IAGblog Podcasts

Chief 777 Test Pilot Suzanna Darcy-Henneman provide a briefing on the 777F flight test program from May 21, 2008

iagblog — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:44:01 GMT

Jon Ostrower's recording of the debrief.

Channel 9 - Trans Atlantic, OpenSkies and the premium market

iagblog — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:04:03 GMT

Thomas Lang is an interesting person to enter the fray in analyzing the airline industry. He started out as a journalist, spent time at the lamented eos in marketing and revenue management and is now heading off to do an MBA. Tom has a good view on OpenSkies, the Trans Atlantic market and listening to him you get to figure out why some of the earlier attempts at offering premium service in this market might not have worked. You should check out his website to stay abreast of his industry musings. In the podcast we discussed OpenSkies offering the only flatbed between New York and Paris. Tom would like to clarify that they offer the only flatbed in business class.

Meet Aviation Partners' CEO Joe Clark

iagblog — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:23:09 GMT

From the moment he starts speaking, you immediately pick up Joe Clark's infectious love for the business. He tells us how he got started in the winglet business, how Southwest really turned the industry on to their solutions and where they are going next - spiroids (a new word we need to learn), the coming plans for the 777 and the fact he can't talk about working with Airbus - but he shares his thoughts on how neat an A380 with winglets might be. Joe Clark may be the only person outside the oil industry who likes high fuel prices. These reaffirm the value of winglets which can now be amortized in two years.

This is a great time to start an airline - no really, listen...

iagblog — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:01:19 GMT

We hold Professor Sabena in high regard - hey, the guy's a Prof! Seriously, this podcast is replete with tongue in cheek cracks. However the underlying proposition has merit. It's a BIG if, but IF you could finance an airline now, this may be a great time to start. Planes are cheap, cheaper than they've been in a very long time. There are thousands of people who will jump at the chance for a job - skilled and experienced airline people. With not a lot of money, you could get something started now and, other than Southwest, the competition is incapable of responding. In the history of US airline start ups there has never been a time like this. So, got some serious coin you're happy to bet?

The challenging time facing the tourism industry

iagblog — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:39:29 GMT

Daily we are bombarded with news of how bad it is. Airlines are laying off people by the thousand, they are parking planes and the industry losing billions of dollars. Following this, we discover America's new hot word - the "Staycation". Associate Professor Jim Petrick at Texas A&M shares his views on what is likely to become a self fulfilling prophecy. Yes its bad - no doubt - but we should also see that travel demand is changing to deal with the environment and not grinding to a halt. Yet... Jim's presentation is here

Washington update

iagblog — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:12:03 GMT

Evan Sparks is our Washington DC contact who keeps us updated on the aviation policy news and shares his views on the New York congestion issues, the current environmental talk plus his take on Herb Kelleher's speech. As usual Evan gives a great summary. The plan is for us to speak monthly and stay updated.

Airlines, Politics and You

iagblog — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:40:16 GMT

The massive airline mess that is unfolding before our eyes is not something you can watch from the sidelines. It involves all of us - this is an election year and we can expect to see more than a little pandering. There are going to be thousands of people without airline jobs soon and many of those jobs are not coming back. Which candidate do you think will say that? Both candidates come from cities where major airlines are based - this is a local issue for them. Wait for the start of a round of aero-politics to start in earnest. Then there is you. Think you can sit this one out? Oh no you won't. Besides seeing flights shrink faster than a puddle in the summer heat, getting on a flight will cost you a dollar amount you cannot comprehend yet. Don't expect anything other than a seat and masses all around you. Your current air travel value for money proposition is out the window. Any rescue of the industry is also going to cost you as a tax payer. Have a great summer vacation - just try not to fly.

