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.

Latest Stories

Airline Weekly

Friendly Skies: 5 Key Takeaways from U.S. Earnings Season

The short story? U.S. airlines without exception say Americans are still eagerly boarding planes and booking vacations.

Friendly Skies: 5 Key Takeaways from U.S. Earnings Season

Airline Weekly

Skift Aviation Forum 2024: Our Hottest Topics

There's only one place to go next week to learn about the fast-growing DFW hub. JetBlue's targeted adjustments, Southwest's strategic upgrade, and more aviation essentials. Here's a preview.

Skift Aviation Forum 2024: Our Hottest Topics

Airlines

Air France Reveals How Much Money it Lost From the Olympics

For Air France, Paris 2024 is a marathon rather than a sprint. The financial impact of a one-off 'hosting hit' should be comfortably absorbed by longer term benefits for the brand.

Air France Reveals How Much Money it Lost From the Olympics

Airlines

CO2 Setback as Emissions on UK-Japan Air Routes Surge by 21%

Everyone knows that flying between Europe and Japan takes longer than it used to, but the environmental impact can feel less defined. This fascinating new data quantifies the extra CO2 for re-routed flights.

CO2 Setback as Emissions on UK-Japan Air Routes Surge by 21%

Airlines

Iberia Makes History With First Airbus A321XLR Passenger Flight

Don't be fooled by the modest nature of the A321XLR's Madrid to Paris debut - this plane can fly seriously far with incredible efficiency. Get ready for it to shake-up route networks worldwide.

Iberia Makes History With First Airbus A321XLR Passenger Flight

Airlines

Boeing Strike Ends as Union Members Accept 38% Pay Rise

Agreement after a 53-day strike is good news for Boeing and its airline customers, but don't expect the planemaker's problems to disappear overnight. This will be a long-haul recovery.

Boeing Strike Ends as Union Members Accept 38% Pay Rise

Airlines

The World’s Longest Flight Is Getting a First Class Upgrade

Singapore Airlines already boasts one of the world’s most exclusive passenger planes. After six years of development, it’s about to take things to a whole new level.

The World’s Longest Flight Is Getting a First Class Upgrade

Airlines

Boeing Delivery Delays are ‘Pain in the Backside’ Says Ryanair CEO

The colossal Ryanair machine relies on hyper-efficiency and a ruthless scrutiny of costs. By its own admission, Ryanair was 'over-scheduled, over-crewed, and over-costed' this summer. It won't let this happen again.

Boeing Delivery Delays are ‘Pain in the Backside’ Says Ryanair CEO

Airline Weekly

Rocky Mountain Fly: Is Frontier Poised for a Comeback?

Are the winds finally shifting? Are the dark days over for Frontier Airlines? Not quite yet.

Rocky Mountain Fly: Is Frontier Poised for a Comeback?

Airlines

Riyadh Air Orders 60 Airbus Planes, Reconfirms 2025 Launch Plans

After months of speculation about its narrowbody fleet, on Wednesday Saudi start-up carrier Riyadh Air finally revealed the supplier and size of its first single-aisle plane order.

Riyadh Air Orders 60 Airbus Planes, Reconfirms 2025 Launch Plans