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Welcome to the AvTalk aviation podcast

from Flightradar24

An aviation podcast by aviation geeks for anyone who looks up when they hear an airplane fly overhead. Listen in as Ian Petchenik and Jason Rabinowitz bring you aviation news, views, and special guests every Friday. If you’re a new avgeek or just can’t get enough aviation in your life, get your avgeek fix with us.
  • Expert aviation industry analysis
  • Special guests from ground crew to airline CEOs
  • Listen to a new episode every Friday
  • Stay up to date with the fast pace of aviation
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Meet your hosts

Ian Petchenik

Ian Petchenik

Flightradar24’s director of communications and co-host of the AvTalk podcast, Ian grew up at the end of the runway in Chicago and fell in love with aviation at a young age.
Jason Rabinowitz

Jason Rabinowitz

An AvGeek who researches and writes about all things airlines, airplanes, transit and travel. Co-host of Flightradar24’s AvTalk podcast.
Gabriel Leigh

Gabriel Leigh

Having been fascinated by airplanes since he can remember, Gabriel writes about transport, travel and more for publications like The New York Times, Monocle and Forbes.

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Latest episode

AvTalk Episode 360: War shuts down Middle East airspace

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss the US-Israeli attack on Iran and Iranian response with an eye on the effects on commercial aviation. Airspace closures, flight cancellations, reroutes, diversions, and how airlines are coping with the rapid changes. Also on this week’s episode, another emergency evacuation with passengers carrying their baggage, the…
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Fltof2
5/5
“Excellent show. Keeps me informed of the latest developments in the airline industry, and many of the interviews with guests have been fantastic!”
K/M/S
5/5

“Among aviation podcasts, this one is a shining star: it features interviews with very interesting people in “the biz”, intelligent humor, professionalism and no posturing.”

who62500
5/5
“This is a very informative AND entertaining podcast if you are even remotely into aviation. Ian and Jason work well off of each other to make for a very pleasant listen.”
Timmy Dedock
5/5
“I’ve worked for a major aircraft manufacturer for 8 years and just recently discovered the aviation talk podcasting industry. I love the insight shared and great interviews from all around the aviation industry.”
Episodes this year

AvTalk Episode 360: War shuts down Middle East airspace

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss the US-Israeli attack on Iran and Iranian response with an eye on the effects on commercial aviation. Airspace closures, flight cancellations, reroutes, diversions, and how airlines are coping with the rapid changes….
Listen now

AvTalk Episode 359: Reading them the ROTOR Act

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, after passing unanimously in the Senate, the US House of Representatives votes down the aviation safety-focused ROTOR Act, which was championed by the NTSB, pilots’ unions, and families of the victims of last year’s mid-air collision in Washington DC. The House will now…
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AvTalk Episode 358: Not how you want the day to go

Plenty to discuss on this week’s episode of AvTalk: More clarity on what exactly led to the closure of airspace above El Paso last week A United Airlines flight from Lagos experiences an extraordinary series of events (UA613 leg 1 | UA613 leg 2) ANA operates a 14 hour…
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AvTalk Episode 357: Frickin’ drones with frickin’ laser beams

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian is joined by Ned Russell in the studio as Jason and Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren report from their outpost in the Caribbean. We try to understand what happened in El Paso on Wednesday morning and offer some thoughts on the FAA administrator’s actions to…
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AvTalk Episode 356: Finally, a 25 hour rule

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the FAA finalizes the rule mandating 25-hour recordings on cockpit voice recorders. Confusion ensues after President Trump says he’s decertifying “Canadian made” aircraft. Air India and Indian investigators probe a fuel cutoff switch incident aboard a Boeing 787 in London. And the Singapore…
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AvTalk Episode 355: Systemic failures

On this week’s episode of AvTalk: The NTSB holds its board meeting to determine the probable cause of the mid-air collision above the Potomac River last January UPS announces it has retired its MD-11 fleet A Bombardier business jet crashes attempting to depart Bangor, Maine Airlines are modifying their…
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AvTalk Episode 354: Want to buy a 747SP?

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the US issues a set of NOTAMs warning of military activity in a large swath of the North Pacific. The NTSB issues an update on the UPS MD-11 crash, focusing on additional materials analysis performed on a bearing from the engine pylon mount….
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AvTalk Episode 353: Boeing has a banner year

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing and Airbus report their final tallies for orders and deliveries in 2025 and it was Boeing’s best year since 2018. Allegiant is buying Sun Country in a shake up of the ultra low-cost market in the US. Delta comes full circle and…
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AvTalk Episode 352: It’s the deicing that’ll get ya

We begin the year with a mess in Amsterdam as more than 3,000 flights have been canceled at the airport this week following snow storms and a long list of operational problems. We look at the impact on civil aviation from the US military action in Venezuela last weekend….
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AvTalk Episode 351: Our favorite conversations from 2025

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we’re beginning 2026 by looking back at a pair of our favorite conversations from 2025.  Throughout the year, we focused a lot on the seemingly unending stream of news and what it meant for the aviation industry, but we also had a chance…
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2025 episodes

AvTalk Episode 350: “Outrageous:” close calls near Venezuela

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a pair of incidents involving civilian aircraft and military aircraft without active transponders operating in Curaçao’s airspace sounds a bit too familiar. We discuss the events from the last week and the state of airspace in the southern Caribbean. NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy…
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AvTalk Episode 349: How do you forget about a 737?

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian and Jason return from their respective travels to survey this week’s news. We return to India where IndiGo’s meltdown last week left the government none-too-pleased with the airline. In the US, Peraton gets the nod as the FAA’s prime integrator for ATC…
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AvTalk Episode 348: Consider the airspace closed in its entirety

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian is joined by new Flightradar24 crew member Daniel Gustafsson in the Flightradar24 offices in Stockholm, while Jason finishes his journey through Japan’s cat cafes….
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AvTalk Episode 347: Fatigue cracks, thrust levers, and sand ballast

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian is joined by aviation journalist Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren to discuss a trio of recently released preliminary accident reports. UPS flight 2976 — MD-11F crash on take off in Louisville Emergency Airworthiness Directive regarding MD-11s Emergency Airworthiness Directive regarding DC-10s United Airlines flight 1093…
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AvTalk Episode 346: The A340-600 episode

On this episode of AvTalk, the Dubai Airshow wraps up with a long list of major orders and other announcements. The FAA cancels its cancellation order and air traffic in the US returns to pre-government shutdown levels. Plus, anti-GPS jamming technology is coming from Fokker Services in early 2026….
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AvTalk Episode 345: Reasonable people

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, US airspace held together—barely—with hastily announced cuts to flights at major airports going into effect and air traffic controller staffing triggers peaking on Sunday. We also discuss comments from President Trump (09:23-15:28) on controller staffing during the shutdown and what effect that sentiment…
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AvTalk Episode 344: UPS flight 2976

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss what we know so far about the crash of UPS Airlines flight 2976 in Louisville. To manage some of the burden on air traffic controllers during the government shutdown, the US is telling airlines to cancel up to 10% of their…
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AvTalk Episode 343: It’s a retention issue

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we chat with Katherine Moloney, a pilot and founder of Elevate(her) Aviation, an organization dedicated to raising the percentage of women in aviation careers around the world. Elevate(her)’s research has led to some obvious immediate changes that would be beneficial to the industry…
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AvTalk Episode 342: Two statistically improbable events

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss two statistically improbable events — an airACT 747 veered off the runway and struck a vehicle before ending up in the sea and a United Airlines 737-8 MAX struck something at 36,000 feet. We walk through the most likely scenario at…
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AvTalk Episode 341: Dry Clean Only

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Russian president Vladimir Putin admits Russian air defenses damaged Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 before it crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan. American Airlines unveils its centennial logo ahead of its 100th anniversary next year. More than half of Finnair’s A321 fleet is currently undergoing…
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AvTalk Episode 340: Four engines for podcast

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss last week’s collision between two Endeavor Air CRJ-900s at La Guardia and what new video tells us about how it happened. Similar to last time the US federal government shut down, focus is on the actions of air traffic controllers. While ATC…
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AvTalk Episode 339: What the Nuuk!?

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we chat with Eliska Hill, Senior Vice President of Cargo for the UK and the rest of the world at Air Partner about the state of the cargo market, where recovery has come post-COVID, and how companies with something to ship are beginning…
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AvTalk Episode 338: Tunis to Nice, too close

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Nouvelair flight almost lands on top of an easyJet A320 in Nice. In Aalborg, Copenhagen, and Oslo, reported drone sightings put a halt to flights. And we spend a lot of time in the low cost segment of the industry with fresh…
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AvTalk Episode 337: Pay attention, get off the iPad!

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Spirit Airlines crew is slow to respond to a New York Center controller while in the same airspace as Air Force One, leading to some choice words from the controller. We break down what happened over Long Island….
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AvTalk Episode 336: No supernatural demonic force

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by The Up Front editor-in-chief John Walton to discuss the peculiar nature of the Premium Economy cabin on Air Côte d’Ivoire’s new A330neo and the wider issues with cabin certification across the industry….
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AvTalk Episode 335: the Plovdiv mystery

On this week’s AvTalk, we discuss European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s flight to Plovdiv—from initial breathless reports talking of circling for hours, using paper maps to land and “praying for landing” to what the data actually tells us. Spirit Airlines files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for…
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AvTalk Episode 334: They got Nuuk’d

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Nuuk, Greenland cancels international flights after security screeners need additional training. Korean Air signals its intent to purchase more than 100 Boeing aircraft, but most of the proposed order is for aircraft not yet certified. Reports are swirling that China is looking to…
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AvTalk Episode 333: Whinging about windowless window seats

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, United and Delta Air Lines face lawsuits for charging extra for window seats without a window. Serbian investigators reveal the extent of damages to a Marathon Airlines E195 during takeoff in Belgrade and the chain of errors leading up to the flight. A…
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AvTalk Episode 332: “Ongoing concern” concerns

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Spirit Airlines’ second quarter earnings report raises “ongoing concern” concerns and paints a bleak portrait of the airline’s future. A French notification about a Swiss investigation tips us off to a close call by an Aegean A320neo from last November. Brazilian investigators release…
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AvTalk Episode 331: Stuck on the plane for 28 hours

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, what we learned from days two and three of the NTSB’s hearings on the midair collision at DCA. A Delta A330neo experiences severe turbulence, Boeing adds a new 777-9 to 777X test fleet, and Alaska Airlines unveils a new livery for its 787s….
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AvTalk Episode 330: Acceptable deviation?

On this episode of AvTalk, what we learned from the first of three days of investigative hearings by the NTSB into January’s crash at DCA. Russian investigators peel the layers of problems that led to the crash of a Gazpromavia SuperJet. An American Airlines 737 suffers a landing gear…
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AvTalk Episode 329: Planes where they shouldn’t be

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian returns from Europe and Jason returns from sitting and staring at the wall for a brand new episode. We discuss the conversation around the Air India flight 171 preliminary report, a close call in Mexico City, and another in Minot, North Dakota….
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AvTalk Episode 328: Lock the cat in the lav

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Indian investigators narrow the focus of their investigation on the crashed 787’s fuel cut off switches. Lufthansa has quite the week with a damaged A340 in need of an unpressurized transatlantic ferry flight, a diverted 747 in South America, and a loose cat…
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AvTalk Episode 327: Overrun by squirrels

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Indian investigators have downloaded the data from AI171’s recorders. Chinese authorities decline to release a report on China Southern flight 5735, citing threats to “national security and social stability.” A report on the Heathrow power station fire makes clear that it should have…
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AvTalk Episode 326: Diversions and diversion tactics

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss all that has happened in Middle East airspace over the past week—from the US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities and elaborate diversion flights to the Iranian retaliation against US bases in Qatar and the subsequent airspace restrictions to the fragile cease…
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AvTalk Episode 325: The crash of Air India flight 171

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss the crash of Air India flight 171 shortly after take off from Ahmedabad last week. What we know, what we don’t know, and possible avenues of investigation. We also examine the situation in the Middle East to see what effects current…
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AvTalk Episode 324: Five flights to nowhere

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Silver Airways ceases operations immediately and Qantas says subsidiary Jetstar Asia will wind down flights by the end of July. The NTSB releases the preliminary report on the American Airlines 737 fire in Denver. May was a big month for Boeing, with more…
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AvTalk Episode 323: Raccoons on a plane

