United's overhead bins.
Wed, March 27, 2024
231 - John Heimlich, VP/Chief Economist, Airlines for America
This week: John Heimlich, VP/Chief Economist, Airlines for America; Boeing searching for a new CEO; FAA moves EWR TRACON to PHL; JetBlue cuts routes; Is cutting costs ultimately more costly? Listener feedback: Public charter security, Rudy Maxa's destination judgements, Maintenance techs in the future.
Wed, March 20, 2024
230 - Rudy Maxa, Travel Journalist
This week: Rudy Maxa, Travel Journalist; Positive comments on Ben's NVO; Airlines: Biggest? Most Profitable? Biggest airline crown; Southwest expects fewer new planes; Concerns around lack of Boeing paperwork/security video; Empty middle seats on Frontier; Listener feedback on Doug Parker interview.
Wed, March 13, 2024
229 - This week: Doug Parker, Fmr CEO, American Airlines with TSA safety concerns.
This week: Doug Parker, Fmr CEO, American Airlines, outlines serious TSA safety concerns. Ben's AI "New Voice Option" (NVO); Spirit & JetBlue go it alone - Next moves? New proposed rule for handling wheelchairs; Fare fact errors made by Tim Wu on CNBC; Listener Qs on useful life of a commercial aircraft, business model for airport lounges.
Wed, March 06, 2024
228 - Zane Kerby, Pres & CEO at ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors;
This week: Zane Kerby, President & CEO at ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors; 2023 numbers show safest year in aviation; Boeing supervision; AA same-day standby changes; What's with all the new Brisbane flights? Catherine & Richard Dotson remain at SAV; Listener Q: Overhead bin utilization, and a Flight Attendant asks how management really views F/As.
Wed, February 28, 2024
227 - Maya Leibman, Fmr. EVP/Chief Information Officer, American Airlines
This week: Maya Leibman, Fmr. EVP/Chief Information Officer, American Airlines; It's in the bag - increased fees and a bag revenue rundown in the billions; Delta's Amex credit limit for fuel; Shakeup at Boeing not what was expected - puts women in charge of rescue; AA changes agency ticket policies; Listener Q: Decision process for serving a new airport?
Wed, February 21, 2024
226 - Brett Snyder, President & Chief Airline Dork, Cranky Flier
This week: Brett Snyder, President & Chief Airline Dork, Cranky Flier; Delivery and backlog numbers for Boeing & Airbus; Carl Icahn picks up two JetBlue Board seats; The Atlantic article on carry-ons reaches a questionable conclusion; Listener Q on skipping a leg; Why did Spirit focus on A319s?
Wed, February 14, 2024
225 - Jay Sorensen, Ancillary Revenue, A la Carte Pricing, Frequent Flyer (FFP) Consultant
This week: Jay Sorensen, Ancillary Revenue, A la Carte Pricing, Frequent Flyer (FFP) Consultant; Marty St George returns to JetBlue as President; Spirit's average passenger fare drops, CEO Ted Christie comments on Spirit's future; Administrator Mike Whitaker outlines Boeing actions including FAA inspectors on site; Sen. Ted Cruz requests special TSA treatment for lawmakers; Listener Q: What if 737-Max doesn't fly again?
Wed, February 07, 2024
224 - This week: Mike Leskinen, EVP/Chief Financial Officer, United Airlines
This week: Mike Leskinen, EVP/Chief Financial Officer, United Airlines; Boeing's situation in 2024; JetBlue's new plan includes a new fee; Frontier introduces a Biz fare bundle via agency GDS; AA adds #1989, and Taylor is scheduled to make the big game; Listener Q: Basic Economy threat to ULCCs? Focus Cities, Hubs, Fortress Hubs.
Wed, January 31, 2024
223 - Dorothy Robyn, Public Policy Consultant/Writer
This week: Dorothy Robyn, Public Policy Consultant/Writer; The latest Wall Street Journal Airline Rankings; Additional earnings reports; Has Amelia Earhart's plane been found? Frontier adds new routes to other's hubs; Listener Q's on pilot opportunities, plus an explanation of the LOPA.
Wed, January 24, 2024
222 - Marian Boyd, Boyd Group International
This week: Marian Boyd, Boyd Group International; A review of the Judge's ruling against the JetBlue - Spirit deal plus listener input on the deal that isn't happening, for now.
Wed, January 17, 2024
221 - Jon Ostrower, Founder, The Air Current
This week: Jon Ostrower, Founder, The Air Current; Focus on the JAL Evacuation, the Alaska Door Plug, and the current Boeing fiasco; Joanna Geraghty named new JetBlue CEO; Earnings season update; Listener Input: Spirit should be buying JetBlue, United's Andrew Nocella comments that ULCCs are "doomed".
Wed, January 10, 2024
220 - A Rough Start to 2024
This week: An aircraft fire and a depressurization; 2023's top on-time performance carriers; The MAX-9 Door Plug issue adding to Boeing's challenges; Listener input: United becoming the largest airline & does Boeing need its own Manhattan Project? Plus, more about Block Time.
Wed, January 03, 2024
219 - 2024 Predictions
This week: 2024 Predictions; Southwest system fixes worked; Goldman Sachs cancellation stats; The issue with Chicago Midway; Hollywood takes note of airlines; Possible 2024 merger candidates; Listener Q on leg room vs seat pitch.
Wed, December 20, 2023
218 - Andrew Watterson, COO, Southwest Airlines
This week: Andrew Watterson, COO, Southwest Airlines; Stephanie Pope promoted to COO at Boeing; Delta beefs up Austin TX schedule; Listener Q on high speed rail LA-Vegas. Happy Holidays. Next episode: Jan 3 with 2024 Predictions.
Wed, December 13, 2023
217 - DHL, Santa, and Other Holiday Adjustments
This week: A DHL acquisition of Santa? + other holiday adjustments ;) - Digging into the Alaska-Hawaiian deal & SWA's role; Closing arguments made in the JetBlue - Spirit case; Listener input on the shape of DCA, Pluses of Amtrak, and you won the Powerball-what type of airline would you start?
Wed, December 06, 2023
216 - Chris Sloan on The Airchive
This week: Chris Sloan on The Airchive; Initial thoughts on the Alaska-Hawaiian deal; Skift story on increased adventure travel due to weight loss: NY Times reports on serious FAA issues; Listener Q: Takeaways from other international agencies? What is the role of a CTO in undertaking change?
Wed, November 29, 2023
215 - Can't Make This Up & Other Items
This week: Thanksgiving travel recap; Can't Make This Up covers "dog food" in China Eastern Business Class & Striking an anti-strike law; New Saudi passenger rights; Problems with the author's ideas in the book: Why Flying is Miserable & How to Fix It; Was there ever a Golden Age of travel? Listener Q: Is the SWA model broken?
Wed, November 22, 2023
214 - Rick Cotton, Exec. Director, Port Authority of NY & NJ
This week: Rick Cotton, Executive Director, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey; AMS slots update; Focus on the safety report & FAA training; Passenger ordered to pay for flight disruption/diversion; Listener Q: Do airlines shop around for better fuel prices?
Wed, November 15, 2023
213 - Where Are The Next Generation Airplanes?
This week: Ben & Scott go in depth on next generation airplanes; United loyalty program revisions; Some business travel numbers; SUX and other interesting identifiers; Listener input on premium seat value.
Wed, November 08, 2023
212 - Ginger Hardage, Fmr SVP of Culture & Communications at Southwest Airlines
This week: Ginger Hardage, Fmr SVP of Culture & Communications at Southwest Airlines/Founder of Unstoppable Cultures; Is ATC ready for the holiday season? JetBlue loses $153MM, is frozen out of AMS, and Spirit merger trial gets underway; SWA potential expansion in Dallas; Listener input: Sun Country, Scott Kirby & ULCC statements.
Wed, November 01, 2023
211 - Jeff Tolkin, Co-CEO, World Travel Holdings
This week: Jeff Tolkin, Co-CEO, World Travel Holdings, Michael Whitaker confirmed as FAA Administrator, Spirit blames discounted fares for Q3 loss; Southwest makes significant schedule changes; The Alaska off-duty pilot incident; Qatar Airways' "Chief" resigns; Listener Q's: Industry employment potential & Ben's reaction to Chris Sloan's Air Inuit report, and a term paper help request.
Wed, October 25, 2023
210 - Chris Sloan on Air Inuit's Unique Service
This week: Chris Sloan takes us aboard Air Inuit; Also: Increasing industry financial pressure; Airlines stocks taking a beating; Ed Bastian's SkyMiles modifications; Listener Q re: DOT Air Travel Consumer Report & regional carrier on time performance.
Wed, October 18, 2023
209- Mark Nasr, EVP Marketing/Digital, Air Canada/President of Aeroplan
This week: Mark Nasr, EVP of Marketing/Digital, Air Canada & President of Aeroplan; Air service in Tel Aviv; Middle East ramifications for travel; Delta's increased profits; Beond Air launches; Support for scheduled charter carriers; Boeing deliveries off pace; Listener Q re: Price gouging, Newark Terminal A; Aviation Manhattan Project committee.
Wed, October 11, 2023
208 - John Heimlich, VP/Chief Economist at Airlines for America
This week: John Heimlich, VP/Chief Economist at Airlines for America; Scott's passport renewal; Pratt & Whitney engine selected for NASA project; Is Hydrogen the aviation fuel of the future? Price points on upgrades; Listener Q: United's large aircraft order, United / AA battle for Chicago, fleet planning.
Wed, October 04, 2023
207 - Steve Dickson, Fmr. Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration
This week: Steve Dickson, Fmr. Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration; Delta CEO Ed Bastian says SkyMiles changes went too far; Spirit & Frontier announce larger than expected Q3 losses; Future of low cost carrier business model? John Redmond resigns as Allegiant CEO & Founder Maury Gallagher returns in position; Alaska & JetBlue offer Delta status matches; Scott quotes Taylor Swift lyrics; Listener Q: Is SWA 50% off sale a sign of trouble?
