Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
30.05.2024 - 15:25 / skift.com / Ed Bastian / Vasu Raja / Robert Isom / Dennis Schaal / Rashaad Jorden / Glenn Fogel / Gordon Smith
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American Airlines CEO Robert Isom has paid tribute to outgoing Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja. But Isom has indicated it was time for Raja to go amid American’s struggles, reports Airlines Editor Gordon Smith.
Isom admitted at a conference on Wednesday that American has dug itself a hole during the second quarter, with the company’s financial outlook having been downgraded. While praising Raja’s creative thinking and passion, Isom acknowledged that American needed a reset. The company has underperformed compared to rivals Delta and United across multiple key metrics, including operating margin — an important measure of profitability.
Next, Glenn Fogel, CEO of both Booking Holdings and Booking.com, was the highest-paid travel CEO in 2023, reports Executive Editor Dennis Schaal.
Fogel received a total pay package of $46.7 million last year, according to the Wall Street Journal. Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian came in second among travel CEOs, with a pay package of $34.2 million. The Wall Street Journal also scored each S&P 500 company’s total shareholder return versus its industry, with Booking Holdings and Delta among the four travel companies that got a top score.
Finally, luxury cruise line Viking has issued its first earnings report since going public earlier this month. Senior Hospitality Reporter Sean O’Neill lists several takeaways from its quarterly earnings.
O’Neill notes Viking presented a generally upbeat report. The company, which largely targets affluent, English-speaking travelers over the age of 55, said it’s sold 91% of its possible passenger cruise days this season.
In addition, Viking executives said they’ve sold $2.5 billion in advance bookings so far for the 2025 season.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
We are excited to announce that our latest Skift Aviation Forum, the leading aviation conference, will once again be held in Dallas, Texas, on November 12. The event will return to the historic Statler Hotel in downtown Dallas, where the 2022 edition was held, hosted by DFW International Airport and American Airlines.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Thursday, June 6. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom is offering its flight attendants a 17% wage increase as they weigh a potential strike.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, June 5. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Last week saw a mea culpa of colossal proportions at American Airlines. Robert Isom, the carrier’s chief executive, acknowledged that the company had “dug ourselves a hole” through a misguided commercial strategy.
American Airlines flight attendants are preparing for potential strike action that could disrupt summer travel after recent contract negotiations with the airline came up short.
We have seen too many instances of formerly venerable companies, such as department stores and fast-food chains, going out of business. So when American Airlines' share price dropped almost 15 percent this week, you have to wonder if it is a sign of the times or just a fluke.
Amid news of cuts to its revenue and profit forecast and its stock tumbling in value, American Airlines has indicated that it will reverse course on its controversial New Distribution Capability (NDC) plans and some AAdvantage requirements.
If last week was one American Airlines would rather forget, consider 2024 the year Delta Air Lines never wants to end.
Travelers on American Airlines will now be able to earn loyalty points no matter where they book their ticket after the airline walked back prior plans to place a limit on its loyalty program.
Flying to Argentina for sizzling spit-roast barbecues, tango along the bohemian boulevards of Buenos Aires, and beach days with whale watching to boot? Once you're all buckled up and ready for take-off, turn that phone to airplane mode and prep for the trip in the best ways possible: a podcast, a movie, and a good, old-fashioned book. Here's what to read, watch and listen to if on your flight to Argentina.