
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

Feb 16, 2022 • 1h 1min
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.

Feb 9, 2022 • 1h 4min
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?

Feb 2, 2022 • 1h 23min
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.

Jan 26, 2022 • 1h 14min
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.

Jan 19, 2022 • 56min
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?

Jan 12, 2022 • 48min
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.

Jan 5, 2022 • 48min
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.

Dec 29, 2021 • 2min
116 - New Year Message - Show Returns Jan 5 2022
Happy New Year from Airlines Confidential. Ben & Chris will be back Jan 5th.

Dec 22, 2021 • 35min
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.

Dec 15, 2021 • 1h
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!