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🌤️ Airlines’ Sunny Outlook
Airline executives still expressed optimism about 2026 despite surging jet fuel prices caused by the onset of the war on Iran.
Meghna Maharishi is Skift’s Airline Reporter, where she covers everything from loyalty programs to policy-making in Washington, D.C. She previously covered the airline industry at The Points Guy, worked on the investigative desk at CNBC, and did data visualization at CNN Politics. Send tips to Meghna on Signal at mmaharishi.61.
United Bets It Can Beat Fuel Surge — and Outprice Budget Rivals
United Airlines executives are bullish that the carrier will be able to completely offset rising fuel costs this year.
American Airlines Sees More Premium Demand, but Expects Fuel Prices to Hit Profits
American CEO Robert Isom said the carrier would have probably had a profitable first quarter if it weren’t for high fuel prices.
Delta CEO Says Demand Is Up, Despite High Jet Fuel Costs
Even as jet fuel costs continue to rise, Delta expects to increase its first-quarter guidance as premium demand remains strong.
United and Marriott Pitch Ad Strategies to Target Travelers on Plane and Hotel Screens
Marriott and United are pitching companies to place ads on their hotel and airline ad networks, citing BCG research that travelers spend impulsively while traveling.
Donations for Unpaid TSA Agents, Growing Lines: The Shutdown Hits U.S. Airports
Many airports are continuing to see long lines and wait times at security as TSA agents missed their first full paycheck during the partial shutdown.
Six Years After Covid, the Travel Industry Faces Another Stress Test
Even after the Covid shutdown forced airlines to rethink disruption management, the Middle East conflict shows the industry still struggles with the basics.
No Refunds, Long Waits, Canceled Rebookings: Travelers Face Airline Policy Chaos
Covid was supposed to give airlines a playbook on how to accommodate customers during a massive disruption. But the war in the Middle East is throwing that playbook into doubt.
Shutdown Triggers TSA Staffing Shortages and Hours-Long Airport Lines
TSA staffing shortages are creating significantly long wait times at security as agents miss their first paycheck during the partial government shutdown.
Steady Succession or Seismic Shift? Delta Shakes Up C-Suite
The changes come as Ed Bastian enters his second decade as CEO of the airline — he could be working to ensure the company’s business model thrives beyond the current generation of executives.