Podcasts about avgeek

JAL takes Paul on a wonderful flight to Haneda (that amenity kit too!). The new HND approach is everything (but HND T3 isn't). The aircraft guide for kids, by Vinod (and how wonderful are those Delta pilots!). An airborne Wifi setup that is so long, it will get you sober. An ode to the 757, they really don't make planes like those anymore (but Delta does a great job refreshing them). Want to invite 8 people to the lounge? Be an Ultimate baller (if you have one of those super exclusive statuses, get in touch!). The battle of the Guanacaste Airport carts (and the battle of gate PA announcements). Even ATL looks nice in a golden hour. JAL Euphony, or the only valid excuse to listen to content without headphones! That time when Paul got to drink whisky in the cockpit with a disheveled Fidel Castro (well, not exactly, but close enough). —Follow us, and comment on: Instagram - Bluesky - Threads - Mastodon - Twitter/XComment on each episode, and rate us, on SpotifyReview, and rate us, on Apple PodcastsComment, like, review, and rate us, on FacebookComment on YouTube (there's no video, just audio!)Search for "Layovers" on any podcast service (some direct links are on our website)If we're missing one, or if you have any feedback, let Paul know on Instagram - Threads - Mastodon - Bluesky - Twitter/X

Here's the trick on how to forget you don't have a window seat: spend an entire flight doing speed tests on Starlink. Another trick? How to actually get a mobile boarding pass on BA's ever-buggy app. When business becomes first, or the final trick to access the Al Safwa First Class lounge in Doha. KLM gives you a timeline of service on the IFE, and a LOT of (good) food. CDG T1 is the Circle of Doom, but there are views on the 11th floor if you can find it. Heathrow shuts down after a fire, earning its "operational challenges" nickname. The UK has introduced the electronic travel authorization (ETA), no questions asked. The bonus of not having doors in business class: the gossip, here whether a pilot should be allowed to drink champagne or not. The rather surreal experience of airport hotels, and the reset of coming back to commuter airports.Check-ins, touchdowns, unexpected connections, with turbulent weather and turbulent IT — Happy Flying! —Follow us, and comment on: Instagram - Bluesky - Threads - Mastodon - Twitter/XComment on each episode, and rate us, on SpotifyReview, and rate us, on Apple PodcastsComment, like, review, and rate us, on FacebookComment on YouTube (there's no video, just audio!)Search for "Layovers" on any podcast service (some direct links are on our website)If we're missing one, or if you have any feedback, let Paul know on Instagram - Threads - Mastodon - Bluesky - Twitter/X

What will truly fix our safety problem and why does it matter? Let's talk. 

What is it like to travel with a kid on long-haul journeys to Asia, from Singapore, to KL, to Taipei and more (and the secret bathrooms, which one would you choose?).  AF001, the Air France fragrance (only the French!). Should KLM talk to Korean about the new livery? (And where is the red? LH kept a Pantone code at least). The runways hidden in plain sight (we have one in Singapore, one in Switzerland). CDG T1 (again) shortcomings — compare that to the magic of Singapore Changi and the big bathtub plug at Jewel (Changi, where no one can hear your child scream!). Is Air Canada better than JAL?! (not everything coming out of Japan has unicorn status, you know). What is premium economy (a slightly better economy, or a business class minus, no airline seem to agree). When should service happen on long-haul flights? (Bad timing is everything). What on Earth is going on at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (there's a lot of dust on that Aerotrain).We mentioned our friends at Plane Talking UK, here's how to listen/watch themHappy flying! —Follow us, and comment on: Instagram - Bluesky - Threads - Mastodon - Twitter/XComment on each episode, and rate us, on SpotifyReview, and rate us, on Apple PodcastsComment, like, review, and rate us, on FacebookComment on YouTube (there's no video, just audio!)Search for "Layovers" on any podcast service (some direct links are on our website)If we're missing one, or if you have any feedback, let Paul know on Instagram - Threads - Mastodon - Bluesky - Twitter/X

In this podcast, we talk with legendary mechanic and founder of Savvy Aviation, Mike Busch. Mike explains how shock cooling is not really a thing but we should all be concerned about shock heating! Please enjoy The Finer Points! Fly Your Best, Jason

