Airline Execs at Skift Global Forum

In this episode of the Skift Airline Weekly Lounge podcast, Skift Travel Senior Aviation Business Editor Brian Sumers and I discuss the interviews we did on stage at Skift Global Forum in New York City, Sept. 18–19. Air France/KLM CEO Ben Smith told us how he's trying to rationalize and simplify Air France's network (while leaving KLM largely alone). American Airlines Chief Financial Officer Derek Kerr promised the carrier would recover from a difficult summer. And Delta CEO Ed Bastian spoke about transforming the airline into a trusted global brand. Sumers and I chew on our conversations at Skift Global Forum and wonder just why Smith's favorite aircraft is the B747.  —Madhu Unnikrishnan, editor, Skift Airline Weekly