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

Lufthansa’s Earnings Position has ‘Deteriorated Significantly’ — Here’s Why

Despite a shaky set of quarterly figures, the Lufthansa Group is sticking to its full-year outlook and says demand remains strong, particularly for its premium products.

Lufthansa’s Earnings Position has ‘Deteriorated Significantly’ — Here’s Why

Airline Weekly

Latam Poised to Prosper

As the song said, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. Latam, South America’s largest airline, was back in New York City last week, not just to relist its shares on the New York Stock Exchange but also to start spreading the news: Look out world, we’re poised to prosper.  

Latam Poised to Prosper

Airline Weekly

LATAM Airlines: Past, Present and Future

We look at how LATAM's turbulent history has influenced its current success. We also learn about the continued challenges facing the group as it sets ambitious targets for 2025 and beyond.

LATAM Airlines: Past, Present and Future

Airlines

Boeing Strike to Continue as Union Members Reject New Offer

Boeing management need to balance a speedy resolution with a sustainable long-term settlement. Given 64% of union members rejected this latest proposal, the gulf between the two parties remains significant.

Boeing Strike to Continue as Union Members Reject New Offer

Airlines

Cathay Pacific’s New First Class is ‘Mindblowing’ Says Chairman – Exclusive

Boeing 777X delays are forcing Cathay Pacific to strip out first class cabins without an immediate replacement. The company's senior leaders share their strategy with Skift.

Cathay Pacific’s New First Class is ‘Mindblowing’ Says Chairman – Exclusive

Airline Weekly

A New Chapter for AirAsia

A defining characteristic of the AirAsia empire has always been its corporate complexity. Now it stands to simplify by bringing AirAsia and AirAsia X together as one, while leaving aside most of the group’s laundry list of non-core business units.

A New Chapter for AirAsia

Airlines

Why Are Airlines Quiet Quitting China?

Think quiet quitting is just for employees? Think again. In 2024, many of the world's biggest airlines are making a low-key withdrawal from China. We find out why.

Why Are Airlines Quiet Quitting China?

Airlines

The ‘Megathemes’ to Watch at this Year’s Skift Aviation Forum

Taking inspiration from our Skift Megatrends list, here are some of the biggest themes we expect to come up time and again across multiple discussions at the Skift Aviation Forum 2024. 

The ‘Megathemes’ to Watch at this Year’s Skift Aviation Forum

Airline Weekly

United Closes the Gap on Delta

With Delta on the back foot after the CrowdStrike chaos and Olympic disruption, United is eyeing the top spot.

United Closes the Gap on Delta

Airlines

Is Cathay Pacific’s New Aria Suite Worth the Wait?

The Aria Suite is arguably the year’s most anticipated new business class product. Those hoping for pushing-the-envelope innovation may be disappointed, but this solid product hits all the right notes.

Is Cathay Pacific’s New Aria Suite Worth the Wait?