The Air Show

Alaska Airlines recently announced its plan to join American’s immunized joint ventures over the North Pacific and over the Atlantic. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers, and Brett Snyder talk about the competitive and regulatory stakes, and how decades of airline policy, open-skies agreements, and consolidation shaped today’s global partnerships. Thanks to this episode's sponsors: Alaska–Hawaiian pilots, Plusgrade, and Tulsa International Airport.

Alaska Airlines President and CFO Shane Tackett joins Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers, and Brett Snyder in front of a live audience in Seattle to talk about Alaska's media and investor day. They talk about the company's push into premium travel, its plans for 737 MAX 10 transcontinental service, free Starlink Wi-Fi, and more. Thanks to SkyGo and PlusGrade for sponsoring this week's episode.

Airline lounges have evolved from exclusive perks into a powerful revenue engine driven by memberships, premium tickets, and credit card partnerships. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers, and Brett Snyder unpack the increasingly complicated rules behind lounge access, the rise of premium card lounges, and why overcrowding is forcing airlines to rethink the airport experience. Thanks to Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines Pilots, SkyGo and PlusGrade for sponsoring this week's episode

Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder dissect the airlines’ plans for summer 2027, led by the rapid rollout of the Airbus A321XLR. It's supposed to be the game changer for longer, thinner routes, and they examine how United, American and Air Canada are each approaching the aircraft a little differently with routes to Europe and Asia. Thanks to the Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines Pilots and Flex Pay by Upgrade for sponsoring this episode.

Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder unpack American Airlines's latest course corrections to play catch-up with Delta and United, from adding more premium seats and bringing back screens to reshuffling senior leadership. It's good news, but is it happening quickly enough? Thanks to this week's sponsor Flex Pay by Upgrade.