Best Airlines Confidential Podcasts (2024)

1
235 - Sam Coats, Retired Airline & Corporate Executive & Civic Leader 52:06

1d ago52:06

52:06

This week: Sam Coats, Retired Airline & Corporate Executive & Civic Leader ; United CEO Scott Kirby reports Q1 loss & Boeing order conversions; Strong Q2 ticket demand; A close call at DCA; Southwest launches new marketing campaign.By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

1
TODAY 3rd Hour: Cracking down on airline fees. Insurance 101. Historic gospel group “Blind Boys of Alabama.” Influencer Iskra Lawrence on infertility journey. 34:46

12h ago34:46

34:46

Biden administration unveils new airline passenger rights, including improving refunds and addressing airline junk fees. Also, NBC’s Senior Investigative Correspondent Vicky Nguyen details all you need to know about home, life, and car insurance. Plus, Craig Melvin sits down with one of the longest running musical groups in the country, the “Blind …

1
TODAY 8a: Senate passes massive foreign aid package. Parental burnout impacting millions. Knowing when to stay and when to go. Shop this list: Ultimate hair guide. 40:01

13h ago40:01

40:01

The Senate passes $95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan after months of delays, sending the legislation to President Biden. Also, a new study reveals parents are struggling with loneliness and burnout and the changes parents can make to avoid these issues. Plus, best-selling author and host of the podcast “How to Walk Into a Room: T…

1
April 24: Senate passes massive foreign aid package. Crackdown on campus protests. $139 million settlement for USA gymnasts. Millennials taking over “senior” communities. 32:47

24h ago32:47

32:47

The Senate passes $95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan after months of delays, sending the legislation to President Biden. Also, college campus protests across the country against the Israel-Hamas war continue to grow. Plus, the US Justice Department reaches settlement over the FBI’s mishandlings of Larry Nassar’s gymnasts abuse. A…

1
TODAY 3rd Hour: New study on female patients & female doctors. Consumer Confidential: Health insurance. She made it: ALPYN beauty. Catching up with… John Leguizamo. 38:33

22h ago38:33

38:33

A new study reveals surprising information on the difference of care you receive between male and female doctors. Also, NBC News Senior Business Correspondent Christine Romans details everything you need to know about health insurance and how to choose a plan that’s right for you. Plus, the story behind a beauty company that is making an impact on …

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TODAY 8a: Cross-country campus protests escalate. Inside look at Barbara Walters’ legacy. Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling on TODAY. Blood sugar and your health. 35:51

23h ago35:51

35:51

Colleges across the country are struggling to contain intensifying protests against the Israel-Hamas war. Also, NBC’s Kate Snow sits down with Susan Page, the author of a deeply personal new biography about the life and legacy of Barbara Walters. Plus, NBC’s Kaylee Hartung sits down with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt ahead of the release of their ne…

1
April 23: Cross-country campus protests escalate. Inside Trump’s trial. Elon Musk & Tesla under fire. New study on female patients & female doctors. 32:27

1d ago32:27

32:27

Colleges across the country are struggling to contain intensifying protests against the Israel-Hamas war. Also, first witness testimony in Trump hush money trial set to resume today following hearing on whether the former President violated gag order. Plus, Elon Musk and Tesla facing backlash ahead of their key profits report. And, In-Depth TODAY: …

1
TODAY 3rd Hour: LSU gymnastics star Olivia “Livvy” Dunne LIVE. Real estate outlook as mortgage rates climb. Five questions to ask your doctor. Navy Lt. runs from California to NYC for charity. 36:16

2d ago36:16

36:16

LSU gymnastics star Olivia Dunne chats about her career and the team’s national title win. Also, rising mortgage rates are making it harder than ever to buy a home. Plus, breaking down five questions to ask when you next visit your primary care physician. And, a naval officer’s amazing journey for charity.…

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TODAY 8a: House passes possible TikTok ban. Kevin Bacon’s “Footloose” return. TODAY bestsellers. TODAY celebrates Earth Day. 37:45

3h ago37:45

37:45

TikTok could disappear from app stores nationwide unless its Chinese parent company sells it. Also, Kevin Bacon returns to the high school where Footloose was filmed to celebrate their prom day. Plus, great style solutions and finds. And, the Big Green Bus stops by the Plaza to celebrate Earth Day.By NBC News

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Special Report: Opening statements set to begin at Trump hush money trial. 8:40

5h ago8:40

8:40

By NBC News

1
April 22: Opening statements at Trump trial. $95 billion foreign aid bill passes. Morgan Wallen breaks silence after arrest. Mortgage rates spike. 32:28

