By John McDermott
The AirlineGeeks Podcast Episode 44: Divergent Domestic Markets
Thank you for reading the AirlineGeeks Podcast Recap. This article gives a brief look at last week’s episode of our news podcast. For our full analysis of each of these stories, you can listen to The AirlineGeeks Podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Overcast or through our distributor, Anchor.
Our first story this week takes a dive into Avelo Airlines, a new startup focused on underserved connections between secondary markets. We consider the carrier’s proposed business plan and compare it with other low-cost airlines in the U.S. We also compare it with Breeze Airways, another airline starting routes between small connections “abandoned” by big airlines.
We take special note of Avelo’s pet policy – the airline allows passengers to pay $95 to bring their pet into the cabin. We look at traditional airline pet policies and how Avelo is different. We also speculate on how well the policy will go over and how passengers may be able to use the airline’s policies to their advantage.
Read our exclusive interview with Avelo CEO Andrew Levy here for an even deeper dive.
We then move to France, where lawmakers have approved a ban on all domestic routes that can be completed in 2.5 hours or less by train. We start by taking an objective look at the ban and its details.
Then, we move into the logistics of this ban. We take a look at each route that is affected and the exemption for connecting flights. We discuss specifically Air France and how the move will impact their business model. We discuss opponents of the ban, especially those that think it should go further – and we consider what an expanded move would look like. We also ponder what similar acts would look like abroad.
We hope you’ll listen to the podcast episode, linked above, for more in-depth analysis of each of these stories. Monitor our page on your favorite streaming service each Friday to hear the latest episode just as it’s published at 12 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time. Feel free to leave a comment sharing your thoughts on this week’s episode. You can read last week’s roundup here.
John McDermott is a student at Northwestern University. He is also a student pilot with hopes of flying for the airlines. A self-proclaimed “avgeek,” John will rave about aviation at length to whoever will listen, and he is keen to call out any airplane he sees, whether or not anyone around him cares about flying at all. John previously worked as a Journalist and Editor-In-Chief at Aeronautics Online Aviation News and Media. In his spare time, John enjoys running, photography, and watching planes approach Chicago O’Hare from over Lake Michigan.