The podcast is back, and Geoff is flying solo for the first time in 6 years. Thanks Vinod for everything you brought to the podcast. Geoff takes a look back at his 2024 round-the-world trip and other Canadian aviation experiences. Geoff checked the Island Hopper off his bucket list, travelling from Honolulu to Guam via the Marshall Islands and Micronesia. He forced a long layover in Honolulu to allow a visit to the city before heading out on the Island Hopper. The Island Hopper planes are old with some of the oldest Inflight Entertainment Systems Geoff has seen in years. Majuro airport and The Marshall Islands are in the middle of the Pacific on various atolls. This particular routing took Geoff via Kwajalein (no pictures at this stop!), Pohnpei and Chuuk (you can get passport stamps in Micronesia even if you are in transit) before landing in Guam. Geoff is a much bigger fan of the south side of Guam than the north side. Geoff took one of the last flights with United from Guam to Fukuoka. If you're flying to FUK, take the time to enjoy the observation deck. He then headed to Osaka via Hiroshima with the Shinkansen. Flight boarding in Japan is super efficient, and Geoff tried it first domestically from Osaka-Itami to Tokyo-Haneda. After spending time in Tokyo, Geoff flew onward to Copenhagen via Singapore. There is a wonderful 7-11 after security airside at Haneda that sells all sorts of Japanese treats. The Jewel in Singapore is lovely but is super busy on a summer Saturday night. A beach layover in Copenhagen is possible with a quick metro journey. Geoff enjoyed his first ever fifth freedom flight from Frankfurt to New York JFK on Singapore Airlines. If you're liking this episode experience, you may also enjoy Experience 2. "International Megahubs and Flight Ticketing." It's available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Geoff had some interesting domestic experiences in the second half of 2024. A widebody flight on a route not normally served by that plane, and subsequent upgrades. And then there was a massive storm system and hailstorm chaos in Calgary. Geoff also visited Canada's easternmost international airport in St. John's. And to build his knowledge, Geoff is now a successful student with distinction for IATA's training course on passenger fares and ticketing. If you have trip plans or experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Bluesky, Threads and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/

A decade on the air and in the air, thank you all for your loyalty (we don't offer Tier Points).Loyalty is what we start with, as British Airways shakes the world of revenue based loyalty with a rather abrupt shift (meh it was coming, says Alex, whilst Paul defends BA), but what program should we now put our miles in?!Alex flies to peak pollution Delhi with Virgin Atlantic, to meet his brothers (and his Attache brother, Greg). He then goes to New York via Helsinki with Finnair, an airline that wants you to believe a 330 is a 350, but that he'd fly again and again.IFE privacy and self-consciousness, that's a thing (is it for you all you too?)Paul finally narrates the pinnacle of air travel, the best First Class in the world (no contest!), 12 hours in supreme zero-gravity comfort aboard the Emirates 777 First (he touches all the buttons, creates a night club in the sky in one cabin, a hotel in another).Is the middle seat the best option? You might need binoculars to believe it.Again, thank you all for tuning in every time we release a show (including the crazy ones binge-listening to the entire catalogue of episodes!).Happy flying until our next episode (When? Like at airports, patience is a virtue haha) —Follow us, and comment on: Instagram - Bluesky - Threads - Mastodon - Twitter/XComment on each episode, and rate us, on SpotifyReview, and rate us, on Apple PodcastsComment, like, review, and rate us, on FacebookComment on YouTube (there's no video, just audio!)Search for "Layovers" on any podcast service (some direct links are on our website)If we're missing one, or if you have any feedback, let Paul know on Instagram - Threads - Mastodon - Bluesky - Twitter/X

A European flying tour from North America, a symphony of alcohol (with two specific colors), a flight sim in an airport (well, nearly), the Paris Olympics from the inside (Paul is jealous), the alternative timeline of CDG T1 and Concorde (we want to switch to it!), an appreciation for Ryanair (nope, we're not in another timeline). getting sea sick whilst taxiing (included in your expensive ticket), the tiny ground dots of Charles de Gaulle and Zurich (bring them back!), the dark underground link between Orly and Luton (ok, not really, but you'll get it), the fabulous Musée de l'air et de l'espace at Le Bourget (does it get any better than this?) — Vinod is back (and not only for the insane Spotify numbers he brings along).Happy New Year everyone & Happy Flying!

Send us a textDoug is back from New York and Tokyo and Drew is on a much needed break from a busy start to the Christmas travel week. There's no huge aviation news this week so we have a bunch fun news stocking stuffers for you. On this episode we discuss:Christmas season passenger volumes and possible disruptionsANA acquires 100% of LCC Peach AirAir Kerala plans to launch in mid 2025Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation make progress with their eVTOL air taxisFrontier brings back an all-you-can-fly passChina Airlines brings cheer to Boeing and Airbus with widebody ordersUnited has a new widebody route surprise for DenverWe unpack OAG's just released busiest routes lists https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Two tales of adventurous (and at time turbulent) travels: Paul embarks on a long train ride to Ukraine, while Alex soars above the Himalayas.One ventures into the heart of a conflict-stricken Kyiv, the other navigates the heights of Annapurna aboard a Ukrainian-built plane.A blend of sobering exhilaration and uplifting challenges that come when traveling in unique and sometimes demanding circumstances — we were both taught lessons in resilience and perspective.This could very well be our favorite episode ever.

