
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

Apr 3, 2024 • 31min
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.

Mar 27, 2024 • 38min
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.

Mar 20, 2024 • 52min
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.

Mar 13, 2024 • 58min
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.

Mar 6, 2024 • 45min
228 - Zane Kerby, Pres & CEO at ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors;
This week, the podcast delves into aviation safety improvements, American Airlines' policy changes, and the evolution of the travel advisor role. They discuss new Brisbane flights, challenges faced by travel agencies, and the importance of personalized service in the industry. The episode also explores airline pricing strategies, flight attendant perceptions, and solutions for efficient boarding and overhead bin usage.

Feb 28, 2024 • 47min
227 - Maya Leibman, Fmr. EVP/Chief Information Officer, American Airlines
This podcast covers a range of topics including increased baggage fees, Delta's Amex credit limit for fuel, management changes at Boeing, American Airlines' ticket policy changes, and how airlines decide to serve new airports. Special focus on Maya Leibman's 30-year career in the airline industry and the impact of technology on air travel operations and future business ventures.

Feb 21, 2024 • 52min
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?

Feb 14, 2024 • 43min
225 - Jay Sorensen, Ancillary Revenue, A la Carte Pricing, Frequent Flyer (FFP) Consultant
Guest Jay Sorensen, Ancillary Revenue, A la Carte Pricing, Frequent Flyer (FFP) Consultant, discusses challenges in increasing airline prices and profitability of loyalty programs. The importance of thorough research before implementing aviation laws and regulations is emphasized. Loyalty programs' revenue generation, pandemic's impact on airline travel and ancillary revenues are explored. Concluding conversation includes industry insights and hypothetical worst-case scenario if the Boeing 737 MAX never returns to service.

Feb 7, 2024 • 51min
224 - This week: Mike Leskinen, EVP/Chief Financial Officer, United Airlines
This week in the podcast, they discuss Boeing's challenges in 2024, JetBlue's new seat fee program, Frontier's Bizfair bundle, American Airlines post-Super Bowl strategy, and listener questions about Basic Economy threat to ULCCs and airline hubs.

Jan 31, 2024 • 54min
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.