Wheels Up Podcast Series
Insight by Helane Becker
Wheels Up, hosted by Helane Becker, TD Cowen’s Airlines, Airfreight, & Aircraft Leasing Analyst, features guests who discuss their ESG efforts in the airlines industry.
- Episode 1: United’s Take On Turning Garbage Into Aviation Fuel: Lauren Riley, United Airlines Chief Sustainability Officer, joins Helene Becker, Cowen’s Airlines, Airfreight, & Aircraft Leasing analyst to discuss the steps United is taking to get to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, including developing sustainable aviation fuels and using electric vehicles at airports. Press play to listen to the podcast.
- Episode 2: SAF, Star Ventures, & Alaska’s Sustainability Journey: Helane Becker, Cowen’s Airlines, Airfreight & Aircraft Leasing Analyst, goes behind the scenes with Alaska Air Group’s SVP of Public Affairs and Sustainability, Diana Birkett Rakow, to get the scoop on Alaska Air’s plans to reduce their carbon footprint–including plans to purchase 185 MM gallons of SAF from Gevo over five years beginning in 2026. They also discuss the company’s commitment to inclusion & diversity, which is crucial considering the Airline’s presence in Alaska, where several cities depend on air service for survival.
- Episode 3: Decarbonizing Aviation and Developing Human Capital with Delta Air Lines: Cherie Wilson, Vice President of Government Affairs and Amelia DeLuca, Vice President of Sustainability for Delta Air Lines join Helane Becker, Cowen’s Airlines, Airfreight & Aircraft Leasing Analyst. They discuss Delta’s efforts to lower their carbon footprint and how they’re working toward net zero carbon emissions by 2050. They also discuss how they work with regulatory affairs and legal to stay ahead of a constantly changing regulatory and policy environment.
- Episode 4: Letting Sustainability Take Flight With American Airlines: Jill Blickstein, American Airlines’ Vice President of Sustainability joins Helane Becker, Airlines, Airfreight & Aircraft Leasing Analyst. They discuss how the airline is working to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Efforts include contracting for SAF and creating meaningful fuel savings through more efficient routing. They also speak about American’s latest sustainability report.
- Episode 5: 2024 Travel Outlook: Continued Strong Leisure Demand: Helane Becker, Airlines and Aircraft Leasing Analyst and Kevin Kopelman, Online Travel and Hotel Analyst discuss the 2024 outlook for the travel sector. They discuss inflationary pressures, improving air traffic control, competitor growth, and other industry trends.
Episode 1: United’s Take On Turning Garbage Into Aviation Fuel
Lauren Riley, United Airlines Chief Sustainability Officer, joins Helene Becker, Cowen’s Airlines, Airfreight, & Aircraft Leasing analyst to discuss the steps United is taking to get to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, including developing sustainable aviation fuels and using electric vehicles at airports. Press play to listen to the podcast.
For the full transcript click here
Episode 2: SAF, Star Ventures, & Alaska’s Sustainability Journey
Helane Becker, Cowen’s Airlines, Airfreight & Aircraft Leasing Analyst, goes behind the scenes with Alaska Air Group’s SVP of Public Affairs and Sustainability, Diana Birkett Rakow, to get the scoop on Alaska Air’s plans to reduce their carbon footprint–including plans to purchase 185 MM gallons of SAF from Gevo over five years beginning in 2026. They also discuss the company’s commitment to inclusion & diversity, which is crucial considering the Airline’s presence in Alaska, where several cities depend on air service for survival.
For the full transcript click here
Episode 3: Decarbonizing Aviation and Developing Human Capital with Delta Air Lines
Cherie Wilson, Vice President of Government Affairs and Amelia DeLuca, Vice President of Sustainability for Delta Air Lines join Helane Becker, Cowen’s Airlines, Airfreight & Aircraft Leasing Analyst. They discuss Delta’s efforts to lower their carbon footprint and how they’re working toward net zero carbon emissions by 2050. They also discuss how they work with regulatory affairs and legal to stay ahead of a constantly changing regulatory and policy environment.
For the full transcript click here
Episode 4: Letting Sustainability Take Flight With American Airlines
Vice President of Sustainability joins Helane Becker, Airlines, Airfreight & Aircraft Leasing Analyst. They discuss how the airline is working to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Efforts include contracting for SAF and creating meaningful fuel savings through more efficient routing. They also speak about American’s latest sustainability report.
For the full transcript click here
Episode 5: 2024 Travel Outlook: Continued Strong Leisure Demand
Helane Becker, Airlines and Aircraft Leasing Analyst and Kevin Kopelman, Online Travel and Hotel Analyst discuss the 2024 outlook for the travel sector. They discuss inflationary pressures, improving air traffic control, competitor growth, and other industry trends.
For the full transcript click here