The Air Show

This week, John Ostrower and Brian Sumers discuss Ryanair's recent financial performance and its chief executive's extremely disciplined focus on its growth and cost control strategies — and his colorful dismissals of anything in the way of its goals. (Please be advised this episode contains bleeped vulgarities that are direct quotes, not commentary from the hosts.)We would like to thank Plusgrade for supporting The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

With Mesa set to merge into Republic, Brian Sumers, Jon Ostrower, and Brett Snyder look at what's coming for a shrinking industry. They ask whether mainline airlines still need so many regional partners now that E175s and CRJs are much more expensive to operate than ever, and they discuss whether there's any new aircraft technology coming that might disrupt the regional industry.We would like to thank Pittsburgh International Airport and TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

This episode is about the finer things. Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder discuss the ever-escalating race to premium, including United's forthcoming changes to its premium international service, and Delta and American's investments in and strategies for their premium offerings.We would like to thank Plusgrade and TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

This week, Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder discuss EWR's air traffic control staffing and equipment issues, and the decision to relocate operations to Pennsylvania with special guest Will Guisbond from The Air Current. Then, Brett and Jon talk about the potential partnership between JetBlue and United Airlines, driven by JetBlue's need for a domestic partner and United's desire to re-enter JFK.We would like to thank TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Impacts from the trade war with China are landing at Boeing and in U.S. aviation more broadly. Due to high tariffs, Chinese airlines are declining to take deliveries of Boeing aircraft — as many as 50 planes destined for China this year will need to be re-marketed to new buyers. But that's just the beginning of it, as Jon Ostrower explains. China's long-term goal is to be self-sufficient in aerospace, with projects like the C919 and C929. As the geopolitical winds shift, it may look to Embraer as a potential partner rather than Boeing and Airbus.We would like to thank Plusgrade and Rokt for supporting The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Brett Snyder has been watching Spirit's network strategy closely, and this week he floats the idea that Spirit is not only becoming more like Sun Country but it could benefit from joining forces with the airline.  Brian Sumers, however, thinks this is ridiculous.  Come join them and Jon Ostrower as they float statistics in a very... spirited... debate.We would like to thank Rokt for supporting The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Jon Ostrower and Brian Sumers talk about United's earnings call, and the challenges surfacing for Boeing now with delivering aircraft to Chinese airlines. Plus: Brian and Jon answer your questions about ultra-long-haul flying, OEM's commitment to sustainability, and where Avelo Airlines is "cooked."We would like to thank Intelsat for supporting The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

With economic uncertainty casting a shadow over the U.S. economy, Brian Sumers, Brett Snyder, and Jon Ostrower dive into the impact this will have on both the aircraft manufacturers and the airlines themselves. (Spoiler alert: it's not good news.)We would like to thank Intelsat for supporting The Air Show.

Jon Ostrower brings the latest news from Airbus's recent summit in Toulouse: planned innovations in aircraft, efficiency and sustainability, despite an increasingly fragmented global economic and political world. Ostrower tells Brett Snyder the next decade will be “the homework years” — when a lot of work gets done and technology developed to inform a more productive future. And in the U.S., as Boeing continues its push to reshape its culture and industrial operation, there are early signs of progress.We would like to thank Rokt and Intelsat for supporting The Air Show.

Amid economic and political uncertainty in North America, everyone is trying to read the tea leaves, memes and booking data to figure out what's going on, and that includes the leadership of Canadian and Mexican airlines. Brett Snyder and Brian Sumers talk about what executives are saying and doing about transborder flying in North America, going into the summer season and looking ahead to the '25-26 sun season.We would like to thank Rokt and TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