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Airbus’ Montreal final assembly line is invaded by a family of raccoons. Newark reopens its main runway a few days early as airlines and the FAA jostle over flight cuts. United and JetBlue announce their Blue Sky partnership, while the IATA annual general…
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AvTalk Episode 322: They bounced the wheel right off

On this episode of AvTalk, Ian and Jason and back home from Stockholm and ready to take on the week’s news. The NTSB is out with a handful of reports, including details on the FedEx 767 bird strike in Newark, Frontier’s hard landing and go around in San Juan,…
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AvTalk Episode 321: Global gets off the ground

This week, Gabe Leigh joins Ian and Jason in Stockholm for a special episode of AvTalk. Gabe recounts his experience on the first Global Airlines revenue flight and we discuss the future prospects for the would-be, all-A380 airline. We also get into the interesting media relations strategy being pursued…
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AvTalk Episode 320: About that Qatari 747

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian and Jason are joined by resident numbers expert Gavin Werbeloff for the facts and figures behind some of the large aircraft we’ve seen this week. There are more changes coming to Newark as the FAA tries to prevent more air traffic control…
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AvTalk Episode 319: What’s old is Newark again

On this episode of AvTalk, we learn more about what happened at Newark last week, what is still causing dozens of daily cancellations, and what’s being done to mitigate the problem. We also discuss some of the ideas touted by Newark’s biggest user, United Airlines, to improve the situation….
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AvTalk Episode 318: “All the brain damage of buying a whole airline”

On this week’s AvTalk, Indian airlines lose access to Pakistani airspace and gain a massive fuel bill. A massive power outage in Spain and Portugal affects millions of passengers, but airports keep moving. Newark falls victim to equipment outages again as Congress proposes $15 billion to modernize air traffic…
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AvTalk Episode 317: The (Q1) results are in

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, it’s hard numbers, euphemistic language, and a bit of planes on fire….
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AvTalk Episode 316: The helicopter in the Hudson

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss what’s known so far about the crash of a Bell 206 in the Hudson River last week. We also break down the sequence of events after the crash that led to the FAA issuing an emergency grounding order for the helicopter…
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AvTalk Episode 315: Growth has “largely stalled”

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Jason joins Ian in Chicago for a face to face conversation, which also means it’s a self-edited show this week. The preliminary report on the Swiftair 737 crash in Vilnius looks to human factors as investigators probe how and why one of the…
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AvTalk Episode 314: World Champion Gas Ballooning

On this episode of AvTalk, we learning all about long endurance gas balloons with a world record holder. We learn more about the erroneous TCAS alerts that plagued aircraft near DCA at the beginning of March and what the FAA is doing following a fist fight in the DCA…
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AvTalk Episode 313: Turn off the airport, and turn it on again

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the lights are back on at Heathrow and investigation into what happened is in full swing. We discuss the Transport Safety Board of Canada’s preliminary report on the Endeavor Air accident in Toronto, including the sequence of events leading up the landing and…
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AvTalk Episode 312: It’s good to have balloon insurance

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Chris Lomas fills in for a vacationing Jason. The FAA acts on the NTSB’s urgent safety recommendations in DC and reconfigures helicopter routes near DCA. An American Airlines 737 catches fire at the gate in Denver, leading to questions about evacuations when passengers…
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AvTalk Episode 311: No LUV for a broken Heart

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the NTSB releases its preliminary report on the mid-air collision over the Potomac River. In addition to the report, the NTSB also issued a pair of urgent safety recommendations to the FAA regarding the helicopter routes in the Washington DC area. We also…
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AvTalk Episode 310: “Engulfed in flames”

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, another round of tabloid journalism meets aviation incident as a FedEx bird strike and resulting engine fire lead to breathless headlines. Also this week, the FAA issues a set of Airworthiness directives aimed at the CFM56 engine nacelle, Boeing finishes rework on its…
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AvTalk Episode 309: Tower, how’d that happen?

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a tale of 3 go arounds. We first visit Chicago, where a Southwest pilot made the quick decision to go around as an unauthorized aircraft crossed the runway. Then we visit San Francisco where an Asiana Airlines A350 descended too low as it…
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AvTalk Episode 308: Upside down, but alive

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, an Endeavor Air CRJ-900 ends up upside down in Toronto, but everyone on board makes it out safely. The NTSB provides a detailed update on the mid-air collision in Washington, including the agency’s focus on the helicopter’s altitude and the altitude the pilots…
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AvTalk Episode 307: Everything is delayed 5-10 years

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Bering Air Cessna 208 crashes near Nome, Alaska. Updates on the mid-air collision in Washington DC and what airspace changes may become permanent. New propulsion technology projects from major manufacturers are being pushed back 5-10 years. And we share the recipe for…
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AvTalk Episode 306: The facts from Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Aktau

On this episode of AvTalk, we review what we know so far about the mid-air collision between a US Army UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter and a PSA Airlines CRJ-700 in Washington DC, what we don’t know, and some of the avenues of inquiry investigators and authorities are following. We…
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AvTalk Episode 305: Boom booms for the first time

Note: this episode of AvTalk was recorded prior to the crash in Washington DC involving a PSA Airlines CRJ-700 and US military H-60 helicopter. We will have complete coverage of the accident and where the investigation stands on next week’s episode. For regular updates, please visit our blog post…
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AvTalk Episode 304: Oh baby baby

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Jason journeys through the European fog for a very special trip to the beach. Snow hits the US Gulf Coast from Houston to New Orleans forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights. The Boeing 777X is flying again and the NTSB releases its…
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AvTalk Episode 303: A comforting musky scent

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, TCAS once again ensures everyone goes home safely, this time avoiding a collision between a Delta A330 and United 737 in Phoenix. A Delta 757 suffers and engine failure on departure from Atlanta. Lufthansa could be in a bit of trouble as the…
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AvTalk Episode 302: Blowout, one year later

On this episode of AvTalk, Ian and Jason are back with their first regular episode of 2025. We get an update on the investigations into the crashes of Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 and Jeju Air flight 2216. We take stock of Boeing’s progress toward a new safety culture one…
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AvTalk Episode 301: Azerbaijan Airlines 8243 and Jeju Air 2216

On this special episode of AvTalk, Ian and Jason discuss what we know so far about the crashes of an Azerbaijan Airlines E190 in Aktau, Kazakhstan and a Jeju Air 737 in Muan, South Korea….
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2024 episodes

AvTalk Episode 300: Our favorite conversations in 2024

On this episode of AvTalk, we look back at a trio of our favorite conversations from this past year. In 2024, we were fortunate to speak with experts from across the aviation industry. In this recap of the year, we revisit three conversations with people who helped us understand…
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AvTalk Episode 299: Let’s talk about the drones

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian and Jason take a deep breath and discuss the New Jersey drones. What are people claiming they’ve seen, why nearly all of the reports are just aircraft, and why you should never, never shine a laser or fire a gun at an…
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AvTalk Episode 298: Boeing gets going again

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian and Jason are back from their travels and back in the studio for a full week’s worth of aviation news. We start with Boeing’s resumption of 737 production and a judge’s rejection of the plea deal negotiated by Boeing and the US…
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AvTalk Episode 297: He used a helicopter to ask

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian is joined by Flightradar24 colleague Chris Lomas in Stockholm as Jason finishes his travels in Asia. In this news this week, a marriage proposal involving a helicopter and Flightradar24, Lufthansa’s stake in ITA Airways clears the final hurdle, Aeroflot takes its first…
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AvTalk Episode 296: A fire, a crash, and a contract

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Jason is traveling in Japan and Ian is prepping his Thanksgiving Turkey. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to discuss. An Azimuth Airlines SuperJet caught fire after a hard landing in Antalya. A Swiftair 737-400 operating for DHL crashed 1.5km short of…
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AvTalk Episode 295: Severe turbulence, more bullets, and hundreds of hamsters

On this week’s AvTalk, severe turbulence leads to an inflight engine shut down on an SAS A330. A CargoJet 767 overruns the runway in Vancouver after a flap failure. A Southwest Airlines jet is struck by a bullet in Dallas. A Qantas A380 flew for a month with a…
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AvTalk Episode 294: Please don’t shoot at the planes

On this week’s AvTalk, at least three aircraft are struck by bullets while trying to landing in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Spirit Airlines could soon file for bankruptcy after Frontier walks away from a potential merger. And Colombian cargo carrier Aerosucre has yet another close call, striking the ILS array at…
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AvTalk Episode 293: All right, everybody back to work

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing machinists in the pacific northwest ratify a new contract, ending a 53 day strike. We discuss what’s in the contract and where Boeing goes from here….
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AvTalk Episode 292: Airplane facts with Max

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we welcome Max Comer, and airline mechanic and the man behind social media sensation Airplane Facts with Max, which compares and contrasts interesting aviation information… and the works of JRR Tolkien. Also this week, the NTSB releases its preliminary report on the Frontier…
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AvTalk Episode 291: They strike on

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing announces a $6 billion third quarter loss, while the company’s striking machinists reject the latest contract offer, sending negotiators back to work. A close call in Austin as TCAS comes to the rescue, while Indian airlines deal with a spate of hoax…
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AvTalk Episode 290: Boeing brings the battle axe

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing announces layoffs affecting 17,000 employees and the sunset of the 767 program. The 777X is delayed until at least 2026 and airlines are having trouble getting ahold of aircraft that are already certified. This is leading to some airlines refurbishing already well-worn…
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AvTalk Episode 289: The FAA doesn’t want headless pilots

On this episode of AvTalk, a new report from the New York Times raises questions about Boeing’s differing response to 737 MAX operators’ requests for safety information following the crash of Lion Air 610. A passenger safely lands a King Air after the pilot is incapacitated. The NTSB issues…
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AvTalk Episode 288: Escalation or the new normal?

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss Iran’s missile attack on Israel and the consequences (so far) for commercial aviation. The NTSB shakes its fist at the FAA over moist rudders, while the FAA’s investigation into United’s safety system turns up nothing. Qatar Airways is taking a 25%…
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AvTalk Episode 287: How best and final is “best and final”?

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing gives its striking machinists union its “best and final” offer. But how best and final is it?  EASA informs A350 operators to ensure they’re cleaning their fuel hoses properly. Canada heads down a confusing path on its quest resolve airline complaints. And…
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AvTalk Episode 286: Leis, strikes, and stripped for parts

On this episode of AvTalk, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines secure Department of Transportation approval of their merger. As the Boeing Machinists’ strike enters week two, the company is implementing a long list of measures to hoard cash. In other strike news, Air Canada and its pilots union have…
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AvTalk Episode 285: How much cocaine can you fit in a Gulfstream?

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Delta A350 clips a CRJ-900, knocking the regional jet’s tail off. Brazilian investigators release their preliminary report on the crash of VoePass flight 2283. Boeing reaches a tentative labor agreement with its machinists union, but the union rank and file are not…
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AvTalk Episode 284: When protection doesn’t protect you

On this week’s AvTalk, a fuel hose failure on a Cathay Pacific A350 prompts fleet-wide inspections of the Trent XWB engine. Russian investigators release their preliminary report on the Gazpromavia SuperJet crash—and incorrectly installed angle of attack sensors feature prominently. Plus, a vulnerability in the US’ Known Crewmember system…
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AvTalk Episode 283: When the door guy goes on vacation

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss Dominic Gates and Paige Cornwell’s article in this week’s Seattle Times detailing how the door plug on the Alaska Airlines 737-9 MAX was reinstalled without the proper bolts, allowing it to blow out of the aircraft shortly after departure on January 5th….
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AvTalk Episode 282: Just when everything was starting to go well

On this week’s episode, Boeing’s 777X test fleet is grounded after separated or cracked thrust links are found on all three aircraft. An update on the VoePass 2283 investigation. Elliott Management, the activist investor group trying to replace Southwest Airlines’ board of directors and top management unveils its list…
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AvTalk Episode 281: VoePass 2283 crash discussion with Steve Giordano

On this week’s AvTalk, we’re joined by Nomadic Aviation Group founder and pilot Steve Giordano to discuss the circumstances around the crash of VoePass flight 2283. Giordano breaks down some of the important terms surrounding the accident and describes in detail the key points of turboprop flying as it…
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AvTalk Episode 280: Hear ye, hear ye says the NTSB

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the NTSB holds two days of investigative hearings on the Alaska Airlines 737-9 MAX exit door plug blow out. What we learned from the hearings and what we still don’t know. Tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, and we’re on NOTAM…
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AvTalk Episode 279: Boeing chooses its new CEO

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by Ned Russell and his dog Heathrow to break down the appointment of Kelly Ortberg as Boeing’s new CEO. We also unpack Boeing’s second quarter earnings report, which while not particularly cheerful does have a few bright spots….
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AvTalk Episode 278: Gary O’Donnell, A321XLR head of program

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss the Crowd Strike outage and why it took Delta Air Lines so much longer than everyone else to get their operations back on track. The FAA is increasing scrutiny of Southwest Airlines after a third low descent incident in just four…
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AvTalk Episode 277: Finally, some good news for Boeing!

