
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

Jun 19, 2024 • 33min
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.

Jun 12, 2024 • 57min
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.

Jun 5, 2024 • 44min
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?

May 29, 2024 • 47min
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

May 22, 2024 • 38min
239 - Simon Newton-Smith, SVP Americas, EL AL Israel Airlines
Simon Newton-Smith, SVP Americas, EL AL Israel Airlines, discusses challenges faced by EL AL during conflicts. Debate on legislating comfort vs. low fares in airline seats. Insights into Southwest Airlines capacity roller coaster and Boeing's manufacturing changes

May 15, 2024 • 44min
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.

May 8, 2024 • 55min
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?

May 1, 2024 • 56min
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.

Apr 24, 2024 • 52min
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.

Apr 17, 2024 • 35min
234- Jay Sorensen, President, IdeaWorksCompany
Jay Sorensen, President of IdeaWorksCompany, discusses airline loyalty program values, Delta's Q1 numbers, Spirit Airlines' challenges, Breeze Airways profitability, and AA CEO Robert Isom's huge payday. Topics also include new Boeing aircraft and listener questions.
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