This week, Brett Snyder, Jon Ostrower and Brian Sumers discuss President Trump's pick for FAA administrator: Bryan Bedford, CEO of Republic Airways. They also discuss Spirit Airlines' turnaround plan as it emerges from four months of bankruptcy protection, and what it did (and did not) accomplish during that period.We would like to thank TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Amid uncertainty in the U.S. economy and political climate, airlines say they're seeing softness in domestic demand. How bad is it? Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder followed the J.P. Morgan Industrials conference this week and they discuss whether airlines are taking this seriously enough or whether they are in denial, and whether Southwest has any real strategy, or whether it's just coasting on its reputation.We would like to thank TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Brett Snyder's annual Cranky Network Awards is the event of the year and the place to be for the airline industry professionals that some people (possibly his co-hosts on this podcast) think are the nerdiest of the aviation nerds: network planners. In all seriousness (well, not all...), Brian Sumers, Jon Ostrower and Brett talk about the winners, what makes routes sexy or not, and the behind-the-scenes (and grooming routines) of this year's prestigious bash.We would like to thank TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Southwest Airlines is in a major transition — layoffs, an activist investor, and a changing product. Of course, it's an especially major transition for this airline because of its conservative culture, strategy, and history. Brett Snyder, Brian Sumers and Jon Ostrower debate the impact of Elliott Management's involvement, former CEO Gary Kelly's legacy, and the potential for new leadership to drive change.We would like to thank TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

United thinks it has found a way to once and for all make the airline Chicago's dominant player, but American is still standing in the way. Jon and Brett talk about exactly what United has found, and then discuss what American's options are.  It's going to be a roller coaster of a decade at O'Hare.We would like to thank TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Brian Sumers, Brett Snyder, and Jon Ostrower discuss Boom's recent supersonic test flights — a big achievement for the start-up — and the challenges ahead. Is there a market for a return to supersonic commercial flight? Is there enough money to develop an airliner? Can Boom develop its own engine?We would like to thank TCG Digital for supporting The Air Show.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder discuss the tragic collision of American Eagle flight 5342 and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington National Airport last week, ending an unprecedented era of US aviation safety. Jon Ostrower talks through what is known about the incident, what is ahead as the NTSB investigates, and the potential impacts of speculation  — on social media and by officials — in shaping public perception after disasters like this.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us, and thank you for listening to the show.

Brian Sumers puts Brett Snyder on the hot seat on a bunch of things going on at US airlines this month. They discuss schedule changes JetBlue made in Boston and New York, and rapid-fire questions about American and Chicago, Hawaiian and its 787s, new capacity in Anchorage, and the Delta show at CES.We would like to thank TCG Digital and Juliett Alpha for sponsoring this episode.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

As it plans to emerge from bankruptcy, America's first ULCC is trying to reinvent itself as a more upscale airline with higher costs. Spirit Airlines says it needs to move upmarket to attract new customers who want a better product. But hosts Brian Sumers, Jon Ostrower, and Brett Snyder are skeptical. They wonder if this is just a short pit stop on the way to consolidation.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us, and thank you for listening to the show.

It's our final episode of 2024! Brett Snyder, Brian Sumers and Jon Ostrower chat about what 2025 may bring: mergers and a new regulatory environment? a handoff at the FAA? assigned seating on an airline previously opposed to assigned seating? Plus: The Air Show's top interview requests for 2025.We would like to thank Juliett Alpha for sponsoring this episode.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us, and thank you for listening to the show.

Ben Minicucci joins the show to discuss Alaska's big news today — and then some. Minicucci talks about the airline's aggressive growth plans, which it says target $1 billion in incremental profits by 2027. Those plans include new international routes to Asia next year, building up and defending its Seattle hub, expanding premium and loyalty offerings, and more.We would like to thank Accelya for sponsoring this episode.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

The top U.S.-based airline continues to play it cool. Delta's execs were casual during the airline's most recent investor day — yes, Delta's targeting younger, more affluent customers and it's experimenting with A.I. for revenue management, but why overstate the possibilities? Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder talk about the state of calm, cool, confident Delta. Is it too confident? Could it use some humility, as United is motivated to overtake it?We would like to thank Juliett Alpha for sponsoring this episode.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Marty St. George joins the show this week to discuss his second stint at JetBlue, this time as president. With Brian Sumers, Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder, St. George discusses the turnaround he intends to oversee at the struggling JetBlue to improve its profitability, culture, and operations (called Jet Forward). St. George also talked about how he's evolved as a manager and decision-maker, his dream airplane and how to deal with the effects of Pratt engine issues, and more.We would like to thank Accelya for sponsoring this episode.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