While we get Season 10 ready we're bringing you this episode from our friends at the Federal Aviation Administration's Podcast, The Air Up There.Find our transcript here.Did you know that airplanes have two black boxes and they are actually orange? Or that airplanes have closets? Or that one of the tools used to fix an airplane's auxiliary power unit is referred to as a fishing rod? In this episode we're talking with Max, aka Airplane Facts With Max, an aircraft mechanic who hosts social media videos that cleverly blend airplane fact with fantasy fiction. Tune in as Max shares his favorite airplane facts and takes us behind the scenes of his career as an aircraft mechanic, where safety is at the forefront with little margin for error. You will find out what it takes to be an aircraft mechanic, a trade skill career that offers unique hands-on experiences, excellent compensation, and plenty of job prospects. Plus, hear the story behind the inception of Airplane Facts With Max.Whether you're an AvGeek, a fantasy geek, or just curious about the world of aviation, join us to celebrate one of the behind the scenes heroes of aviation – aircraft mechanics! As a wise grey wizard once said, “you shall not pass” up listening to this episode. Share with your friends, family, colleagues, hobbits, elves, rangers and other friendly folk of Middle-earth. Learn more about what it takes to become an FAA-certificated aviation mechanic. Meet Our Guest: Max is a certified Aviation Mechanic with Airframe and Powerplant ratings who creates social media content as Airplane Facts With Max. 

THIS is how you save time and money in training. Become a safer, more confident pilot. Fly Your Best! 

Alex tells us all about flying to Okinawa's Naha airport (via Tokyo), Hawaii (717s being flown like NYC cab drivers), the Philippines (that loop to Clarke airport), and more. We have one more Concorde to visit (next, a Millenium Falcon), we dream of Japanese airlines on-board experience (that "Italian" food, though?), we calculate the length of DXB concourses (it can be a long walk), we ponder the future of Manila airports (they'll end up with no less than THREE massive international airports), we wonder if selling guitars in an airport yields any results (Cebu has seen a lot of improvement though), we discuss legroom (bulkhead FTW), and admire Emirates' consistency (the new business class is the old business class?).Here's Ed Parsons photo store, check it out: https://store.edparsons.comMore travels to come, more episodes to come (if Paul makes it back), but we won't promise when (SORRY!)Happy travels!

Kayla joins the crew to talk about her life as Non Rev.  She talkes about her flight school and about recently aging out of her flight benefits. Kayla's parents are prior America West Airlines! US Airways was a bad mergerFirst flight at 6 months of age ❤️Kayla went on her ATL overnight!Now today Kayla is STILL going with her mom on her overnights! Kayla's sister got a lay flat seat BEFORE Kayla, who is arguably the more Avgeek of the two of them! Kayla's dad believes in her

Following an uncomfortable debate about a news article in Aeroplane Monthly on Duxford's future plans, Matt reflects on how the Avgeek community communicates. He also looks at the challenges of online discourse within the aviation community, the need for constructive criticism and civil debate, what that means for our aviation publications and how he will try to engage with everyone going forward. NOTE: I made this a full-numbered episode in the end!★Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum★Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcastersThe Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International00:00 The Duxford Dilemma: A Community in Conflict09:42 Navigating Online Discourse in Aviation17:48 The Future of Aviation Museums and Community Engagement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dorkfest!!  This year Tyler is the only one of the three of us to attend this annual Avgeek gathering at LAX airport! Tyler goes outside of his comfort zone DJ Spotter”s cousin Devon takes a train from SEA to LAX!! Lara did some recon and it takes 34 hours and he had a bedroom! Tyler gets a concourse shout out from a listener! Monique and Lara give their weak a$$ excuses why they didn't attend the Mecca for Avgeeks.

What's next for the aviation industry? The post-pandemic rejigging of air travel with less business travel, and more leisure travelers in the front (who want, like most of you, to experience the full array of premium travel), more often off-season. Will fares keep increasing (it's the economy, stupid!), the unstoppable rise of ancillary revenues (gotta keep those nice margins), and were airlines underpricing their miles up to the pandemic (Emirates believes so)? Where is the next aircraft, it seems neither Boeing nor Airbus has anything on the drawing board (the great Embraer might not dent the market, Comac on the other hand?), and Airbus softening's stance on the future of the 380 (the Emirates pressure could be working). What about single pilot aircrafts (touchy subject!). Greener tech for greener aircraft, and the question of incentives versus punishment (do you know where the term carbon footprint come from?) — and more from the great Hakan Yilmaz (Paul, meanwhile, just spends his time quoting Tim Clark).Everything you wanted to know about the intricacies of flight planning (choose your wind provider right!). Did you know what purpose does the seemingly abandoned T1 LHR serve? (the guys at the new IST could really teach a thing or two to Heathrow…). BA Fly no more (well, you'll see), and European Single Sky not yet (or ever?!). Flying down under to Brisbane and Auckland, and an Air New Zealand who punches above its weight. And we should really do an episode about the best business seats for tall people (the "old" Turkish one is fabulous for that, we both agree).Oh, and what's your favorite aerobatic display team? (A loaded question, Paul goes for the lunatics).Follow Hakan on X/Twitter: @LAFlyrFollow Paul on X/Twitter: @papadimitriou, Instagram: @papadimitriouFollow Layovers on X/Twitter: @lay_overs, Instagram: @lay_oversLayovers will return ;-)

