241 episodes
Airlines Confidential Podcast Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney
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- Business
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4.3 • 101 Ratings
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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.
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241 - Michael Landguth, Pres. & CEO, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
This week: Michael Landguth, Pres. & CEO, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority; American CEO Robert Isom fires CCO Vasu Raja, actual margins, a brain drain, and more @ AA; Weather issues at DFW; FAA meets with Boeing; A near collision at DCA; Listener Q: If Spirit went bankrupt how would other airlines react?
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240 - Chris Sloan: In depth on Hawaiian Airlines
This week: Chris Sloan: In depth on Hawaiian Airlines; Also: The reality of the London-Singapore flight story; Adding clarity to Frontier's pricing/change fee policy; Remembering Norm Mineta; Listener input: Calling out Allegiant on a "rip-off" ticketing fee, Expedia's multiple brands. Bonus interview content from AFA available at https://airlinesconfidential.com/afa2024
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239 - Simon Newton-Smith, SVP Americas, EL AL Israel Airlines
This week: Simon Newton-Smith, SVP Americas, EL AL Israel Airlines; Cirium seat capacity growth data; Airlines For America sues DOT over fee listings; FAA reauthorization bill signed; Congress misunderstands aircraft capacity & evacuation reality; A change in Boeing assembly line process; Listener comments.
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238 - Greg Schulze, Chief Commercial Officer, Expedia Group
This week: Greg Schulze, Chief Commercial Officer, Expedia Group; A tribute to Colleen Barrett, "The Mother of Southwest Airlines"; Ted Christie says the game is rigged; Spirit's plan moving forward; A new FAA investigation of Boeing relating to 787 inspections; Multiple listener response to last episode's William J. McGee interview.
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237 - William J. McGee, Senior Fellow, Economic Liberties Project
This week: William J. McGee, Senior Fellow for Aviation & Travel, American Economic Liberties Project; An in depth discussion on pros/cons of more regulation; Plus, can/will Embraer challenge Boeing & Airbus?
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236 - John Breyault, VP, Public Policy, Telecommunications & Fraud, National Consumers League
This week: John Breyault, VP, Public Policy, Telecommunications & Fraud, National Consumers League; Also, a dreadful week of business news for airlines; Big losses at AA & SWA; SWA cuts routes, open to new fees; DOT refunds & fee display policy changes; Listener Q on SWA commuter policy concern.
Customer Reviews
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.
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.
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!