The A321XLR entered service with Iberia on November 14, and so begins the next generation of long-haul, narrowbody flying. Will this usher in an era of new and exciting routes or will it just end up being a 757 replacement? Brett, Brian, and Jon ponder that topic in this week's episode.Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Is the drama over? Is this a ceasefire? An agreement to cooperate? Brett Snyder, Brian Sumers and Jon Ostrower discuss the recent détente between Southwest Airlines and Elliott Investment Management. Elliott gained five of Southwest's 13 board seats, and the two sides agreed to table the rest of their disagreements until Valentine's Day 2026. Will Southwest fix its revenue problem by then?We would like to thank Rokt for sponsoring this episode.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

The Boeing strike continues. On Wednesday, 64% of machinists rejected Boeing's negotiated proposal, extending the strike indefinitely. Earlier that day, Boeing's third-quarter earnings revealed an expected $6.2 billion loss and an official delay until 2026 of the 777X. It's not great, for really anyone. Jon Ostrower discusses the dynamics here with Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder. We would like to thank our sponsor, Intelsat.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

United Airlines is making moves and announcing splashy new routes — the kind you might expect from an airline with a healthy balance sheet and an innovative network chief. And still, there were some surprise additions to United's plans. Brett Snyder and Brian Sumers discuss Patrick Quayle's approach, including the airline's out-of-the-box new routes from Newark and Tokyo Narita.We would like to thank Rokt for sponsoring this episode.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Brett Snyder and Jon Ostrower discuss Q2 2024 data for the domestic airline market. American Airlines faced significant challenges. Southwest, in contrast, actually did alright! This DOT data set also sheds light on the performance of new-ish ultra-low-cost carriers, Avelo and Breeze, which are privately held.We would like to thank our sponsor, Intelsat.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Brett Snyder recaps his trip to Dallas for Southwest Airlines' investor day, even though we already knew the news: assigned seating, expanded extra-legroom sections, and network changes, plus how Southwest is planning to improve productivity. And the big question: will all of this be enough to please Elliott Management, Southwest's activist investor?We would like to thank our sponsors, Rokt and TCG Digital.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Now that the U.S. government has approved the merger, Brett Snyder, Brian Sumers, and Jon Ostrower talk (and speculate) about how Alaska might navigate the logistics of acquiring Hawaiian. Alaska has a lot of work to do to combine the airlines' fleet, loyalty programs, and network strategy. It also needs to do something highly unusual for a U.S. airline — run two full-service brands on a single operating certificate.We would like to thank our sponsors, Intelsat and TCG Digital.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

It was a busy week in the aviation world in the Pacific Northwest. We'll get to the Alaska-Hawaiian merger soon — this week Jon Ostrower, Brett Snyder and Brian Sumers talk about the strike by the largest group of workers at Boeing, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). The strike, the first in 16 years, affects production on the 737, 767, and 777 lines. Boeing's financial response includes a hiring freeze, travel cuts, and furloughs (and more).We would like to thank our sponsors, Rokt and TCG Digital.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

The U.S. Department of Transportation informed the four biggest airlines it would like more information about their frequent flyer programs because it is concerned about hidden pricing, extra fees, devaluation of rewards and miles, and reduced competition. Brian Sumers, Brett Snyder and Jon Ostrower discuss DOT's apparent interest in this crucial aspect of the airline business, the timing (and the politics) of the inquiry, and the potential for regulatory intervention.We would like to thank our sponsors, Intelsat and TCG Digital.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

