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

Airlines

Atlanta Airport Criticized for ‘Tone Deaf’ Condolence Message After Delta Workers Killed

The social media misstep by the world's busiest airport is a reminder of the challenges faced by brands big and small when communicating online. Could greater oversight of the offending post and its subsequent fallout have minimized the impact?

Atlanta Airport Criticized for ‘Tone Deaf’ Condolence Message After Delta Workers Killed

Airlines

Air France-KLM Now Owns 20% of SAS: 3 Big Changes to Watch

Air France-KLM’s significant stake is more than just a strategic move—it's the latest stage of deepening consolidation in Europe's airline industry. With SAS defecting to the SkyTeam alliance and expanding cooperation with new partners, expect tighter network integration in the months ahead.

Air France-KLM Now Owns 20% of SAS: 3 Big Changes to Watch

Airlines

Who’s Winning the U.S. Airline Loyalty Game?

Running a profitable airline in the U.S. is increasingly about loyalty, not just logistics. All of the ‘Big Three’ lean heavily on frequent flyer programs and co-branded credit cards to help drive revenue - but who came out on top in Q2?

Who’s Winning the U.S. Airline Loyalty Game?

Airline Weekly

An Overdue Air Canada Check-In

Despite being one of the world’s most mature network carriers, Air Canada is still finding fresh expansion opportunities as part of a distinctive three-base strategy.

An Overdue Air Canada Check-In

Airlines

Qatar Airways Acquires 25% of African Airline Airlink

Airlink marks the latest in a series of strategic investments for the Qatar Airways Group in Africa and beyond. Could the much-anticipated RwandAir deal be next?

Qatar Airways Acquires 25% of African Airline Airlink

Airlines

Alaska-Hawaiian Merger Clears DOJ Review: What Happens Next?

The courting carriers aren’t over the finish line just yet, but the green light from the DOJ dramatically increases the likelihood of the deal closing successfully.

Alaska-Hawaiian Merger Clears DOJ Review: What Happens Next?

Airlines

Istanbul is the World’s Most Connected Airport – New York and Tokyo Miss the Top 20

The notable lack of New York, Tokyo, and Delhi in the top 20 highlights the difference between a city's international standing and a given airport's nonstop connectivity.

Istanbul is the World’s Most Connected Airport – New York and Tokyo Miss the Top 20

Airline Weekly

Jet Who? Why Jet2 is Britain’s Secret Star

Few outside of Britain will recognize its name. It doesn’t hold earnings calls. It doesn’t have a famous founder or CEO. It publishes financial results just semi-annually, not quarterly. But Jet2 is hardly inconsequential.

Jet Who? Why Jet2 is Britain’s Secret Star

Airlines

Flyr Just Raised $295 Million: CEO Alex Mans Tells Us What’s Next

Flyr CEO Alex Mans isn't afraid to call out the old guard as he harnesses AI to shake-up the antiquated world of airline technology.

Flyr Just Raised $295 Million: CEO Alex Mans Tells Us What’s Next

Airline Weekly

What is Jet2’s Secret Sauce?

Our editors examine the fascinating story behind British leisure carrier Jet2, and explain why it's an airline worth watching.

What is Jet2’s Secret Sauce?