United CEO Defends Vision for American Merger in Unusual Public Memo
Scott Kirby is using the dead American Airlines merger to pitch a new narrative — but don’t forget, his real audience is in D.C. rather than Dallas.
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
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Alaska Air’s Mounting Troubles
Drama, drama, in the air. Drama, drama everywhere. The U.S. airline industry is witnessing dramatic changes indeed. No, United isn’t merging with American. But Southwest is quietly achieving a heroic turnaround, posting Delta-like profit margins. But as Southwest soars, Alaska Airlines is flying in the opposite direction. We take a closer look in this week’s feature story.
Abu Dhabi Was a Mistake — Wizz Air’s CEO Says He’ll Make More
Wizz Air was burned by its Abu Dhabi experiment. CEO József Váradi suggests that's the cost of pushing boundaries — and he intends to keep pushing.
Emirates’ Tim Clark Thinks You’ll Forget This Crisis Ever Happened
Clark's bounceback thesis rests on a single assumption: that the Iran war ends soon. If it doesn't, short memories won't count for much.
5 Fuel Shocks, 5 Very Different Endings: What History Tells Us About This One
Airlines are hoping 2026 is a short, sharp fuel shock, but with supply routes at risk and fewer policy tools available, this crisis could last longer and test demand in ways recent history hasn’t.
China’s Comac Lands Its Most Significant International Customer Yet
The plane in this deal isn't what will trouble Airbus and Boeing – it's the customer. Vietjet is exactly the kind of fast-growing, Western-aligned operator that Comac needs if it wants to prove its jets can sell anywhere other than China.
For Airline Weekly Subscribers
Island Fever: Puerto Rico’s Miracle Recovery
Few markets shine brighter than Puerto Rico, where booming tourism and shifting airline strategies have resulted in a remarkable surge. Now, rising fuel costs and industry shakeups are testing that momentum. We take a closer look in this week’s feature story.
For Airline Weekly Subscribers
Could United Really Merge with American Airlines?
Will two of America's biggest airlines become one? Gordon and Jay dig into whether a United-American mega-merger is actually on the table and ask what further consolidation would mean for the industry.
Lufthansa Is Shutting Down an Entire Airline — With Immediate Effect
Lufthansa had CityLine marked for eventual closure before the Iran war. Soaring fuel prices and labor unrest just ripped away any remaining patience for a gradual wind-down.
The $495 Nap: Bunk Beds Are Coming to Economy Class This Fall
Sleep is the hottest new ancillary product in the economy cabin. Air New Zealand is first to market – but expect the entire industry to be watching closely.