The Air Show

Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith and industry expert Brett Snyder discuss the IATA AGM, elevator interactions with airline executives, and insights into the US vs. European aviation industries. They also cover aircraft manufacturing challenges, KLM's aircraft replacement strategy, and engine partnerships in a light-hearted and informative episode.

United CEO Scott Kirby discusses Boeing, United's competitors, and US-based ULCCs. Topics include challenges to airplane manufacturers, route profitability, airline failures, and strategic innovations in the industry.

Vasu Raja — American's chief commercial officer who remade the airline's distribution strategy and network to less-than-stellar performance — is now out of a job.  What happens next? Brett Snyder and Brian Sumers discuss Raja's ouster, the unfinished projects that will be left for his successor and CEO Robert Isom, and more.Would you like to reach top talent at global airlines with a message on our podcast? Get in touch with us at theairshowpodcast.com.

As cost-conscious airline passengers increasingly trade up for tickets on legacy carriers, what's a ULCC to do? Brian Sumers, Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder discuss the new strategies Frontier Airlines is adopting in the face of this trend: new fare families to match the legacy airlines, changes to its network, and its fleet strategy (and order book).Would you like to sponsor future episodes of The Air Show? Get in touch with us here.

The Brazilian manufacturer has a decision to make. Should it focus on what it already does well, including regional jets, small narrowbodies, and business jets? Or should it take a chance and build a bigger airplane that might compete directly with the 737 and A320 families? Jon Ostrower and Brian Sumers discuss Embraer’s dilemma in this week’s episode. We would like to thank Plusgrade and Uplift for their sponsorship of The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

JSX and Contour have completely different business models, but they both have something in common.  They are able to take advantage of a loophole that allows them to run their operations more flexibly in terms of pilots, security, and more under Parts 135 and 380. The industry is divided on whether this is good or bad, but it has generated some real debate in Washington. Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder talk about what's happening as well as the pros and cons.We would like to thank Plusgrade and Uplift for their sponsorship of The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

American Airlines has a bold, new strategy that forgoes managed corporate bookings for direct bookings while remaking its entire sales effort. With the first quarter over and done, how is that plan-turned-strategy working out so far? This week, Brian Sumers, Brett Snyder and Jon Ostrower discuss the first indicators of American's grand plan.We would like to thank Plusgrade and Uplift for their sponsorship of The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

It's not just Boeing that's causing acute headaches for airlines. Pratt & Whitney's geared turbofan engine, which has been in operation since 2016 on Airbus single-aisle aircraft, has serious issues with reliability and durability, and a seriously long MRO timeline. The engine itself is an innovation — a major leap in fuel efficiency, which will only become more necessary — but will these issues threaten Pratt & Whitney's comeback? Make airlines more risk-averse when innovation is sorely needed? Create a RASM-related silver lining? That's what Jon Ostrower, Brett Snyder and Brian Sumers discuss on this week's episode.We would like to thank Plusgrade and Uplift for their sponsorship of The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Two U.S. airlines have reported earnings so far, and it's United and Delta: two airlines that increasingly have a lot in common. Brett Snyder and Brian Sumers discuss the numbers each airline reported, and what they shared about corporate travel, the summer travel season forecast, the importance of brand and reliability, and more.We would like to thank Plusgrade and Uplift for their sponsorship of The Air Show.

Or: what happened in Boston and Seattle when Delta established hubs there. Brett Snyder, Brian Sumers and Jon Ostrower discuss how Alaska defended its turf against Delta, and how JetBlue faltered when Delta expanded in Boston. The particulars of each city — their changing economies and corporate needs, their specific brand loyalty, and regional feed and fleet  — make an interesting case study.We would like to thank Plusgrade for their sponsorship of The Air Show.