We Have to Talk About Mergers

The Government is Making Things Worse

There’s been overwhelming weirdness in the decisions coming out of the federal government, and it is creating real harm in this industry. Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder talk about the President weighing in about a rumored United-American merger, Trump's suggestion that the government bail out Spirit, and the heated transcripts of an FAA meeting around who could fly what at O'Hare. We would like to thank Plusgrade [https://www.plusgrade.com/] for supporting The Air Show. Show Notes: U.S. DOT/FAA - Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) Scheduling Reduction Meeting Transcripts – https://www.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2004-16944-0165 [https://www.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2004-16944-0165]

We Have to Talk About Mergers

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said recently that the administration would like to see one of the larger airlines buy one of the smaller ones. At around the same time, Bloomberg reported that United talked about buying American. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder discuss how real any of this is, and what it would look like if any of the U.S. airlines merged.

Breeze's Lukas Johnson Sounds Off

Brian Sumers talks with Lukas Johnson, Breeze Airways' opinionated chief commercial officer, to get his views on demand, fuel costs, credit card revenues and the power of an airline's brand. He also tells us who he thinks should replace Robert Isom (if Isom is let go) and why he's happy to be known as the industry's second-most arrogant commercial mind. Thanks to Gilat Stellar Blu [https://www.gilat.com/about-gilat/gilat-stellar-blu/] for sponsoring this episode.

Oil, and the Rest of the World

U.S. airlines may be cautiously optimistic about the effect that high oil prices will have on their bottom line, but not so much executives at non-U.S. airlines. Fuel is really expensive out there for them. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder talk about the real concerns those companies have about covering their costs. Thanks to Flagstaff Pulliam Airport [https://flyflagstaffaz.com/] for sponsoring this episode.

United’s Media Day Extravaganza

Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder report back from United's media day where new hard products were shown off on several different aircraft. It was also on full display that the airline has been preparing for the next downturn with strategies that allow it to move forward with long term plans even when things don’t look good in the short term.   We would like to thank Plusgrade [https://www.plusgrade.com/] for supporting The Air Show.