Gordon Smith

Gordon Smith is Airlines Editor at Skift and Editor at Airline Weekly. He’s been writing about the sector for more than a decade and enjoyed a front-row seat for some of the aviation industry’s biggest stories. Since joining Skift in January 2024, he has interviewed more than a dozen global airline CEOs, often helping make headlines along the way (special thanks to Michael O’Leary!). His informed insights have led to contributions for international media, including the London Evening Standard and Canada’s CBC Radio.

Europe

Who You Calling Stupid?

Ryanair’s tailwinds are certainly not fading. The Irish LCC—arguably the most successful airline that ever flew—had another great year in 2023, never mind some routine wintertime losses. JetBlue, on the…
Europe

The Rising Fortunes of Ryanair

Ryanair has its problems, but it is doing much better than most. As the Irish low-cost giant posts its latest earnings, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat pick through the numbers…
North America

United in the Spotlight

Where to begin? Boeing’s mounting woes? Another major airline bankruptcy? The latest in Q4 airline earnings?
Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast

What do United Airlines and easyJet Have in Common?

As airline earnings season continues to gather momentum, this week we examine the fortunes of United and easyJet. In this specially extended episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the…
North America

Judge to JetBlue: No Merger for You

And just like that, JetBlue’s plans are up in smoke. A federal judge last week ruled that no, JetBlue cannot buy its rival Spirit, agreeing with the U.S. Justice Department…
North America

Judge to JetBlue: No Merger for You

There's been major courtroom drama as the proposed JetBlue-Spirit merger was blocked by a U.S. judge. In this special episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the implications of the…