On this week’s episode, Ian heads to the basement because TORNADO is in the METAR. And it’s finally some good news for Boeing as the 777-9 begins certification test flights. A Gazpromavia Superjet crashes outside of Moscow and we learn more about the incident a few weeks ago where…
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AvTalk Episode 276: Wait, who’s cleared for takeoff!?

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing agrees to plead guilty to felony charges, the NTSB issues its preliminary report on the Southwest Airlines flight that experienced “Dutch roll,” and two CRJ-900s come closer than they should have in Syracuse. Plus, a pair of Air India Express engine problems,…
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AvTalk Episode 275: The NTSB puts Boeing in timeout

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, what Boeing did to earn a sanction from the NTSB. What the weekend may hold for Boeing’s legal troubles. Boeing and Airbus agree to deals to acquire Spirit Aerosystem’s operations. And Air Europa flight 45 experiences turbulence bad enough to toss a passenger…
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AvTalk Episode 274: International trash balloons

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing, Airbus, and Spirit Aerosystems near a deal to bring Spirit back into the Boeing fold. Another Southwest 737 flew too low, this time in Oklahoma City. The NTSB releases its preliminary report on UA28’s uncontained engine failure on 14 May. And Seoul’s…
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AvTalk Episode 273: Congress, Dutch roll, and bad titanium

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun is back in front of Congress. A trio of stories involving Southwest Airlines, including an apparent incidence of Dutch roll, a roller coast ride off the coast of Hawaii, and a system on the CFM LEAP engines that pilots…
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AvTalk Episode 272: Reduced separation

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Air India and IndiGO A320neos come close enough for authorities to open an investigation. We detail the sequence of events and why this incident received any attention at all. The NTSB released two final reports this week, detailing the probable cause of two…
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AvTalk Episode 271: Boeing’s plan to fix itself

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Jason flies from Germany to New York just to record the podcast and you can barely tell he’s been awake for nearly 24 hours. And in the news, Boeing provides the FAA its plan for renewed engineering excellence, the IATA annual general meeting…
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AvTalk Episode 270: Coming to an airplane near you, news from AIX 2024

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, investigators in Singapore release their preliminary findings for the turbulence encountered by SQ321. And Jason is joined by Seth Miller in Hamburg as we review the news from this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo to see what innovations could be coming to an airplane…
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AvTalk Episode 269: Extreme turbulence

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss the extreme turbulence encountered by Singapore Airlines’ flight SQ321 that led to the death of one passenger and serious injuries to dozens of others. We also focus on how media reporting got the story wrong for so long….
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AvTalk Episode 268: Not-so-deferred prosecution?

On this episode of AvTalk, the US Department of Justice finds Boeing violated the terms of its 2021 deferred prosecution agreement and Congress passes the FAA reauthorization and we dig in to see what’s inside. Plus IndiGo could expand its fleet even further with an order for 100 regional…
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AvTalk Episode 267: Falsifying records

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, employees at Boeing’s 787 assembly facility in South Carolina were falsifying inspection records. Spirit Aerosystems loses nearly as much in the first quarter of 2024 as it did in all of 2023, Alaska Airlines gets some Boeing store credit, and Emirates announces where…
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AvTalk Episode 266: A new challenger emerges

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we learn that Embraer is considering a challenge to the Airbus-Boeing duopoly with a new mainline single-aisle aircraft of its own….
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AvTalk Episode 265: Scott Bateman’s Hercules

On this week’s episode, we welcome current commercial pilot and former RAF captain Scott Bateman to discuss his new book, Hercules: First in. Last Out. The story of an RAF legend. Listen now to find out how to enter to win a copy of Scott’s book. We also discuss a…
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AvTalk Episode 264: Stolen gold and expensive eels

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, escalating retaliatory attacks between Iran and Israel and their effects on global air travel, congressional hearings sharpen the focus on Boeing’s problems, and United Airlines makes big changes to its order book. Plus, we’ve got stolen gold, expensive eels, and a unique competition….
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AvTalk Episode 263: Another whistle blows

Thousands of extra planes take to the skies and New Jersey experiences an earthquake. And that’s just through Monday this week. We then hear from a fresh whistleblower at Boeing who alleges that some 787 and 777 aircraft could experience structural failures. Plus, the NTSB issues its preliminary report…
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AvTalk Episode 262: Striking for the right to strike

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a plane crash lands and then crashes into another plane that crashed a few months earlier. Pratt and Whitney may have a new problem on their hands. The FAA’s mental health panel makes its recommendations. And the French pilot union is calling for…
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AvTalk Episode 261: How the aviation industry is reacting to GPS spoofing

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we welcome AIN Media Group editor-in-chief Matt Thurber to discuss how the aviation industry is reacting to GPS spoofing and jamming. Plus, major leadership changes at Boeing could take the company in a new direction. And the FAA continues to clamp down, this…
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AvTalk Episode 260: Beware the chair

On this episode of AvTalk, an update on the inflight upset experienced by a LATAM 787, the problem with popular media’s hyper focus on aviation incidents, and we dig in to the report detailing what actually happened when an errant flight plan shut down UK airspace last August. Plus,…
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AvTalk Episode 259: Asleep at the sidestick

On this episode of AvTalk, Batik Air pilots asleep on the flight deck, a LATAM flight experiences an inflight upset, and Boeing’s problems only seem to be getting bigger….
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AvTalk Episode 258: With respect to documentation

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, JetBlue and Spirit walk away, American Airlines adds to its order book, and the NTSB isn’t pleased with Boeing….
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AvTalk Episode 257: 30 minutes of bad decisions

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, following a highly critical report by a panel of aviation safety experts, the FAA gives Boeing 90 days to explain how its going to get its act together. We review a collection of aviation safety reports, including the final report on PK8303. And…
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AvTalk Episode 256: A bad day in Belgrade

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Marathon Airlines E195 operating for Air Serbia strikes the ILS array on departure, rogue ATC on the radio over Somalia, Air Canada fire its chatbot, and updates from this year’s Singapore Airshow….
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AvTalk Episode 255: Grounded for the dumbest of reasons

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, United Airlines’ fleet of A321neos is temporarily grounded for the dumbest of reasons. Plus the NTSB comes out swinging at the FAA demanding new rules requiring 25 hour cockpit voice recorders apply to existing aircraft as well. And the preliminary report on the…
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AvTalk Episode 254: The bolts, they are missing

On this episode of AvTalk, we review the NTSB’s preliminary report on Alaska Airlines flight 1282, fresh quality issues affecting some 737 MAX, and Finnair gets out the scales to weigh some of its passengers….
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AvTalk Episode 253: Time traveling with Taylor Swift and turtles

On this episode of AvTalk, we welcome back The Air Current’s founder and editor Jon Ostrower to pull back from Boeing’s immediate crisis and take stock of the state of the company. We look at the challenges facing Boeing, including regaining the trust of its regulator, certifying and delivering a…
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AvTalk Episode 252: Let’s inspect more 737s

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a bit of a different kind of episode to start. And then its onto more Boeing 737 inspections, angry airlines, and a perfectly executed emergency landing….
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AvTalk Episode 251: 737-9 MAX inspections and investigations

On this episode of AvTalk, we take a deep look at the actions by the FAA, airlines, and Boeing in the wake of the accident involving Alaska Airlines flight 1282. Working through the time line of statements, regulatory actions, and investigations we build a picture of what’s happened so…
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2023 episodes

AvTalk Episode 248: Our favorite conversations of 2023

As we close out the year we look back on our a few of our favorite AvTalk conversations from 2023. There were many great ones to choose from, so visit our archive to hear them all. We’ve picked out a pair that were crowd favorites. First up we have…
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AvTalk Episode 247: He’s a stowaway!

On this episode of AvTalk, we scratch our heads trying to figure out the story of a stowaway who managed to make it from Copenhagen to Los Angeles aboard an SAS flight. Stopped by a US customs officer, the man had Russian and Israeli identity documents, but no passport….
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AvTalk Episode 246: Getting goosed

On this episode of AvTalk, Jason is still alive, Ian makes his way home from Sweden, passengers on a Delta flight are waylaid in Goose Bay, and Boeing picks a Pope. Ian and Jason are back in action this week with all the week’s aviation news and some insights…
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AvTalk Episode 245: Alaska says Aloha

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Gabriel Leigh joins Ian in Stockholm to discuss his travels for the Flightradar24 YouTube channel, including a very exciting trip coming up in January. And we speak with Ned Russell, airlines editor at Skift about Alaska Airlines’ proposed $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian…
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AvTalk Episode 244: Olov Lindström: how to land a 787 in Antarctica

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Jason checks in from Taipei and Ian sits down with Olov Lindström, Norse Atlantic Airways Fleet Chief pilot and the first person to captain a 787 to Antarctica. We learn all about the special preparations necessary to make the flight as ordinary as…
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AvTalk Episode 243: Turkey, mashed potatoes, and Shinkansen

We bring you an abbreviated Thanksgiving week episode, partly because of the Thanksgiving holiday, but mostly because Jason is wandering around Japan on high speed trains. We have some updates on stories we discussed last week as well as some much welcome news for Boeing and its 737-10 MAX….
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AvTalk Episode 242: Quit horsing around back there

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a horse escapes its stall onboard a 747 flying from New York to Liege. A panel of experts says decades of congressional meddling and underfunding of the FAA introduces undue risk to flying in the US. And the Dubai Airshow is Boeing’s show…
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AvTalk Episode 241: Want to run the most secretive airline in the world?

On this episode of AvTalk, we learn that the arraignment of the pilot who threatened his captain with a gun has been delayed—because he is on active duty military service outside the country. A Titan Airways A321neo was damaged by high-intensity film lighting, more PW1100G issues, and you could…
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AvTalk Episode 240: First officer threatens to shoot captain over medical diversion

On this episode of AvTalk, we’re flabbergasted to learn about the events aboard a Delta flight last August as the first officer threatened to shoot the captain if they diverted the flight due to an onboard medical emergency. Elsewhere, the JetBlue-Spirit Airlines merger trial is underway in Boston, Southwest…
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AvTalk Episode 239: Event Horizon

On this episode of AvTalk, we spend a full third of the episode attempting to understand what happened on Horizon Air flight 2059 after an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot sitting in the flight deck jump seat tried to shut down the aircraft’s engines. Also this week, a pilot in…
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AvTalk Episode 238: The greatest reinvention of an airline in the history of aviation

On this week’s AvTalk, Jason Rosewell from Infinite Flight joins us to discuss the new partnership between Flightradar24 and Infinite Flight that makes our new 3D view so amazing. We also learn more about how Infinite Flight got started and what’s next for the mobile flight sim company. Plus,…
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AvTalk Episode 237: The civil aviation situation in Israel

On this week’s episode, we take stock of rapidly evolving civil aviation situation in Israel. How are airlines reacting, which are halting flights, and which are still flying to Tel Aviv….
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AvTalk Episode 236: Into the Airchive!

On this episode of AvTalk, we chat with curator of theAirchive.net, Chris Sloan. United Airlines adds more aircraft to its order book, SAS will say hello to Air France+KLM and goodbye to Star Alliance, and Qantas is in more hot water thanks to an IT malfunction….
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AvTalk Episode 235: 1200 pilots short

On this week’s AvTalk, the pilots of the Ural Airlines A320 that ran out of fuel and landed in a field didn’t know the gear was down. VivaAerobus becomes the first airline to add new routes after Mexico regains its Category 1 safety rating, turbulence injures 8 on a…
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AvTalk 234: Route proving with the A321XLR

On this episode of AvTalk, our Chris Lomas becomes the first non-Airbus employee to fly the A321XLR as he joins the route proving campaign. Plus, one company sold aircraft parts based on forged documents, Akasa Air in India loses so many pilots to another airline they have to cancel…
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AvTalk Episode 233: Ural in a field (again)

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we recap all the fun we had at Dorkfest and Spot LAX, including our meeting with one incredible young avgeek. Plus, another Ural Airlines flight ends up in a field, Pratt and Whitney delivers more bad news about the A320neo engines, Mexico makes…
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AvTalk Episode 232: Duplicate waypoints led to NATS outage

On this episode of AvTalk, we learn that the cause of the NATS outage at the end of August was two identically named waypoints 4,000 miles apart. Plus, we discover Discover Airlines, learn a thing or two from an air traffic controller, and dig into the report of a…
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AvTalk Episode 231: Investigation, what investigation?

