Layovers - Air Travel podcast

Flight 046. We interview Tony Tyler, the outgoing Director General and CEO of IATA (International Air Transport Association), former CEO of Cathay Pacific and gentleman of the air travel industry.

Flight 045. Want a million frequent flyer miles? You have to be born on a Cebu Pacific flight or win the Olympic Gold for Singapore. British Airways charters a 747 to fly the athletes home, but no word if they also cut the second hot meal like on all their other routes. In the US, being a multi-medal winner won’t get you upgraded on United, but, unlike Delta, they won’t mistake New Mexico for Mexico. Airbus is going widebody for regional flights, but also planning flying taxis...

Flight 044. Want to look like a fool in airports? Play Pokemon Go or ride a motorized carry-on. Asia on top, the US way behind: the Skytrax world's best airlines and world's best airports awards tell no surprise. It’s finally game over for the US4 against the ME3. Alex eats like a king and sleeps like a baby in his premium journey to Shanghai with Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon...

Flight 043. The major US airlines seem to be losing the lobbying battle against the middle-eastern carriers. The EU calls for even more open skies between the two sides of the Atlantic. SWISS gets its brand new Bombardier CSeries. Boeing might well include the 747 in a deal with Iran. India leads the way in self-sufficient solar powered airport. The uncertain future of air travel in the UK after Brexit. Air Serbia launches a new US route, displaying the network power of Etihad...

Flight 042. Paul flies and compares the A350 to the 787. Alex adores the food on Alitalia. Dubai International has a drone problem whilst Gatwick has a runway hole issue. Tim Clark sees the end of the good old days of commercial aviation. Alaska keeps changing its mind about Virgin America. Horizon has been flying without sinks for 8 years! Austrian offers fixed price upgrades for its European flights. Alex gets a kick out of taking off at City Airport, fellow passengers agree...

Flight 041. A new low cost alliance shakes things up in South East Asia. Paul does his first round the world trip, in First. JetLovers goes 3D. Airbus goes A3. Alex and Bourdain share some airplane food similarities. Qantas finally introduces women pilot uniforms. Singapore Airlines and Air France wanted to get close, Lufthansa said no way. Ryanair opens a new chapter by re-shaping its route model. Hotels get the cabin feeling...

Flight 040. An interview with Mark Vanhoenacker, a 747 pilot who gave up his corporate career to follow his childhood dream of flying. He is the author of SkyFaring, a favorite of both Alex and Paul.

Flight 039. King size bed seats, throne seats, configurable bench seats, new inventions in a world of reduced leg room. How consolidation in the US skies might hurt choice for the consumer. Another smart luggage, one we might actually buy. A quite epic Emirates business class experience. Wow Air will fly you to Snapchat for them. Solar Impulse crosses the Pacific Ocean. The non-story of a drone hitting a plane. The turnaround CEO of Malaysian quits after less than a year.

Flight 038. The story behind Virgin America’s death: why Alaska bought it, why JetBlue didn’t, why Alaska might regret it, why it made sense for the investors to sell, how JetBlue goes after Virgin’s passengers, how we all lose out, and what will happen to the brand. A bit of hope for the 747. The dire state of the TSA. The confidence behind Emirates’ new booking system. A pillow that calls itself smart. KLM is boarding the new Facebook Messenger. Warheads board an Air Serbia plane...

Flight 037. Who will buy Virgin America and will the brand survive? Airspace, or when Airbus brands its widebody cabins for the travelers. Ryanair decides to become nice. Is Virgin Atlantic finally mulling a long haul low cost product? As crews misbehave in flight, they might love the new A350. Boom, the startup that wants to solve supersonic travel. When the UK has a shortage of biscuits, it sends 777s to the rescue. The infamous hijacker selfie. Aces High for the Iron Maiden 747.