Can Spirit Airlines Survive?

Can Spirit Airlines Survive?

In part one, Jay and Meghna discuss the prospects of Spirit Airlines as it struggles to revive. In part two, the conversation turns north to Air Canada and its path ahead following a costly, peak-season flight attendant strike. Five Key Takeaways Spirit Airlines faces existential risk – with bankruptcy, liquidation, merger, or recovery as possible paths, but its ULCC model looks increasingly unsustainable in today’s market. Structural industry shifts hurt ULCCs – post-pandemic demand favors premium and international travel, squeezing carriers like Spirit and Frontier that rely on dense domestic leisure routes. Air Canada’s strike shows labor power – flight attendants achieved rare wins like boarding pay, setting precedents for North American labor negotiations. Financial impact on Air Canada is major – losing nearly a quarter of annual operating profits during peak season could drag down 2025 results despite prior momentum. Fleet and strategy decisions loom – Air Canada’s choice between Airbus and Boeing for widebody replacements could shape its competitive and political positioning in the next decade. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jay Shabat – ⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

Episoder(422)

Icelandair: Moving in the Right Direction?

Icelandair: Moving in the Right Direction?

In part one of this week's show, Gordon and Jay crunch the latest financials from Icelandair and discuss how it plans to become sustainably profitable. In part two, the conversation turns to global ai...

12 Feb 38min

Japan Airlines vs. ANA: Who's On Top?

Japan Airlines vs. ANA: Who's On Top?

In this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss the latest results from Japan's two mega-airline groups. With inbound visitor numbers soaring, but domestic air travel down, we analyze the key financial an...

5 Feb 34min

U.S. Earnings Season: Half-Time Report

U.S. Earnings Season: Half-Time Report

In part one of this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss the latest quarterly earnings from American Airlines and JetBlue. In part two, the discussion turns to Ryanair, with a deep dive into its financ...

29 Jan 36min

New from Skift: Executive Conversations Shaping the Travel Industry

New from Skift: Executive Conversations Shaping the Travel Industry

We’re sharing a preview of a new podcast from Skift called Skift Take Sessions. Skift Take Sessions is a weekly, journalist-led podcast built from the most important conversations shaping the global ...

26 Jan 2min

Delta vs United: Premium Boom, Economy Squeeze

Delta vs United: Premium Boom, Economy Squeeze

It is earnings season, and this week on the Airline Weekly Lounge, Jay Shabat and Meghna Maharishi break down Q4 2025 results from United and Delta, recorded on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. They comp...

22 Jan 21min

Allegiant–Sun Country Merger: What’s Really at Stake?

Allegiant–Sun Country Merger: What’s Really at Stake?

In this special edition of the Airline Weekly Lounge, Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to discuss Allegiant's plan to acquire Sun Country Airlines for $1.5 Billion. Fresh off the phone with Allegian...

12 Jan 34min

Inside the Ethiopian Airlines Playbook

Inside the Ethiopian Airlines Playbook

Ethiopian Airlines is one of African aviation's outstanding success stories. We explore how the carrier grew profitably, built global reach, and what its strategy means for the future of the sector. I...

8 Jan 42min

The David Neeleman Interview

The David Neeleman Interview

Recorded on-stage at our recent Skift Aviation Forum, Gordon sits down with aviation legend David Neeleman. In this fast-paced discussion, few topics are left on the table, as we hear Neeleman's views...

1 Jan 25min

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