In this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, host Lee-Sean Huang explores the process of aviation branding with guest Edmond Huot. Their conversation also focuses on how to build and maintain relationships with various client and community stakeholders, including local and Indigenous peoples served by airlines and airports. Edmond Huot is the Chief Creative Officer of Forward Studio, where he leads the New York City-based firm's global branding practice, which focuses primarily on the airline, aerospace, and transportation sectors. A true AvGeek at heart and originally from small-town Canada, Huot started his career in the early 1990s. He has turned his childhood fascination with aviation into his career. Edmond has worked on a wide range of airlines around the world, from Hawaii to Alaska to sunny California, focusing on their brand concepts, passenger experience, and liveries. The core of Edmond's design philosophy centers around a deep respect for how airlines are cultural icons for their communities, nations, and the traveling public. He is committed to creating brand experiences that are authentic and resonate deeply with people. Storytelling is central to his design approach, using elements to convey an airline's identity and values effectively.

Full episode coming July 15, 2024 Edmond Huot: "What's the dream? what are people aspiring to? As a creative and someone whose job it is to provide that path for our clients to understand and celebrate what that means to be human when you travel, whether it's this perception of glamour, whether it's an appreciation of traveling great distances to see people we care about to never lose sight of that part of the equation and to figure out ways to weave it into product innovation and efficiencies of the business, that's I think an important part, that's the part that I get the most enjoyment out of...figuring out how to build stories around things that we take for granted." Edmond Huot is the Chief Creative Officer of Forward Studio, where he leads the New York City-based firm's global branding practice, which focuses primarily on the airline, aerospace, and transportation sectors. A true AvGeek at heart and originally from small-town Canada, Huot started his career in the early 1990s. He has turned his childhood fascination with aviation into his career. Edmond has worked on a wide range of airlines around the world, from Hawaii to Alaska to sunny California, focusing on their brand concepts, passenger experience, and liveries. The core of Edmond's design philosophy centers around a deep respect for how airlines are cultural icons for their communities, nations, and the traveling public. He is committed to creating brand experiences that are authentic and resonate deeply with people. Storytelling is central to his design approach, using elements to convey an airline's identity and values effectively.

In this experience we review some recent travel along with a overview of our summer travel plans.  Severe turbulence has been in the news recently in various locations around the world. Turbulence is always there and always has been there and always will be there. Remember the words that Vinod would tell passengers concerned about turbulence "The people flying the plane have families they need to get home to tonight." If you are concerned about the wings during turbulence, there are numerous wing flex test videos for all airplane manufacturers. Here is an example from Airbus. We want to give a shoutout to the Layovers Podcast. Vinod was a guest interviewee of Paul on Episode 139. Vinod tried out a Canadian ultra low-cost carrier, Flair, for the first time from Vancouver to Calgary. He shares his thoughts about the experience. Find out why Vinod says they held to the ultra of ultra low cost. Vancouver to Calgary is often a turbulent flight as flights cross the Rocky Mountains. Turbulence can be divided into planned and unplanned turbulence. Flying into hot destinations often brings big thermals for pilots to deal with. Sometimes flights take big detours to avoid large unstable weather systems. We discuss our 2024 travel plans. Geoff has an upcoming round-the-world flight. The idea for the flight started when Vinod asked what a United 737 was doing in Tokyo. The trip starts from Toronto to Chicago to Honolulu on United. Then the Island Hopper in the Pacific, eventually ending up in Guam. Then a connection to Japan to one of the world's busiest single runway airports at Fukuoka. Geoff is looking forward to a domestic Japanese flight from Osaka to Tokyo. After enjoying Tokyo, onward to Copenhagen with 19 hours of flying via Singapore. Geoff has a couple of inter-European flights with Norwegian and Lufthansa. Geoff returns to Canada using a Singapore fifth freedom flight to JFK and finally to Toronto with Air Canada. If you're liking this episode experience, you may also enjoy Experience 74. "Summer Skies. 2023 Plans for Vinod and Geoff." It's available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Vinod is travelling to Paris to work on the Olympic Games. He is looking forward to his in-flight experience with Air France. Later with family there will be trips to Portugal with TAP, Dublin with Ryanair and Paris with Aer Lingus. Vinod and family will enjoy a return flight to Vancouver together. Maybe Geoff and Vinod will get a chance to meet up while on their adventures. Stay tuned. If you have trip plans or experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/

