Edward Russell

Edward was Skift’s Washington, D.C.-based airlines reporter from 2020-2023. He’s covered the industry from the American-US Airways combo to the depths of the coronavirus pandemic. He enjoys bikes, trains and runs with his dog, Heathrow.

Lufthansa Adds 4 Airbus A350s in Latest Fleet Transformation Step

Lufthansa has committed to four more Airbus A350s as part of its fleet transformation during the Covid-19 pandemic. The deal brings to 14 the number of widebodies ordered during the…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

The Pandemic Exacerbated Labor Issues at U.S. Regionals

Airline Weekly's Edward Russell reports back on the annual Regional Airline Association Leaders Conference, where executives said their long-standing labor issues expanded during the crisis. Also, Madhu and Ned discuss…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Alitalia Successor ITA Places First Order for 59 New Airbus Jets

Italia Trasporto Aereo (ITA) may not be flying yet, but it is committing to at least 59 new Airbus jets for its future fleet.

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Air France Launches European Fleet Renewal With First Airbus A220

Air France unveiled its first Airbus A220 on Wednesday, joining its European peers AirBaltic and Swiss to operate the only clean-sheet, medium-sized commercial aircraft on the market.

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

American, Southwest Pilots Warn of Holiday Disruptions Without Vaccine Mandate Exemptions

The debate over Covid-19 vaccine mandates has reached a new fever pitch with the unions representing pilots at two of the largest U.S. carriers seeking exemptions from President Biden’s new…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Republic Airways CEO Says No Rush for IPO

Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford sees no urgency for the regional carrier to return to the public markets despite growing pressure among the privately held carrier's shareholders.

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

U.S. Sues to Split Up American and JetBlue

We thought it could happen when the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) said it was looking into the American Airlines-JetBlue Airways Northeast Alliance. And it did. Last week, the DOJ filed…

Edward Russell and Madhu Unnikrishnan | 3 years ago

Delta Considers the 737 Max for First Boeing Order in a Decade

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian sees a "place" for the Boeing 737 Max at the carrier as it looks for opportunistic deals to reshape its fleet over the next…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Southwest's Incoming CEO Says Hiring, Growth Will Be Big Early Challenges

Incoming Southwest Airlines CEO Robert Jordan was only planning to pick up his food when he went through the drive through at a Dallas-area Whataburger recently. But stapled to his…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago

Latam Airlines Sees U.S. Bookings Jump 350 Percent as Demand Surges

British Airways, Latam Airlines Group, Lufthansa, Swiss and Virgin Atlantic are among the growing number of carriers seeing a surge in U.S. bookings since the Biden administration said Monday that…

Edward Russell | 3 years ago