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Scott McCartney @MiddleSeat

Former Middle Seat columnist for The Wall Street Journal. Current Duke faculty and airline/travel consultant

Joined October 2008
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  • Followers 61,601
9 Photos and videos
A delicious episode biting into the catering business w/ SkyChefs CEO Erik Olund, chewing over news w/ Charles Duncan and digesting Spirit Airlines' LaGuardia Airport (LGA) slots. Also, can we keep politics out of Airlines Confidential Podcast? airlinesconfidential.com/6-3…
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We cover a lot of ground with @FAA_Bryan. Hear how he's managing FAA, attacking the controller shortage, equipment modernization, airline scheduling and airspace management. An insightful, newsworthy, important discussion. airlinesconfidential.com/5-2…
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Sean Duffy says $0 to pay air traffic controllers. But there's $18 billion in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Sole purpose is to run FAA operations. Use the trust fund to pay controllers and reimburse when the @GovernShutdown is over! 11/5/25 airlinesconfidential.com/11-…
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The real trigger of @SpiritAirlines Chapter 22 -- @AerCapNV claiming Spirit defaulted on leasing contracts and owes $75 million in lease termination fees. Plus Spirit's misleading communications and great conversation with Peter Ingram about the airlines. airlinesconfidential.com/9-3…
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Another in our run of extraordinary guests! Smart, important comments from @Allegiant's Maury Gallagher and co-host Charles Duncan. Maury’s 40-year airline history is fascinating; his assessment of LCC future is sobering. #airlines #travel #entrepreneurs. airlinesconfidential.com/6-2…
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I absolutely love this episode! Amazing airline insights and stories from Doug Parker and Bob Crandall. Crandall on the ATC mess is priceless and prescient. And don’t miss Doug’s important comments on Richard Anderson. Enjoy! airlinesconfidential.com/6-1…
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Incredible airline insights from Richard Anderson, architect of Delta Air Lines ascendence, and from co-host Charles Duncan. Enjoy and learn, laugh and remember - a very special episode of #1 air travel podcast. airlinesconfidential.com/5-2…
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Newsy and informative episode! Extraordinary interview with @AerCapNV's Aengus Kelly; News about tariff impact already grounding planes. Details you haven't heard on the new @SpiritAirlines CEO perspective on @united earnings. airlinesconfidential.com/4-2…
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First guest co-host, Oscar Munoz, offers incredible insight into @SouthwestAir as well as air-traffic contrl struggles. If you want to understand major yet ``underwhelming'' changes and activist investor challenges, listen. 10/2/24 airlinesconfidential.com/10-…

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Our thoughts on future changes and challenges at Southwest Airlines. airlinesconfidential.com/6-1…
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Deep dive on American Airlines troubles - just compare operating margins for the last 10 years with Delta and United. Ben comments on AA strategy, and more. airlinesconfidential.com/6-5…
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Congress incorrectly plays the safety card trying to legislate airline comfort. And the importance of planning — being ready to operate an airline in a war. Fascinating discussion with El Al about how vital air service is to a country. airlinesconfidential.com/5-2…
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A great debate on “fixing” airlines - should air service be regulated, and would that make make it better? I enjoyed the discussion with Bill McGee - hope you do, too. airlinesconfidential.com/5-8…
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This week … the help and the hype of the new DOT refund and fee display rules; ugly airline losses that tell us a lot about which carriers are flying high and which are flying low, and surprise visitors with a special shoutout. airlinesconfidential.com/5-1…
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Great stories from Sam Coats - especially about Herb Kelleher. And plenty of other fun stuff. @airlines @AirlineHistory @SouthwestAir airlinesconfidential.com/4-2…
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Airlines and money: Spirit needs it, AA CEO Robert Isom got it, and frequent flier programs print it. Some fun discussion making dollars and sense of the current state of airline affairs. airlinesconfidential.com/4-1…
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As we head into airline earnings season, some fascinating fare data from Cirium--tickets are cheaper than you think. Also interesting compensation numbers on airline CEOs. Hey Scott Kirby, you're no Elon Musk! #airlines #airfare #ceopay #travel #podcasts airlinesconfidential.com/4-1…
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This week we unpack increasing baggage fees and the impossible-to-answer question, How much bag fees are at Spirit and Frontier? We have answers on technology's impact on travel, American's war with travel advisors, and Delta's giant Amex card. airlinesconfidential.com/2-2…

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Want to understand airline ticket pricing? Look at roses on Valentine’s Day! Want to understand frequent flier programs and airline fees? Listen to Jay Sorensen. Happy “Airlines Confidential” Valentine’s Day! airlinesconfidential.com/2-1…
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United’s confidence in Boeing, travel growth and future earnings; Frontier’s confidence in business travel, and my confidence Taylor Swift will get a Las Vegas Super Bowl landing reservation! airlinesconfidential.com/2-7…
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