In this experience we are happy to bring you a special interview with senior leadership advisor Marco Villa. Over three decades Marco has flown more than 2800 flights and 6125000 miles. Geoff and Marco flew together in 2022 on internal flights in Mozambique complete with a crazy trip to Nampula (listen to experience 64 for more details). We ask Marco about his alliances and statuses. With all of these flights, Marco has almost achieved lifetime gold status on British Airways. He holds status in three different alliances along with Emirates. It all started for Marco in the mid-1990s when flying staff standby tickets with Lufthansa, which sponsored AIESEC conferences that Marco (and Geoff and Vinod) attended.  We ask Marco about his business travel and his top “weird” destinations. Eritrea tops the list and Tajikistan being another exotic destination. We ask about Marco's pet peeves – he shares his thoughts about issues on the ground, in the air and at the hotel. He also shares an interesting “worst flight on the planet”. We ask about Marco's travel hacks and habits and learn what he never gets on a plane without. What airlines or hotels are at the top of Marco's list? Marco wishes that customer service comes back at the major airlines at some point in the future. We ask about what airlines he feels are at the bottom of the list. It is a really populated place for both major carriers and low-cost carriers. We ask what Marco would like to see in travel for innovation. Marco also shares his emotional attachment to his paper boarding passes. If you're liking this episode experience, you may also enjoy Experience 61. "A Very Special Interview. Selling Airbus in China." It's available wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you have other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/

Ever wondered about the life of a flight attendant (and ground crew)? This is the episode for you. Paul welcomes his good friend Vinod for an episode full of fun aviation and travel stories — a long episode, with the laughs taking quite some of that length.From Edmonton to Vancouver, via Calgary (and its keys!), the many airports he worked at (Paul still hasn't been to Canada), Martinair, British Airways, Air Berlin, or WestJet, amongst the many airlines he worked for (and in a world of crew camaraderie around the world, BA really seems like a big family).Is there something about the uniform that transcends trends? And Vinod's secret to treat cabin crew well (Paul is inspired).The experience of turbulences in the air (and yes, we discuss that fateful Singapore Airlines flight), but also the video game of driving a jet bridge.Can you get Covid from an aircraft wing: flying during the pandemic to (and working at) Tokyo 2020 (NRT, a game of chairs) and Beijing 2022 (PEK, calcifying under sanitizing spray).Does each airline have a specific smell, or is that a neurotic avgeek thing? (dried fish seems like a bad omen though).  Vinod attempts to convince Paul that Frankfurt and Heathrow are great airports, and he nearly succeeds (his definition of LHR is just the best, and Paul softens on FRA), and we (kinda) agree on Singapore's carpet.And many more stories (Vinod's most memorable flights are quite something). Listen to Vinod Viswalingam's podcast (hosted along with the great Geoff Dahl), Seat 1A:Seat1A on Apple PodcastsSeat1A on SpotifySeat1A (website with more links)  

We're happy to be back after a few months of hiatus. In this experience we examine pets and other furry fliers, and Vinod shares a couple of trip reports. We have talked about animals as cargo in previous experiences. Airlines should know that there is an animal in the plane. Vinod remembers a dog that escaped out of the plane in Edmonton and went missing for weeks. Geoff remembers a poor dog that made a mess of itself in the kennel. Vinod remembers a massive dog that took up a row of seats with a passenger flying from St. John's to Toronto. Animal kennels on board need to be able to fit under the seat under the seat in front of you. Prior to COVID in the US, there was a large number of unique support animals brought onboard. We saw Dexter the emotional support peacock, Daniel the emotional support duck, Fred the miniature service horse, an emotional support pig, Gizmo the emotional support marmoset and a turkey at security. Eventually in 2020 a new rule was implemented differentiating between trained support animals and emotional support animals. Vinod shares a story that his father would share about a passenger feeding a miniature monkey in his jacket. Vinod shares his experience of rescue dogs flying from Taiwan to Canada. We wonder what happens with irregular operations and delays with pets. Vinod shares his memory of rats and mice in aircraft. If you're liking this episode experience, you may also enjoy Experience 41. "What are you Shipping? The Complex World of Air Cargo." It's available wherever you listen to your podcasts.  Vinod shares a couple of trip reports.  The first was a flight from Toronto to Vancouver that was delayed by more than three hours. There was extra drama with passengers and a crying baby. The second was a family vacation to Costa Rica. Vinod's son had wonderful interaction with a Delta pilot in Atlanta. The return flight via Los Angeles, caused Vinod's loathing and hatred of the airport to go up a notch. bbc.com article 'Emotional support peacock' barred from United Airlines plane  thenationalnews.com article From horses to peacocks, the wildest emotional support animals spotted on flights    If you have a story about pets and animals on flights, or other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/

So grateful to have the opportunity to sit down with world renowned CFI and Aviation Humorist Rod Machado.  He shares stories and lessons learned from over 5 decades of flying experiences. Check out all of his amazing books and aviation content here:https://rodmachado.com/

"Nothing will ever equal that moment of joyous excitement which filled my whole being when I felt myself flying away from the earth. It was not mere pleasure, it was perfect bliss. Having escaped from the frightful torments of persecution and of calumny, I felt that I was answering all in rising above all… On whatever side we looked, all was glorious; a cloudless sky above, a most delicious view around." Imagine the thrill of being one of the first humans to experience flight. Imagine the courage it must have taken to set foot in a balloon and allow yourself to be transported into the clouds, not knowing what it would be like or whether you would survive the experience. Every time we board an aircraft today, we owe a debt to these brave pioneers. Join podcast host Nick Rogers for episode 2 as we trace the early days of flight, from Greek mythology to the first manned flights in balloons.    