Wed, September 27, 2023
206 - Chris Sloan reports: The Unique History of Braniff
This week: Chris Sloan reports on the unique history of Braniff; Plus: Impact of shutdown on an already unacceptable FAA understaffing situation; Southwest's Bob Jordan goes to Denver; NYT reporter David Brooks' $78 Newark lunch; Listener topics: Odds of SWA pulling out of Oakland, "Slots" at EWR.
Wed, September 20, 2023
205 - Dave Holtz, Chairman of Operations, Wheels Up
This week: Dave Holtz, Chairman of Operations, Wheels Up. Also: Attention Media! It wasn't a "plunge"; Big changes to Delta's frequent flyer program - who might benefit? Austin TX announces 10 year expansion plan; American, Frontier, JetBlue cut earning estimates; Smaller airlines running late more often; Pilot commuting & related issues.
Wed, September 13, 2023
204 - Scott Mayerowitz, Founder, GlobeTrotScott Strategies
This week: Scott Mayerowitz, Founder, GlobeTrotScott Strategies; Remembering 9/11; Michael Whitaker nominated for FAA Chair; Delta hires Tom Brady; SWA, United, Alaska fuel price warnings; Qantas CEO retires abruptly, Potential FAA rulemaking would hurt charter operators; Listener input: Saturday night stay requirement still alive.
Wed, September 06, 2023
203 - Schiphol Amsterdam's Environmentally-Driven Flight Caps
This week: The Zozobra eliminates gloom; Flight caps for different reasons in Mexico City and at Schiphol Amsterdam; American's $4M fine for tarmac flight delays; Delta thriving at LAX and elsewhere with strong investment strategy; Allegiant adds Johnny Walker Blue to the menu. Listener input on Flight Attendant training, threats to safety and jobs from robot pilots.
Wed, August 30, 2023
202 - Special Report - Scott McCartney: Critical need for "Second Manhattan Project" at FAA.
This week: Special Report - Scott McCartney on the critical need for a "Second Manhattan Project" to improve the FAA, ATC safety & staffing problems, utilize the trust fund, and more; Plus Ben & Scott discuss: Turbulent weather patterns across America; Fares & fees in a Spirit/JetBlue post merger world; NY Times comprehensive story on near misses; Listener Q: Why is public anger stronger towards airlines vs other industries?
Wed, August 23, 2023
201 - Candace McGraw, CEO, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
This week: Candace McGraw, CEO, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG); Mexico's new government owned & army operated airline ready for takeoff; Delta $20k pilot training incentive; "Pibot" - the humanoid robot that can fly an airplane; Listener Q's: A shortage of maintenance technicians?, Ben & Scott address a Spirit pilot's concern about management focus in time of potential merger.
Wed, August 16, 2023
200 - Doug Parker, Fmr Chairman & CEO, American Airlines
This week: Celebrating 200 episodes! Our Guest is Doug Parker, Fmr CEO, American Airlines; Also: Hawaiian, Southwest, & others respond to Maui fires; NTSB report on United flight rapid descent; SWA starts offering free same-day flight changes on all fares; Listener Q's: Frontier's annual pass program odds for success? How are prices set on a new route?
Wed, August 09, 2023
199 - Susan Carey, former Aviation Industry Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
This week: Susan Carey, former Aviation Industry Reporter, The Wall Street Journal; JetBlue, Spirit earnings update; Southwest pilot compensation; Spirit and JetBlue shares drop, is need for merger increased? Listener Q's on checked/carry-on bag fees, discrepancies on data sources, and could reducing executive pay help relieve the pilot shortage?
Wed, August 02, 2023
198 - Colby Harvey, Founder/CEO, Ultraview
This week: Colby Harvey, Founder/CEO, Ultraview; Alaska and other earnings; a Q3 softening coming? Southwest: RASM drops, higher labor costs, CEO Bob Jordan says demand is still very strong; United cuts flights at Newark; Avelo and Breeze operating results; Listener Q's re: Where to reinvest profits during good times; Charters in the US vs Europe.
Wed, July 26, 2023
197 - Jens Kuhlen, President North America, Gategroup
This week: Jens Kuhlen, President North America, Gategroup; The hot topic of Delta 555; Positive earnings at American & United; AA matches United pilots new contract rates; House bill raising pilot retirement age goes to Senate; Listener Q's on Delta Amex loyalty program revenue; What are the benefits of the Air France-KLM Merger? Advice on meltdown mitigation?
Wed, July 19, 2023
196 - Khalid Usman, Partner, Oliver Wyman
This week: Khalid Usman, Partner, Oliver Wyman; Also: Earnings Season; Delta sets record - CEO Ed Bastian is bullish on continued travel volume; AA / JetBlue Northeast Alliance ends but what about the Spirit acquisition? JAL's "Any Wear Anywhere" clothing rentals; Listeners: update Hertz EV rental policy, time for a LCC within an airline again?
Wed, July 12, 2023
195 - Rick Schifter, Senior Advisor, TPG Capital
This week: Rick Schifter, Senior Advisor, TPG Capital; Joseph S. Murphy Service to Industry Award recipient Ben Baldanza's reflections on learning from and working with top industry leaders and Scott's reflections on covering them as a journalist; Listener Q: Why no taxibots?
Wed, July 05, 2023
194 - Joanne Young, Managing Partner, Kirstein & Young
This week: Joanne Young, Managing Partner, Kirstein & Young; DOT Office of Inspector General scathing report of deficiencies and huge understaffing levels; USDOT Sec. Pete Buttigieg denies FAA fault for issues; United's turn for operational issues; Listener Q on fleet utilization.
Wed, June 28, 2023
193 - Can Premium Leisure Replace Business Travelers?
This week: Can premium leisure travelers replace business travelers? Challenges at NYC area airports; Record number transatlantic flights over past decade; Listener Q's on EASA type ratings, and why did Alaska retire so many Virgin America airplanes? (photo: Eze, France)
Wed, June 21, 2023
192 - Charles Duncan, President, Norse Atlantic Airways
This week: Charles Duncan, President, Norse Atlantic Airways; Initial summer travel results; DCA perimeter rule talks heat up; Lots of policy making this summer; JetBlue's new livery; JSX CEO Alex Wilcox responds to listener comments, and additional listener input on 1500 hour rule.
Wed, June 14, 2023
191 - Azim Barodawala, Co-Founder/CEO at Volantio
This week: Azim Barodawala, Co-Founder/CEO at Volantio; American changes attitude toward business travelers; United's Scott Kirby declares business travel recession; Delta rolling out a wheelchair accessible seat structure; Additional listener input on luxury airlines viability.
Wed, June 07, 2023
190 - Simon Hawkins, Head of Virgin Atlantic, Americas
This week: Simon Hawkins, Head of Virgin Atlantic, Americas; Also: Ben & Scott talk about business mistakes made and lessons learned; Listener Q: Why did Delta do away with Northwest Cargo Airline? How about Alaska cargo?
Wed, May 31, 2023
189 - Barry Biffle, CEO, Frontier Airlines
This week: Barry Biffle, CEO, Frontier Airlines; Scott attempts to pass Professor Baldanza's end of term quiz; Listener comments on American's DFW expansion, Charter flight rules, Operations from FBOs, Thoughts on pilot training, and more.
Wed, May 24, 2023
188 - Ted Christie, CEO, Spirit Airlines on stage at Aviation Festival Americas
This week: Ted Christie, CEO, Spirit Airlines - recorded live on stage at Aviation Festival Americas 2023; American comes to agreement with pilots; JetBlue/American Northeast Alliance struck down; In-person listener question: Why no all-luxury airline startups?
Wed, May 17, 2023
187 - Air Transport World & Group Air Transport Editor-in-Chief
This week: Karen Walker, Editor in Chief, Air Transport World; ATW Awards, Follow up on J.D. Power satisfaction survey; American's operational issues; Airfare inflation numbers; Potential new regulation while major FAA issues persist; Will passengers pay more to fly a more sustainable airline?
Wed, May 10, 2023
186 - Jonathan Sutter, Sr Director - J.D. Power Rankings
This week: Jonathan Sutter, Sr Director - New J.D. Power Airline Rankings; Congratulations to Ben Baldanza, 2023 recipient of the Joseph S. Murphy Award for service to industry. FAA redraws high altitude route maps; SWA adds USB outlets, bigger bag bins; Vanessa Hudson named Qantas CEO; Listener input: A request for more interview push-back; Local flight subsidies.
Wed, May 03, 2023
185 - Tom Doxey, President, Breeze Airways
This week: Tom Doxey, President, Breeze Airways; American's $10M Q1 profit & tops on-time departures; SWA loses a 1B in past 6 months; A focus on airline stock winners & losers; Capital Access Alliance calls for increased flight to/from DCA; Listener Q on stability & profits post-Covid,
Wed, April 26, 2023
184 - David Siegel, Senior Advisor, Apollo Global Management
This week: David Siegel, Senior Advisor, Apollo Global Management; Another SWA tech issue delays 2000 flights; Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun dealing with delivery issues; EUROCONTROL gets hacked; TSA gun confiscations at checkpoints increases; Listener input: Context to LAX $30/hr wage comments, Winning as an airport's #2 airline; Pilot seniority system; Spirit started as a trucking company?
Wed, April 19, 2023
183 - Randy Babbitt, Principal, Babbitt & Associates
This week: Randy Babbitt, Principal, Babbitt & Associates, Fmr FAA Administrator; Delta reports Q1 loss; Ed Bastian says consumers still prioritizing travel; Is a $30/hr minimum wage coming to LAX? Reflections on earnings season; Listener questions: What does Cross-Check actually mean? Did JetBlue miss a big Frontier opportunity?