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a NATS computer failure snarls traffic in the UK, Russia says there won’t be an investigation into the crash of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s plane, and some 737 MAX are affected by a fresh quality issue that could impact Boeing’s 2023 delivery targets. Plus new…
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AvTalk Episode 230: Prigozhin’s plane plummets

On this episode of AvTalk, what we know so far about the crash of an Embraer Legacy 600 in Russia that is said to have been carrying Yevgeny Prigozhin and top Wagner Group officials. And we sit down for a long chat with Norse Atlantic Airways president Charles Duncan,…
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AvTalk Episode 229: Just kidding about vacation, this is a new episode

We were wrong. Last week, Ian promised a clip show. But then news happened! So we have a new show for you this week. Ian and Jason discuss the new Air India logo, livery, and cabin interiors; the NTSB’s final report on United flight 1722; more information on NASA’s…
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AvTalk Episode 228: Jumpseat cameraman

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Niger’s airspace closure creates confusion and delay; the NTSB investigation into a close call in Boston reveals video evidence of just how close of a call it was; and travel demand is up, but for some airlines it’s up in all the wrong…
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AvTalk Episode 227: TCAS for the win!

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, TCAS comes to the rescue, averting a mid-air collision off the coast of Florida between an Allegiant Air A320 and Gulfstream. NASA is flying low over major US cities for science. And a United 767 makes a landing hard enough to wrinkle the…
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AvTalk 226: Contaminated powder and a single piece of chicken

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, very expensive news for Pratt and Whitney and more headaches for A320neo operators. Go First gets the green light to relaunch if they can meet specific conditions. A Delta 767 suffers heavy hail damage over Italy. And passengers on a British Airways flight end up…
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AvTalk Episode 225: The escaping escape slide

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a United 767’s escape slide escapes the aircraft just before landing in Chicago, Northern Pacific is off to a shaky start, and some airline worker unions are quite pleased while others are ready to strike….
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AvTalk Episode 224: An unruly passenger

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren returns as resident Avgeek-in-Chief to talk about his behind the scenes look at how airline safety cards are designed. And a United passenger had their journey from Houston to Amsterdam end in Chicago after their unruly behavior led the captain to…
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AvTalk Episode 223: That’s a bad look Scott

On this week’s episode, we give United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby some friendly advice, JetBlue tries to make nice with the DOJ by not appealing the ruling invalidating the Northeast Alliance, and Ian has some choice words for one news outlet regarding their coverage of a recent incident….
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AvTalk Episode 222: They warned us it would be bad

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the first major operational meltdown of the summer hits the US, a Delta 717 lands without its nose gear, and we chat with Zac Brown, founder of European Pride in Aviation Network (EPAN), about the work his organization is doing to make sure…
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AvTalk Episode 221: The largest single order in commercial aircraft history

On this week’s AvTalk, we break down all the news from the 2023 Paris Air Show, from IndiGo’s record breaking order to the new propulsion technologies just over the horizon….
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AvTalk Episode 220: Nonstop to Beef Island

On this episode of AvTalk, Air India’s diversion to Russia ends up being about as easy as it gets. The FAA has a new acting administrator and the FAA reauthorization bill currently working its ways through the US Congress has some interesting provisions. Secondary flight deck barriers are finally…
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AvTalk Episode 219: Air India is in for a long wait

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, an Air India 777 diverts to Russia and we walk through the challenges of getting an aircraft repaired in a country under US sanctions. Boeing is dealing with a fresh 787 quality issue. And Seth Miller of PaxEx.aero joins Jason in Hamburg, Germany…
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AvTalk Episode 218: Asiana’s open door policy

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a passenger opens an exit door just before landing in Daegu, a new entrant for the most unrealistic airline business model emerges, and Boeing tries to kick start things ahead of the Paris Airshow….
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AvTalk Episode 217: The NEA is DOA

On this episode of AvTalk founder and editor of The Airline Observer, Brian Sumers, joins us to discuss the ruling by a US judge dissolving American Airlines and JetBlue’s Northeast Alliance and what that could mean for JetBlue’s acquisition of Spirit Airlines….
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AvTalk Episode 216: Former NTSB Chair Robert Sumwalt

On this episode of AvTalk, former NTSB Chair and member of the FAA’s recently formed Independent Safety Review Team, Robert Sumwalt joins the program to discuss the state of aviation safety in the United States and how industry and regulators are reacting to a recent spate of serious incidents….
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AvTalk Episode 215: Ryanair goes all in on the 737-10 MAX

On this episode of AvTalk, Ryanair commits to up to 300 Boeing 737-10 MAX, Go First receives bankruptcy protection, frustrating lessor attempts to repossess their aircraft, and we talk with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions Chief Strategy Officer Jenny Kavanagh about their merger with Britten-Norman and plans for a hydrogen powered…
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AvTalk Episode 214: Covered in bees!

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a swarm of bees delays a Delta flight to Atlanta. Go First declares bankruptcy and places the blame at Pratt and Whitney’s feet. And Ian wants to drive ZeroAvia’s HyperTruck….
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AvTalk Episode 213: Mo’ Engines, Mo’ Problems

On this episode of AvTalk, Boeing reports its first quarter results, more airlines are grounding Pratt and Whitney GTF-powered aircraft awaiting engine repair and overhaul, and a leaking lavatory jams a Delta 767’s flight controls….
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AvTalk Episode 212: A non-standard manufacturing process

On this episode of AvTalk, Boeing stops deliveries of most 737 MAX due to a “non-standard manufacturing process” on the fuselage-vertical fin joint. Sudanese airspace is closed after renewed fighting. And some former Polar Air Cargo executives and suppliers could be facing lengthy prison sentences. Sudan airspace closed, aircraft…
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AvTalk Episode 211: It’s volcano time

On this episode of AvTalk, Sheveluch is disrupting flights. The volcano causing problems this time isn’t as bad (yet) and isn’t nearly as hard to pronounce as Eyjafjallajökull. Airbus and Boeing report their first quarter delivery numbers and Aeroflot leans on Iran’s sanctions-busting experience for maintenance….
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AvTalk Episode 210: Passing the Medium Flocking Bird Test

On this episode of AvTalk, a Dutch court halts plans to cull flights in Amsterdam, a SkyUp Airlines 737 escapes Ukraine, and the FAA has finally issued new certification guidelines for engine encounters with “medium flocking birds.”…
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AvTalk Episode 209: Ian’s surprise solo show

On this week’s AvTalk, Ian flies solo with Jason under the weather. This week’s show is on the shorter side, with 100% less repartee, but we hope you’ll enjoy it nonetheless….
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AvTalk Episode 208: The FAA says fly better

On this episode of AvTalk, the FAA tells pilots to fly better, ATC staffing is bad enough to allow slot waivers for this summer, and the 25 hour cockpit voice recorder is finally in progress. Plus, an update on the Flair Airlines 737 repossessions and Emirates debuts a refreshed…
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AvTalk Episode 207: Time for a Safety Summit

On this episode of AvTalk, Jason steps off a flight from Japan and immediately records a podcast. Flair Airlines says lessors and another airline are conspiring to take their aircraft. Saudi Arabia makes a huge order for its new airline Riyadh Air, and the FAA holds its aviation surface…
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AvTalk Episode 206: The DOJ suit we’ve all been expecting

On this episode of AvTalk, our resident numbers expert Gavin Werbeloff sits in for Jason, who is in Japan this week. We take a close look at the US Department of Justice’s anti-trust suit to block the JetBlue takeover of Spirit Airlines. We walk through the new Flightradar24 beta…
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AvTalk Episode 205: These close calls keep getting closer

On this episode of AvTalk, a close call in Boston, another in Burbank, and an inflight break up over Nevada. Plus, Lufthansa reveals its new Allegris cabins and we pick through the seven—count ‘em seven!—different configurations of the Business class seat on offer….
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AvTalk Episode 204: Two tail strikes and an all stop

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss Alaska Airlines’ response to two tail strikes in Seattle within minutes of each other, debate the wisdom of Air New Zealand’s turn back to Auckland last week, and find that missing curfew isn’t just a problem for teenagers….
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AvTalk Episode 203: United’s disturbing dive after departure

On this week’s AvTalk, a United Airlines 777’s steep dive after departure and other recent incidents lead to FAA calling for a safety summit. We dig in to what’s happened and what regulators want to do about it. We pick apart the preliminary report on the crash of Yeti…
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AvTalk Episode 202: Less than 100 feet apart

On this episode of AvTalk, we float through the stratosphere with a Chinese spy balloon and break down the data on multiple accidents and incidents. From FedEx and Southwest’s very close call in Austin to the Coulson 737 Fireliner crash in Western Australia to the incident involving a departing…
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AvTalk Episode 201: Sending the last 747 home

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by The Air Current’s Jon Ostrower for a discussion about the delivery of the last Boeing 747 and Boeing’s plans for the future in Everett and beyond. Ostrower explains Boeing’s decision to begin a fourth 737 MAX production line at Everett and the…
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AvTalk Episode 200: Boeing earnings and arraignment, NTSB comments again

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing reports its financial results for 2022, we preview Boeing’s arraignment on fraud charges in Texas, the NTSB issues more comments on the Ethiopian 302 final report, and we learn what brought down the air traffic control system in the Philippines earlier this…
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AvTalk Episode 199: One crashed, two came close

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss the crash of Yeti Airlines flight 691, a major safety incident in New York that could have been much worse, and Gabriel Leigh sits down with John Nilsson of Swedavia to learn about what airports are doing to get ready for…
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2022 episodes

AvTalk Episode 196: Our favorite conversations from 2022

From people who live and breath the nuts and bolts of running an airline to journalists covering the business of aviation, our conversations took us all over the world and down more than one rabbit hole. To close out the year, we revisit some of our favorite AvTalk conversations…
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AvTalk Special Episode: Southwest Airlines’ Operational Meltdown

On this special episode of AvTalk, we’ve reproduced the audio from our video live stream episode about Southwest Airlines’ cancellations and operational meltdown that began with massive storms across the United States on 22 December and morphed into a IT infrastructure nightmare for the airline and its passengers….
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AvTalk Episode 195: Boeing gets an early Christmas gift

On this episode of AvTalk, Boeing ends the year on a high note with a Congressional reprieve for the 737-7 and 737-10 certification, the return of the 777X to flight tests, and the final first flight of the mighty 747….
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AvTalk Episode 194: What do you do on a 13 hour test flight?

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, United orders every Boeing plane they can get their hands on, Boom announces a trio of companies it says will help build an engine for its Overture supersonic jet, and we speak with Jim Fawcett, lead Flight Test Engineer at Airbus about the…
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AvTalk Episode 193: The final 747 leaves the factory

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the final Boeing 747 rolls out of the factory, Airbus didn’t deliver nearly as many planes this year as they thought they would, and Gabriel Leigh talks to Air Greenland CEO Jacob Nitter as the airline takes its first (and only) A330-800neo….
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AvTalk Episode 192: He fought the wire and the wire won

On this episode of AvTalk, an aircraft catches the wire—and we’re not talking about aircraft carriers. Plus, Airbus details its plans for the future at its Summit in Toulouse, GE Aviation is trying to figure out what’s wrong with the GE9X engine, and Senator Maria Cantwell may just have…
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AvTalk Episode 191: What happened in Lima?

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss the tragic collision between a LATAM A320neo and an airport fire fighting rig in Lima and what we know so far about why they fire truck was on the runway. We also have a our first listener contestants, Ciara and Ganning,…
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AvTalk Episode 190: Would you like to play a game?

