Latest news with #MeghnaMaharishi
Skift
17-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi: What Went Wrong?
In this week's show, Gordon Smith is joined by Jay Shabat and Meghna Maharishi to discuss the key takeaways from Delta's Q2 financials. The conversation then shifts to Wizz Air exiting its Abu Dhabi joint venture and the wider impact on the ULCC's business. Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat are joined by colleague Meghna Maharishi to discuss Delta's latest earnings and what they could signal for the wider airline industry. They then delve into the collapse of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, which Gordon discussed earlier this week on Skift. As the airline suspends operations and exits its UAE joint venture, we explore the factors leading to this decision, including engine reliability issues, geopolitical volatility, and regulatory barriers. Join us as we unpack the implications for the airline industry and what this means for Wizz Air's future. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Takeaways
Skift
03-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
Airbnb's Pay-Later Bet, Airline Cyberattacks and a $12.5B Air Traffic Overhaul
On today's pod we look at Airbnb's book now, pay later options; possible new funding for U.S. air traffic control, and cyber attacks on airline systems. Skift Daily Briefing Podcast Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Skift Travel Podcasts Good morning from Skift. It's Thursday, July 3. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today. Airbnb is testing a new feature — Reserve Now, Pay Later — that enables some guests in the U.S. and Canada to make a reservation without paying anything at the time of booking, reports Executive Editor Dennis Schaal. Prior to these tests, Airbnb guests have either paid the total price at the time of booking or some properties have allowed a partial payment up-front. Airbnb is testing the feature because affordability is a top priority for guests. The host's experience does not change under the new feature because in the event of a non-payment or cancellation, hosts would receive any payout that their cancellation policy calls for. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS Next, the U.S. Senate on Tuesday advanced a budget bill that includes $12.5 billion in funding for air traffic control upgrades, with allocations for radar system replacements, runway safety technologies, and the continued modernization of the FAA's infrastructure. Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi reports that the bill earmarks $1 billion to support consolidation efforts of terminal radar approach control facilities, also known as TRACONs. Another $100 million is set aside for consolidating air route traffic control facilities. The provisions are also part of the Trump administration's calls for a complete overhaul of the air traffic control system. The bill will go back to the House for approval of the amended version. Finally, multiple airlines have reported experiencing cyber attacks on their IT systems ahead of the busy Fourth of July travel weekend in the U.S., writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi. Hawaiian Airlines and Canadian carrier WestJet have confirmed that they both suffered cyber attacks in the past week. Australia's flag carrier Qantas said on Tuesday it experienced a cyber attack that breached a third-party customer service platform although the company stated the breach has since been contained. The FBI recently said that a hacking group called Scattered Spider had started targeting the airline sector. An executive at a cybersecurity firm said that Scattered Spider tends to focus on one sector at a time for a few weeks.
Skift
25-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
Spirit's JetBlue Complaint, Carnival's Splashy Marketing and Antarctica's Climate Risks
On today's pod we look at Spirit's pushback on JetBlue's new beau, Carnival's marketing success, and the influencers threatening Antarctica. Skift Daily Briefing Podcast Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Skift Travel Podcasts Good morning from Skift. It's Wednesday, June 25. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today. Spirit Airlines is calling on the U.S. government to reject a proposed JetBlue-United partnership, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi. Spirit said in a complaint to the Department of Transportation filed on Tuesday that the partnership — known as 'Blue Sky' — 'raises serious competition and public interest questions.' Spirit also said that Blue Sky is similar to the Northeast Alliance, JetBlue's partnership with American Airlines that was struck down in the courts on the grounds it was anticompetitive. JetBlue has criticized Spirit's decision to file a complaint, and said in a statement to Skift that it is still a competitor to United. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS Next, Carnival says its aggressive marketing efforts and exclusive private islands can help it sustain high pricing, writes Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O'Neill. O'Neill reports Carnival's marketing blitzes during major events — including this year's Oscars — are paying off for the company. Bookings by both new-to-cruise guests and repeat customers were up double-digit percentages during the second quarter. CEO Josh Weinstein credited the increased marketing spend for supporting record prices and onboard spending. In addition, Carnival has invested significantly in exclusive destinations to distinguish itself and collect more guest spending that would otherwise go to other businesses at local ports of call. Finally, TikTok influencers have helped boost tourism to Antarctica, but that surge in visitors has raised concerns from environmentalists, writes Climate Reporter Darin Graham. Graham notes a record 130,000 people visited Antarctica last season, a number researchers predict will keep increasing. Swan Hellenic, a cruise company operating trips to Antarctica, credits social media in part for its 25% growth in guest numbers during the most recent season. However, Graham writes that Antarctic tourism is one of the highest carbon-impact travel activities as a single trip can exceed the annual carbon footprint of the average individual. In addition, scientists say the tendency of travelers to visit during the short Antarctic summer amplifies tourism's environmental impact.
Skift
19-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
The Resurgence of Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia is headed to an IPO. How did that happen? Our hosts get under the story in this week's episode. Today Jay Shabat is joined by Meghna Maharishi to discuss the recent developments in the airline industry, focusing on Virgin Australia and its turnaround after bankruptcy. They explore the implications of Virgin's IPO, its financial health, and the impact of Qatar Airways' investment. The conversation then shifts to capacity trends for the third quarter, highlighting demand stabilization, fuel price concerns, and growth in various airports worldwide. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Takeaways
Skift
29-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
The AI Assistant Race, Southwest's New Promise and Booking.com Revelations
For today's pod we look at Southwest's break with the past, the AI travel assistant race, and a brief history of Skift Daily Briefing Podcast Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Skift Travel Podcasts Good morning from Skift. It's Wednesday, May 28. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today. Tuesday was the final day that flyers on Southwest Airlines were able to check bags for free. Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi examines the end of Southwest's most iconic perk and other major changes at the carrier. Southwest is now charging customers $35 for their first checked-in bag and $45 for the second. Maharishi notes the baggage fees apply to those flying basic economy, along with Southwest's Wanna Get Away Plus and Anytime fares. In addition, Southwest expects to start operating flights with assigned seats next year and will also start charging seat selection fees. Southwest executives have argued those changes are necessary for the carrier to remain competitive and shore up its profitability. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS Next, OpenAI is establishing its own device company. Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes explains what that development could mean in the race to create the ultimate travel assistant. Dawes notes AI assistants could be the main way users purchase travel. Although Apple and Google are both taking steps toward that vision, it's tougher to overhaul an established suite of products. Dawes adds that OpenAI has an opportunity to fully reimagine how devices operate, built from the ground up with AI at the center. OpenAI has said it's planning a 'family of products,' and the company aims to reveal more details next year. Finally, Executive Editor Dennis Schaal delves into a book published four years ago that revealed details about the history of from its founding in Amsterdam in 1996. Three Dutch investigative journalists wrote the 2021 book 'The Machine,' which documents the tensions between the American and Dutch employees, and then between the Dutch and the Brits; takes you behind closed doors where one CEO gets fired and another is forced to resign; and discusses local backlash and strategic decisions. "The Machine" also shows execs' resistance to cooperating with other Booking Holdings brands. Until Glenn Fogel took over in 2019, there had been little sharing of data, resources or supply out of fear that it would dilute the brand and slow growth.
