Personalized Tech, Same Old Seats? The Challenge of Keeping Airlines Unique
The integration gap between seats and screens is finally being closed, but airlines risk commoditizing their premium market with cookie-cutter 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 25 airline CEOs, often helping make headlines along the way. Send stories/tips via Signal: smithgme.01
Former FAA Chief Mike Whitaker to Join IndiGo Board
To get Whitaker onboard just three months after his departure from the FAA is quite the coup from an increasingly bullish IndiGo.
Long-Haul to Saudi on a Budget Airline: Flyadeal Seals First Widebody Order
Think Middle Eastern low-cost carriers are just about short regional hops? Think again — flyadeal wants to disrupt the long-haul game.
Is Virgin Atlantic’s Return to Asia-Pacific More Obligation or Opportunity?
With the closure of Russian airspace resulting in flight times of up 14.5 hours, and lots of low-yielding leisure passengers, this probably isn't a dream route for Virgin Atlantic — but it'll be trying its best to make the numbers add up.
United Gets Green Light from U.S. DOT for New Asia Routes
United already claims to be the “world's leading carrier across the Pacific” – these additions, plus others already in motion, will strengthen its bragging rights over U.S. rivals.
For Airline Weekly Subscribers
Will United’s Loyal Customers Shield it From a Downturn?
Brand loyal. Brand loyal. Brand loyal. Say that 31 times. Then again? You don’t need to. United already did. No kidding. In its Q1 earnings call last week, United repeated the phrase over and over, keen to underscore one of its chief arguments: That it is winning with travelers who care about more than just price. In this week's feature story, we crunch through the commentary from Kirby and Co.
Is the Beige Age Over? Airline Interiors Get a Design Upgrade
So long, farewell and auf wieder-beige to samey neutrals, with big bold statement accents on their way to cheer us all up in the cabin.
First Look Inside Riyadh Air’s 787: CEO Tony Douglas Talks Design, Detail, and Disruption
Speaking with Skift, Douglas offers a candid insight into the development of aircraft interiors that will set the tone for the largest airline start-up in a generation.
UK Easter Travel Takes Off: 11,200+ Flights and 2 Million Seats Scheduled
With most Brits enjoying both Friday and Monday off, the Easter long weekend is a critical sales period for the UK travel industry and an early test of operational readiness.
Chinese Airlines Told to Halt Boeing Orders: What It Means for Both Sides
Chinese enthusiasm for Boeing aircraft has cooled in recent years, but be under no doubt – Boeing needs China and Chinese airlines still need U.S. planes.