No guest today but we talk about our week and Lara's trip to Cancun ❌

Uncover the epic saga of the B-1 Lancer, a bomber that's weathered the storm of politics and emerged as a linchpin in America's aerial might. In our latest podcast episode, we trace the Bone's journey from its Cold War roots, designed to outmaneuver anti-aircraft defenses, to its current status as a formidable force in modern combat. As you join us, expect to grasp the sheer resilience of an aircraft that's been both axed and exalted, navigating through the advancements and setbacks that have secured its place in the annals of aviation history.We're not just talking about an ordinary war machine; the B-1 Lancer is a tale of transformation and tenacity. This episode peels back the layers of the Bone's multifaceted role in today's battlefields, from its relentless daily missions to its unexpected versatility in maritime operations. Get ready to explore the potential future of this supersonic legend, as we speculate on the B1R model and consider the strategic implications of its extended service life. The B-1 Lancer is a story of survival, and you're invited to witness how this aircraft continues to shape the strategic landscape, ensuring that America maintains its edge in the skies.Support the showTo help support this podcast and become a PilotPhotog ProCast member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1555784/supportIf you enjoy this episode, subscribe to this podcast, you can find links to most podcast streaming services here: PilotPhotog Podcast (buzzsprout.com) Sign up for the free weekly newsletter Hangar Flyingwith Tog here: https://hangarflyingwithtog.com You can check out my YouTube channel for many videos on fighter planes here: https://youtube.com/c/PilotPhotog If you'd like to support this podcast via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PilotPhotog And finally, you can follow me on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/pilotphotog

Drew and Doug are both on the job the week of Christmas with Drew working the busy hub operation and Doug doing flights to London, then Houston, back to London, and then home to SFO.  We talk about news stories as presents and what we'd like to see under the avgeek Xmas tree. We also discuss:JSX buys 300 electric and hybrid planesBoeing resumes deliveries to ChinaLufthansa orders 737 Maxes We explain what “airline chicken” isJoin the discussion! https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

In this experience we look into the reasons why airports may get much busier than normal. We start out the podcast with a trip review of Vinod who recently flew to London-Heathrow. It was his virgin flight on an Airbus 350. There was no free seat selection with the ticket that he purchased. When Vinod flew out of Vancouver the British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Plaza Premium lounges were all under renovation. This led to an interesting temporary lounge in Vancouver's International departures. The flight was quiet and uneventful with a landing at Heathrow Terminal 3. It had been decades since Vinod had flown into Terminal 3. Vinod had a chance to meet up with Paul from Layovers while in London. On his return to Vancouver, Vinod had a bag that was at the weight limit. Thankfully there were friendly service staff to help him with the situation. Vinod used the Flighty app which performed very well. The flight had an empty seat beside him and was quick and efficient on the trip back to Canada. If you're liking this episode experience, you may also enjoy Experience 35. "Beating the queue. Lining up strategies at the airport." It's available wherever you listen to your podcasts.  We dive into events that take over an airport. Taylor Swift is a current example who has caused airlines to do incredible things. simpleflying.com article Taylor Swift, Like A Hurricane, Prompts Airline Change Fee Waivers  Sometimes there are things that you're aware that some airports will be busy like holidays. Other times you may not be aware of things like sporting events, large conventions, trade shows or political events. It can throw you for a loop if you don't know things that are happening at that airport. Geoff remembers flying into Cairo during Hajj and it was a connection point for flights from all over Africa. Finally, there are large international airshows with some beautiful aircraft that may or may not delay you when flying. But you could end up with a wonderful view from your window.   News Items: simpleflying.com article United Airlines Passengers Can Now Extend Their Trip With Deutsche Bahn Tickets  simpleflying.com article Vistara Airbus A320 Turns Back After Dog Spotted At Goa Airport Runway    If you have a story about unexpectedly busy airports, or other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/

Alex tells us all about his return to Hong Kong, with Cathay setting a new gold standard in IFE over Emirates (Greg flew China Southern, and, errr, well). Paul flies the all business class 321neo from La Compagnie from Orly to Newark (road traffic was key to that story, but traffic there is none to board, how crazily fast is that, kudos La Compagnie!). Choose your BA seat on Jordanian (neat trick), but it might come with a free infant for you. After 27 years, Qatar Airways replaces Al Baker (would some call him the Jeremy Clarkson of the airline industry?). Can reward/award finders help you spend air miles faster than they devaluate? The biometric airport experience is upon us, and AI is rising (but robots do strike in London when they drive trains). Is British Airways' customer service seeing a renaissance after having listened to Layovers? (at least they're investing quite massively in it, hopefully in IT -capital letters- too). Will we see boarding group -2 arise (group 0 is here)? ExTime, beautiful third party lounges thanks to a je ne sais quoi (the French flair surely). The bucolic murals at that -4 walkway.We did travel quite a lot, pardon the delay in getting this one out. We'll be back in December!Happy flying, all.—Paul is on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter.Alex is on Instagram, and Twitter.Layovers is on Instagram, and Twitter. 

