Tetris at 35,000 Feet: Airlines Reshape Business Class to Fit More Seats
The focus was once on complete commonality across fleets. Now, more airlines seem willing to add cost and complexity to squeeze in more business class seats.
Gordon Smith is Airlines Editor at Skift and Editor at Airline Weekly. He’s covered the industry for more than 15 years across television, print, and digital platforms. Since joining Skift in January 2024, he has interviewed more than 20 airline CEOs, often helping make headlines along the way. Send stories/tips via Signal: smithgme.01
Austrian Airlines CEO Fact Checks ‘Exaggerated’ U.S. Border Stories
With headlines swirling about tourists denied entry into the U.S., Austrian Airlines CEO Annette Mann is stepping in to reframe the narrative. When fear threatens bookings, data can help limit the damage.
Qatar Airways CEO: Boeing Win Over Airbus was a ‘Very Close Call’
Al-Meer’s comments herald a bold new chapter anchored around U.S.-built aircraft, but they're also a reaffirmation of Qatar Airways’ pragmatic and often opportunistic fleet strategy.
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The Mean Seats of Singapore
Are the good times over for Singapore Airlines? Last week, it unveiled a lackluster 6% operating margin for the January-to-March quarter – roughly half the figure it earned at the same time last year. In this week's feature story, we assess the prospects for one of Asia’s most esteemed carriers.
First Class Is Back and Bigger than Ever — But Sometimes in Disguise
First class isn’t dead — it’s just evolving. As airlines chase high-margin passengers, luxe cabins are back, but often rebranded or reimagined as ‘business plus’ instead.
15 Hours Nonstop: Charlotte Gets Its First Ultra Long-Haul Route
Etihad’s bet on Charlotte underscores a broader strategy: using Abu Dhabi’s growing hub status, and its unique U.S. Pre-Clearance advantage, to build traffic beyond traditional gateways.
Thai Airways CEO: Rebuilding Confidence was Key to Profitable Turnaround
Thai Airways’ turnaround shows that rebuilding trust, not just balance sheets, is key to recovery. As the airline exits restructuring, the real test will be sustaining momentum in an increasingly competitive Asian hub landscape.
Qatar Airways Agrees Record-Breaking Boeing Order
This deal isn’t just about planes. It’s about geopolitics, supply chains, and Boeing reasserting dominance over Airbus after a bruising few years.
Why Flights Could be the Ultimate Test for Airbnb’s Ambitions
Getting involved in transportation could push the limits of Airbnb’s brand, regular operating margins, and its appetite for complexity.
Ex-Qatar Airways CEO Warns of ‘Very Turbulent’ Years Ahead
Just when airlines thought it was safe to grow again, Akbar Al Baker offers a different forecast: turbulent trade wars and a supply chain hijacked by global conflict. Seatbelts, it seems, should remain fastened.