Wed, April 12, 2023
182 - David Pekoske, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
This week: David P. Pekoske, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Update on schedule cuts at NY & DC; Serious FAA staffing issues; Dutch court blocks Amsterdam Airport Schiphol from reducing flights; ATL ranked busiest in the world; Future Air Taxi framework; Listener input: DOJ/JetBlue/Spirit/Frontier, basis for pilot pay, future flight restrictions in the name of climate change. .
Wed, April 05, 2023
181 - Alex Wilcox, CEO, JSX
This week: Alex Wilcox. CEO, JSX; Correction on AA fare distribution channels; FAA requests fewer flights in NY & DC; Mandatory car seats on planes; Subsidies for airports in smaller communities? Listener input: Need more guest diversity, how to deal with abusive passengers, response to Mo Garfinkle interview.
Wed, March 29, 2023
180 - Philip Ordway, Managing Principal, Anabatic Investment Partners LLC
This week: Philip Ordway, Managing Principal, Anabatic Investment Partners LLC; Skytrax gives LGA 5 stars: We salute NY/NJ Port Authority's Rick Cotton and the late Bill DeCota; AA Shrinks Corporate sales department/restricts lowest fair purchase options; Listener input on DOJ actions, pilot recruitment & diversity pathways;
Wed, March 22, 2023
179 - Mo Garfinkle, Chairman, CEO, & Founder, Tailwind Consultants
This week: Mo Garfinkle, Chairman, CEO, & Founder, Tailwind Consultants; A different opinion on JetBlue/Spirit; United projects Q1 loss; What might 2023 year look like & is 2019 a fair comparison? Southwest announces post-meltdown followup plans; Schiphol adopts NATS technology; Flair Air sues over 4 repo'd planes; Listener Q: Why the Repo?
Wed, March 15, 2023
178 - John McDonald, Founder, Caeli Communications
This week: John McDonald, Founder, Caeli Communications; DOJ suit to block JetBlue/Spirit merger & Scott McCartney provides context and price comparison details; JetBlue plans NYC-Paris service; Listener Q: Do some personality types fit better at a particular airline? Do certain beverages taste better at 30,000 feet?
Wed, March 08, 2023
177 - Atif Elkadi, CEO, Ontario International Airport
This week: Atif Elkadi, CEO, Ontario International Airport; Forbes article follow-up: Ben's "Airline Monopoly" analogy explored in detail; How Delta Pilots 34% wage hike will affect others; American updates family seating policy; Explosive material in bag discover by TSA;
Wed, March 01, 2023
176 - Josh Marks, CEO, Anuvu
This week: Josh Marks, CEO, Anuvu; AA Chairman Doug Parker steps down; United and Frontier change family seating procedures; Max crash victims case vs Boeing dismissed; Private industry sustainable fuel initiative-how impactful?; Significant summer schedule cuts from AA and Lufthansa; Listener input: PRIA data transparency
Wed, February 22, 2023
175 - Geoff Hunt, Sr. VP Engineering & Technology, Pratt & Whitney
This week: Geoff Hunt, Sr. VP Engineering & Technology, Pratt & Whitney: Another close call: United departing Maui; Air India orders 470 new planes; JetBlue says Spirit deal will result in big South Fla expansion; Scott's take on the deal; Listener feedback: 1500 hour rule discussion/pilot training.
Wed, February 15, 2023
174 - Mike Swiatek, Chief Strategy & Planning Officer, at Avianca
This week: Mike Swiatek, Chief Strategy & Planning Officer at Avianca and Chairman, Accessibility Working Group at IATA; Focus on Safety & Accessibility; United's Super Bowl ad swipes at Southwest; Biden SOTU attack on industry seating practices & Issues with A4A response statement; Listener follow-up on Colgan Crash comments.
Wed, February 08, 2023
173 - Kevin P. Healy, President, Campbell-Hill. Also, Chris Sloan with 747 Trivia
This week: Kevin P. Healy, President, Campbell-Hill Aviation Group; Also: 747 Trivia with Chris Sloan vs Ben & Scott. Do you know the answers? President Biden wants "junk fees" reigned in; Norway airline Flyr shuts down & files for bankruptcy; Jeff Shane provides a 747 legacy clarification.
Wed, February 01, 2023
172 - Mark Dombroff, Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP
This week: Mark Dombroff, Partner at Fox Rothschild LLP: Q4 and 2022 earnings reports released; 2023 projections bullish; Should someone go to jail over the 737 Max incidents? Listener Q's on mainline aircraft replacing regionals, thoughts on the A220, passenger delays vs airplane delays.
Wed, January 25, 2023
171 - Michael Lombardi, Historian, The Boeing Company: The Last 747
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.
Wed, January 18, 2023
170 - Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor at CBS News
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.
Wed, January 11, 2023
169 - Rob Britton, Principal, AirLearn
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.
Wed, January 04, 2023
168 - Gordon Bethune, former CEO, Continental Airlines
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.
Wed, December 21, 2022
167 - Ben & Chris Welcome Scott McCartney to Airlines Confidential
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!
Wed, December 14, 2022
166 - John Heimlich, VP & Chief Economist, Airlines for America
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.
Wed, December 07, 2022
165 - Anne Correa, SVP, mba Aviation / Chris Sloan reports: SWA Media Day
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.
Wed, November 30, 2022
164 - Mark Ross-Smith, CEO & Co-Founder, StatusMatch
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
Wed, November 23, 2022
163 - Thanksgiving Edition
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.
Wed, November 16, 2022
162 - Steve Shur, VP Government Affairs EV Strategy, Hertz
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.
Wed, November 09, 2022
161 - David Sunde, Founder/CEO, Landline
This week: David Sunde, CEO/Co-Founder, Landline; Delta, United, American pilot negotiations; Alaska pilots sign new deal; Possible reasons for Allegiant's 2 quarter losses; TSA turns 21 & brings on new tech; Listener Q: Catering usage of dry ice; Why so much service to Ketchikan AK? Shout-outs.
Wed, November 02, 2022
160 - David Gunnarsson, CEO, Dohop
This week: David Gunnarsson, CEO, Dohop; Positive earnings/projections; ITA Looks for new partnership Ryanair bets on Italy?; Scott Kirby says fuel/labor cost dooms LCC business model while Barry Biffle says Frontier will thrive; Listen Q: What's the logic in a crew changing aircraft in the same duty day?
Wed, October 26, 2022
159 - This week: Chris Sloan reports on Routes World 2022 Las Vegas
This week: Chris Sloan on Routes World 2022 Las Vegas Conference; United, American, Alaska, strong Q2 results but what about costs? Wizz Air expands to Middle East; Hawaiian Airlines & Amazon team up; Listen Q: Are the more experienced regional pilots getting a fair shot at mainline jobs? Is SWA open seating policy a security risk? Shout-outs
Wed, October 19, 2022
158 -William Swelbar, Chief Industry Analyst, The Swelbar-Zhong Consultancy
This week: William Swelbar, Chief Industry Analyst, The Swelbar-Zhong Consultancy; Delta's robust Q2; Fares are up-is the sky the limit?; AA-JetBlue court case & is EWR NYC? Listener Q: AA data breach? Thoughts on Alaska's voluntary rebooking option; Shout-outs: Canada Jetlines, United's NY-Malaga Spain.
Wed, October 12, 2022
157 - Charles Leocha, Pres. & Co-Founder, Travelers United
This week: Charles Leocha, President & Co-Founder, Travelers United; Virgin drops London-Hong Kong; FAA raises minimum Flight Attendant rest period to 10 hours; FlyerRights files with FAA for minimum seat sizes; Listener Follow-up on Boarding pass showing terminal; Pilot shortage & pay levels at regionals; DFW Listener shoutout.
Wed, October 05, 2022
156 - Chris Sloan: Huge Expansion at MCO
This week: Chris Sloan: Huge Expansion at Orlando International (MCO); Airline performance during Ira; BOOM shops for an engine; Listener Q: Economics of Delta insourcing M&R; Ticket cost difference between European and US credit card? Air France Paris-Boston booking non-notification: Fine or Whine?
Wed, September 28, 2022
155 - Kevin Cox, CEO, Ferrovial Vertiports
This week: Kevin Cox, CEO, Ferrovial Vertiports (re: eVTOL); The state of business travel & ESG targets; Worst airports for delays; Canadian airport issues; FAA rejects Republic's proposal; Could required pilot hours be safely lowered? Listener input: Potential Delta stock buybacks, Southwest's lack of interline agreements; Why no terminal on boarding pass? Shout-outs.
Wed, September 21, 2022
154 - Jonathan Sutter: 2022 J.D. Power Airport Satisfaction Study
This week: Jonathan Sutter: 2022 J.D. Power Airport Satisfaction Study winners announcement; Plus, United / Emirates codeshare; shifting alliances; Air India update; Listeners comments, shout-outs.
Wed, September 14, 2022
153 - Special Legal Edition with Sidley Austin Team
This week: Special Legal Edition with Sidley Austin's Kevin Lewis, Bart Biggers, Michael Burke, Karen Kazmerzak. Topics include: Inflation Recovery Act, Clean fuel/SAF tax credit, Foreign carriers filing for Ch. 11 in US Courts, Stepped up antitrust enforcement, Pilot shortage/Pay; Listener input: Charging differently for bags, 737 vs 320. Shout-outs.
Wed, September 07, 2022
152 - Erik Sabiston, Co-Founder/President, RTAG, Veterans to Aviation
This week: Erik Sabiston, RTAG, Veterans to Aviation; Momentum at David Neeleman's Azul; Expansion in South America; New Icelandic low-cost airline "Play" launches service from Dulles to Iceland; Listener Q's: Recommendations for airline data web sites? Can the boarding process be improved? Shout-outs to Travelers United plus all airport & airline workers.
