Leslie Josephs

Southwest airport lounges? CEO says carrier is open to even more high-end changes Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said the airline is open airport lounges and higher-end service like Europe flights and more premium classes to woo travelers.

Airport lounges, Europe and premium class are all on the table for Southwest Airlines, CEO Bob Jordan tells @cnbc.com . www.cnbc.com/2025/06/25/s...

JetBlue to cut more flights, other costs with break-even 2025 'unlikely' due to weaker travel demand JetBlue Airways CEO Joanna Geraghty told staff the carrier is further cutting costs as softer travel demand makes breakeven operating margins in 2025 unlikely.

"Even a recovery won’t fully offset the ground we’ve lost this year and our path back to profitability will take longer than we’d hoped. That means we’re still relying on borrowed cash to keep the airline running."

JetBlue to trim more routes, park jets CEO tells staff. @lesliejosephs.bsky.social.

That time of year...
United says intl and premium are growing while domestic economy class is weaker. American (below) reports next week. www.cnbc.com/2025/04/15/u...

Airlines bank even more on splurging vacationers as clouds form on economy Carriers are hoping that wealthier leisure travelers will continue to treat themselves to pricier, roomier seats.

U.S. domestic travel demand is slowing, corporate bookings are waning, so airlines are banking ever more on vacationers who believe, as Victoria Ratliff would say, are just not "meant to live an uncomfortable life."
www.cnbc.com/2025/04/14/a...

Southwest's bag fees and other changes could backfire, Fitch warns The ratings agency put the airline on "negative" outlook, saying the company could become less financially conservative.

Southwest's new bag fees and other policies could backfire, lose it market share and possibly hurt its credit rating, Fitch warns.

www.cnbc.com/2025/04/03/s...

Canadians pull back on U.S. trips, threatening to widen United States' $50 billion travel deficit Some carriers are cutting back U.S. flights from Canada due to weaker demand.

The US had a $51B travel deficit — in other words, Americans spent more abroad than foreigners did in the US — in 2024.

That deficit stands to widen — maybe dramatically — under the Trump administration's policies. @lesliejosephs.bsky.social

Spirit Airlines, fresh from bankruptcy, is ready to take on the new Southwest, CEO says Spirit Airlines emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week, meeting its target to exit in the first quarter.

“I think it’s going to be painful for a little bit as they find their footing, and we’re going to take advantage of that,” Spirit CEO Ted Christie said of the changes coming to Southwest.

via @lesliejosephs.bsky.social

Southwest Airlines as we know it is over. Here's what's changing, from bag fees to basic economy Southwest will start charging customers to check bags, launch basic economy tickets in a bid to drive up revenue.

Southwest will charge to check bags for the first time, starting in May. Will that mean more carry-on bags? Southwest is betting on it. Here's what you need to know: www.cnbc.com/2025/03/11/s...

FDR near Harlem River Park at 7:52 a.m. this morning. Any ideas?

If you're interested in learning more about how the FAA manages rockets and planes competing for limited airspace, I did a deep dive on this with @lesliejosephs.bsky.social:

www.cnbc.com/2023/02/09/a...

Another freezing Jan. 15 on the Hudson, 16 years after the Miracle.

Delta to link its loyalty program to Uber, ending partnership with Lyft Starting this spring, Delta SkyMiles members will be able to earn loyalty points for Uber rides.

Delta replaces Lyft with Uber for loyalty program partnership www.cnbc.com/2025/01/07/d...

Boeing 737-800, the model that crashed in South Korea, is one of the world's most popular aircraft Accident investigators are trying to find the cause of a Jeju Air fatal crash landing that killed 179 of the 181 on board the flight.

The Boeing 737-800 is a workhorse jet used the world over. www.cnbc.com/2024/12/30/j...

From Nike to Intel, CEO departures at U.S. companies hit a record this year CEO exits at U.S. public companies were a record in 2024 as they faced competitive and strategic challenges.

Fired, retired and poached, a record number of U.S. CEOs headed for the exits this year, including execs atop companies that long dominated their industries: Boeing, Intel, Starbucks and Nike but struggled in an otherwise strong economy.
www.cnbc.com/2024/12/20/c...

Why it's gotten more difficult to get a free first-class upgrade Airlines are racing to add comforts such as lie-flat seats, entertainment systems with bigger screens and even suites with closing doors.

No free upgrade? You're not alone. Giveaway days are waning with more travelers paying up for first class and other premium seats. www.cnbc.com/2024/12/14/f...

Federal Aviation Administration head Michael Whitaker to step down Jan. 20 The head of the FAA, Mike Whitaker, will step down Jan. 20, leaving the key agency that oversees Boeing and the U.S. airline industry without a leader.

After the FAA went nearly two years without a confirmed chief, Michael Whitaker was confirmed to a five-year term last October. But now, he’s stepping down. Via @lesliejosephs.bsky.social www.cnbc.com/2024/12/12/f...

Alaska Airlines plans new nonstop flights to Japan, Korea in $1 billion postmerger profit push Alaska Airlines is launching new flights and a new premium credit card to help grow profits by $1 billion in 2027.

Watch out, Delta. Alaska is planning to beef up its Seattle home with at least a dozen intl flights over the next five years, reshaping the airline after its merger with Hawaiian earlier this year. First flights will be from Seattle to Tokyo followed by Seoul next year. www.cnbc.com/2024/12/10/a...

American Airlines chooses Citi as sole credit card partner, drops Barclays American Airlines had been in talks for months for a new credit card deal with Citi.

Always nice to see your work confirmed; back in Sept, we reported that American Airlines was set to make Citi its sole card partner, dropping Barclays @lesliejosephs.bsky.social ✈️

www.cnbc.com/2024/12/05/a...

Can Starbucks fix long lines at its airport cafes? Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol has said airport stores' performance could improve.

“While Starbucks started rolling out mobile order and pay to its airport locations in 2022, the change can sometimes add to the confusion and chaos at the cafe counter instead of resolving it.”

Starbucks’ new CEO wants to fix its airport cafes, via @lesliejosephs.bsky.social.

thank you!

finally figured out how to work this thing!