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The Air Show

The Air Show

Cranky Flier LLC 102 episodes Nov 5, 2026

Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder discuss the business of the sky on this aviation podcast.

Episodes

The Wildly Overblown JetBlue Panic
The Wildly Overblown JetBlue Panic Nov 5, 2026 34:32 JetBlue's loyalty bonds plunged, bankruptcy fears spread, and the stock followed. Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder look at how JetBlue got here – including the failed Spirit deal – and whether the panic is overblown.Thanks to this episode's sponsors: Alaska–Hawaiian pilots and Tulsa International Airport.
The MAX 10 is Certified
The MAX 10 is Certified Oct 29, 2026 35:07 The FAA just certified Boeing's 737 MAX 10 after years of delays. It's the 17th and final 737 derivative, and Jon Ostrower tells Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder about the changes Boeing made along the way (including levered landing gear that took years to engineer), where airlines will fly it, and what its extra seats mean for capacity.Thanks to the Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines Pilots and Flex
The US Softens Its Stance On Mexico...For Now
The US Softens Its Stance On Mexico...For Now Oct 22, 2026 34:26 Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder explore the pressures reshaping Mexico’s aviation industry, from Mexico City’s airport constraints and the rise of Felipe Ángeles International Airport to escalating U.S. regulatory disputes. They explain how safety downgrades, slot and cargo restrictions, and the Delta-Aeroméxico partnership became entangled – and what the latest concessions could mean for airlines’
American: THE Premier Global Airline Based in the U.S.
American: THE Premier Global Airline Based in the U.S. Oct 15, 2026 35:51 American Airlines has the ambition to become “the premier global airline based in the U.S." Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder talk about how realistic (or unrealistic) that could be, and what that could mean for premium cabins, a stronger global network with trans-Pacific routes, and a renewed push at LAX.Thanks to this episode's sponsors: Alaska–Hawaiian pilots, Plusgrade, and  SkyGo.
A Joint Venture Primer
A Joint Venture Primer Oct 8, 2026 36:45 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 pilo
The Air Show Live at Alaska Investor Day
The Air Show Live at Alaska Investor Day Oct 1, 2026 52:25 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 episod
Lounges Are The New Moneymaker
Lounges Are The New Moneymaker Sep 25, 2026 39:14 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 Airli
An Extra Long Range Summer is Coming
An Extra Long Range Summer is Coming Sep 17, 2026 33:56 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 Upgrad
American Needs More Urgency
American Needs More Urgency Aug 27, 2026 39:32 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.
Southwest's COO on the MAX 7 and Ops Fixes
Southwest's COO on the MAX 7 and Ops Fixes Aug 20, 2026 36:47 Southwest’s Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson joins Brett Snyder to talk about the certification of the MAX 7, the airline’s operational troubles, and yes, even Andrew’s responsibilities themselves.Thank you to Points, a Plusgrade company and SkyGo for sponsoring this week's episode.
The Shifting Role of LaGuardia
The Shifting Role of LaGuardia Aug 6, 2026 34:52 LaGuardia is one of the most congested airports in the country, and the way that airport has been used has changed dramatically over time. Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder dig into LaGuardia’s service over the years and where it might go in the future.Thank you to Points, a Plusgrade company for sponsoring this week's episode.
The Air Show Attends An Air Show
The Air Show Attends An Air Show Jul 31, 2026 30:32 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.

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