On this episode of AvTalk, we have a lot of news to catch up on after last week’s episode solely focused on Boeing’s future. And Ian and Jason preview an avgeek trivia game that you can play on the show! If you’d like to play on next week’s show,…
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AvTalk Episode 189: Looking into Boeing’s Future

On this episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by The Air Current’s editor-in-chief Jon Ostrower to parse the news from Boeing’s first investor day in four years last week. We cover CEO Dave Calhoun’s comments that Boeing will not begin building a new airplane until at least the next decade…
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AvTalk Episode 188: Harassed by a Drone

On this episode of AvTalk, Ian is harassed by a mystery drone, Cathay Pacific resumes flying over Russia, and pilot Mark Vanhoenacker joins us to discuss his new book, Imagine a City….
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AvTalk Episode 187: Korean Air goes off-roading

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Korean Air A330 overruns the runway while attempting to land in Cebu. And a Cuban pilot flies his An-2 crop duster to Florida, 20 feet above the ocean….
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AvTalk Episode 186: Unexpected runway

On this episode of AvTalk, the FAA tells Boeing to get its act together if it ever wants to certify the 737-7 MAX, let alone by the end of the year and another pilot union weighs in on certification deadline extension. Plus, a close call in Chicago as a…
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AvTalk Episode 185: Wheel’s Away!

On this episode of AvTalk, a Boeing Dreamlifter loses a wheel, the fate of the 737-7 and -10 MAX remains firmly on the ground, and we welcome back Airline Weekly editor Edward Russell to fill us in on Delta and Joby’s new agreement for eVTOL operations….
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AvTalk Episode 184: The life of an airline dispatcher

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, airline dispatcher Michael Karrels joins us to talk about his work at a legacy carrier in the US and some of the differences in dispatching around the world. Plus, the FAA finalizes rules extending cabin crew rest, and we close the show with…
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AvTalk Episode 183: Closing down, Opening up

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we look at the aviation effects of Hurricane Ian, check in on ICAO’s 41st assembly in Montreal, and try to understand how a rumor took off before we even knew it was on the runway. Hurricane Ian passes through Florida Replay of live…
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AvTalk Episode 182: Electricity in the air

On this episode of AvTalk, American Airlines announces a major cabin refit and the end of international first class, prices for flights departing Russia skyrocket after Putin announces the mobilization of reservists, and electric aircraft makers have a mixed week….
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AvTalk Episode 181: The Queen’s flight

The flight carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II shattered the record for the most tracked flight of all time, nearly doubling the record set just last month by Nancy Pelosi. We talk about the records the Queen’s last flight set, how it affected Flightradar24, and what’s happening behind…
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AvTalk Episode 180: Parabolic flight on the Zero G A310

On this episode of AvTalk, Ian heads to Bordeaux to experience weightlessness aboard the Novespace / Air Zero G A310 with the German Aerospace Research Center. Novespace chairman and former astronaut Jean-François Clervoy explains the idea behind parabolic flight and pilot Bertrand Rameau teaches us how to fly a…
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AvTalk Episode 179: French fisticuffs on the flight deck

On this episode of AvTalk, Jason makes his way down to Washington on the CRJ-550, Ian prepares for the ride of a lifetime, a pair of Air France pilots duke it out mid-flight, and an aircraft sale that came as a big surprise….
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AvTalk Episode 178: Behold the AmeriBoom!

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Brett Snyder from Crankyflier joins us to discuss his analysis of American Airlines’ order for up to 60 of Boom’s supersonic jets. Plus, big moves by US regional airlines, Aha! declares bankruptcy, and Happy Airways wants you to help get them off the…
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AvTalk Episode 177: Our attempt at a summer break

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we try our hand a quick summer break, but can’t fully get away from the news. For that, Airline Weekly editor and AvTalk’s chief short answer correspondent drops by for a brief comment on American Airlines’ order for Boom’s supersonic jet….
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AvTalk Epiosde 176: The 787 returns

On this episode of AvTalk, Boeing resumes deliveries of the 787 after more than a year, Russia begins stripping planes for parts, and a Southwest flight makes a landing hard enough to fracture a flight attendant’s vertebra….
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AvTalk Episode 175: Thanks Nancy

On this episode of AvTalk, SPAR19 becomes the most tracked flight of all time, a bizarre mystery surrounds a tragic flight, and Seth Miller joins us to explain the proposed passenger refund rules from the US Department of Transportation….
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AvTalk Episode 174: Spirit turns its lonely eyes to Blue

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, one chapter of the saga of Spirit Airlines comes to a close and another begins. We review the second quarter results for Boeing and Airbus and note some common themes. And we’re joined by Matt Chaifetz, CEO of Contour Airlines, to discuss the…
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AvTalk Episode 173: Farnborough a go go

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we recap the Farnborough Airshow, where the biggest news wasn’t aircraft orders, but the possible next generation of aircraft. A Meridian An-12BK crashes in Greece. And airports in Europe continue to cut flights as airlines figure out what to do next. Farnborough Airshow…
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AvTalk Episode 172: Six feet from a very different ending

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we add extreme heat to the unpleasantness of this summer’s travel woes, one flight comes within six feet of a much different ending, and we begin a new special segment to stay up to date on merger news….
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AvTalk Episode 171: The smoldering summer of suck

On this episode of AvTalk, Chinese airlines place a massive Airbus order, a holey Emirates A380, and the smoldering summer of suck rolls on as airlines continue to scramble to trim flights and resize their schedules….
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AvTalk Episode 170: I’ll take the top bunk

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, it’s a good week to be an A380, JetBlue and Frontier go another round over Spirit, and Air New Zealand officially announces the SkyNest is coming….
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AvTalk Episode 169: It was a hit and run

On this episode of AvTalk, a RED Air MD-82 goes off the runway in Miami, JetBlue puts up more money for Spirit, the first 100% SAF flight, and Laurence Hambrook, Flightradar24’s product team lead joins us for a sneak peek at what’s coming up next….
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AvTalk Episode 168: Patience packed, but will it be enough?

On this episode of AvTalk, Ian heads to Stockholm, while Jason is joined by Seth Miller in Hamburg for the Aircraft Interiors Expo. We preview some of the innovations from the expo, including one that promises to make your seat less swampy and one that none of us want…
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AvTalk Episode 167: Could SAS be the new Alitalia?

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Spirit pulls its vote after JetBlue sweetens its offer. More airlines are proactively canceling flights to avoid disruptions this summer. And could SAS be the new Alitalia? Spirit delays merger vote after fresh JetBlue offer Spirit Airlines delayed the planned vote on Frontier’s…
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AvTalk Episode 166: You can’t stick that plug there

On this episode of AvTalk, we’re joined once again by journalist John Walton to understand the problems we’re seeing at airports mainly in Europe as passengers are waiting hours to check in and clear security. We also discuss KLM’s newly announced Premium Economy cabin and some baffling design choices…
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AvTalk Episode 165: LufthITA Cruise Lines

On this episode of AvTalk, Jet Airways gets its AOC, Lufthansa and MSC Group bid for ITA Airways, and Boeing implements a new safety system….
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AvTalk Episode 164: JetBlue vs Spirit 2: this time it’s hostile

On this episode of AvTalk, CNBC airline reporter Leslie Josephs returns to update us on the the latest in JetBlue’s battle to take over Spirit Airlines. Plus, updates on the incredible landing by a passenger in Florida last week, and a new report out this week points to intentional…
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AvTalk Episode 163: The passenger landed the plane!

On this episode of AvTalk, a passenger lands a Cessna 208 Caravan in Florida after the pilot becomes incapacitated. Republic wants a change in how pilots can earn their certificates. And there’s more consolidation coming to South American airlines. An update on the breaking news regarding the Tibet Airlines…
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AvTalk Episode 162: Project Sunrise gets the green light

On this episode of AvTalk, Qantas orders its Project Sunrise fleet from Airbus, Spirit Airlines says no to JetBlue, and Airbus releases its first quarter results….
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AvTalk Episode 161: Cigarettes and Oxygen don’t mix

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a confidential report hypothesizes cigarettes and leaking oxygen brought down EgyptAir flight 804, French investigators provide an update on Air France flight 11, and Boeing releases its first quarter earnings and guidance on its aircraft programs….
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AvTalk Episode 160: We’re in for a rough summer

On this episode of AvTalk, the US transport mask mandate is struck down, Chinese investigators offer an update on MU5735, and if recent events are any guide, airline operations are in for a rough summer. The masks come off We discuss the ruling this week that struck down the…
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AvTalk Episode 159: Going multi-modal

On this episode of AvTalk, Ned Russell joins us to discuss how airlines are expanding passenger rail and bus connections. We also recap what we know about last week’s DHL 757 runway overrun in San Jose, Costa Rica. And the European Union adds nearly two dozen Russian airlines to…
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AvTalk Episode 158: JetBlue’s surprise bid for Spirit

On this episode of AvTalk, CNBC airline reporter Leslie Josephs joins us to discuss JetBlue’s surprise bid for Spirit Airlines. Plus, we pull up a beach towel and take a good long look at Condor’s new livery….
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AvTalk Episode 157: They missed the deadline

On this episode of AvTalk, we get an update on the investigation into the crash of China Eastern Airlines flight 5735, lessors begin filing insurance claims for aircraft trapped in Russia, and a LATAM A320 joins the twisted gear club….
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AvTalk Episode 156: China Eastern Airlines flight 5735

On this episode of AvTalk we discuss what we know so far about the crash of China Eastern Airlines flight 5735. We also talk about the status of foreign-owned aircraft operated by Russian airlines and why lessors probably aren’t getting most of those aircraft back anytime soon….
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AvTalk Episode 155: Andy Taylor, Chief Solutions Officer

On this episode of AvTalk, we welcome Andy Taylor, Chief Solutions Officer, Digital Towers from NATS, the UK’s air navigation service provider. Andy explains how digital towers are reducing controller workload and helping improve safety in the air and on the ground. We also have the latest updates on…
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AvTalk Episode 154: The Titanium Curtain Rises

On this episode of AvTalk we welcome The Air Current’s editor-in-chief Jon Ostrower back to the show to discuss what some of the long-term effects of sanctions on Russia might be for the aviation and aerospace industries in Russia and around the world. We talk about Russian airlines and…
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AvTalk Episode 153: Ukraine, Russia and the impact on aviation

When Russian invaded Ukraine last week the aviation impacts were immediate and spread quickly. On this episode of AvTalk, Jason and Ian are joined by aerospace journalist John Walton to discuss the aviation-related impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Beginning with the closure of Ukrainian airspace through flight bans…
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AvTalk Episode 152: Hydrogen on the A380

On this episode of AvTalk, updates on the aviation situation in Ukraine. Plus, Airbus goes big with an A380 flying test bed for hydrogen propulsion….
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AvTalk Episode 151: Keeping an eye on Ukraine

On this episode of AvTalk, we take stock of the situation in Ukraine and its effects thus far on commercial aviation. The FAA removes Boeing’s ability to self-certify 787s and we review the Singapore Airshow order book….
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AvTalk Episode 150: Spirit, the final Frontier

On this episode of AvTalk, Edward Russell from Airline Weekly joins us to discuss the merger of Frontier and Spirit Airlines. Mesa Airlines adds another electric aircraft to its stable of investments. And Gabriel Leigh gives us the scoop on Finnair’s new cabin, including its audacious new business class seat….
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AvTalk Episode 149: Now that’s a biggun’

On this episode of AvTalk, Boeing launches the 777X Freighter with Qatar Airways as the launch customer. And some Ethiopian Airlines staff have fled the country in incredible ways, stowing away on flights to Europe and the US….
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AvTalk Episode 148: Firing the customer

Last week’s rollout of C-Band 5G wireless in the US wasn’t a total disaster, but it’s still a giant mess. And the dispute between Airbus and Qatar Airways has reached new heights, with Airbus canceling Qatar’s order for 50 A321neo aircraft and Qatar responding with a video detailing the…
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2021 episodes

AvTalk Episode 143: Everything you need to know about jet fuel, part 2

On this episode of Avtalk, Airbus picks up another big order before the close of 2021, Qatar sues Airbus over peeling paint on its A350s, and John Pitts and Richard Whitwell return for part two of our conversation about jet fuel as we learn about some of the challenges…
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AvTalk Episode 142: Everything you need to know about jet fuel, part 1

On this very full episode of AvTalk, we recount our travels back from Stockholm, go through the vast amount of news that came out this week—including breaking news BEFORE we recorded—and John Pitts and Richard Whitwell from eJet join us in part one of a two part interview to…
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AvTalk Episode 141: China greenlights the 737 MAX

On this episode of AvTalk, we travel to Stockholm for a julbord, China’s aviation authorities put the 737 MAX on a path to return to service soon, and the A321XLR inches closer to flight….
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AvTalk Episode 140: United CEO Scott Kirby on SAFs

On this episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby to discuss the airline’s push into sustainable aviation fuel and where he sees the industry going. And we finally get more details on the problems that have kept 13 Qatar Airways A350s grounded for months….
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AvTalk Episode 139: Catching up with airBaltic’s CEO and Chief Pilot

