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Airlines Confidential Podcast

Airlines Confidential Podcast

Scott McCartney 344 Episodes Oct 14, 2026

Hosted by Scott McCartney, former Travel Editor and 'Middle Seat' columnist for The Wall Street Journal, this podcast covers top stories in the airline industry, features C-suite guests, and answers listener questions. It is designed for travel industry insiders, frequent flyers, and aviation enthusiasts. The show was created by and is dedicated to Ben Baldanza.

Episodes

358 - Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan. Guest: Dave Emerson, CEO, Virgin Australia
358 - Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan. Guest: Dave Emerson, CEO, Virgin Australia Oct 14, 2026 01:19:30 This week: Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan. Guest Dave Emerson, CEO, Virgin Australia. Also:  Delta reports lower earnings; Riyadh airport war disruptions; JetBlue financials; Gary Leff's View From The Wing reports change in American's bumping policy; Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) new terminal opens; SWA said to add widebody; Listener request for ramp operations info,  joint ventures. 
357 - Scott McCartney with Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt
357 - Scott McCartney with Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt Oct 7, 2026 01:04:02 Scott McCartney with Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt. Topics: Terrorism by 1st officer on FlyDubai; A NASA SR-71 Blackbird revival? Scott Kirby envisions massive increase in United Chicago flights; United launches Base First fare and status match; Does Starlink move customers? Alaska Atmos Rewards & product offerings; Listener input on fleet composition, SWA lack of first class.
356 - Guest Co-Host Oscar Munoz. Guest: Ben Minicucci, CEO, Alaska Airlines
356 - Guest Co-Host Oscar Munoz. Guest: Ben Minicucci, CEO, Alaska Airlines Sep 30, 2026 01:06:36 Guest Co-Host Oscar Munoz. Guest: Ben Minicucci, CEO, Alaska Air Group. Also: Airline market capitalization, Primary and backup system failure at Philly TRACON; Market share numbers & discussion; Listener input on Frontier's "Spirit" plane, and pilot pay.
355 - Scott McCartney with Jimmy Dempsey, CEO, Frontier Airlines - From Denver, CO
355 - Scott McCartney with Jimmy Dempsey, CEO, Frontier Airlines - From Denver, CO Sep 23, 2026 01:05:07 Scott McCartney with Jimmy Dempsey, CEO, Frontier Airlines - From the stage of The American Bar Association's 2026 Forum on Air and Space Law Annual Meeting in Denver. Session presented by Husch Blackwell. Plus: AirBaltic bankruptcy filing; Ryanair adds capacity; US airlines cutting certain routes due to fuel costs; FAA tech budget increases; Listener input on renaming BNA, MIA accident.
354 - Guest Co-Host Maya Leibman. Guest: Andrew Levy, CEO, Avelo Airlines
354 - Guest Co-Host Maya Leibman. Guest: Andrew Levy, CEO, Avelo Airlines Sep 16, 2026 01:28:48 Scott McCartney with Guest Co-Host Maya Leibman. Guest: Andrew Levy, CEO, Avelo Airlines. Also: The London UK ATC system failure; Gate Pass pilot program; Positive signs from JetBlue; Hyatt splits with American and announces Delta partnership; The Miami incident; Listener reaction to Beverley Bass interview.
353 - 9/11 - 25th Remembrance - Scott McCartney, Doug Parker, Beverley Bass
353 - 9/11 - 25th Remembrance - Scott McCartney, Doug Parker, Beverley Bass Sep 9, 2026 01:07:27 Scott McCartney with Guest Co-Host Doug Parker. Guest: Beverley Bass, Pilot, American Airlines - Remembering 9/11 - 25 years later plus reflections on Come From Away. Also: Doug Parker receives 2026 L. Welch Pogue Award for Lifetime Achievement in Aviation; SWA confirms lounge openings; Sean Duffy withholding ATC pay increases; Listener input on BNA renaming, EU security.
352 - Chris Sloan profiles Canadian North Airlines
352 - Chris Sloan profiles Canadian North Airlines Sep 2, 2026 01:22:34 Guest Co-Host Dave Hilfman. Guest: Reporter Chris Sloan profiles Canadian North Airlines; Topics: United's new international destinations; TSA drops Gold+ Program, Keeps SPP; Carl Icahn divests most of JetBlue stake, gives up Board seats; FAA seeks termination of 2 LGA controllers; Proposal to rename Nashville Int Airport for Dolly Parton; Listener input on AA's product improvement plans, Would D
351 - Guest Co-Host Christina Cassotis. Guest: Brett Burgess, CEO, ATPCO
351 - Guest Co-Host Christina Cassotis. Guest: Brett Burgess, CEO, ATPCO Aug 26, 2026 01:21:13 Guest Co-Host Christina Cassotis. Guest: Brett Burgess, CEO, ATPCO. Also: American's product improvement plans for 2028; Washington Dulles (IAD) Approves rebuild plan; Thoughts on the PFC model; PBI officially now DJT; Google attempting to buy Spirit data; Concerns raised on ATC improvement contractor; Listener input on TSA airport Gold+ Program, AA duplicate flight numbers.
350 - Scott McCartney with Delta CEO Ed Bastian. Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt
350 - Scott McCartney with Delta CEO Ed Bastian. Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt Aug 19, 2026 01:18:25 Scott McCartney with Delta CEO Ed Bastian. Guest Co-Host Henry Harteveldt. Also: Leadership changes at American Airlines - is it enough? The two American #2482 flights; Apollo to acquire EasyJet; Additions to AA & SWA Boards of Directors; European passport control delays; Listener Q: Did the AA Board make a mistake?
349 - Scott McCartney with Jay Sorensen, CEO, IdeaWorks: Ancillary Revenue in Depth
349 - Scott McCartney with Jay Sorensen, CEO, IdeaWorks: Ancillary Revenue in Depth Aug 12, 2026 01:12:09 Scott McCartney with Jay Sorensen, CEO, IdeaWorks Company: Ancillary Revenue in Depth. Bag fees, Seat options, co-branded credit cards, lounges, and more.
348 - Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan. Guest: Dr. Jeremy Stone, CEO, EERO Group
348 - Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan. Guest: Dr. Jeremy Stone, CEO, EERO Group Aug 5, 2026 01:20:01 Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan. Guest: Dr. Jeremy Stone, CEO, EERO Group ( www.eero.nexus/direct ) Also: JetBlue, Frontier report numbers; JetZero to receive $3B; Spirit's former HQ sold; A look at On Time Performance stats courtesy of Cirium; Listener Q's on operations at gates at ORD.
347 - Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan. Guest: Greg Anderson, CEO,  Allegiant Travel Company
347 - Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan. Guest: Greg Anderson, CEO, Allegiant Travel Company Jul 29, 2026 01:21:33 Scott McCartney with Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan. Guest: Greg Anderson, CEO,  Allegiant Travel Company. Plus: Farnborough Air Show's military focus; Thoughts from  EAA  AirVenture Oshkosh; SWA, United, Alaska, American reports numbers; JetBlue wins bid for former Spirit gates at LGA. 

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