2d ago32:28

32:28

The former president is expected to be back in the courtroom this morning as opening statements are set to get underway. Also, some Republicans call for Speaker Johnson to resign after he worked with Democrats to pass a controversial foreign aid bill. Plus, Morgan Wallen addresses his arrest earlier this month at a bar in Nashville. And, rising mor…

1
Road to Paris: Olympic Gymnasts Shilese Jones & Fred Richard 23:43

3d ago23:43

23:43

As the race for the U.S. Women and Men’s Gymnastics squads heats up, Shilese Jones and Fred Richards are among the athletes working toward their Olympic dreams. On this episode of The Road to Paris, Shilese and Fred share their personal journeys, and hopes to make their Olympic debuts.By Shilese Jones, Fred Richard, Ally Love, Stephanie Gosk

1
TODAY 3rd Hour: Swift surprise with double album. The Caitlin Clark phenomenon. Medicine cabinet refresh. The upside. “George to the Rescue” renovates home for jazz lover. 29:22

5d ago29:22

29:22

Surprises and fan reaction as Taylor Swift releases her new album. Plus, Caitlin Clark’s historic week as America embraces its newest superstar. Also, Dr. Jen Caudle shares what medicines and medical supplies to keep, and which to toss. And, “George to the Rescue” renovates an 1890s home for a jazz lover with lupus.…

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TODAY 8a: Israel carries out strike against Iran. 100 arrests at Columbia University protest. Columbine 25 years later. Inside look at “Pop Girl Spring” 38:54

1d ago38:54

38:54

Israel carries out a limited military strike against Iran almost a week after Iran’s unprecedented attack. Plus, more than 100 Pro-Palestinian protestors were arrested yesterday at Columbia University. Also, Colorado community comes together to honor and heal on 25th anniversary of Columbine shooting. And, some are calling it “Pop Girl Spring” as m…

1
April 19: Israel carries out strike against Iran. House speaker on the hot seat. Jurors seated in Trump trial. Close call on airport runway. 30:35

6d ago30:35

30:35

Israel carries out a limited military strike against Iran almost a week after Iran’s unprecedented attack - former Pentagon and CIA Chief of Staff Jeremy Bash joins us LIVE with more on the strike and the message it sends. Plus, NBC’s Kristen Welker has more on the massive foreign aid package moving forward on Capitol Hill. Also, 12 jurors have bee…

1
234- Jay Sorensen, President, IdeaWorksCompany 34:36

1d ago34:36

34:36

This week: Jay Sorensen, President, IdeaWorksCompany; Loyalty program values; Delta Q1 numbers; Spirit woes deepen; Breeze shows a profit; Huge payday for AA CEO Robert Isom; Listener Q on new Boeing aircraft.By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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Road To Paris: Olympic Gymnasts Suni Lee & Jordan Chiles 28:50

8d ago28:50

28:50

In preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, TODAY’s Craig Melvin is sharing a series of conversations with athletes competing for the chance to represent Team USA in Paris. Join Craig, along with NBC News Correspondent Stephanie Gosk and TODAY Contributor Ally Love, and hear from medal contenders as they share their preparation, what success looks …

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233 - Kevin O'Toole, Chief Strategy Officer, Cirium 40:11

9d ago40:11

40:11

This week: Kevin O'Toole, Chief Strategy Officer, Cirium; Data on 2023 Airfares; Airline C-Suite compensation - who's on top? Oakland CA airport wants San Francisco name; Listener input on passenger security screening, crew bases and scheduling.By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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232 - This week: It's In The Bag - A Focus on the Business of Bag Fees 30:49

22d ago30:49

30:49

This week: It's In The Bag - A Focus on the Business of Bag Fees; Breezy Rewards Valuation; Listener input: Feedback on John Heimlich, American shifting to more domestic flights, United's overhead bins.By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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231 - John Heimlich, VP/Chief Economist, Airlines for America 37:45

23d ago37:45

37:45

This week: John Heimlich, VP/Chief Economist, Airlines for America; Boeing searching for a new CEO; FAA moves EWR TRACON to PHL; JetBlue cuts routes; Is cutting costs ultimately more costly? Listener feedback: Public charter security, Rudy Maxa's destination judgements, Maintenance techs in the future.…

1
Special Report: Baltimore Bridge Collapse Press Conference 21:59

23d ago21:59

21:59

By NBC News

1
Special Report: Maryland Bridge Collapse 30:05

24d ago30:05

30:05

By NBC News

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230 - Rudy Maxa, Travel Journalist 51:49

