Airlines Confidential Podcast

Oscar Munoz, a former airline executive, joins Scott McCartney to unpack fascinating airline industry insights. They challenge the notion that Delta is only for the wealthy, arguing premium demand showcases value. The duo dives into Frontier's ticketing dilemmas and operational efficiency issues, speculating on the future of the Frontier-Spirit merger. Munoz highlights JetZero's promising developments in blended-wing technology and they explore the complexities of Basic Economy pricing and the regional jets vs. mainline preferences.

Don Carty, a seasoned airline executive and chairman of Porter Airlines, shares fascinating insights from his extensive career in the airline industry. He discusses Porter's strategic evolution amidst the pandemic and how they pivoted to acquire a new fleet. The conversation touches on the challenges of airline profitability and the potential emergence of a fourth major U.S. carrier. Carty also reflects on his experiences with leadership, technology, and navigating U.S.-Canada traffic tensions while addressing listener questions about baggage fees.

Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt, Guest: Jeremy Bowen, CEO, Cirium. Topic: 2025 On Time Performance Award Winners. Also: Storms caused holiday travel challenges; Two operational mismanagement examples; American increases Chicago flights; Spirit burning through cash; Listener questions if Pratt & Whitney sponsorship impacts the podcast's news coverage.

This week:  Host Scott McCartney with Chris Sloan. Reviews: American's new A321XLR Flagship Suite & JetBlue's new JFK Lounge.  Also: The $50MM Spirit Christmas gift; More Spirit-Frontier talks; Frontier CEO Barry Biffle out, James Dempsey named Interim CEO; Volaris and Viva Aerobus seek to combine;  Delta President Glen Hauenstein to retire; Memphis renames it's airport; Positive listener feedback on the Doug Parker airline pricing episode. Next episode: Jan 7th, 2026. Happy New Year!

This week: Guest Co-Host Christina Cassotis. Topics: 13 years of unpaid parking comes due; Spirit refutes competitors' talk of impending shutdown; Losses due to government flight reductions; Lots to say about Southwest - Leadership, lounges, and more; AUS Execs and others stopped by for PIT re-opening; Sec. Duffy works out at the airport; Peraton selected to overhaul FAA systems; Listener comments on Love Field, a correction re Finnair, and a listener-listener response.

Doug Parker, a veteran airline executive and former CEO, shares his extensive expertise on airline pricing. He explains the critical role of revenue management and its impact on profitability. Parker dives into fascinating concepts like price discrimination using a lawnmower analogy and the evolution of basic economy fares, detailing how they reshape customer choices. He also discusses the shift toward premium features and the changing dynamics of low-cost carriers. Ultimately, he predicts major airlines will adopt similar pricing strategies, marking a transformative era in the industry.

This week: Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan, Guest: Phil Washington, CEO, Denver Int. Airport. Also: Ramifications from the Airbus immediate software requirement; DFW gets Turkey Award; Holiday travel vs last year; Bids for TAP Air Portugal; Listener input on where the projected new DFW passengers will come from, an idea of an AA-SWA merger, and the political environment's impact on international visitors.

This week: Host Scott McCartney with Guest Co-Host Dave Hilfman. Topics: Thanksgiving travel projections; US Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy releases "Golden Age of Travel" PSA; Dress codes & bare feet on seat backs; JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty calls for policy equity; Visit USA Act introduced; UPS 2976 crash update; Tribute to Peter J. Dolara, Fmr SVP, American Airlines; Listener response to Scott Kirby interview. Plus: Will American step up their game?

Oscar Munoz, former CEO of United Airlines, joins the discussion alongside current CEO Scott Kirby. They delve into the political leverage of airlines during crises and the impact of credit card swipe fee changes. Kirby reflects on United's operational recovery and proactive holiday travel strategies. The leaders discuss investments in technology, shifting toward premium services, and competition with Delta. Kirby emphasizes the importance of employee trust and mentorship, aiming for financial resilience to avoid future furloughs.

Guest Co-Host Maya Leibman, Guest Alex Cruz, Fmr. CEO, British Airways. News: Tripadvisor kills SeatGuru; US Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy reduces air traffic; Government shutdown breakthrough in the works; UPS Flight 2976 crashes on takeoff; Listener questions on the value of international partnerships.