Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast

Europe could reopen for vaccinated U.S. tourists sometime this summer, officials say. But it's already May. Will all the pieces be in place to salvage airlines' peak summer season? Editor Madhu Unnikrishnan and Airlines Reporter Edward "Ned" Russell ponder that question. Also on this episode, Ned tells us about his field trip to American's Tulsa MRO, and is the world's largest airline right to pull all stored jets out of mothballs? Learn more by subscribing to Airline Weekly.

United CEO Scott Kirby says business travel is coming back, while Southwest CEO Gary Kelly says it could take years? Who's right? Editor Madhu Unnikrishnan and Airlines Reporter Edward "Ned" Russell get into it. And we also take a look at the Mexico market and why Volaris is so bullish, as well as when business travel might return. Learn more by subscribing to Airline Weekly.

We're in the thick of U.S. airline first-quarter earnings, and executives almost across the board are optimistic that the industry has turned the corner. But is that optimism misplaced? Brazil, after all, offers a cautionary tale of how the virus isn't yet done with us.   Stay on top of airline news with a subscription to Airline Weekly. 

After not getting any aid from the Canadia government, Air Canada finally got about $5 billion in assistance. Skift Airlines Reporter Edward "Ned" Russell and Airline Weekly Editor Madhu Unnikrishnan discuss what this might mean, why Latam is retiring its A350s, and what are they smoking at Frontier's HQ in Denver to add so many routes? Get more with a subscription to Airline Weekly. 

It's a reunion for Brian Sumers, Skift editor at large, and Airline Weekly Editor Madhu Unnikrishnan, as they debate whether there really is that much pent-up demand for travel. Airlines are banking on it. Brian thinks there is, but Madhu is skeptical. Where do you fall on the issue?   Learn more at Airline Weekly.

Georgia's controversial new elections law caused a public relations nightmare for Delta Air Lines and its CEO Ed Bastian, whose first, tepid comment on the law caused immense blowback and calls to boycott the airline. Bastian reversed course and issued a more forceful condemnation, inviting Governor Brian Kemp's fury. Airline Weekly's Madhu Unnikrishnan and Edward "Ned" Russell discuss the perils that lie in wait for companies when they weigh in on thorny social issues and why CEOs increasingly feel compelled to have an opinion on social and political matters.   Stay ahead of aviation industry news at airlineweekly.com/subscribe  

Qatar Airways thinks leisure and visiting friends and relatives traffic will rebound this summer, and it thinks it has the right fleet for the moment. And Eurowings is betting the same, planning its first routes in Europe than don't go through its home base in Germany. But the virus is surging in Europe, and the pace of vaccinations worldwide may not be keeping up with airlines' hopes. Edward "Ned" Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan dive into these topics and into why Wall Street is betting big on Frontier Airlines' stock market debut.   Get daily updates at airlineweekly.com to better understand the industry.

U.S. airline CEOs are pretty confident that they've turned the corner. The pandemic isn't in the rearview mirror yet, but they're fairly certain travel will rebound this summer, and some think their airlines will return to profitability this year. Is that confidence misplaced? Will business travel ever be the same as it was? Edward "Ned" Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan get into it.   Get more essential airline news at airlineweekly.com

In this week's episode, Airline Weekly colleagues Edward "Ned" Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan get into why going public may not be the craziest idea of an airline, despite the once-in-a-century industry-wide crisis. They also look at why Lufthansa is opening its fortress hubs at Munich and Frankfurt to its own subsidiaries. And does IATA's Alexandre de Juniac really think leisure traffic will take off this summer?   Get more essential airline news at airlineweekly.com/subscribe

Much of the world is trapped at home and shopping online. Who's transporting all those goods? Airlines, and cargo. has been the one silver lining in the airline's terrible pandemic year. But it's not a savior; airlines still are losing money. Edward "Ned" Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan talk all things cargo and look at why United is buying more Boeing 737 Max aircraft.   Stay informed about essential aviation news with a subscription to Airline Weekly.