Wed, August 31, 2022
151 - Scott Lincicome, Dir. General Economics, CATO Institute
This week: Scott Lincicome, Dir. General Economics, CATO Institute; Big news for Regionals, Air Wisconsin to American; Mesa's E175 Pilot pay; Ramifications of such increases; Schiphol (AMS) makes a profit; Delta orders more A220s; Listener reaction to the Norse Atlantic interview; Complaint: Out $900 due to an AA operational issue: Fine? or Whine?
Wed, August 24, 2022
150 - Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO, Norse Atlantic Airways
This week: Bjorn Larsen, CEO, Norse Atlantic Airways; DOT Summer performance, refund policies; AA cuts 30k+ flights; Earnings around the globe; Listener feedback: Difficulty using flight credits & Ben & Chris are "too friendly" to airlines; Pick a favorite: 737 or 320? Share buy-backs now? Airport proximity complaint follow up; Shout-outs to Bessie Colman & Zoya Agarwal.
Wed, August 17, 2022
149 - Robert M. Brantner, Author, Skyheist
This week: Bob Brantner, Author, Skyheist; Evidence of Schiphol (AMS) "de-hubbing"? Dulles area residents flight path complaints; United's $10M deposit for eVTOL; Listener Q's: Increased FAA inspection fees for Boeing? Why no food for sale in AA Coach? What about that JetBlue Q2 loss? Plus: An R-Rated Fine or Whine from Boston. Shout-out to Arajet.
Wed, August 10, 2022
148 - Mayor Sandy Stimpson/Chris Curry, Pres. Mobile Airport Authority;
This week: Mobile AL Mayor Sandy Stimpson & Chris Curry, President. Mobile Airport Authority; Plus, AirFrance/KLM report Q2 profit; Boeing 787 delivery back on track; fall vs summer pricing; Listener Q: How will summer pilot schedules affect total caps? CASM explained + comparisons between carriers.
Wed, August 03, 2022
147 - The JetBlue/Spirit Deal - AP's David Koenig
This week: The JetBlue/Spirit Deal - AP's David Koenig; Southwest, Frontier, Ryan, Wizz, earnings reports; Ugly numbers from FlightAware; Operational Issues at Toronto; Listener Q: Will AA bring Envoy Piedmont into mainline? Passenger "sobbing" due to American's 6 hour CLT incident. Shout-outs to LGA and Emirates.
Wed, July 27, 2022
146 - Creighton Scarpone, Dir. of Business & Commercial Aviation Sales, Garmin Intl
This week: Creighton Scarpone, Director of Business & Commercial Aviation Sales, Garmin International; Q2 earnings: American, United, Alaska; Farnborough orders & insights; Amsterdam & other European operations still in meltdown, KLM says "no checked bags"; Listener Q's: Pathways for Women industry advancement, Is Sun Country's Eau Claire, WI EAS Service legit?
Wed, July 20, 2022
145 - Sara Nelson, President, Association of Flight Attendants
This week: Sara Nelson, International President, Association of Flight Attendants; Delta's Q2 report's broader industry indicators; The viability of Cuban travel; DOT policy & directive update; Listener Q: Hub & Spoke system at risk? Shout-outs
Wed, July 13, 2022
144 - Graham Webb, Chief Sustainability Officer, Pratt & Whitney
This week: Graham Webb, Chief Sustainability Officer, Pratt & Whitney (Fmr. Chief Engineer GTF Engine program); July 4th operational recap; American offers up to 3x pilot incentive pay; Listener Q's on SAS Bankruptcy, How to do better in an IROP; An addition to our book list; Shout-out to FA Betty Nash.
Wed, July 06, 2022
143 - Mike Arnot, Principal, Juliett Alpha Media Relations
This week: Mike Arnot, Principal, Juliett Alpha Media Relations: Plus an expanded listener Q & A edition. Airport restaurants, Seat Pricing, and more. Shout-outs.
Wed, June 29, 2022
142 - Nina Jonsson, Chairman FLYHT Aerospace Solutions/Vice Chair Icelandair
This week: Nina Jonsson, Chairman, FLYHT Aerospace Solutions/Vice Chairman Icelandair; European employee labor actions & operational issues; What not to do in a crash; SkyWest removes seats to operate under Part 135. Why?; Listener Q on Slot Controls, WestJet Canadian service reduction; Shout-Outs
Wed, June 22, 2022
141 - Joe Lopano, CEO, Tampa International Airport
This week: Joe Lopano, CEO, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority; US Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg Talks with Airline CEOs; American's Regionals Envoy & Piedmont pilots receive 2 year 50% pay increase-will it help retention?; Continued input & discussion on the pilot shortage topic; Shout-outs.
Wed, June 15, 2022
140 - Shashank Nigam, CEO, SimpliFlying
This week: Shashank Nigam, CEO, SimpliFlying; An update from Chris on the JetBlue & Frontier offers for Spirit; Covid testing requirement dropped for inbound USA air travelers; Startup Norse Atlantic: 3000 applicants for 50 pilot positions; Listener input: ALPA issues doc on training/pilot shortage; Q: Who gets the armrest? Shout-outs
Wed, June 08, 2022
139 - Peter Robison, Author, Flying Blind
This week: Peter Robison, Author, Flying Blind: The 737 MAX Tragedy and the Fall of Boeing; Delta floats big positive news but is lower capacity/higher fares an issue? KLM: Don't bring luggage through Amsterdam; FAA tightens oversight on Boeing; Listener suggestion on FAA pilot medical standards; plus shout-outs.
Wed, June 01, 2022
138 - Jonathan Sutter, Sr. Dir., J.D. Power Travel Practice
This week: Jonathan Sutter, Senior. Director, J.D. Power Travel Industry Practice; Aligning summer capacity with staffing; ALPA strike authorization at Alaska; Update: A4A Rest Rules Case; Listener Q: Are turboprops set for a resurgence? ALPA says no pilot shortage? Shout-out to those who serve.
Wed, May 25, 2022
137 - Sean Donohue, CEO, DFW International Airport
This week: Sean Donohue, CEO, DFW International Airport; AerCap predicts a shortage of Aircraft; Congressional UFO hearings; AA v. Sabre: Jury awards $1 to AA, not $300MM; Listener Q's on discontinued routes and subsidized service; Shout-outs.
Wed, May 18, 2022
136 - Daryl Taylor, VP/GM, FAL USA at Airbus America
This week: Daryl Taylor, VP/GM, Airbus, America - Recorded LIVE on location from the Airbus assembly line, Mobile AL for a major announcement; Also, is Delta leading the industry with expanded FA pay? Listener Qs: Does Southwest have a halo around its brand? Shoutouts to ATC at PBI, and to Braniff.
Wed, May 11, 2022
135 - Jay Sorensen, President, IdeaWorksCompany
This week: Jay Sorensen, President, IdeaWorksCompany LLC; The passing of Fmr Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta; Boeing moving HQ to DC - Why?; The need for 13,000 pilots each year; Listener Q's involving pilot scope clauses, outsourcing, the 1500 hour rule; Shout-out to Delta Club employees.
Wed, May 04, 2022
134 - Chris Sloan Reports on Flying in Alaska
This week: Chris Sloan reports on the unique experience of flying in Alaska and quizzes Ben & Chris on Ultra Av Geek trivia; Southwest bullish on business travel; Avianca merges with Viva; Chaos at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport; Frontier's high ancillary revenue; Listener Q: Financial risk to buy a ticket on AA? Complaint involving Spirit & Carnival-Fine or Whine? Shout out to Tuskegee Airman Sgt. Victor Butler for his 100th Birthday.
Wed, April 27, 2022
133 - Gautam Thakkar, CEO, Unifi
This week: Gautam Thakkar, CEO, Unifi; Plus: Q1 earnings; Mask mandate dropped; Union organizing actions at start-ups Avelo and Breeze; Listener reactions to last week's guest comments; Tips on applying for an airline position; A non-airline Fine or Whine; Shout-outs
Wed, April 20, 2022
132 - Kathryn Creedy, Future Aviation/Aerospace Workforce News
This week: Kathryn Creedy, Editor In Chief at Future Aviation/Aerospace Workforce News; Plus: Airfares are up; 3 profitability indicators; Quarterly earning call previews; European summer demand; Listener feedback on international air rights, ULCC sector in Canada, & Ed Bastian's statement that federal dollars were not a bailout.
Wed, April 13, 2022
131 - Bart Biggers & Kevin Lewis, Partners, Sidley Austin LLP
This week: Bart Biggers & Kevin Lewis, Partners, Sidley Austin LLP; Plus: Planes are starting to fill up; A JetBlue offer for Spirit; Start-Up Canada Jetlines focuses on Toronto; A DHL 757-200 breaks in half on emergency landing; Listener Q's on international air service rights & DCA signage; Shout-outs.
Wed, April 06, 2022
130 - John Heimlich VP/Chief Economist, Airlines For America
This week: John Heimlich VP/Chief Economist, Airlines For America. Plus: Change at the top of UPS & the legacy of FedEx's founder; Pilot picket lines popping up; The new labor shortage & who has leverage in the upcoming restructuring; Another IT meltdown at British Airways; Listener Q: A fundamental change in loyalty programs?
Wed, March 30, 2022
129 - Elise Eberwein, EVP, People & Communications, American Airlines
This week: Elise Eberwein, EVP, People & Communications at American interviews Ben & Chris. Personal questions answered and Chris names his most annoying high profile passenger; Plus Southwest creates a value transferable ticket; China Eastern Airlines crash; Listener Q's and more.
Wed, March 23, 2022
128 - Nancy Hocking, JetBlue, Director Gateway Programs
This week: Nancy Hocking, JetBlue, Director of Gateway Programs, Lawsuit by pilots over mask mandate; Arajet launches the Dominican Republic’s ULCC; Aeromexico emerges from Chapter 11-now what?; Listener Q from Ben Goldstein @ Aviation Week on fuel hedging; Why are Southwest non-stops priced lower than connecting flights? Southwest status complaint-Fine? or Whine?