Did you know that airplanes have two black boxes and they are actually orange? Or that airplanes have closets? Or that one of the tools used to fix an airplane's auxiliary power unit is referred to as a fishing rod? In this episode we're talking with Max, aka Airplane Facts With Max, an aircraft mechanic who hosts social media videos that cleverly blend airplane fact with fantasy fiction. Tune in as Max shares his favorite airplane facts and takes us behind the scenes of his career as an aircraft mechanic, where safety is at the forefront with little margin for error. You will find out what it takes to be an aircraft mechanic, a trade skill career that offers unique hands-on experiences, excellent compensation, and plenty of job prospects. Plus, hear the story behind the inception of Airplane Facts With Max.Whether you're an AvGeek, a fantasy geek, or just curious about the world of aviation, join us to celebrate one of the behind the scenes heroes of aviation – aircraft mechanics! As a wise grey wizard once said, “you shall not pass” up listening to this episode. Share with your friends, family, colleagues, hobbits, elves, rangers and other friendly folk of Middle-earth. Learn more about what it takes to become an FAA-certificated aviation mechanic. Meet Our Guest:  Max is a certified Aviation Mechanic with Airframe and Powerplant ratings who creates social media content as Airplane Facts With Max. Disclaimer: Reference in this podcast to any specific commercial product, process, service, manufacturer, company, or trademark does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. government, Department of Transportation, or Federal Aviation Administration. As an agency of the U.S. government, the FAA cannot endorse or appear to endorse any specific product or service.  

In this experience we look into the world of customer service and examples when the experience goes sideways. We review the situation of the passengers who were flying from Paris to Singapore with a farting and drooling dog in premium economy. Singapore airlines finally got the issue resolved and credited them for their experience. In days gone by, your travel agent would have been your point of contact. Now you're mostly on your own. Over the last four years, airlines lost many individuals who were extremely proficient in high-touch customer experience. Even more than ever, airline agents are working from home. Things that can be done virtually can be much different than in person. A key is knowing how to be efficient and work with the people on the other side of the desk. Geoff shares a story of a cancelled Porter Airlines flight to Newark, and the quick actions of a check-in agent to get him on another flight quicker than originally scheduled. Vinod shares a story of remotely assisting a family member with a Cathay Pacific and WestJet check-in. He was even able to resolve some of it while sitting on his sofa! Geoff shares a story of a flight with online information about waiving fees being much different than fees that needed to be paid in person. If you're liking this episode experience, you may also enjoy Experience 60. "We Appreciate Your Patience. Wait Times and Customer Support." It's available wherever you listen to your podcasts.  Vinod shares a story of helping a family re-locate to Ireland. The online system would not allow a check-in without paying but did the passenger need to pay? Vinod also discusses a YVR vacuum cleaner retrieval request. What happens online versus offline doesn't always line up. If you are able to do things in person, you may have a better chance. News Items: straitstimes.com article Couple seated next to ‘snorting, farting' dog on long-haul flight get $1,600 refund from SIA  simpleflying.com article Honolulu Airport Closed Over Medical Emergency  simpleflying.com article Only 5% Of Allegiant's October Flights Are On Tuesdays    If you have a story about airline customer service, or other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/

So small, cozy, cute, a very special airport, that was Tegel, not BER: can the finally (nearly) finished Berlin Brandenburg measure up to the "poor but sexy" German capital? At least the cleverly named lounges have an even cleverer backdoor (and, hey, it's not a poor bus station like Schoenfeld).Bundling the unbundling: a (great) rant by Alex (Hunter, but Vukolova chimes in, and Paul got confused having two Alex on the show). Do the Adidas Lufthansa sneakers give you extra status (you can now buy them, unlike the staff limited editions that Paul bought off from an employee a few years ago, in order to pair them with the Family Mart socks he just got). Condor offers you a branded beer (another Brewdog airline brew!), but also booking your …overhead bin?? (Alex tested it, and we look at everything that could go wrong). JetBlue and the inaugural massive dog. The admirable journey out of fear of flying.Air Astana is amazing, Almaty airport not so much (the former gives you amenity kits, and slippers, in economy, for 3 hours!! The latter does not have free water in its lounge WTF).Thanks a million to Alex Vukolova for having joined us (and for having waited FOREVER to be on our podcast).You should follow Alex on LinkedIn (she posts great avgeek stuff!): http://linkedin.com/in/alexandravukolovaOn Instagram (Paul messed up her username all this time!!): https://www.instagram.com/avixalex/Give a listen to her aviation podcast, Sky Lounge: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/sky-lounge-podcast/id1678045129And here's the Ladies Beyond Flying group she mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12451302(See, there are links in our show notes for once).Apologies for the audio quality, we had to work around a ton of glitches, and preferred recording than postponing.See you in the next one! Happy flying! 

