
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.
Latest episodes

Nov 23, 2022 • 21min
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.

Nov 16, 2022 • 47min
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.

Nov 9, 2022 • 51min
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.

Nov 2, 2022 • 47min
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?

Oct 26, 2022 • 46min
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

Oct 19, 2022 • 1h 4min
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.

Oct 12, 2022 • 57min
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.

Oct 5, 2022 • 52min
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?

Sep 28, 2022 • 53min
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.

Sep 21, 2022 • 44min
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.