Meghna Maharishi

Meghna Maharishi is Skift's Airline Reporter, where she covers everything from loyalty programs to policy-making in Washington, D.C. She previously covered the airline industry at The Points Guy, worked on the investigative desk at CNBC, and did data visualization at CNN Politics.

Latest Stories

Airlines

DOT Launches Probe Into Loyalty Programs of 4 Largest U.S. Airlines

The investigation seeks to determine whether recent industry trends like devaluing the worth of miles and consolidation have adversely affected consumers.

DOT Launches Probe Into Loyalty Programs of 4 Largest U.S. Airlines

Airlines

American Airlines Adds 5 New European Routes for Summer 2025

The new routes are a bet that the international travel boom will continue next summer.

American Airlines Adds 5 New European Routes for Summer 2025

Airlines

JetBlue Raises Third-Quarter Outlook, Sees Bump in Summer Bookings

It looks like JetBlue’s new strategy that emphasizes cutting unprofitable routes and bolstering leisure capacity in the East Coast is continuing to pay off.

JetBlue Raises Third-Quarter Outlook, Sees Bump in Summer Bookings

Airlines

Spirit Airlines Furloughs 186 Pilots as Many Take Voluntary Leave

The furloughs were part of an attempt to cut costs as Spirit’s revenues have sharply declined over the past few years. However, the carrier still has more hurdles to overcome — including a staggering $1.1 billion in debt that’s set to mature in a year.

Spirit Airlines Furloughs 186 Pilots as Many Take Voluntary Leave

Hotels

Skift Power Rankings: Jonathan Gray

He took a risky bet in 2007 on Hilton and it just may have been the “best leveraged buyout ever.”

Skift Power Rankings: Jonathan Gray

Airlines

Skift Power Rankings: Steven Udvar-Hazy

Aircraft leasing, which gave airlines a new way to finance planes, has largely been the brainchild of Udvar-Hazy.

Skift Power Rankings: Steven Udvar-Hazy

Airlines

Skift Power Rankings: Pete Buttigieg

As Transportation Secretary, Buttigieg has made an often-overlooked department relevant.

Skift Power Rankings: Pete Buttigieg

Airlines

Skift Power Rankings: Scott Kirby

From his blunt takes on ultra-low-cost carriers to Boeing, Kirby has become one of the most influential — and candid — voices in the airline industry. And under his watch, United has managed to become one of the most profitable U.S. airlines.

Skift Power Rankings: Scott Kirby

Airlines

Elliott Owns Enough Southwest Shares to Call for a Special Meeting

Elliott is amping up the pressure on Southwest. Now that it's crossed the threshold in owning 10% of the carrier's common stock shares, the hedge fund could call a special meeting to force a vote on whether to oust Southwest CEO Bob Jordan and chairman Gary Kelly.

Elliott Owns Enough Southwest Shares to Call for a Special Meeting

Airlines

Lufthansa Seeks 19.9% Stake in TAP Air Portugal, Report Says

The German airline group wants to avoid purchasing a controlling stake in TAP because it doesn't require approval from European Union antitrust authorities.

Lufthansa Seeks 19.9% Stake in TAP Air Portugal, Report Says