Happinomics

iagblog — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:15:15 GMT

Add this word to your growing travel vocabulary – it’s a new 2008 word along with “Staycation”. Ian Yeoman, a travel industry futurologist explains what people need to be doing to make their summer vacations more valuable. He has lots of examples from Alaska to Scotland of how people are making their lives simpler. With oil prices at levels high enough to make everyone depressed and a lot of people find comfort in their basements (or bunkers in Idaho?), it’s time to step back. There are few people who don’t want to get away this summer – Ian suggests someplace without TV, Internet or media. If you’re going to have a vacation, make it count.

More on the launch of the CSeries

iagblog — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:51:31 GMT

Jacques Kavafian is Vice President, Airlines and Aerospace Analyst at Research Capital Corporation in Toronto. Jacques just issued a report on Bombardier's CSeries - and promptly got a lot of attention with his projection that China Southern will be the launch customer for the plane (to be announced at Farnborough) with an order for 50. On top this, the airline will also buy 50 Q-series turboprops. One comment is worth particular attention - he thinks his forecast of a market of 6,000 planes for this size may be too low. He also thinks P&W has a decade head start over competing new engines with its GTF. This is a powerful endorsement for P&W.

China Southern to launch CSeries?

iagblog — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:41:42 GMT

In a report published today by Canada's Research Capital Corp. they suggest that China Southern will be announced as the launch customer for Bombardier's CSeries. This is huge news for Bombardier and they are likely irritated that the news has come out before the Farnborough show. We discuss the news with Flight International's senior editor Mary Kirby who put out a story about the report today. This is a very interesting development.

The oil story is getting worse - much worse

iagblog — Fri, 23 May 2008 20:31:31 GMT

If you think its bad now - just wait. Listen to Andy Lipow, President of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston, explains why the price of oil is so high. He also explains how he various oil "cuts" are playing havoc with pump prices. Having spent many years in the refinery and oil trading business Andy is familiar with the sources and uses; from overseas to each US refinery's activities. When you're done listening to this podcast you will feel a sick feeling in your stomach. Sorry to spoil your weekend.

Handling the current crisis

iagblog — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:31:43 GMT

The IAG analyst team returns to discuss how the airline industry managements might try to handle the incredible pressures facing the industry at present. How do they cut costs to the bone? Perhaps even lose a limb to keep the rest of the body alive? With the industry bleeding to death, who dies first? With each death, the industry's prospects change. It gets better but this does not mean a recovery in any way - yet. This is an awful game they are involved with - whoever lasts longest could make out very well. We all know this means Southwest - but how long will it go on before the government steps in?

The Air Taxi business

iagblog — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:13:50 GMT

Adam Webster is a co-founder of RSVPair.com and expert in the business. He's a pilot and understands how the business works. So you can listen to his views knowing these are based on real world experience. While much of this podcast is a fairly negative report card on the health of the industry, he wants to assure you that smaller firms, with lower capital investments are able to make money in this industry. And the irrationality of owning a jet? He'd buy one himself if he could and recognizes that the people that do spend large amounts on themselves are the reasons he has a business and a career in the first place, so don't take his jabs too seriously. Adam is not especially encouraged by the way the business looks. In fact, after doing the podcast our take away is that like much in the entire commercial aviation sector now, it is better to be in just about any other business.

787 Media Day Update

iagblog — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:56:47 GMT

Jon Ostrower from Flightblogger is in Seattle today for the 787 Media Day. Jon gives us a ten minute update on his impressions. He is much more optimistic about the program - he says its a 180 degree turnaround from six months ago. This is great news!

Sex travel now and in 2030

iagblog — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:03:28 GMT

Ian Yeoman offers his futurologist thoughts on how travel and sex are intertwined. Both now and looking forward as far as 2030. Where is the travel industry heavily impacted by the human interest in sex? You will be surprised to hear how this is changing travel patterns around the world. And its not just about vacation travel - even guest workers suffer. The Vietnam War also gets a mention. From Las Vegas to Bangkok – with a stops in between – Ian explains what STDs and poverty are doing to change travel patterns. Don't walk on the wild side.