The Hill has named the Top Lobbyists of 2019 who “stand out for delivering results for their clients in the halls of Congress and the administration.”
This list includes all 3 major legacy airlines (but no smaller airlines) and the major airline industry lobby shop’s represenatives, too.
Terri Fariello, United Airlines Inc. …
Molly Wilkinson and Nate Gatten, American Airlines Inc. …
Heather Wingate, Delta Air Lines Inc. …
Nicholas E. Calio and Christine Burgeson, Airlines for America
Of course American, Delta, and United all argue that it’s other countries those governments support their airlines too much.
Timothy Keating from Boeing and Guy Hicks from Airbus are on here. This aviation-heavy list also includes Mark Baker of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. It does not, however, include anyone lobbying for passengers as consumers.
It does not seem to me that the major airlines get many sweatheart deals from DC. Exhibit A right now is the absurd situation with the recertification of the MAX. I will say that you would be an idiot NOT to have a great lobbyist for your business in Washington. The government has so much power to screw things up for you.
It has always been my opinion that lobbying is nothing more that legal bribery and should be illegal.