30d ago51:49

51:49

This week: Rudy Maxa, Travel Journalist; Positive comments on Ben's NVO; Airlines: Biggest? Most Profitable? Biggest airline crown; Southwest expects fewer new planes; Concerns around lack of Boeing paperwork/security video; Empty middle seats on Frontier; Listener feedback on Doug Parker interview.By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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229 - This week: Doug Parker, Fmr CEO, American Airlines with TSA safety concerns. 57:39

1M ago57:39

57:39

This week: Doug Parker, Fmr CEO, American Airlines, outlines serious TSA safety concerns. Ben's AI "New Voice Option" (NVO); Spirit & JetBlue go it alone - Next moves? New proposed rule for handling wheelchairs; Fare fact errors made by Tim Wu on CNBC; Listener Qs on useful life of a commercial aircraft, business model for airport lounges.…

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SPECIAL REPORT: Nikki Haley officially announces the suspension of her campaign. 10:45

1M ago10:45

10:45

By NBC News

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SPECIAL REPORT: Nikki Haley to suspend campaign. 4:55

1M ago4:55

4:55

By NBC News

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228 - Zane Kerby, Pres & CEO at ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors; 44:40

2M ago44:40

44:40

This week: Zane Kerby, President & CEO at ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors; 2023 numbers show safest year in aviation; Boeing supervision; AA same-day standby changes; What's with all the new Brisbane flights? Catherine & Richard Dotson remain at SAV; Listener Q: Overhead bin utilization, and a Flight Attendant asks how management really …

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227 - Maya Leibman, Fmr. EVP/Chief Information Officer, American Airlines 47:21

2M ago47:21

47:21

This week: Maya Leibman, Fmr. EVP/Chief Information Officer, American Airlines; It's in the bag - increased fees and a bag revenue rundown in the billions; Delta's Amex credit limit for fuel; Shakeup at Boeing not what was expected - puts women in charge of rescue; AA changes agency ticket policies; Listener Q: Decision process for serving a new ai…

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226 - Brett Snyder, President & Chief Airline Dork, Cranky Flier 51:53

2M ago51:53

51:53

This week: Brett Snyder, President & Chief Airline Dork, Cranky Flier; Delivery and backlog numbers for Boeing & Airbus; Carl Icahn picks up two JetBlue Board seats; The Atlantic article on carry-ons reaches a questionable conclusion; Listener Q on skipping a leg; Why did Spirit focus on A319s?By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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225 - Jay Sorensen, Ancillary Revenue, A la Carte Pricing, Frequent Flyer (FFP) Consultant 43:25

2M ago43:25

43:25

This week: Jay Sorensen, Ancillary Revenue, A la Carte Pricing, Frequent Flyer (FFP) Consultant; Marty St George returns to JetBlue as President; Spirit's average passenger fare drops, CEO Ted Christie comments on Spirit's future; Administrator Mike Whitaker outlines Boeing actions including FAA inspectors on site; Sen. Ted Cruz requests special TS…

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224 - This week: Mike Leskinen, EVP/Chief Financial Officer, United Airlines 50:32

2M ago50:32

50:32

This week: Mike Leskinen, EVP/Chief Financial Officer, United Airlines; Boeing's situation in 2024; JetBlue's new plan includes a new fee; Frontier introduces a Biz fare bundle via agency GDS; AA adds #1989, and Taylor is scheduled to make the big game; Listener Q: Basic Economy threat to ULCCs? Focus Cities, Hubs, Fortress Hubs.…

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223 - Dorothy Robyn, Public Policy Consultant/Writer 54:11

3M ago54:11

54:11

This week: Dorothy Robyn, Public Policy Consultant/Writer; The latest Wall Street Journal Airline Rankings; Additional earnings reports; Has Amelia Earhart's plane been found? Frontier adds new routes to other's hubs; Listener Q's on pilot opportunities, plus an explanation of the LOPA.By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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222 - Marian Boyd, Boyd Group International 42:53

3M ago42:53

42:53

This week: Marian Boyd, Boyd Group International; A review of the Judge's ruling against the JetBlue - Spirit deal plus listener input on the deal that isn't happening, for now.By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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221 - Jon Ostrower, Founder, The Air Current 51:18

3M ago51:18

51:18

This week: Jon Ostrower, Founder, The Air Current; Focus on the JAL Evacuation, the Alaska Door Plug, and the current Boeing fiasco; Joanna Geraghty named new JetBlue CEO; Earnings season update; Listener Input: Spirit should be buying JetBlue, United's Andrew Nocella comments that ULCCs are "doomed".…

