The Aviation Industry's Premier Event
Main Event at TWA Hotel, JFK, New York City | November 12, 2026
The Aviation Industry’s Most Influential Gathering
On November 12, the 6th annual Skift Aviation Forum brings the industry's most influential leaders to New York to unpack what's next for global air travel.
Profitability, capacity, sustainability, loyalty, the impact of AI: this is the one-day deep dive that sets the agenda for the year ahead. Airline CEOs, innovators, and investors, in one room, for the conversations that move the industry.
‘Very very good. l've been to a lot of conferences that wasted my time. This one did not. I am very impressed. Well done!’
‘It was my first time attending a Skift event and I was mighty impressed. Skift has become *the* source of travel intelligence. This shone through in the calibre of the speakers and the attendees. Also, for a change, the absence of hundreds of vendor booths at a conference was refreshing.’
‘Just wrapped my first Skift Aviation Forum. Packed agenda, efficient execution, and the kind of event that makes you grateful you took the trip. Perfect for those of us who need (love) to maximize our time on the road.’
Skift Aviation Forum 2025 By The Numbers
Who Attends
Speakers
From the CEOs leading global travel giants to bold entrepreneurs redefining the future of aviation, our speakers represent the forefront of insight, innovation, and leadership in the travel industry. Their perspectives shape the conversation - and the future - of global air travel.
Agenda
This forum is built around six issues airline executives are wrestling with right now:
Aviation's Big Fuel Crisis.
The carriers that come out ahead of the fuel cost swing will be the ones that can pass costs on, protect margin, and keep demand from slipping. Can the revenue momentum last?
Growth Opportunities as Global Traffic Shrinks.
The conflict in the Middle East and high prices are weighing on traffic worldwide, but not evenly. How long can supply limits hold, and which airlines pull ahead as consolidation reshapes who competes with whom?
Managing Costs in an Inflationary Environment.
Aircraft, maintenance, labor, airport charges, and fuel are all rising at once, even as fares stay strong. With union contracts coming up for renegotiation, how do airlines protect margin and keep their workforce?
Winning in Critical Markets.
A handful of markets, New York above all, decide which airlines hold the advantage, and premium travelers are driving much of it. Between adding capacity, betting on premium products, or leaning on partnerships, where do the biggest carriers fight, and where do they stop trying?
Loyalty and Distribution in the Agentic Age.
Frequent flyer programs are the most profitable part of many airlines, but points are losing value and AI shopping tools can compare every program in seconds.The airlines that get this right will own the customer. The ones that don’t will rent them.
The Next Generation of Air Travel.
From new aircraft lines to terminals designed as destinations, airlines and airports are rebuilding the journey. What will flying look like when it arrives, and who pays for it?
👇 Click on the ✚ below to open the full agenda
November 12 | TWA Hotel, JFK | Breakfast served
Last year this session filled within days and ran standing room only. Seating is limited and first-come, first-served for registered attendees ONLY.
Start Your Day With Jay: A Review of the U.S. Airline Industry
Presented By
Which U.S. carriers are thriving, and which are facing deeper trouble? Airline Weekly analyst Jay Shabat opens the day with an insider's look at the forces reshaping American aviation: economic pressures, regional market differences, low-cost versus full-service strategies, fleet modernization, and the trends coming next.
This is a working session, not a lecture. You'll share insights from your own operation, tackle the challenges in front of the room, and compare lessons from recent U.S. airline innovations. You'll leave with a firm grasp of what's driving the industry right now.
Expert-Guided Roundtables
Included with your ticket. Seats are limited, and roundtable registration opens first to the earliest SAF registrants.
Topics:
- The Seat Is Perfectly Priced. The Customer Isn't — Led by Massimo Morin, Global Head of Travel, AWS and Basudeb Chatterjee, Vice President, AI Strategy & Commercial Transformation, Pariveda Solutions
- After the Merger Wave, What Happens to the Rest? — Led by Meghna Maharishi, Airlines Reporter, Skift
- Reading Premium Demand Before the Cycle Turns — Led by Ashab Rizvi, Senior Associate, Strategy at Skift
Venues
Skift Commerce Summit
Apella by Alexandria, New York City | November 11
Discover Apella, New York City’s premier meeting and event destination venue, secluded on the edge of the East River yet within touching distance of Midtown Manhattan.
Registered Aviation Forum attendees are invited to join Skift Commerce Summit with a complimentary pass.
Main Event
TWA Hotel, JFK, New York City | November 12
Limited room blocks available for attendees
Built inside Eero Saarinen's iconic 1962 TWA Flight Center, the TWA Hotel is the only hotel on JFK Airport grounds - a mid-century masterpiece where the golden age of aviation never really ended. Runway views included.
Address: One Idlewild Drive, JFK International Airport, Jamaica, NY 11430
Supported By
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Sponsor Opportunities
Want to be part of the event? Sponsor opportunities include main stage talks, networking, workshops and more. Reach out to sponsorships@skift.com to learn more.