Jay Shabat

Spirit Airlines is gone, and on this Airline Weekly Lounge we unpack how runaway costs killed the carrier, who's next in the crosshairs, and why no new ULCC is coming to take its place.

Spirit Airlines is no more. The pioneer of ultra-low-cost flying in the U.S. was ultimately undone by surging fuel prices, failed bailout talks, and a model that couldn’t keep pace with a changing market. Its collapse sees 14,000+ jobs lost, reshapes competition across key routes, and presents a curious question: Who, if anyone, will fill the gap? We unpack the immediate fallout and ask what comes next in this week's issue.

Gordon and Jay open with JetBlue's latest quarterly results, unpacking what's behind the airline's struggles and what it might take to get back on course. Then they turn to Norwegian,…

Drama, drama, in the air. Drama, drama everywhere. The U.S. airline industry is witnessing dramatic changes indeed. No, United isn’t merging with American. But Southwest is quietly achieving a heroic turnaround, posting Delta-like profit margins. But as Southwest soars, Alaska Airlines is flying in the opposite direction. We take a closer look in this week’s feature story.

Could the U.S. Government shore up Spirit Airlines? Gordon and Jay break down the latest industry chatter about the troubled carrier's future, including fresh commentary from President Trump. Then they…

There are fewer flights departing U.S. airports today than in 2019 — even as seat counts have edged higher on larger aircraft. Growth overall has been modest, but a handful of markets tell a very different story. Few shine brighter than Puerto Rico, where booming tourism and shifting airline strategies have resulted in a remarkable surge. Now, rising fuel costs and industry shakeups are testing that momentum. We take a closer look in this week’s feature story.

Will two of America's biggest airlines become one? Gordon and Jay dig into whether a United-American mega-merger is actually on the table and ask what further consolidation would mean for…

Last year: revenue uncertainty. This year: fuel cost uncertainty. Whatever the challenge, Delta keeps finding a way through. But with a potential $2 billion fuel hit looming, the pressure is building. Can Delta stay ahead of the latest shock — or is this one different? We break it down in this week’s feature story.

Delta’s latest results are in and the fuel price challenge is front and center. Gordon, Jay, and Meghna dive into what the numbers say about the airline’s strategy and resilience.…

Chinese airlines are missing the party. While carriers across East Asia thrive on red-hot premium demand, Mainland China’s 'Big Three' have struggled for six straight years, hampered by lost North American routes, outdated fleets, and stiff competition. Can they catch up, or will rising fuel costs and diplomatic tensions continue to create headwinds? We explore what the future might hold in this week’s feature story.