It may almost be summer, but today we need to talk about cold, dark February. That may be the toughest winter month for many, and that’s why — thanks to our presenting sponsor Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport — next year’s Cranky Network Awards will once again be in Phoenix, Arizona. We can’t promise heat and sunny skies, but we can promise it’ll be hotter and sunnier than most airline headquarters locations at that time of year. If you’re on an airline network team, mark your calendars now for Thursday, February 25.
That’s right, February 25. We’re going back to our regular week after a slight diversion earlier in 2026. In fact, we’re doing a lot of things like we did back in 2025, and for good reason.
We will be returning to the Hyatt Regency you’ll remember from 2025, primarily because we were told most of you did not appreciate having water dripping on your beds last year. Even more surprising, the fire alarm at night was not considered a welcome addition. We’re going to try to avoid that this year.
We’re also going to be back at the same afterparty venue from 2025. We got feedback this year that while the new venue was cool, you liked having an outdoor space. And so it shall be. See, when you fill out those feedback surveys, we actually pay attention.
The Cranky Confab will be back in 2027 with two new topics — yes, we heard your feedback on shaking that up a bit as well — to be discussed on the afternoon of February 25. For the first time, we are opening it up to a presenting sponsor this year, so if your company is interested, email cna-sponsor@crankyflier.com or let me know and I can connect you.
Not everything is changing from this year. Both the Confab and the Awards will be back at On Jackson while Courtney Miller’s crowd-favorite Forecast Breakfast on the morning of February 26 will as always be presented by our friends at Tampa International Airport in the hotel.
This event remains invite-only, though invitations will come much later. You likely know if you’ll be on the invite list, so mark your calendars now. If you have any questions, just email us at cna@crankyflier.com. Or if you’d like to discuss a sponsorship, we’re at cna-sponsor@crankyflier.com.