1
220 - A Rough Start to 2024 38:56

3M ago38:56

38:56

This week: An aircraft fire and a depressurization; 2023's top on-time performance carriers; The MAX-9 Door Plug issue adding to Boeing's challenges; Listener input: United becoming the largest airline & does Boeing need its own Manhattan Project? Plus, more about Block Time.By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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219 - 2024 Predictions 33:42

4M ago33:42

33:42

This week: 2024 Predictions; Southwest system fixes worked; Goldman Sachs cancellation stats; The issue with Chicago Midway; Hollywood takes note of airlines; Possible 2024 merger candidates; Listener Q on leg room vs seat pitch.By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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218 - Andrew Watterson, COO, Southwest Airlines 40:27

4M ago40:27

40:27

This week: Andrew Watterson, COO, Southwest Airlines; Stephanie Pope promoted to COO at Boeing; Delta beefs up Austin TX schedule; Listener Q on high speed rail LA-Vegas. Happy Holidays. Next episode: Jan 3 with 2024 Predictions.By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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217 - DHL, Santa, and Other Holiday Adjustments 32:14

4M ago32:14

32:14

This week: A DHL acquisition of Santa? + other holiday adjustments ;) - Digging into the Alaska-Hawaiian deal & SWA's role; Closing arguments made in the JetBlue - Spirit case; Listener input on the shape of DCA, Pluses of Amtrak, and you won the Powerball-what type of airline would you start?By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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216 - Chris Sloan on The Airchive 1:00:06

5M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

This week: Chris Sloan on The Airchive; Initial thoughts on the Alaska-Hawaiian deal; Skift story on increased adventure travel due to weight loss: NY Times reports on serious FAA issues; Listener Q: Takeaways from other international agencies? What is the role of a CTO in undertaking change?By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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SPECIAL REPORT: George Santos 10:18

5M ago10:18

10:18

By NBC News

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215 - Can't Make This Up & Other Items 37:06

5M ago37:06

37:06

This week: Thanksgiving travel recap; Can't Make This Up covers "dog food" in China Eastern Business Class & Striking an anti-strike law; New Saudi passenger rights; Problems with the author's ideas in the book: Why Flying is Miserable & How to Fix It; Was there ever a Golden Age of travel? Listener Q: Is the SWA model broken?…

1
214 - Rick Cotton, Exec. Director, Port Authority of NY & NJ 54:03

5M ago54:03

54:03

This week: Rick Cotton, Executive Director, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey; AMS slots update; Focus on the safety report & FAA training; Passenger ordered to pay for flight disruption/diversion; Listener Q: Do airlines shop around for better fuel prices?By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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213 - Where Are The Next Generation Airplanes? 32:02

5M ago32:02

32:02

This week: Ben & Scott go in depth on next generation airplanes; United loyalty program revisions; Some business travel numbers; SUX and other interesting identifiers; Listener input on premium seat value.By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney

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212 - Ginger Hardage, Fmr SVP of Culture & Communications at Southwest Airlines 56:01

5M ago56:01

56:01

This week: Ginger Hardage, Fmr SVP of Culture & Communications at Southwest Airlines/Founder of Unstoppable Cultures; Is ATC ready for the holiday season? JetBlue loses $153MM, is frozen out of AMS, and Spirit merger trial gets underway; SWA potential expansion in Dallas; Listener input: Sun Country, Scott Kirby & ULCC statements.…

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211 - Jeff Tolkin, Co-CEO, World Travel Holdings 44:19

6M ago44:19

44:19

This week: Jeff Tolkin, Co-CEO, World Travel Holdings, Michael Whitaker confirmed as FAA Administrator, Spirit blames discounted fares for Q3 loss; Southwest makes significant schedule changes; The Alaska off-duty pilot incident; Qatar Airways' "Chief" resigns; Listener Q's: Industry employment potential & Ben's reaction to Chris Sloan's Air Inuit …

1
Special Report: Maine Shooting Presser 11:58

6M ago11:58

11:58

By NBC News

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Special Report: Lewiston, Maine Presser 37:00

6M ago37:00

37:00

By NBC News

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210 - Chris Sloan on Air Inuit's Unique Service 50:49

6M ago50:49

50:49

This week: Chris Sloan takes us aboard Air Inuit; Also: Increasing industry financial pressure; Airlines stocks taking a beating; Ed Bastian's SkyMiles modifications; Listener Q re: DOT Air Travel Consumer Report & regional carrier on time performance.By Ben Baldanza & Scott McCartney