274 - Guest Co-Host Dave Hilfman, Guest: Jim Compton, Fmr Vice Chairman, United

This Airlines Confidential episode discusses recent airline industry news, including a mid-air collision investigation, JetBlue ending its Boston-LaGuardia shuttle, and United's request for more gates at O'Hare. The hosts then interview Jim Compton, a renowned airline revenue and pricing expert, who shares insights on airline pricing strategies, the evolution of the industry from a commodity to an experience-based model, and the importance of loyalty programs. Compton highlights the crucial role of accurate forecasting and revenue management in achieving yield premiums. The discussion also touches upon the potential merger of Frontier and Spirit Airlines and the challenges faced by low-cost carriers in competing with legacy airlines. Listeners gain insights into airline pricing dynamics, the impact of loyalty programs, and the strategic decisions driving industry changes.