
About this episode
Delta’s latest results are in and the fuel price challenge is front and center. Gordon, Jay, and Meghna dive into what the numbers say about the airline’s strategy and resilience. In part two, the conversation turns to Southwest and the next chapter of its transformation story.
Follow the Hosts:
Gordon Smith – LinkedIn
Jay Shabat – LinkedIn
Meghna Maharishi - LinkedIn
Connect with Airline Weekly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/
X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
00:59 Delta Q1 Headline Numbers
01:54 Fuel Spike and Q2 Outlook
03:29 Earnings Call Tone
04:07 Premium Demand Holds
05:29 Main Cabin Inflection
06:48 Why Demand Stays Strong
11:12 High Fuel Means Consolidation
13:04 JetBlue Merger Speculation
17:42 Oil Volatility and 2008 Parallels
20:22 Premium Segmentation Tease
21:18 Delta Premium Basics
21:54 Tech Ops Profit Engine
22:27 Cargo Refinery Upside
23:14 Premium Seats Strategy
24:26 Post Pandemic Cost Reality
25:34 Wrap Part One
26:12 Listener Reminders Break
26:36 Idea Awards Spotlight
29:25 How To Enter Awards
31:35 Southwest 2.0 Pitch
33:23 Culture And Activist Push
35:34 Passenger Reactions Mixed
37:21 Middle Market Risk
39:44 Final Thanks Signoff
Get every episode summarized
Each time Airline Weekly Lounge publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Airline Weekly Lounge

Why US Airlines Are Betting Big on Europe in 2027
Airline Weekly Lounge
Sep 3, 202632:07failed

Qatar Airways: Skift Global Forum Preview
Airline Weekly Lounge
Aug 27, 202632:33pending

Skift Global Forum 2026: Aviation Preview
Airline Weekly Lounge
Aug 20, 202639:57pending

Turkish Airlines' Turbulent Quarter
Airline Weekly Lounge
Aug 13, 202629:41pending