Wed, March 16, 2022
127 - Ginger Hughes, Managing Director, Seabury Securities
This week: Ginger Hughes, Managing Director, Seabury Securities; Airlines business impact from Russia's war on Ukraine; A 30 day mask extension; United/SkyWest plan to drop service to 29 cities; Aeroflot's isolation; Pilot listener question: Will the A220 put Regionals out of business? Plus shout-outs.
Wed, March 09, 2022
126 - Lance Lipkus, Vice President, Travel Leaders Group
This Week: Lance Lipkus, Vice President, Travel Leaders Group. Plus: Avoiding Russian airspace & cutting industry ties; WestJet Acquiring Sunwings; Significant changes in the AAdvantage program; Listener Q's: How will US Airlines build routes under current situation / Why so many hub to hub flights? Fine or Whine? & Shout-outs.
Wed, March 02, 2022
125 - Andrew Nocella, CCO, United Airlines
This week: Andrew Nocella, Chief Commercial Officer, United Airlines; Potential airline ramifications of Ukraine situation; Mask mandate update; What's behind a huge London-Heathrow passenger drop?; Listener adds input on Turkish Superbowl ad; United complaint-Fine or Whine?
Wed, February 23, 2022
124 -Darryl Jenkins, Chairman, American Aviation Institute
This week: Darryl Jenkins, Chairman/Exec. Dir. American Aviation Institute; Was the Turkish Airlines Superbowl ad worth the price? What impact will Alaska's "Flight Pass" have on revenue?; FAA keeps tight reign on Boeing 787 Dreamliner certifications; Listener Q's on Cargo contracts & which airlines offer best pilot employment opportunities. Complaint on Allegiant's Raider's ticket package-Fine or Whine? Shoutout: Jerry Dyer & Big Jet TV
Wed, February 16, 2022
123 - Kevin Stamler, CEO, SeatBoost
This week: Kevin Stamler, Founder/CEO, SeatBoost; Frontier/Spirit $2.2B Deal; What will DOJ look at? Delta tests out free checked bag offer; A potential change in IAG ownership?; Listener Q on SkyWest earnings call predicting reduction in flight hours; Shout out to Bill Franke.
Wed, February 09, 2022
122 - Jeff Shane, Fmr General Counsel, IATA
This week: Jeff Shane, Fmr General Counsel, IATA; Plus: Will all the cancellations affect earnings; Ryan's CEO on Covid/Summer travel; Is United selling it's MileagePlus asset? Listener Q's on Aircraft Paint, Sun Country; Almost missed flight due to multiple Delta/ATL gate changes-Fine or Whine?
Wed, February 02, 2022
121 - Ken McKenzie, Board Member, Canada Jetlines
This week: Ken McKenzie, Board Member, Canada Jetlines/Fmr COO Spirit; Chris Sloan on his St Lucia Covid quarantine; Southwest & Hawaiian Q4 profit; UK survey: 1/3 of eligible pilots have not returned to work; WSJ's list of leading airlines & new methodology; Listener Q's: AA's FF program changes & AA/Points Guy lawsuit.
Wed, January 26, 2022
120 - Michael Huerta, Fmr. FAA Administrator
This week: MIchael Huerta, Fmr FAA Administrator; Plus United and American report large losses; Lufthansa takes 40% of ITA? The Qatar/Airbus dispute results in an unusual delivery cancellation; A listener Q from Spain; How do corporate contracts work? Shout-outs.
Wed, January 19, 2022
119 - Mike Lenz, EVP/CFO, FedEx
This week: Mike Lenz, CFO, FedEx; Delta reports loss for Q4 due to Omicron; SCOTUS strikes down a vax mandate-relevance to airlines? Michael Inglese CEO Aircastle predicts more aircraft lessor consolidation; Listener question on Delta's RASM/CASM; Complaint: AA changed my departure airport-Fine or Whine?
Wed, January 12, 2022
118 - Tony Lefebvre, COO, Signature Flight Support
This week; Tony Lefebvre, COO, Signature Flight Support: Since Christmas-30,000 flights canceled? Allegiant's big Boeing Max order; Listener takes issue with Ben's choice for person of the year; A listener is having airline job-finding challenges; Plus: New year's travel resolutions.
Wed, January 05, 2022
117 - Michael Bell, Aviation Recruiter, Korn & Ferry
This week: Michael Bell, Aviation Recruiter, Korn & Ferry; The 2021 recap & 2022 Predictions; Omicron impacts; Cancellations; Best interviews so far, and more to come.
Wed, December 29, 2021
116 - New Year Message - Show Returns Jan 5 2022
Happy New Year from Airlines Confidential. Ben & Chris will be back Jan 5th.
Wed, December 22, 2021
115 - Airline Executives on Capitol Hill
This week: Airline executives on Capitol Hill; Challenges for regional airlines impacting service to small communities? How will Omicron affect international route expansion? Delta anticipates Q4 profit; Listener comments re: Southwest taxiing, BWI bathrooms, Shipco; Plus Fine or Whine? & shout-outs.
Wed, December 15, 2021
114 - Jordan Kayloe, BWI/Marshall Airport
This week: Jordan Kayloe, Dir. Air Service Development, BWI/Marshall Airport; Reflections on Doug Parker's retirement as CEO of American; Delta reduces loyalty benefits for Basic Economy fares; Boeing names Elizabeth Lund new Production Chief; A Fine or Whine complaint about a Spirit seating issue on which Ben & Chris agree is Fine!
Wed, December 08, 2021
113 - Ben Plummer, VP, Elemental Cognition
This week: Benjamin Plummer, VP, Elemental Cognition; An Omicron variant update; United's 1st flight using 100% sustainable av fuel; The new Allegiant/Aerobus alliance; Listener Q re: Southwest taxi speeds & additional capacity: Complaint: They wouldn't let me give my 1st upgrade seat to Mom. Fine? or Whine?
Wed, December 01, 2021
112 -Rick Deurloo, CCO, Pratt & Whitney
This week: Rick Deurloo, Chief Commercial Officer, Pratt & Whitney unveils GTF Advantage engine; Thanksgiving travel recap; The Omicron variant - now what? A crackdown on unruly passengers; Listener Q on our David Neeleman interview re: start-up routes; Complaint: Southwest sale fares only available on web - Fine or Whine? An IATA shout-out.
Wed, November 24, 2021
111 - David Neeleman, Founder & CEO, Breeze Airways
This week: David Neeleman, Founder, Breeze Airways, JetBlue, & More; Dubai Air Show new aircraft orders; AA & United talk holiday staffing at Skift; Listener Q's: Should the EAS program be terminated? From Australia: Is Qantas & it's LCC successful? Complaint: Alaska Airlines Charged $125 to seat my grandson next to me - Fine or Whine? Plus a tribute and shout-out.
Wed, November 17, 2021
110 - Roger Dow, President/CEO, U.S. Travel Association
This week; Roger Dow President/CEO, U.S. Travel Association; USA inbound travel rules kick in; A re-sizing/re-deployment of long haul equipment; United drops service to 3 markets; Is the GE business division breakup good for the aviation sector? Plus shout-outs.
Wed, November 10, 2021
109 - Robert Sumwalt, Fmr Chair of the NTSB
This week: Robert Sumwalt, Former Chair, National Transportation Safety Board; Ryan Air / Wizz Air differing growth projections; Azul makes a play for LATAM; Fuel prices & strategies behind hedging; Listener Q: Breeze's ability to attract pilots? Plus this week's shout outs
Wed, November 03, 2021
108 - Chris Sloan Reports - 1st Breeze A220
This week: Chris Sloan reports on first Breeze Airways A220 & it's unusual configuration; American's operational/staffing issues; Avoiding issues at Thanksgiving; What should a CEO do when a Flight Attendant gets punched? How do airlines select what equipment goes where? Fine or Whine? and shout-outs.
Wed, October 27, 2021
107 - Mike Whitaker, Chief Policy Officer Hyundai Air Mobility
This week: Michael G. Whitaker, Urban Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group; Q3 financial results; SkyWest operational issues; Listener Q: What airline was the first to offer passengers a "barf bag"? Plus shout-outs (apologies for technical audio issues)
Wed, October 20, 2021
106 - Mark Dombroff, Fox Rothschild LLP
This week: Mark A. Dombroff, Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP; Delta posts a profit; Southwest service starts to recover; Boeing has another rough week; Spirit accommodates displaced passengers on other airlines?; How do fuel price increases affect Legacy, ULCC, & LCC? Plus shout-outs.
Wed, October 13, 2021
105 - Southwest Disruption / Air India News
This week: Major service disruption at Southwest; Spotlight on Air India, The Tata Group, & Air travel competition in India; British Airways low cost spin-off back in the news; Listener Q: Is it time for public education to reduce the number of rude passengers? First Class passenger behaving badly-Fine or Whine? Plus the week's shout-outs.
Wed, October 06, 2021
104 - Linda Rutherford, EVP, Southwest Airlines
This week: Linda Rutherford, EVP for People & Communications, Southwest Airlines; More employee vaccination mandates; The JetBlue/AA alliance spurs competition? Delta beefs up Boston; Can Aha Airlines (ExpressJet) succeed? An Avianca & Sky Airlines merger? AAdvantage's disadvantage to Europe; How do you play the "Hub Draft" game?