This week’s episode of AvTalk takes us back to the Baltic region for interviews with airBaltic’s CEO Martin Gauss and the airline’s chief pilot Gerhard Ramcke. Jason gets the week off and we mark the 50th anniversary of the hijacking of Northwest Orient Airlines flight 305….
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AvTalk Episode 138: The 2021 Dubai Airshow

On this episode of AvTalk, we recap the new from the 2021 Dubai Airshow and some great news for Boeing and the 737 MAX….
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AvTalk Episode 137: The grand reopening

On this episode of AvTalk, the US is once again open to for travel. We sit down with Max Tremaine from Sherpa to learn about the restrictions still in place and what trends his company is seeing as more of the world reopens to travelers. Plus, Boeing and families…
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AvTalk Episode 136: Jet Pack Man isn’t real

On this episode of AvTalk, the Transair 737 is raised from the ocean floor, the FAA is concerned the radio may be too loud, and we’re sad to say, jet pack man isn’t real….
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AvTalk Episode 135: Airbus Chief Test Pilot Malcolm Ridley

Airbus chief test pilot Malcolm Ridley On this episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by Malcolm Ridley, Airbus’ Chief test pilot to learn more about what exactly a test pilot does besides wearing those sweet orange flight suits. We talk with Malcolm Ridley about his career path, some highlights of…
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AvTalk Episode 134: Nobody cares about number 2

On this episode of AvTalk, we look forward to the 8th of November, when international air travel to the US reopens to those around the world. We also check in on ITA Airways first week. Plus, the A380 is staging a bit of a comeback. The US reopens to…
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AvTalk Episode 133: Southwest, ATC, and the rumor mill

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the breakdown of Southwest Airlines’ operations over the past weekend—where it all began and how social media created a new problem for the airline. Plus, Air India finally has a new owner….
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AvTalk Episode 132: Net Zero at the IATAAGM

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Seth Miller joins the show to fill us in on what happened at this week’s IATA Annual General Meeting, countries and airlines continue to roll out vaccine mandates. And British Airways is bringing back its A380s sooner than it planned….
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AvTalk Episode 131: When pigs… stand next to a runway?

On this episode of AvTalk, we’re back at our desks, HNA is going to combine all its airlines, eVTOL orders to be interested in, and pigs!—but not the flying kind….
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AvTalk Episode 130: The Airbus Summit

On this episode of AvTalk, we join the Airbus Summit in Toulouse to see the status of sustainable aviation, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Hydrogen, and electric propulsion. But first, we have to get there….
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AvTalk Episode 129: A maddening report

On this episode of AvTalk, we get ready for a busy week of travel and the final report on Air India Express flight 1344 leaves us incredulous. Plus, there’s a new freighter in town….
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AvTalk Episode 128: The Raccoon Returns

On this episode of AvTalk, the Raccoon returns! Plus, the FAA is keeping Virgin Galactic grounded, and the list of places the MAX can fly gets longer….
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AvTalk Episode 127: Getting into the boxes business

On this episode of AvTalk, the Kabul Airlift ends and the last US military aircraft leaves Afghanistan after a 20 year war Emirates brings forward its final A380 delivery. And Eastern Airlines is getting into the boxes business….
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AvTalk Episode 126: The Kabul Airlift

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the ongoing Kabul Airlift, the activation of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet by the US Department of Defense and the other commercial airlines supporting evacuation efforts….
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AvTalk Episode 125: Chaos in Kabul

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the rapidly devolving situation in Kabul, Afghanistan. And Ned Russell joins us to discuss his reporting on how airlines feel about the 737 MAX some eight months after its return to revenue service….
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AvTalk Episode 124: Get out your smelling salts

On this episode of AvTalk, the 737 MAX begins recertification flights in China, US airlines weigh vaccine mandates, and the law of unintended consequences hits airlines in the nose….
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AvTalk Episode 123: Cockpit Casual with Steve Giordano

On this episode of AvTalk, we welcome back Steve Giordano of Jet Test and Transport to talk about his new YouTube series Cockpit Casual, which showcases the bizarre world of test and ferry pilots….
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AvTalk Episode 122: Everything you need to know about eVTOL aircraft

On this episode of AvTalk, we sit down with Elan Head, editorial director of eVTOL.com to get a primer on the world of electric vertical take off and landing aircraft. Plus, Jason previews the new seaplane service from New York to Boston. Jason’s Tailwind Tour After our discussion last…
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AvTalk Episode 121: Passing 100,000

On this episode of AvTalk, the industry recovery is expanding as we pass 100,000 commercial flights for the first time in over a year, the operator of the Transair flight that crashed in Hawaii is grounded by the FAA, and British Airways is quickly fixing its uncovered holes….
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AvTalk Episode 120: Aviation, it’s electric!

United orders 200 Heart Aerospace electric regional aircraft, Porter finally confirms its E195-E2 order, and Boeing is now dealing with fresh 787 quality issues….
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AvTalk Episode 119: Ditching in the dark

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the ditching of a Transair 737-200 in Hawaii. Delta is headed to the used plane lot and we’re finally ready to launch Richard Branson into space….
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AvTalk Episode 118: A real aircraft order

On this week’s episode, United announces a huge and real aircraft order, the Boeing 777X suffers another setback, and an airline in Alaska seeks to become the Icelandair of the northwest….
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AvTalk Episode 117: Undesirable Retraction

On this episode of AvTalk, Southwest Airlines is getting a new CEO, airlines are running into the great training roadblock, and the 737 MAX still isn’t re-certified in China….
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AvTalk Episode 116: WTO look there’s China

On this episode of AvTalk, the US and EU close the book on their aviation subsidies fight and turn their attention to China. CFM debuts its new RISE engine platform. And Airbus and Cathay Pacific are working on single pilot operations for the A350 in cruise….
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AvTalk Episode 115: Is Boom all noise?

On this episode of AvTalk, we welcome aerospace journalists John Walton and Jon Ostrower to discuss United Airlines’ order for Boom’s Supersonic Overture jet, and the likelihood of the aircraft ever entering service….
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AvTalk Episode 114: Shootin’ the Breeze

On this episode of AvTalk, we try to fit in as many Breeze Airways puns as we can as Jason fills us in on the airline’s inaugural flight. We also take stock of the situation in Belarus and see where things stand now. Plus, Airbus is getting ready to…
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AvTalk Episode 113: Ryanair flight 4978 forced to land in Belarus

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the forcible diversion of a Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius to Minsk, Belarus and the ensuing international response….
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AvTalk Episode 112: They walked away from a mid-air collision

On this episode of AvTalk, a Metroliner and SR22 collide over Denver and everyone walks away safely. A Boutique Air flight loses a door. And Boeing fixes the latest issue with the 737 MAX. Metroliner vs SR22 A Cirrus SR22 and Key Lime Air Swearingen Metroliner collided near Denver’s…
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AvTalk Episode 111: NTSB Investigator Sean Payne, Part 2

On this episode of AvTalk, we continue our conversation with NTSB investigator Sean Payne to discuss the NTSB’s most wanted list and their call for crash protected recorders to be installed in all passenger carrying commercial aircraft….
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AvTalk Episode 110: NTSB Investigator Sean Payne, Part 1

On this episode of AvTalk, we welcome Sean Payne, an investigator with the US National Transportation Safety Board, for the first in a two-part interview. In part one this week, Payne walks us through how the NTSB collects, processes, and uses information from aircraft data recorders to help determine…
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AvTalk Episode 109: Meet Frugal the Squirrel

On this episode of AvTalk, the densest version of the 737 MAX is certified, a ketchup packet shortage brings us back to a previous espiode, and we talk with Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren about an important but under-reported portion of Boeing’s history….
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AvTalk Episode 108: Ian does his best to pronounce Fagradalsfjall

On this episode, we check on Iceland’s erupting volcano, dig through the Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 final report, and Gabe sits down with Amapola Flyg’s CEO to learn more about the small airline operating a fleet of Fokker 50s. Eruption at Fagradalsfjall The eruption at Fagradalsfjall made its…
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AvTalk Episode 107: Strong words from Sir Tim Clark

On this episode of AvTalk, we mark two years since the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 and the beginning of a years long effort to fix the 737 MAX and return it to service. We also discuss Sir Tim Clark’s recent comments on Boeing in an interview with…
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AvTalk Episode 106: How to run an airport in Antarctica

On this very special episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by Sven Lidström of the Norwegian Polar Institute to learn about Troll Research Station in Antarctica and the station’s blue ice runway….
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AvTalk Episode 105: It’s raining engine parts

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss what we know so far about the engine failure aboard United Airlines flight UA328 and what investigators and regulators are doing now to ensure that the Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engine is safe to operate….
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AvTalk Episode 104: Air Greenland CEO Jacob Nitter

On this episode of AvTalk, Air Greenland CEO Jacob Nitter joins Gabriel Leigh for a discussion on how the airline has managed through the pandemic and how they’re planning to emerge on the other side. We also discuss the recently released preliminary report on the crash of Sriwijaya Air…
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AvTalk Episode 103: Ian’s plan to save Norwegian with GameStop cash

On this episode of AvTalk, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority clear the 737 MAX for flight. And Ian hatches a plan to save Norwegian Air by getting the Norwegian government to sell its shares in GameStop….
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AvTalk Episode 102: The crash of Sriwijaya Air flight 182

On this episode of AvTalk, we review what we know so far about the crash of Sriwijaya Air flight 182. We also look at the state of aviation industry as we begin 2021. And our first 737 MAX update of the year has little to do with the airplane…
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2020 episodes

AvTalk Episode 100: Good riddance 2020

On our 100th episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by John Walton to learn about the complexity of transporting the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine and why there’s a run on dry ice. Plus, we look back at 2020 and try desperately to escape to 2021 as fast as we can….
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AvTalk Episode 99: Solving the mystery of the whale song

On this episode of AvTalk, whale songs, a Vulcan howl, Chewbaca’s greeting—whatever you want to call it, Graham Webb from Pratt and Whitney joins us to explain the Geared Turbo Fan’s distinctive noise. We also discuss November traffic numbers, new movement on the 737 MAX’s return to service, and…
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AvTalk Episode 98: The MAX is back

On this episode, The Air Current’s Jon Ostrower joins us to discuss the FAA’s approval of the changes to the 737 MAX and the withdrawal of its grounding order, clearing the way for the aircraft to begin its return to commercial service. We also discuss major developments in aviation…
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AvTalk Episode 97: The Piston-powered Episode

On this episode of AvTalk, the impossible has happened—Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport is open! We welcome Matthew Colbert, founder of Empire Aviation Services to learn more about how small airports are seeing their air service affected by COVID-19. Plus, Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren joins us for a piston-powered adventure….
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AvTalk Episode 96: Everything is strange and nothing makes sense

On this episode of AvTalk, the longest flight in the world is set to return soon, but with a few twists. European regulators are moving forward with recertification of the 737 MAX and Cathay Pacific closes its Cathay Dragon subsidiary. Plus, we discuss what’s keeping the avgeek in us…
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AvTalk Episode 95: Buddy Start

On this episode of AvTalk, the FAA releases the Flight Standardization Board Report for the 737 MAX, which details the training pilots will need before they can fly the aircraft. And we’re joined by Steve Giordano of Jet Test and Transport to learn about a fascinating niche in the…
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AvTalk Episode 94: What a mess

On this episode of AvTalk, the last A380 rolls out of assembly, more aircraft are slated for storage, and we dig in to some of the more noteworthy comments on the FAA’s proposed 737 MAX airworthiness directive….
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AvTalk Episode 93: Shimmy Shake

On this episode of AvTalk we’ve got jet packs, a bunch of helium balloons with an ADS-B transponder, and The Air Current’s Jon Ostrower joins us to discuss the new quality issues affecting the 787 and the subsequent FAA investigation….
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AvTalk Episode 92: Not great, not great at all

On this episode of AvTalk, the FedEx 767 emergency landing at LAX, Canada takes the 737 MAX out for a spin, and we look at an unfortunately large amount of discouraging news from around the industry….
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AvTalk Episode 91: The public comment period

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the proposed Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive to return the 737 MAX to the air and what steps still need to be taken before the aircraft can return to service. We also look at the major changes airlines are making to their…
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AvTalk Episode 90: Long live the Queen

On this episode of AvTalk we say goodbye to a big chunk of the passenger 747 fleet, one airline is bringing a 747 back from the desert, one airplane caught fire in Shanghai, and our resident numbers expert Gavin Werbeloff joins us to help break down some of the…
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AvTalk Episode 89: The recovery that isn’t

On this episode of AvTalk, Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization details the chain of events that led to the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752. The NTSB issues its report on the Atlas Air 3591 crash. And US airlines begin backing away from ambitious recovery plans as COVID-19 cases…
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AvTalk Episode 88: 262 out of 860

On this episode of AvTalk, we look at the preliminary report from the crash of Pakistan International Airlines flight 8303. We also discuss the recent disturbing news about fraudulent pilot licenses in Pakistan and the response of authorities around the world. Meanwhile, the 737 MAX has begun certification flights…
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AvTalk Episode 87: 100 kilograms of silica

On this episode of AvTalk, we look at the signs of recovery around the world as aircraft are reactivated and passenger numbers rise. And we chat with Gabriel Leigh about how airlines and aircraft storage professionals safely store and reactivate aircraft….
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AvTalk Episode 86: What’s next: a roundtable discussion

On this episode of AvTalk, we see what the initial data tells us about the crash of Pakistan International Airlines flight 8303. And we sit down for a roundtable discussion about the state of the industry and where aviation is headed as the normally busy summer travel season begins….
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AvTalk Episode 85: We’ll see

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the extremely rare incident where a Southwest Airlines 737 struck and killed someone on the runway while landing in Austin. We also see which airlines are continuing to shrink their fleets. And we take a look at the traffic numbers to see…
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AvTalk Episode 84: Completing the trifecta

On this episode of AvTalk, more airlines say goodbye to sizable portions of their fleets while one airline will press an A380 into cargo service. And pilot Jon Weiswasser joins us to talk about his trifecta—landing at Newark, La Guardia, and JFK during the same flight in a Vans…
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AvTalk Episode 83: Have we hit the bottom?

