Airspace Closures Expose the Power – and Fragility – of the Gulf’s Big 3 Airlines
The same geography that allowed Gulf carriers to dominate long-haul travel is also their greatest vulnerability.
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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Qantas: Hoping to Hop Higher
Qantas is flying high again. Strong domestic demand, booming premium cabins, and a disciplined strategy have pushed the Australian flag carrier to a steady 11% annual margin. But management wants more – especially internationally. In this week’s feature story, we examine how the 'Flying Kangaroo' plans to make the leap.
Extreme Travel Disruption After U.S. and Israel Attack Iran
Coming after weeks of escalating tension, these attacks are not entirely surprising, but their impact on the travel industry will still be enormous.
IAG Sees U.S. ‘Rebound’ – Even Economy Travel is Stabilizing
Premium travelers are still driving profits, but improving economy bookings suggest the North Atlantic market is more resilient than some feared.
Has JetBlue’s Transatlantic Growth Hit a Ceiling?
JetBlue’s transatlantic ambitions are beginning to meet practical limits. Summer 2026 reflects an airline fine-tuning growth as slot constraints, fleet availability, and intensifying competition test its model.
Loyalty, Latin America, and Premium Leisure: What to Watch in IAG’s Annual Results
Airline earnings season often reveals more through comparison than individual results. On Friday, IAG will be the second of Europe’s big three to report, offering valuable insight into the health of the industry.
The Great British Airline Loyalty Battle
As many British Airways flyers brace for status downgrades, rivals are seizing a rare chance to convince the UK’s most valuable travelers that there’s another way.
Oneworld Appoints New CEO as Airline Alliances Fight for Relevance
As joint ventures and other bespoke partnerships reshape global aviation, alliances must prove they still matter.
For Airline Weekly Subscribers
Where Will UAE Carriers Go Next?
Dubai built Emirates to drive economic growth — and succeeded beyond imagination. Now a new chapter is unfolding. Emirates is expanding cautiously, while FlyDubai and Etihad push aggressively into new markets and Air Arabia carries low-cost flying further afield. With hundreds of aircraft on order, new hubs taking shape, and regional competition intensifying, the Gulf aviation story is evolving quickly. We explore what might come next in this week’s feature story.
Air France-KLM Hits €2 Billion Profit Milestone as Premium Anchors Outlook
Premium travelers, led by U.S. outbound, are keeping Europe’s network carriers profitable even as demand in the rest of the plane – and other parts of the world – softens.