229 episodes

Hosted by Ben Baldanza, former CEO Spirit Airlines & Scott McCartney, former Wall Street Journal Aviation Editor/Columnist "The Middle Seat". Top stories, discussion, listener questions, and passenger complaints are all addressed head-on in each episode.

Airlines Confidential Podcast Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

    • Business
    • 4.3 • 97 Ratings

Hosted by Ben Baldanza, former CEO Spirit Airlines & Scott McCartney, former Wall Street Journal Aviation Editor/Columnist "The Middle Seat". Top stories, discussion, listener questions, and passenger complaints are all addressed head-on in each episode.

    229 - This week: Doug Parker, Fmr CEO, American Airlines with TSA safety concerns.

    229 - This week: Doug Parker, Fmr CEO, American Airlines with TSA safety concerns.

    This week: Doug Parker, Fmr CEO, American Airlines, outlines serious TSA safety concerns. Ben's AI "New Voice Option" (NVO); Spirit & JetBlue go it alone - Next moves? New proposed rule for handling wheelchairs; Fare fact errors made by Tim Wu on CNBC; Listener Qs on useful life of a commercial aircraft, business model for airport lounges.

    • 57 min
    228 - Zane Kerby, Pres & CEO at ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors;

    228 - Zane Kerby, Pres & CEO at ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors;

    This week: Zane Kerby, President & CEO at ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors; 2023 numbers show safest year in aviation; Boeing supervision; AA same-day standby changes; What's with all the new Brisbane flights? Catherine & Richard Dotson remain at SAV; Listener Q: Overhead bin utilization, and a Flight Attendant asks how management really views F/As.

    • 44 min
    227 - Maya Leibman, Fmr. EVP/Chief Information Officer, American Airlines

    227 - Maya Leibman, Fmr. EVP/Chief Information Officer, American Airlines

    This week: Maya Leibman, Fmr. EVP/Chief Information Officer, American Airlines; It's in the bag - increased fees and a bag revenue rundown in the billions; Delta's Amex credit limit for fuel; Shakeup at Boeing not what was expected - puts women in charge of rescue; AA changes agency ticket policies; Listener Q: Decision process for serving a new airport?

    • 47 min
    226 - Brett Snyder, President & Chief Airline Dork, Cranky Flier

    226 - Brett Snyder, President & Chief Airline Dork, Cranky Flier

    This week: Brett Snyder, President & Chief Airline Dork, Cranky Flier; Delivery and backlog numbers for Boeing & Airbus; Carl Icahn picks up two JetBlue Board seats; The Atlantic article on carry-ons reaches a questionable conclusion; Listener Q on skipping a leg; Why did Spirit focus on A319s?

    • 51 min
    225 - Jay Sorensen, Ancillary Revenue, A la Carte Pricing, Frequent Flyer (FFP) Consultant

    225 - Jay Sorensen, Ancillary Revenue, A la Carte Pricing, Frequent Flyer (FFP) Consultant

    This week: Jay Sorensen, Ancillary Revenue, A la Carte Pricing, Frequent Flyer (FFP) Consultant; Marty St George returns to JetBlue as President; Spirit's average passenger fare drops, CEO Ted Christie comments on Spirit's future; Administrator Mike Whitaker outlines Boeing actions including FAA inspectors on site; Sen. Ted Cruz requests special TSA treatment for lawmakers; Listener Q: What if 737-Max doesn't fly again?

    • 43 min
    224 - This week: Mike Leskinen, EVP/Chief Financial Officer, United Airlines

    224 - This week: Mike Leskinen, EVP/Chief Financial Officer, United Airlines

    This week: Mike Leskinen, EVP/Chief Financial Officer, United Airlines; Boeing's situation in 2024; JetBlue's new plan includes a new fee; Frontier introduces a Biz fare bundle via agency GDS; AA adds #1989, and Taylor is scheduled to make the big game; Listener Q: Basic Economy threat to ULCCs? Focus Cities, Hubs, Fortress Hubs.

    • 50 min

Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5
97 Ratings

97 Ratings

peterhill3505 ,

Always insightful and entertaining

Look, Ben and Scott are awesome and I look forward to this podcast every week. I don’t always agree with their views on the airline business (as a passenger at least) but their discussions are always thoughtful and piquant, and their positions earnest.

It’s unfortunat that the review average has been distorted by people with petty grievances. The fact that they (very mildly) encouraged people to get vaccinated and believe there is actually a pilot shortage shouldn’t discourage you from listening. You’ll learn a ton of interesting stuff.

Brianep ,

Love the show

I love the show, it’s very informative, entertaining, and always engaging. One request of the hosts - please, please invest in higher quality microphones. Most of the time you sound like you’re recording the podcast in a barrel. Sound quality could really use an improvement.

Vinn3208 ,

Because of Ben!

I only listen because Ben is a funny guy who uses his industry expertise to provide opinion to the stories shaping the industry. However, it seems like Chris is always annoyed or disagreeing with him during any opinion piece. Chris is smart, from what I can tell, but I don’t think this podcast is doing him any favors. He seems miserable.

If Ben could get a new host, there would be a better listening experience for everyone! Ben may become alive again, and the show will succeed!

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