On this episode of AvTalk, we look at some COVID-19 related aviation innovation, Seth Miller returns to help us understand how airlines are navigating the CARES Act, and we talk with Karan Singh from the Lufthansa Group to learn more about managing hundreds of repatriation flights….
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AvTalk Episode 82: Setting all the wrong records

On this episode of AvTalk, we see how far air traffic fell in March and what we’re likely to see in April. We also take a look at some of the more interesting flights that airlines have operated in the past few weeks. And Georgios Hatzimanolis from Marine Traffic…
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AvTalk Episode 81: ATC 0

On this episode of AvTalk, we review which airlines and countries have now canceled all flights. And journalist Ethan Klapper joins us to discuss the impact COVID-19 is having on some air traffic control facilities around the United States….
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AvTalk Episode 80: Grinding to a halt

On this special episode of AvTalk, Jason and Ian take stock of how the aviation industry has reacted to plummeting demand and ever changing government restrictions as the COVID-19 pandemic takes its toll….
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AvTalk Episode 79: It’s nothing short of a crisis

On this episode of AvTalk, we welcome back The Air Current editor-in-chief John Ostrower for a wide-ranging conversation as we try to understand the effects of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 on the aviation industry. We also look at the state of the 737 MAX and the prospects for the…
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AvTalk Episode 78: Climb into the Skynest

On this episode of AvTalk, air traffic in China is down over 80% from the beginning of the year, the first Air France A380 enters retirement, and Air New Zealand’s Skynest may be a way to make ultra-long-haul economy a little less terrible….
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AvTalk Episode 77: Jetting in the Jet Stream

On this episode of AvTalk, a Pegasus Airlines 737 overruns the runway in Istanbul, traffic to China grinds to a halt, Air Italy calls it quits, and the jet stream helps British Airways set a new record….
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AvTalk Episode 76: The Coronavirus Response

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the Coronavirus response, as authorities and airlines try to stop its spread. Kobe Bryant and his daughter are among those killed in a helicopter crash in California this past weekend. And Boeing’s 777X takes flight for the first time….
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AvTalk Episode 75: The downing of PS752

On this episode of AvTalk, we begin the year on a somber note to discuss the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 in Tehran and the effects of prohibitions by certain countries on flights in Iran and Iraq. We also dig in to some of the new documents…
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AvTalk Episode 74: Our favorite conversations from 2019

Happy New Year! On this episode of AvTalk we look back at some of our favorite conversations from 2019. We’ll be back with the first new episode of 2020 on 17 January….
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2019 episodes

AvTalk Episode 73: Boeing halts production of the 737 MAX

On this episode of AvTalk, Boeing halts production of the 737 MAX, Harbour Air’s electric Beaver takes flight, and we run down the list of airlines that didn’t make it through 2019 and a few that could join that list very soon….
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AvTalk Episode 72: United’s Single Aisle Surprise

On this episode of AvTalk, our reaction to United Airlines’ surprise order for 50 Airbus A321XLRs, an escape slide escapes mid-air, and the list of airlines to not survive 2019 grows longer….
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AvTalk Episode 71: Firm Orders

On this week’s episode, our resident numbers expert Gavin Werbeloff joins us to make sense of the orders from this year’s Dubai Airshow. We also say goodbye the first A380 to be dismantled and take a look at a few of the more ridiculous ideas to enter the world…
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AvTalk Episode 70: Fat Fingers in Amsterdam

On this episode of AvTalk, we chat with Ian Matthews—a Flight Maintenance Engineer for a US-based cargo airline. Plus, a pilot makes a big mistake in Amsterdam, more pickle fork cracks, and we may see another Icelandic airline flying soon….
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AvTalk Episode 69: A special 737 MAX update

Return to service — if? when? On this special episode of AvTalk, we welcome back The Air Current editor-in-chief Jon Ostrower for a discussion on the state of the 737 MAX’s return to service and what we’ve learned this month with the release of numerous reports, including the Joint…
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ANNOUNCEMENT: No AvTalk episode this week, special episode next week

We unfortunately won’t have a new episode for you this week, but we will be back with a special episode next week that covers a lot of what has happened in the past few weeks, including an analysis of the just released final report on the crash of Lion…
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AvTalk Episode 68: Cracked Pickle Forks

Cracked pickle forks have been found on dozens of inspected 737NGs, the 737 MAX’s road to return remains a winding one, and we welcome back Andrew Poure who fills us in on the hot new cargo route from Colombo to Columbus and what he learned in flight dispatcher school….
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AvTalk Episode 67: Operation Matterhorn

On this episode of AvTalk, we review an awful week for European airlines and Operation Matterhorn, the largest peace time repatriation effort in history. And we talk with Qantas 787 fleet manager Captain Lisa Norman to get the details on the upcoming Project Sunrise test flights. Thomas Cook, et…
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AvTalk Episode 66: Our Super Avgeek Week

On this episode of AvTalk, we head to Roswell, New Mexico for the Super80 Send Off. Then we cap off our avgeek week in Los Angeles with Cranky Flier’s Dorkfest and SpotLAX2019. Plus an American Airlines mechanic is arrested for sabotage and there’s a fresh obstacle for the 737…
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AvTalk Episode 65: NOTAM’d

On this episode of AvTalk, we welcome OpsGroup founder Mark Zee to discuss NOTAMs and why his group is trying to change how they’re written. We also get updates on the Ural Airlines A321 that landed in a cornfield, the 737 MAX timeline, and Qantas is set to conduct…
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AvTalk Episode 64: AvTalk summer spectacular

On this episode of AvTalk, our quickest 737 MAX update yet, protesters snarl traffic at Hong Kong Airport, and the internet makes a thing out of nothing, part the infinity….
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AvTalk Episode 63: Sir, you can’t dump that fuel here

On this episode of AvTalk, we talk with Joseph Tar Schmidt, a regional airline pilot for a major US carrier. Plus, more MAX headaches for Boeing and the airlines and a HiFly A340 makes a mess in Orlando….
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AvTalk Episode 62: Drying Cherries with a Helicopter

On this episode of AvTalk, we talk to pilot Maria Langer about what it’s like to dry cherry trees with a helicopter. Also, the 737 MAX will stay grounded even longer and Pakistan reopens its airspace to all commercial flights….
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AvTalk Episode 61: La Compagnie co-founder Jean-Charles Perino

On this episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by Jean Charles Perino, co-founder of La Compagnie, the all-business class transatlantic airline, for a wide-ranging discussion about the airline and where La Compagnie finds itself within the industry. We also get an update on when the 737 MAX could return to…
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AvTalk Episode 60: A Paris Surprise

On this episode of AvTalk, aviation journalist John Walton joins us from the Paris Air Show to discuss Airbus’ launch of the A321XLR and the importance of IAG’s order of 200 737 MAX aircraft. We also discuss a recent GPS issue that grounded some flights….
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AvTalk Episode 59: From Regional Jet to Space Jet

On this episode of AvTalk, Mitsubishi sets its eyes on the CRJ program, we learn more about the Air Astana loss of control incident in Portugal, and Jason and Seth Miller check in from the IATA annual general meeting in Seoul….
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AvTalk Episode 58: Flying Nostalgia

On this episode of AvTalk, we get an update on the Aeroflot 1492 accident. Southwest makes a deal with their mechanics while American goes to court with theirs. And Chris Sloan from Airways Magazine stops by to chat about his recent trip to Russia to fly on vintage Soviet…
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AvTalk Special Episode: A 737 MAX Update

On this special episode of AvTalk, we welcome The Air Current editor-in-chief Jon Ostrower as we discuss the status of the Boeing 737 MAX and the compendium of reporting that’s come out in the last few weeks. We’re taking a closer look at how the aircraft was developed, what…
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AvTalk Episode 57: In an evacuation, leave everything

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss Aeroflot 1492 in Moscow, Miami Air’s runway excursion in Jacksonville, new liveries, and Jason heads to Italy….
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AvTalk Episode 56: How to land a plane

On this episode of AvTalk, Jet Airways halts flights, the FAA lays out its path to re-certification of the 737 MAX, and we sit down for a conversation with pilot and author Mark Vanhoenacker….
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AvTalk Episode 55: The ET302 Preliminary Report

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the Ethiopian investigators’ preliminary report on the crash of ET302 and Boeing’s efforts to get the MAX back in the air. We’re also joined by our resident numbers expert, Gavin Werbeloff, to discuss how airlines around the world are managing their fleet…
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AvTalk Episode 54: the 737 MAX MCAS Software Update

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss Boeing’s MCAS software update, the continued grounding of the 737 MAX fleet, and passengers on one flight are surprised to find themselves in the wrong country upon landing….
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AvTalk Episode 53: Ethiopian 302 and the grounding of the 737 MAX

On this episode of AvTalk we’re joined by The Air Current editor-in-chief Jon Ostrower to discuss the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 and the subsequent grounding of the 737 MAX. We also get an update from the NTSB on the crash of Atlas Air flight 3591 and an…
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AvTalk Episode 52: No, that seatback camera isn’t spying on you

On this episode of AvTalk, we review what we know about the crash of Atlas Air 3591, incredulously read through the Aeromexico Connect flight 2431 report, recap our correct predictions about the A380, and Jason and Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren head to Florida for some rare planespotting….
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AvTalk Episode 51: The end of the line for the A380

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss Airbus’ plans for the future of the A380, see which European low-cost carrier is no longer operating this week, tow a 747 across a field, and add some Flair to the podcast….
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AvTalk Episode 50: AvTalk and the 747 turn 50

On this episode of AvTalk, we celebrate our 50th episode and the 50th anniversary of the Boeing 747. We discuss aviation’s role in ending the US government shutdown, how British Airways’ is celebrating its centenary, and we see if anyone wants to buy an abandoned MD-87….
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AvTalk Episode 49: Shut it down

On this episode of AvTalk, Indonesia finds the Lion Air 610 cockpit voice recorder, we look at the effects the US government shutdown is having on aviation, and our favorite roof top bar that’s also an airline announces last call….
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Episode 48: Aviation 2018: the good, the bad, and the weird

2018 was a year of highs, lows, and head scratchers. We take you through the year that was and we also revisit some of our favorite interviews from last year. What was new in 2018 We begin the show with new aircraft, either taking to the air for the…
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2018 episodes

AvTalk Episode 47: Emotional Support Chicken

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the recent incidents allegedly involving drones, Norwegian ends up with a 737 in Iran, Korean Air takes on overzealous K Pop fans, and one restaurant wants to help flyers with some emotional support chicken….
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AvTalk Episode 46: Pickled Herring

On this episode of AvTalk, Indonesian investigators release a preliminary report on Lion Air 610, Anchorage gets shaken up, WOW Air lives to fly another day, and we travel to Stockholm for some pickled herring and Australian pronunciation….
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AvTalk Episode 45: Tossing a FUD Grenade

