Cranky Flier LLC
Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder discuss the business of the sky on this aviation podcast.
Jon Ostrower is back to talk about what he saw at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK. He tells Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder about the breakthrough of a Saab 340B modified with a hybrid electric power design, how the show was surprisingly weighted towards the defense industry, and more. Thank you to SkyGo for sponsoring this week's episode.
Transatlantic strategies are pretty well set for North American carriers, but transpacific strategies are definitely not. Delta seems to be making its move now, though Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder disagree on whether this should have happened earlier. This week, we talk about that and all the airlines that are trying to cement their place across the Pacific. Thank you to SkyGo for sponsoring this week's episode.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office came out with a new report on airline competition and the challenges for lower-cost airlines. But Brett Snyder and guest host Courtney Miller, founder and managing director of Visual Approach, poke holes in why this report isn’t all that useful, even if it’s not a bad report itself. Thank you to Points, a Plusgrade company and SkyGo for sponsoring this week's episode. SHOW NOTES: GAO's report, "AIRLINE COMPETITION: Indicators Suggest Increased Competition in the Past Two Decades, but Lower-Cost Airlines Face Challenges" - https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-26-107740.pdf
A listener asked why can’t an airline be successful doing either a premium or, at least, an elevated experience? Something like a resurrected Midwest Express? Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder explain how the economics – from segmentation to upselling – make it pretty hard for that to be viable. Thanks to SkyGo for sponsoring this episode. Got your own question? Send it to info@theairshowpodcast.com
Hawaiʻi is more than paradise, it's also home to the unique and complex interisland market. Between the dramatically shifting demand and the nature of the flying that limits the choice of fleet, Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder talk about how airlines like Hawaiian and Southwest have to successfully navigate this important market. Thanks to SkyGo for sponsoring this episode. The Air Show will be taking a break for the July 4th weekend. We'll be back the following week.
Brian Sumers and Jon Ostrower are back from the IATA annual general meeting in Rio. They tell Brett Snyder about what they saw and heard, from how US airlines aren't worried about the price of fuel to the way fares are moving differently in the US compared to Europe. Thank you to Points, a Plusgrade company, for sponsoring this week's episode. SHOW NOTES: The number of times Scott Kirby has been mentioned on the show
U.S. aviation, the world’s original air travel marketplace, is going backwards rapidly. That's what Jon Ostrower argues, and he says there are signs in things like premium, capacity and airports. He'll try to convince Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder that America's aviation industry is on the verge of a major structural shift. Thank you to Points, a Plusgrade company, for sponsoring this week's episode.
With its largest airline – Spirit – out of business, FLL has become a fascinating airport where airlines are all jockeying for position. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder talk about which airlines are trying to get a leg up in Fort Lauderdale and, for that matter, all of South Florida. Thank you to Points, a Plusgrade company, for sponsoring this week's episode.
Just a few months after selling its ill-fated hotel in Florida, Allegiant completed one of its most profitable quarters in recent memory. Now, it needs to focus on how it can make its acquisition of Sun Country a winner. With the deal now closed, Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers, and Brett Snyder explain how the acquisition fits into Allegiant's strategy for growth.
Spirit is the first major airline to have abruptly shut down in the U.S. since 1991. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder explain how the government, from the Obama Administration to now, all had a role in the company's demise. Thanks to Plusgrade for sponsoring this episode.
The Airbus A220 Stretch, aka the A220-500, is a plane that's stalked the industry since the C Series was launched in 2008. But it sure looks like Airbus is getting closer to bringing it to reality. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder talk about why it was a threat to Boeing then, but not to Boeing now. We would like to thank Delight.ai for supporting The Air Show.
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 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
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.
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 for sponsoring this episode.
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 for sponsoring this episode.
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 for supporting The Air Show.
U.S. airlines gave an update of the business at the JP Morgan Industrials Conference and, despite the state of the world and spiking fuel prices, they basically said everything is awesome. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder explain the reasons why the airlines are optimistic, including high consumer demand.
The war in Iran sent a massive wave of disruption to flights operating throughout the region and any flight crossing overhead because it's a major aerial thoroughfare between India, Australia, Southeast Asia and Europe. Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder examine the long-term effect on flows to places like Dubai and Doha as superconnecting hubs, and the impact that the swings in oil prices will have on all airlines globally.
Spirit Airlines has a plan to save itself by adjusting to seasonal demand, pivoting into more premium seats and shrinking its debt and lease obligations. Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder break down whether the move will revive the Spirit brand. Plus, the FAA is stepping in to mediate the "arms race" by American and United to win future gate space at O'Hare. Reach top leadership and decision-makers at airlines around the world by sponsoring The Air Show. We are currently booking campaigns for 2026. Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.
United announced major changes last week to its MileagePlus loyalty program. It soon will offer the biggest incentives to credit cardholders, while removing perks from other flyers. Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder discuss why it's a good thing that United is rewarding its best customers, even if some travelers are upset. Reach top leadership and decision-makers at airlines around the world by sponsoring The Air Show. We are currently booking campaigns for 2026. Visit www.theairshowpodcast.com to get in touch with us.