Wed, September 29, 2021
103 - Vasu Raja, Chief Revenue Officer, American Airlines
This week: Vasu Raja, Chief Revenue Officer at AA; British Airways scraps low cost startup idea and blames pilots; Should an airline's "no fly list" be shared among the industry and made public? Listener Q's plus a complaint about Frontier- Fine or Whine? A shout-out to Bamboo Air in Vietnam
Wed, September 22, 2021
102 - Andrew Levy, CEO, Avelo Airlines
This week: Andrew Levy, Founder, Chairman & CEO Avelo Airlines; British Airways, alternative fuel, & questions needing answers; Can American replace the LATAM alliance loss with GOL? Who will get the open slots at Newark? A listener challenges the argument for PFCs, & from Australia: Potential for a Spirit/Frontier merger? An upset Delta Elite-Fine or Whine?
Wed, September 15, 2021
101 - Dave Dickson, Fmr Ernst & Young-Airline Audit Chair
This week: Dave Dickson, Fmr Airline Audit Chair at Ernst & Young; 9-11 recollections; Stepped up employee Covid requirements; Navigating airline labor concerns and shortages; Alternate fuel use by 2030; Listener Q's; Why did I get a meal in economy? Stuck on the tarmac for 6 hours - Fine or Whine?
Wed, September 08, 2021
100 - Christina Cassotis, CEO Allegheny Cnty Airport Authority
THANK YOU for landing us in the top 1% of all podcasts! This week: Guest: Christina Cassotis CEO Allegheny County Airport Authority (Pittsburgh); Business travel's slower return; Q3 reports/projections; Southwest Pilots sue; Boeing 787 delivery delays; Listener questions, Fine or Whine? & Shoutouts.
Wed, September 01, 2021
099 - JetBlue's Newly Minted London flight
This week: Our correspondent Chris Sloan on JetBlue's inaugural London flight; Delta's insurance surcharge for unvaccinated employees; Arrivederci to Alitalia; Southwest cuts 27 flights; British Air launching a low cost carrier. Next week: We celebrate episode #100!
Wed, August 25, 2021
098 - Felix Antelo, CEO Viva Air Colombia
This week: Guest: Felix Antelo, President/CEO, Viva Air Colombia; The mask mandate extension; A look at new data on service and customer satisfaction; Listener question: "My wife didn't board the plane, why did her bag still fly?"; An Alaska Airlines passenger complaint-Fine or Whine?
Wed, August 18, 2021
097 - Jerry Glass, Founder F&H Solutions Group
This week: A wide-ranging labor discussion with Jerry Glass of F&H Solutions Group; Covid variant alters recovery outlook; JetBlue's inaugural flight to London; Spirit's meltdown recovery process; Listener Q's: from Italy regarding Wizz Air; Should Delta re-brand? Southwest pricing complaint-Fine or Whine? Shout-outs.
Wed, August 11, 2021
096 - Spirit Meltdown & Ghost Airports with Chris Sloan
This week: Chris Sloan talks Ghost Airports (Boo!); The Spirit operational meltdown; Copa Airlines Q2 results & competitive advantages; United's Scott Kirby announces 100% employee vaccine requirement; The Frontier duct tape passenger take-down. Plus listener questions and shout-outs.
Wed, August 04, 2021
095 - John Heimlich, VP Airlines for America
This week, Guest: John Heimlich, VP/Chief Economist, Airlines for America; New Covid guidelines; Delta extends elite benefits to 2023; What Southwest's new deal with Sabre means; United's buying spree continues; Plus Fine? or Whine?
Wed, July 28, 2021
094 - Start Your Engines
This week: How do engine purchases really work? Encouraging earnings reports? Is the outlook for business travel bullish...or bull****? Breeze pulls back; Congress getting into delays/cancellations; Listener Q: Why no Delta Lounge access with my first class ticket?
Wed, July 21, 2021
093 - Barry Eccleston, Fmr CEO Airbus America
This week: Interview with Barry Eccleston, former CEO Airbus America; Delta turns a profit in Q2; Listener question: Was Southwest caught with their pants down? Plus shout-outs.
Wed, July 14, 2021
092 - New Rules
This week: New regulations on fee transparency & refunds? More United flights on the way; Startup Avelo quickly drops 3 cities; New entrant Play debuts; Listener question: Why are airfare prices higher now? and a shoutout to Brad Paisley!
Wed, July 07, 2021
091 - Greg Webb, CEO Travelport
This week: Interview with Greg Webb, CEO Travelport - plus holiday weekend travel observations; Examining the United new aircraft order; American sues Sabre Corporation; Is Southwest Airlines being mean to Skiplagged? Support service staffing shortages; Fine or Whine & shoutouts.
Wed, June 30, 2021
090 - Southwest's Change at the Top
This week: New Southwest CEO-Changes? British Airways puts some employees back on furlough; Aircraft orders by United & Delta; Flight cuts at American due to "an employee shortage"; Listener question: Why no ASM level reports? Wide-body and pilot pay potential.
Wed, June 23, 2021
089 - David Short, Fmr DOT Under Secretary
This Week: Interview - David Short, Fmr. Acting Under Secretary for Policy @DOT; Multiple airlines experience tech system issues; Single pilot long haul flights by 2025? Can airlines confiscate your miles for bad behavior?
Wed, June 16, 2021
088 - Spirit in Miami
This week: Spirit dives into Miami-why now? How will American react? 737 MAX is back; Virgin Atlantic & American invest in vertical aerospace; How are FAA passenger fines handled? Stay tuned in for BONUS interview Ken Witcher, Dean Embry-Riddle;
Wed, June 09, 2021
087 - Mike Cox, Seabury Capital
This week: Mike Cox from Seabury Capital on current airline realities, demand for single vs twin aisle aircraft and more; United goes supersonic; The report on UFO sightings; Listener Question: How vulnerable are aircraft to cyber hackers? Complaint: Accused of vaping in the bathroom & kicked off the plane-Fine? or Whine?
Wed, June 02, 2021
086 - Ken Quinn, Flight Safety Foundation
This week: General Counsel & Secretary of the Flight Safety Foundation & top ranked aviation lawyer Ken Quinn; The Belarus hijacking of a Ryan Air flight;Our roving reporter Chris Sloan reviews the inaugural flight of Breeze. A Southwest complaint-Fine? or Whine? Listener questions & shout-outs.
Wed, May 26, 2021
085 - Brian Kough, Aviation Week
This week: An interview with Brian Kough, Aviation Week's Senior Director of Forecast & Aerospace Insights; Ryan Air's subsidy case; How Americans getting fatter affects operating envelope rulings; Can Delta legally require new employees to be vaccinated?
Wed, May 19, 2021
084 - Paul Kinstedt COO, Republic Airways
This week: An interview with Paul Kinstedt COO, Republic Airways; The 737-Max update; Frontier tries to cramp Avelo Airlines in Burbank, A listener question on the return of change/cancelation fees; A bag fee hassle-Fine? or Whine? The week's Shout-outs.
Wed, May 12, 2021
083 - Colby Harvey, CEO of Rizse
This week: From MRO Americas: Colby Harvey CEO of Rizse; Air France & KLM raising more capital; Are airlines being both bullish and pessimistic? Breeze changes course on structuring Flight Attendant position; A question about aircraft maintenance; This week's shout outs.
Wed, May 05, 2021
082 - On-Site @ MRO Orlando
This week: From MRO Americas an interview w/ Lydia Janow, Managing Dir. Events/Tradeshows @Aviation Week; Our Roving Correspondent Chris Sloan reviews the 1st JetBlue A220 flight & The 1st Flight of new airline Avelo; Summer capacity projections, listener questions, shoutouts.
Wed, April 28, 2021
081 - Avelo Airlines Takes Flight
This week: Southwest reports a profit due to government funding; Avelo Airlines debuts; Atlanta gets replaced as world's busiest airport; Should the mask mandate be extended?; Listener comments, Fine or Whine? and shout-outs.
Wed, April 21, 2021
080 - David Grizzle, Fmr FAA COO
This week: David Grizzle former FAA COO talks public vs private, technology implementation, his tour of duty in Afghanistan & much more; Another issue with the 737-Max; Canada's approach to supporting it's airlines; Listener questions/corrections; This week's shout outs.
Wed, April 14, 2021
079 - Summer Capacity Projections
This week: A look at how summer capacity is shaping up; Impact on the US cruise industry; Will vaccination cards become mandatory for travel? Say goodbye to the hellish experience of Gate 35X at DCA; A listener asks if his "nice guy" gesture cost Delta $800; Shout-outs of the week.
Wed, April 07, 2021
078 - Declan Ryan
This week: Special Guest Declan Ryan Chairman/President Viva Air on low cost carriers as an investment & much more; Also, what to keep an eye on in the proposed 2 Trillion dollar infrastructure bill; New guidance from the CDC; A pilot listener comment on Scope negotiations; Passenger complaint: My vouchers are expiring-they won't extend them, Fine? or Whine?
Wed, March 31, 2021
077 - Have a Seat
This week: The scope of pilot union contracts; Frontier introduces a new type of lighter weight seat; A look at Frontier and Sun Country IPOs; Listener question about low-cost transatlantic service; and shout-outs of the week.
Wed, March 24, 2021
076 - Helane Becker-Airline Analyst
This week: Special Guest Helane Becker, Airline Analyst-how she builds her financial models and much more; Plus a listener question on Allegiant's earnings call; We hear from a female pilot about federal funding, seniority list placement; A complaint about Lufthansa on a minor being split from travel companion-Fine? or Whine? A shoutout to Alaska Airlines.
Wed, March 17, 2021
075 - Covid Funding Saves 27,000 Jobs
This week: Covid Funding bill passes & 27,000 furloughs recalled; Restrictions with the money? CDC with a confusing travel alert; A good time to start an airline? Which one would Ben bet on? Listener question on Allegiant's disruption capability; shout-outs of the week.
Wed, March 10, 2021
074 - Bob Crandall
This week: Airline icon Bob Crandall. Topics include deregulation, stock buy-backs, government bailouts, and how the industry is handling the Covid crisis; A listener question on how airlines design & research their routes; What is refrigerator scheduling? Complaint: The air nozzles didn't work-Fine or Whine?; plus our shout-outs of the week.