This week Jon Ostrower and Brian Sumers discuss Airbus — its history, its engineering and development strategies, and its approach toward sales. Ostrower and Sumers also explain how Airbus' relentless desire to make its aircraft incrementally better over time has given it an advantage over Boeing (at least for now).We would like to thank Ferrovial and TCG Digital for sponsoring The Air Show.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

It's August and we've been on vacation recently, so our inbox is pretty stuffed with emails, feedback and questions from you. Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder read feedback from a former CEO (whose former company was the subject of a recent episode) and answer listeners' questions about the fate of ULCCs in Europe, Southwest's metal needs, exemplary C-suite behavior, and more.We would like to thank Ferrovial and TCG Digital for sponsoring The Air Show.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Avelo found a good thing in New Haven and grew into Hartford.  Breeze had been in Hartford, but now it's going into New Haven. Despite these seemingly related movies, this might actually be about... JetBlue? Listen in to hear about this grand battle, and stay for the Revolutionary War history.We would like to thank Ferrovial and TCG Digital for sponsoring The Air Show.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Jon Ostrower spent time at this year's Farnborough International Airshow, and he brought back all kinds of knowledge to share. Who had the most orders (and does anyone care)? What airplane is going to be able to take off on its own? Who might very well be running Boeing by the time this episode goes live? It's all there this week. A programming note: This is our last episode before a two week break. We'll be back the week of August 19.We would like to thank Ferrovial and TCG Digital for sponsoring The Air Show.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

It is not looking great for ultra-low-cost carriers based in the U.S. — especially Frontier and Spirit. Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder discuss what's making business tough for the ULCCs, a dark prediction for the sector from a premium airline's CCO, and some possible solutions for these airlines.We would like to thank TCG Digital for sponsoring The Air Show.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Alaska Airlines is on a mission to do something about its dark, dismal winters (and no, we're not just talking about this past winter's foibles). The airline has been trying to figure out a profitable winter strategy that works for its West Coast-heavy network since its very gloomy 2023 Q1. Brian Sumers, Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder discuss the new routes the airline announced this week, and what it forecasts for the U.S.'s fifth largest airline.We would like to thank TCG Digital for sponsoring this episode.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Delta had a strong second quarter and its executives were more talkative than usual about the state of the industry. Brian Sumers and Jon Ostrower discussed Delta's numbers, its fleet management and operations, and the issue of overcapacity in the US airline market.We would like to thank TCG Digital for sponsoring this episode.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

The last twelve years have been a transformative era for WestJet — management has added complexity and made strategic decisions yielding mixed results for the current business climate. But it's a more interesting and complicated story than that, as Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder discuss. We would like to thank TCG Digital for sponsoring this episode.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Jon Ostrower talks with Brett Snyder about the two days he spent at Boeing this week, touring factories and walking the line and hearing from Boeing executives...and what happened when the NTSB heard what was going on. Visit theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

Weeks ago, we planned to discuss Southwest's underperformance — but so much has happened since then. Legacy-loving Southwest now has an activist investor, which bought more than 10 percent of company shares and has launched an effort to blow up the board and fire CEO Bob Jordan. Brett Snyder, Jon Ostrower and Brian Sumers discuss the post-pandemic state of Southwest that likely led Elliott Investment Management to make this play for control, and the play itself. Questions, comments, or suggestions? Get in touch with us: theairshowpodcast.com

Jon Ostrower and Brian Sumers interview Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith, and they catch up with Brett Snyder about this year's IATA annual general meeting — how useful it is as an observer of the industry, the elevator interactions with airline executives (the good, the bad and the very awkward), and Enrique Iglesias.

United CEO Scott Kirby joins Brian Sumers and Jon Ostrower for a wide-ranging interview from the IATA general meeting in Dubai. Kirby discussed Boeing and the duopoly of airplane manufacturers, his outlook on United's competitors and U.S.-based ULCCs, and his analysis of United's success.We would like to thank Anuvu for their sponsorship of The Air Show.Questions, responses or feedback? Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.

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.