Gordon Smith

It’s a fascinating tale of three huge airline groups. Europe’s leading network carriers each experienced a very different 2024.

It’s not just long-haul network airlines that are taking advantage of this increasingly lucrative segment. Low-cost carriers are marching in the premium parade too.

It's tempting to group Europe's low-cost airlines together, but 2024 highlighted major differences in performance, problems, and profitability.

Overlooked secondary cities are on the radar of airline executives and network planners, as a new generation of long-haul aircraft upends traditional in-flight economics. 

Thursday’s multi-billion dollar deal for the 737 Max will delight Boeing executives after a terrible year. Now comes the tricky part — delivering the planes on time and to the right specification.

While no two markets are the same, fears of a global slowdown in airline capacity growth were unfounded in 2024. These new figures set up 2025 to be another year of robust network expansion.

It’s been a sky-high saga worthy of a K-Drama script. After more than four years, South Korea’s two biggest airline groups have become one. Skift is here to help make sense of it all.  

From ordinary passengers to airline CEOs, Heathrow has no shortage of detractors – however these latest numbers suggest the London airport still boasts serious pulling power. 

As business class goes mainstream, premium travelers seeking true exclusivity and comfort are re-discovering the appeal of a bygone format.

Upgraded airports and nonstop flights are opening Greenland to more visitors. Managing growth while preserving its unique environment and culture will be critical to long-term success.