Wed, March 03, 2021
073 - IAG Aquires Air Europa
This Week: The IAG acquisition of Air Europa - will it create a mega-hub in Madrid? Can the Frenchbee A350 with 488 seats be profitable? What % of people would give up sex for a year to be able to travel again? Listener question: Why was Qatar flying from LAX to Mexico City? Plus this week's shoutouts...including the TSA?
Wed, February 24, 2021
072 - $14,000,000,000 Stimulus
This week: Weather & damage; $14 billion stimulus to airlines?; Are single pilot planes coming soon?; Amy has a question about "QC" airplanes; Kyle asks: Is there a "list price" for a commercial jetliner? Fatima has a complaint about Qatar Airways - Fine? or Whine?
Wed, February 17, 2021
071 - New Routes
This week: A trial balloon that didn't fly; New routes announced; A look OAG data indicates who's actually travelling; Listener complaint: Hawaiian Airlines charged $300 in change fees - Fine or Whine? and this week's shout-outs.
Wed, February 10, 2021
070 - Scott McCartney - Best & Worst Airlines
This Week: Special Guest WSJ Travel Editor Scott McCartney with the Best & Worst US Airlines of 2020; Airline staffing and who's asking for more government funding; A listener upset with United ticketing "schemes"- Fine? or Whine?
Wed, February 03, 2021
069 - Staggering Financial Losses
This week: The staggering amount US Airlines lost this past year; What were Southwest and American really saying in their earnings calls? Will pre-flight Covid testing for all domestic passengers be a requirement soon? New slot rules...now? A pilot/listener follows up on pilots breaks during flight; Shout-outs to Peter Ingram and Gary Kelly.
Wed, January 27, 2021
068 - Leadership Changes
This week: United shows leadership; A look into the new Washington DC leadership change; What qualifies someone to be Secretary of Transportation? Special guest Richard Mintz; and a Spirit complaint-Fine? or Whine? *Note: We apologize for some audio technical difficulties this week.
Wed, January 20, 2021
067 - Delta's Break-Even Date
Delta says they can hit cash break even by summer. Can they? Norwegian ceases transatlantic flights.How long is OK for a pilot to be out of the cockpit during a flight? and Dan gets the Geek of the Week Award for his question of Yield vs PRASM
Wed, January 13, 2021
066 - Chris Chiames Joins as Co-Host
Welcome Ben's new Co-Host Chris Chiames; Can Chinese state-owned Comac succeed in the USA? Ryan Air's covid ad campaign; Listener question on SkyWest's; Should the people who stormed Capitol Hill be banned from flying? and is Alexandra's complaint about Alaska rebooking her and not letting her take her cats onboard - "Fine or Whine?"
Wed, January 06, 2021
065 - Thank You Seth. Introducing Chris.
Seth with a big announcement; We welcome Chris Chiames to the podcast; A look at how holiday travel went; Listener questions: Is a 717 or 757-Max in our future? Did Boeing actually benefit from corner cutting? and Richard in Houston has a complaint about Delta Comfort-Fine? or Whine?
Wed, December 30, 2020
064 - The FAA & The 737-Max
Wishing you a Happy New Year! A listener question: Is the Saint Louis airport going away? What is United currently flying from St Louis and what makes hubs succeed or fail? Another listener asks: Is the FAA too cozy with Boeing regarding the 737 Max? and a "Fine or Whine" complaint that's a very clear Fine!
Wed, December 23, 2020
063 - Jet Blue Storms Miami
This Week: Jet Blue new flight destinations including Miami? Did one airline accidentally match another airline's business class pricing mistake? Insider trivia: What is the "through flight assignment model"?and a baggage compensation complaint in India - Fine? or Whine?
Wed, December 16, 2020
062 - Holiday Travel Numbers
This week: 2020 Holiday travel; Aircraft financing; The logic of flight numbers; A complaint about Aeromexico - Fine? or Whine? and is Covid isolation good for redheads?
Wed, December 09, 2020
061 - 737-Max Airborn Again-Chris Sloan Reports
This week: Special guest Chris Sloan from The Airchive; The 737-Max takes flight again. How will people feel about flying on it? Why does Delta have multiple Midwest hubs? What's the business structure of airline alliances? and Seth has a complaint about Spirit...is it Fine? or a Whine?
Wed, December 02, 2020
060 - Time to Taxi
This week: Airlines & the distribution of the covid vaccine; Does one airline actually taxi faster than other airlines? A passenger gets arrested while behaving badly; and a complaint about KLM ticket change charge - Fine? or Whine?
Wed, November 25, 2020
059 - Grading Airlines on Covid Response
This week: An Asiana - Korean Air merger? An update of the AA rules around heavy wheelchairs; Letter grades on how individual airlines are handling the covid situation from a business & customer perspective; and Charlene says her United plane was dirty and she felt unsafe...Fine? or Whine?
Wed, November 18, 2020
058 - Southwest's 737 Max Investment
This week: Southwest adds to their 737 Max fleet; A flight attendant behaves badly; A weight limit for wheelchairs? and a complaint about United asking for proof of death.
Wed, November 11, 2020
057 - Salute to Veterans
This week: Saluting all Veterans; Current opportunities in the airline industry; Do exclusive gate deal for airlines still exist? Anthony with a complaint about a paid boarding upgrade on Southwest - Fine? or Whine?
Wed, November 04, 2020
056 - Holiday Demand Projections
This week: Will holiday travel demand return? First-ever Southwest layoffs? How long will passengers who refuse to wear a mask be banned from flying? Passengers Behaving Badly...on Spirit; and is a Frontier pricing complaint Fine? or a Whine?
Wed, October 28, 2020
055 - Questions, Answers, Corrections
This week: Lots o' listener questions and a couple of corrections; Do emergency operations differ between airlines? The deal on Southwest at Love Field; Cousin Ross the pilot clears up some info on turbulence; Why is Delta still flying a 767-400? and a complaint about Copa Airlines-Fine? or Whine?
Wed, October 21, 2020
054 - One Million in One Day
This week: TSA one-day passenger count hits 1 million; Southwest breaking into United territory; A passenger behaves badly yelling and coughing on EasyJet; and in Fine or Whine, the passenger blames the pilot for turbulence.
Wed, October 14, 2020
053 - From Cincinnati: Boyd Group's 2020 IAFS
This week: Recorded LIVE on stage at the Boyd Group IAFS in Cincinnati with special guest Mike Boyd. Southwest's surprising moves; What changes in the industry will be perminent?; Study: Airflow IN the aircraft; & a Passenger Behaving Badly on Allegiant.
Wed, October 07, 2020
052 - Jet Blue's Play in Newark
This week: Airline network moves; What's Jet Blue up to in Newark?; Passengers behaving badly; Pam in Palm Beach with a very legit complaint. Attending the Boyd Group IAFS? We'll see you in Cincinnati next week.
Wed, September 30, 2020
051 - The AA Employee Deal Status
This week: Is American close to an employee deal? How does that timing work with a government bailout? A follow up on DC restricted airspace; More about the value of frequent flier programs; and listener questions and comments.
Thu, September 24, 2020
050 - Frequent Flier Programs Econ101
The week: Some of the economics of frequent flyer programs; A listener question about restricted airspace around the Whitehouse; A complaint about Delta Comfort Plus; and Ben discovers some "other" Seth Kaplans.
Wed, September 16, 2020
049 - United's Charters Looking Good
This week: Is United staffing sports charters with flight attendants based on looks?; Airport codes followup with much listener input & the story on BWI; Seth on ease of refunds; and a customer complaint about AA in "Fine or Whine".
Wed, September 09, 2020
048 - Ch-Ch-Ch-Change Fees Changing
This week: Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes fees changing; Why would Southwest be launching service in Miami?; How does an airport change it code?; A listener question about new service to Orange County; and a listener complaint about a Delta change fee - Fine? or Whine?
Wed, September 02, 2020
047 - The Bookings Roller Coaster
This Week: The roller coaster trends in new bookings; It is getting riskier or safer to fly?; More about the middle(seat); Passengers behaving Badly; and "The gate agent said OK but I still got charged!" Fine or Whine?
Wed, August 26, 2020
046 - Airline Job Loss Numbers
This week: The new numbers on airline job losses; Our listeners correct us on a few things; and in "Fine or Whine" why did one passenger get charged $400 for his bags when the airline said it was only supposed to be $100?
Fri, August 21, 2020
045 - Promo: Ben at Embry-Riddle
An invitation from Ben Baldanza to Airlines Confidential listeners to join and participate in an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University LIVE Zoom event Wed Aug 26th.
Wed, August 19, 2020
043 - Aviation Industry Bailouts
This week: An update/discussion on federal aviation industry bailout dollars; How is airline business for September shaping up? A listener question on the ADA, reasonable accommodations, and masks; A passenger behaving badly in Phoenix; and another "Fine or Whine?"
Wed, August 12, 2020
043 - Airline Stocks Rise
This week: Why are airline stocks up? Some ramifications of a tighter mask policy; Is American singing kumbaya with it's pilots? Lots of listener comments questions and answers. Plus "United won't let me go to Croatia" Fine or Whine?
Wed, August 05, 2020
042 - Federal Aid & Furloughs
This week: Update on federal aid & employee furloughs; Are airlines critical to economic recovery?; Listener question on turning off devices; passenger complaint about United and refunds-Fine? or Whine?
Wed, July 29, 2020
041 - Boards of Directors Discussions
This week: Frontier IPO gets postponed; What does an airline Board of Directors actually discuss?;This week's Passenger Behaving Badly; and Edith in GA with a complaint about pricing on American: "Fine? or Whine?"