On this episode of AvTalk, The Air Current editor-in-chief Jon Ostrower joins us to discuss the investigation into the crash of Lion Air 610 and the attention now being paid to Boeing’s Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). We also discuss Airbus’ plans for future aircraft development and the many…
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AvTalk Episode 44: The crash of Lion Air flight 610

On this episode of AvTalk, Jason heads to South Africa, we discuss the crash of Lion Air flight 610, Brandon Buz, senior social media analyst with the Greater Orlando Airport Authority joins us to discuss social media use by airports and the fun conversation that is “Airport Twitter”. And…
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AvTalk Episode 43: A Little Brick Wall Won’t Stop a 737

On this episode of AvTalk, an Air India Express 737 clips a brick wall, Cobalt Airlines becomes the second airline this month to cease operations, and fresh off the relaunched world’s longest flight, Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren fills us in on the journey….
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AvTalk Episode 42: An Episode 60 Years in the Making

On this episode of AvTalk, Jason and Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren report on their visit to London on the 60th anniversary of the first transatlantic jet flight. We get ready to welcome back the longest flight in the world and we look at Primera Air’s bankruptcy and what it might mean…
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AvTalk Episode 41: Mistakes Were Made

On this episode of AvTalk, Seth Miller joins us as he and Jason take in the Airline Passenger Experience Expo in Boston. We revisit some of the aviation mistakes made last week and with a Bloomberg report suggesting Emirates could take over Etihad, we try to envision what a…
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AvTalk Episode 40: A Hurricane Approaches and the Wheels Fall Off

On this episode of AvTalk, tropical cyclones dominate the discussion. We also look at a close—or not so close—call in Kenya. And Crankyflier himself, Brett Snyder joins us to preview the upcoming LAX Dorkfest next weekend….
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AvTalk Episode 39: A Broken Flux Capacitator

On this episode of AvTalk, we spend as little amount of time talking about Post Malone as possible. We find out that some aircraft are equipped with a ‘flux capacitator’. And Chris Sloan, the managing editor of Airways Magazine, joins us to discuss what he’s learned from interviewing leaders…
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AvTalk Episode 38: The Horizon Q400 Incident

On this episode of AvTalk we welcome Jon Ostrower back to the program to discuss the Horizon Air Q400 incident last week in Seattle. We review some of the other incidents over the past few weeks and recap fleet updates from various airlines around the world….
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AvTalk Episode 37: Pushing Buttons and Pulling Levers

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss Aeromexico flight 2431 and what we know so far. We delve in to this week’s strange-but-true aviation news. And Jason tries his hand at aircraft sales….
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AvTalk Episode 36: Meet the new plane, same as the old plane

On this episode of AvTalk, we review the order book from the Farnborough Airshow to see who bought what and how many. Airbus rebrands the C Series, we climb aboard the A330neo for a route proving flight, and two Air China pilots are now out of a job….
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AvTalk Episode 35: A Whale of a Time

On this episode of AvTalk we break records, we learn more about aircraft leasing with our resident numbers expert Gavin Werbeloff, and Jonathan Khoo joins us to insist he isn’t an avgeek while listing the dozens of lesser-known carriers he’s flown on around the world….
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AvTalk Episode 34: No Experience Necessary

On this episode of AvTalk, the A330neo sets off on a 5 continent adventure, aviation finds its way into the World Cup, and we find out we’re overqualified for a seemingly important aviation job in the UK….
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AvTalk Episode 33: Parts for Sale, Inquire Within

On this episode of AvTalk, the first A380s to fly passengers find out their flying days are over. Heathrow moves one step closer to a third runway. Singapore Airlines officially announces the return of service between Singapore and Newark. And Captain Ken Hoke fills us in on how he…
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AvTalk Episode 32: Jet Assisted Take Off

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the aviation incidents that have occurred in the past two weeks and delve into the fortunes of major carries in the Middle East. And we’re joined again by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren to discuss vintage aviation advertising and… strapping rockets to a Convair?…
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AvTalk Episode 31: Aviation Uncertainty

On this episode of AvTalk, aerospace journalist John Walton joins us for a wide ranging discussion about aircraft and airlines new and old. And we speak with Joe Duval, the chief test pilot at Honeywell Aerospace about what it’s like to fly a 757 with an engine attached to…
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AvTalk Episode 30: Engine Trouble

On this episode of AvTalk, we take an in depth look at Southwest flight 1380, including some of the media coverage after the accident. And we talk to Jon Ostrower about the new Emergency Airworthiness Directive requiring inspections of the CFM56-7B engine. We also see how engine issues are…
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AvTalk Episode 29: Alerts, Orders, and Interiors

On this episode of AvTalk, Gavin Werbeloff steps in for Jason as we dig into the numbers around some recent aircraft orders. And we send Jason to Hamburg for the Aircraft Interiors Expo….
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AvTalk Episode 28: Air India and Qantas Make History

On this episode of AvTalk, Air India and Qantas make history and Singapore Airlines takes home the first 787-10. Plus, Ken Hoke is back to fill us in on RVSM airspace….
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AvTalk Episode 27: Just Don’t Call It a 757

In this episode, we celebrate 1 year of AvTalk! We talk to aerospace journalist Jon Ostrower about Boeing’s new mid-market airplane, the 10,000th 737 rolls off the production line, and the massive GE9X flies for the first time….
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AvTalk Episode 26: A 767 Full of King Cakes

On this episode of AvTalk, we welcome UPS Airlines captain Ken Hoke for an extended conversation about life as a cargo pilot. We also discuss some recent deliveries, certifications, and another recent crash….
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AvTalk Episode 25: Saratov Airlines Flight 703

On this episode of AvTalk, we get an update on the investigation into the crash of Saratov Airlines flight 703, two airlines suffer engine incidents, we explain why London City Airport closed for a day, and we learn once and for all how to use a Metar….
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AvTalk Episode 24: A Big Win for Bombardier

On this episode of AvTalk, we welcome back CNN aviation editor Jon Ostrower to discuss the surprise ruling by the ITC in the Boeing—Bombardier C Series tariff case. We round up some news from the past few weeks and we answer the age old question: how many plumbers does…
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AvTalk Episode 23: Ground Stop

On this episode of AvTalk we recap the meltdown at JFK Airport in New York after a blizzard that forced some flights to wait over 7 hours for a gate. A 737 tries to go swimming in the Black Sea. We review the 2017 Airbus and Boeing delivery numbers….
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AvTalk Episode 22: AvTalk Revisited: Selected Interviews from 2017

Happy new year from AvTalk! We’ll be back in 2 weeks with our first new episode of the year. In this episode, we revisit three interviews from our earlier episodes that really stood out to us….
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2017 episodes

AvTalk Episode 21: 2017 Aviation Year in Review

On this episode of AvTalk, we look back at 2017 for an aviation year in review and look forward to what may happen in 2018….
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1st Annual AvTalk Aviation Year in Review Survey

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AvTalk Episode 20: A Look Inside Flightradar24

On this episode of AvTalk, we head to Stockholm to go inside Flightradar24. We sit down with co-founder Mikael Robertsson to learn how FR24 got started, and we talk to chief technology officer, Sean Atkinson to learn more about how FR24 works. We also check-in on a volcano in…
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AvTalk Episode 19: They Bought How Many Planes!?

On this episode of AvTalk, we welcome back Seth Miller to discuss his recent adventures on a variety of Japanese low-cost carriers and his flight on the COMAC ARJ 21. He also fills us in on the status of Operation Puerto Rico Care Lift and the upcoming Operation Gift…
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AvTalk Episode 18: A United 747 Farewell

In this episode of AvTalk, we send Jason to Hawaii on the final United Airlines 747 flight, the Maho Beach Cam comes back after Hurricane Irma, and Emirates takes delivery of its 100th Airbus A380….
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AvTalk Episode 17: The C Series Double Take

On this episode of AvTalk, we sit down with Jon Ostrower, CNN’s aviation editor, for an extended conversation about the recent Airbus and Bombardier C Series news. Jason makes a quick trip to France for the A330neo’s first flight, we go around for one last pass at Air Berlin,…
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AvTalk Episode 16: Uncontained Failure

On this episode of AvTalk, Jason finally gets to fly the Bombardier C Series, we say goodbye to Monarch Airlines, get an update on the Air France A380 that suffered an engine failure over Greenland, and find out how Loon balloons might soon be helping the people of Puerto…
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AvTalk Episode 15: Joon is a State of Mind

On this episode of AvTalk, Jason reports from the APEX EXPO in Long Beach, we chat with Seth Miller about the fate of the Bombardier C Series in the US, and we Swoop in to discuss Air France’s newest creation, Joon….
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AvTalk Episode 14: Jason, Go Make Your Bed

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the massive aviation impacts of Hurricane Irma. From Caribbean devastation to a total lack of flights in the air over Florida for more than a day, we take an in-depth look at what’s happened and how the recovery effort has begun. And…
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AvTalk Episode 13: Hurricanes and DSLRs

In episode 13, we look at the effects of Hurricane Harvey on aviation and see how airlines are helping with relief efforts. GE Aviation retires the oldest active 747. Southwest Airlines takes delivery of its first 737 MAX and American Airlines isn’t too far behind. We get surprised by…
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AvTalk Episode 12: Out on the Airfield

On episode 12 of AvTalk, we discuss Air Berlin’s insolvency and what that might mean for other airlines in Europe, NASA gets ready to study the eclipse, and we list some of our favorite airports. We also talk with Dan Kierna, an airport operations supervisor at O’Hare International Airport…
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AvTalk Episode 11: 747s, Skunks, and Babies

In Episode 11, we check in on the 747 to note a few melancholy milestones and the possibility that two 747s might soon find an interesting new home. We run through some of the flights that made the news recently, including some for the wrong reasons. And we ponder…
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AvTalk Episode 10: Construction, Cows, and 225,000 Pounds of Ketchup

In episode 10, we talk to Andrew Poure, a flight operations supervisor for a U.S.-based major cargo airline. We see how construction fumes and cows affected aviation last week, celebrate an impressive milestone, and quickly preview next week’s Airventure. All Cargo, All the Time We sat down with Andrew…
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AvTalk Episode 9: Vectors for Landing and Coins for Luck

In episode 9, we talk about some of the stranger aviation stories over the past few weeks, including a passenger new to approach patterns and a woman who threw coins into an engine for luck. We also talk with Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren Norwegian’s first 737 MAX delivery and long-haul, low-cost…
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AvTalk Episode 8: Turning the MAX up to 10

In episode 8, we recap some of the major announcements from the Paris Air Show, like the launch of the 737 MAX 10, this year’s big seller, Boeing’s tease of a ‘New Market Airplane’, and Airbus’ new A380plus winglets….
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AvTalk Episode 7: Meltdowns and Bans

In episode 7, we discuss the flight ban affecting Qatar and how it is reshaping air traffic in the region. We also attempt to understand the IT problems that forced British Airways to cancel a full day of flights at London-Heathrow. Qatar Flight Ban Following the severing of diplomatic…
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AvTalk Episode 6: An Update on the Mitsubishi MRJ from Japan

In Episode 6 we head to Japan for an interview with John Walton to get an update on the status of the Mitsubishi MRJ regional jet program. We also delve into the peculiarities of Japanese aviation….
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AvTalk Episode 5: the COMAC C919 Takes Flight

In Episode 5 we sit down for an extended interview with CNN Aviation Editor Jon Ostrower to talk about the COMAC C919’s first flight and burgeoning Chinese aviation market. We also learn how to track newly built aircraft and send Jason off to Japan….
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AvTalk Episode 4: North Korea, Goodbye 747-200s, and Patterns in the Sky

In episode 4, we learn how most airlines navigate their way around North Korea, sit down with Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren to talk about the last US-based 747-200 flight, and learn about tracking aircraft that may be broadcasting the sporting event you’re watching on TV….
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AvTalk Episode 3: Visiting the Aircraft Interiors Expo

In a special Episode 3, we visit the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany to see what you might find inside or connected to an aircraft in the coming years….
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AvTalk Episode 2 – Jason Crawls Inside a Plane

In Episode 2, Jason crawls inside a plane, we talk in circles about circular runways, wonder about the best job in aviation, and quickly preview the upcoming Aircraft Interiors Expo….
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Introducing AvTalk—the Flightradar24 Aviation Podcast

Introductions We’re excited to introduce ‘AvTalk’, our new Flightradar24 aviation podcast, hosted by Ian Petchenik and Jason Rabinowitz, two aviation geeks with a passion for anything that flies….
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