Skift Take

This week’s Skift Aviation Forum was full of intriguing discussions about the current state of the global airline industry and where it’s headed.

Jay Shabat

Leaders from across the aviation sector gathered in Dallas this week at the Skift Aviation Forum to share their thoughts on industry trends and developments. Here are some key themes that emerged from the discussions:

1. American and JetBlue Appear Eager to Rekindle Their Romance

Their joint venture didn’t survive an attack by the Justice Department, which successfully sued to dismantle it on antitrust grounds. But JetBlue President Marty St. George made clear that he still wants a partnership to bolster the airline’s network, and that the future partner could be … yes, American.

American’s Robert Isom hinted at the idea as well, with St. George mentioning the possibility of a restructured version of the dismantled joint venture — maybe along the lines of how American is currently working with Alaska Airlines on the U.S. West Coast.  

2. Trump Is Back, and His New Administration Could Bring Both Opportunities and Challenges for Airlines

Several speakers addressed the potential implications of the U.S. presidential election earl