Wed, July 22, 2020
040 - JetBlue/American Partner
This week: What does the new American/JetBlue partnership mean to you?; 3 passengers behave really badly; Listener question: How do airlines keep track of mentally ill pilots?; and a customer complaint-is it fine? or just a whine?
Wed, July 15, 2020
039 - Your Odds on the Middle
This Week: JetBlue's major West Coast service change; MIT study: Do your odds of dying from Covid-19 change if the middle seat is filled? Passengers Behaving Badly: 1 with a gun. The other a US Senator; Listener question on credit card use for inflight purchases; and who do those masks protect?
Wed, July 08, 2020
038 - Marketing or Medicine
This week: Empty middle seats-Healthier or just marketing? 7000 literally take a trip to nowhere; Are seatback screens worth the cost to the airlines? A private jet lands in Italy and officials won't let the American's off - Fine or Whine?
Wed, July 01, 2020
037 - Middle Seats and Masks
This week: Middle seats and masks on planes; Listener question: is Delta yesterday's genius? How can 30,000 passengers stop behaving badly?Customer complaint: I booked then had to pay more later- Fine or Whine?
Wed, June 24, 2020
036 - Cruise-Airline Co-Dependancy
This week: How do the cruise lines affect the airlines? Will an MBA get you a job in airline management? Complaint: The worst seat on the plane "Fine or Whine?"; No Mask or MEGA hat got him banned from AA?
Wed, June 17, 2020
035 - Same Issues. Different Tactics.
This week: Why seemingly similar airlines are taking different business approaches; A look at July airline schedules; A listener question about saving fuel while taxiing; and passenger behaving badly...involving alcohol.
Wed, June 10, 2020
034 - A Noteworthy CEO Experience
This week: What year will the airline industry recover?; Ben's 2-airport adventure; AA CEO's noteworthy experience on a Southwest flight; The status of regional airlines; and this week's customer complaint: "Fine or Whine?"
Wed, June 03, 2020
033 - Employee Buyouts & Layoffs
This week: Airline employee buyout and layoff options; Frontier, Southwest announce new routes; Passengers Behaving Badly; and "Fine or Whine?"
Wed, May 27, 2020
032 - Top 3 Execs of All Time
This week: The biggest airline bankruptcy yet; Who are the 3 best airline execs of all time?; Passengers Behaving Badly with women's underwear; and is the complaint fine? or is it a whine?
Wed, May 20, 2020
031 - Just the Facts, Folks
This week: Exclusive Stats! Scheduled vs Actual Operating flights data; One Airline says it's laying off older workers to "keep the workforce young"; A listener complaint in "Fine or Whine" on a Southwest boarding incident.
Wed, May 13, 2020
030 - Avianca, United, Startups
This week: Avianca goes Ch 11; Is United getting leaner or just meaner?; Is this a good time to start a new airline? and in "Fine or Whine" was it really going to get choppy or did the crew just want a break?
Wed, May 06, 2020
029 - The Mask Mandate Begins
This week: Flying? You'll now be wearing a mask; Big cuts come to United and others; Passengers Behaving Badly-on Spirit-and this time things got bloody.
Tue, April 28, 2020
028 - How to Treat the Elites
This Week: How airlines are handling elite status and refunds; A crackdown on using "hidden cities"; in Fine or Whine: A Qantas complaint; and Seth sings again (at the end)
Wed, April 22, 2020
027 - Government Bailouts
This week: Virgin Australia enters Voluntary Administration (essentially Chapter 11); How can governments get bailouts right? Are middle seats gone forever? and this week's "Fine or Whine" complaint: Why is Southwest keeping my money?
Wed, April 15, 2020
026 - The Covid Blame Game
This Week: Is Coronavirus the fault of airlines? Who currently has the leverage on aircraft purchases? A Passenger Behaving Badly misinterprets Spirit's Bare Fares marketing; and in "Fine or Whine" - Why can't my dog fly Delta?
Wed, April 08, 2020
025 - Targeted Aquisition Potential
This Week: Are airlines now an acquisition target? RavnAir files Chapter 11; Is there currently an opportunity to reinvent the airline business? Passengers Behaving Badly (in a bathroom); and this week's passenger complaint in "Fine or Whine".
Wed, April 01, 2020
024 - The Singapore Bailout
This week: Some airline news not involving Coronavirus; Huge bailout for Singapore Airlines - what about USA Airlines?; Passengers Behaving Badly; and Seth sings (at the end of the podcast).
Wed, March 25, 2020
023 - Weathering the Storm
This week: Is there a case to be made for optimism? Which airlines may be best able to weather the storm? Restrictions on government financial assistance; Passengers Behaving Badly, and more.
Wed, March 18, 2020
022 - An Industry in Crisis
This week: A global crisis for the airline industry; Fuel hedging; A passenger behaving *very* badly; and this week's complaint in "Fine? or Whine?"
Wed, March 11, 2020
021 - CEO Thought Process
This Week: How some airline CEO's are thinking about the current challenges in the industry, including the effects of Coronavirus; One passenger behaving very badly; This week's complaint- Fine? or Whine?
Wed, March 04, 2020
020 - It's in the Bag
This week: How big should your under-seat bag be allowed to be? JetBlue makes a change in their refund policy; and this week's complaint from a listener in Hawaii about Alaska Air..Is it fine? or just a whine?
Wed, February 26, 2020
019 - More Coronavirus Effects
This Week: An airline is going out of business but you might not even notice; More on the effects of the Coronavirus on travel; another installment of Passengers Behaving Badly; and this week's passenger complaint-is it fine? or is it a whine?
Wed, February 19, 2020
018 - Your Space on a Plane
This week: Reclining in your seat-what space is really yours? Alaska Airlines joins Oneworld; Why does Delta seem so good? New segment: passengers behaving badly!
Wed, February 12, 2020
017 - American Employees Compensation
#017 This week: Are American Airlines employees getting too good a deal in the new compensation agreement? Get ready for America's exciting new start-up airline - can it succeed? and in this week's "Fine or Whine" customer complaint segment Ben and Seth seem to be in complete agreement.
Wed, February 05, 2020
016 - Coronavirus Affects on Travel
016: This week: The Coronavirus and how it might affect your travel; Is a Southwest safety response concerning?; A listener question about airline regulation; and in "Fine or Whine" a customer complaint about her gift card not being valid.
Wed, January 29, 2020
015 - When Support Animals Fly
This week: Is that poisonous snake really a support animal? (new rules coming); Who should be examining the black box following an incident? How much profit does an airline make from each flight? "Fine or Whine?" listener complaint segment: How come there's no window next to my window seat?
Wed, January 22, 2020
014 - Boing Aircraft Branding
This Week: Does Boeing need to change their aircraft branding? How do low cost airlines keep the cost low? A customer complaint begs the question...When does it make sense for you to purchase frequent flyer miles?
Wed, January 15, 2020
013 - Airline Financial Stability
This Week: Tips on what to look for if an airline might be going out of business; Will the Iran situation affect air travel? How do airlines decide which flights to cancel? Customer Complaint: Did the credit card holder deserve to get charged for bags? Find out in "Fine or Whine".
Wed, January 08, 2020
012 - The Carbon Footprint
This Week: Do frequent fliers increase the carbon footprint? High vs Low cost airports, what is the Airline Rat Pack, a customer complaint (about Spirit!)"fine...or whine?"
Wed, January 01, 2020
011 - The Congo Airways Purchase
This Episode: What the Congo Airways plane purchase tells us, Delta's maintenance advantage, Flashback: Keith Olbermann calls Ben the 2nd worst person in the world, and which airlines get the most complaints?
Wed, December 25, 2019
010 - Delta Stops Certain Upgrades
This Week: Delta stops certain auto-upgrades. Is Southwest really a low-cost carrier? Is the A380 on it's way out? Plus this week's customer complaint - Fine? or Whine?
Wed, December 18, 2019
009 - The 3 Hour Rule
This Week: More delays around the holidays or just seems like it? The 3 hour rule. How long is "too long" a flight? Plus this week's listener complaint - "Fine? or Whine?"
Wed, December 11, 2019
008 - Behind a CEO Change
This Week: Change at the top of United. A peek behind the scenes at an airline CEO change. Are "on-time" stats meaningful? and...hear from a customer upset that his airline "stole" his miles. Did they?
Wed, December 04, 2019
007 - Pilot Training
This week: Is pilot training currently the most difficult issue facing aviation? An airline worker labor dispute update. And...Seth volunteers to be bumped, gets a flight +$1500...so what's his issue?
Thu, November 28, 2019
006 - FAA Looking at Safety
This episode: Is the FAA looking more closely at safety? The most/least expensive airports to fly in/out of...and why? Industry job talent needs. And Viktor the 22 pound cat takes a flight...with consequences.
Wed, November 20, 2019
005 - What is Basic Economy
This Week: What exactly do you get (and NOT get) with a "Basic Economy" fare? Are Frequent Flier Miles becoming extinct? plus... is boarding from the rear of the plane any faster?
Thu, November 14, 2019
004 - Best Time to Purchase Tickets
Boeing & Airbus: Fleet commonality and profitability. More about when to purchase your ticket at the best price, and is a listener's pricing complaint fine or just whining?
Fri, November 08, 2019
003 - British Airways Buys More
This Episode: International Airlines Group (IAG) owner of British Airways and many more, buys another airline, is buying your ticket via Hotwire/Priceline/Expedia a great deal?, and ESPN's Randy Moss flies to Bristol...sort of.
Sat, November 02, 2019
002 - What's Next for the 737 Max
What's next for the 737-Max & Would you fly on it? Is your airline telling you the truth about your flight delay? This week's customer complaint: Is it fine...or is it a whine?
Mon, October 21, 2019
001 - Why Passengers Are Bumped
This Week: Why do airlines bump paying passengers? What's the deal with all these annoying fees? Are planes without pilots coming soon? Complaint of the week - is it fine? or is it a whine?
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