In this experience we take a trip into the show's archives and review tickets and booking. We start out with a review from Vinod about his flight in the summer with Porter from Toronto to Vancouver. As people are looking for good fare prices, this is a good lead-in to a discussion about ticketing. We talked about ticketing in our very early experiences and are revisiting it in this experience. The moment that you purchase the right to travel on an aircraft, you get a Passenger Name Record. Every airline has their own PNR. Make sure you don't share pictures of your PNR online. But airline ticketing systems are not as advanced as some would think. Sometimes an e-ticket does not get associated with the PNR. Sometimes a booking ends up only being a shell. When you need to fix it, you will need a specialized ticketing representative. This is why an airline representative can't fix it...they may simply not have the access. Vinod shares a story of checking in a passenger and somehow not noticing that there was no e-ticket associated with it. One of the key aspects of any ticket booking is who is in control of the ticket. Is it the airline, the travel agent or someone else. An airline will do everything it can to keep the control of the ticket, including upgrades in certain circumstances. But sometimes things go sideways, and an airline needs to hand over control to another airline. In the days of paper tickets this Flight Interruption Manifest was almost like an I Owe You between airlines. Today, it all gets processed electronically. Things can get a bit complicated when a travel agent is involved. Vinod shares a recent experience of helping with a ticket booked with a travel agent and some of the surprises involved. We look at fare classes which are important when you have to make changes. Is your fare class available anymore when you change the ticket? What do you have to pay for cancellations and/or refunds? We look at how much ticketing has changed with it now being much more transparent than in the past. We also answer that question asked so often "when is the best time to buy a cheap ticket?" We recommend having a budget and if your ticket is in that budget then book it and don't look back! How much talking are airlines doing with each other? Vinod shares a story when he had two tickets flying from Toronto to London to Madrid. If you're liking this episode experience, you may also enjoy Experience 1. "Maiden Flight." It's available wherever you listen to your podcasts. When your Passenger Name Record is created, be very careful with entering the name and passport information because it could be very difficult to change the information.   News Items: simpleflying.com article British Airways Reportedly Offering Passengers Money To Avoid Heathrow Lounges  simpleflying.com article Singapore Airlines Passengers Demand Refund After Farting Dog Disrupts Their Flight   If you have a story about ticketing, or other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/

Paul tries multiple Italian airports, Alex finally visits the new Istanbul (and flies Turkish for the first time!). The passport blowing border official trick (it doesn't work better than the Super NES cartridge blowing). BA will soon introduce water bottles the size of mini bar vodkas (at least it seems so). The Magical Finnish hippos, another first in a long line of firsts by Finnair. The perma-scaffolding of a rather joyful Birmingham airport. Italian really do duty free differently (from currency to cars). Alex visits what is easily the biggest third party lounge he's ever seen in his life. Tom Cruise runs over the new Midfield Terminal at Abu Dhabi (and of course, WE ARE TOP GUN MAVERICK). When the fast track is in the lounge. Creatively naming the airline Wifi (send us your favorites). Imperial Airways lives on (on the IFE). Luton LOL. Do airlines realize people usually need to have a bag when they fly? Are Ryanair pilots of drinking age? Don't ask Apple Maps for Bologna Airport. 

We are fortunate to be graced with Hawaiian Ashley as she takes us through each island and tells us the hidden in and outs! She is also an Avgeek! “I have an idea” and why her husband is so suspectKona Volcano is erupting againSiamen at Hamura'sSalt bedsQueen's BathOahuCook your own dinner at ShorebirdUluani's for shaved icePearl Harbor a must ( no bags or backpacks permitted)Polynesian Cultural CenterMaui Monique's favorite! Road to HanaHaleakalā Why is the sand red?Whale season is January and February The Lahaina fire

In this experience Vinod and Geoff are both in Toronto, recording in person and celebrate the milestone of 75 episodes. We proceed to do an analysis of travels in July 2023. Geoff had a trans-Atlantic adventure, with flights to Germany, Austria, and Turkey. Geoff's trip was from Toronto to Frankfurt with a premium economy ticket that had been booked early in the year but wanted to try for an upgrade. ExpertFlyer helped to figure out the load factor and Geoff tried the Air Canada bid upgrade system. Forty-eight hours in advance the upgrade was accepted. Remember that Air Canada does not have pajamas in business class as part of the amenity kit. Air Canada business class is a solid product but not top of world class. Geoff got a pointer from another passenger on how to get sleep in the airline. When Geoff arrived into Frankfurt he checked if there was shower service in the Air Canada lounge. He learned departing passengers only and Lufthansa will not accept Air Canada passengers in their arrival lounge. Fortunately Frankfurt Airport offers a paid shower directly across from that lounge. Geoff took a train into Frankfurt Main Station and onwards from there, with a scheduled return back to Frankfurt Airport the next day. Geoff proceeded on from Frankfurt to Vienna. A very simple self bag check, and Schengen zone flight. A warning for those using the A wing of Terminal 1 in Frankfurt. There are no places for you to fill a water bottle with cool water and water bottles are sold for four euros or more. The gate Geoff was at did not require a pushback. Overnight in Vienna and a train back to the airport the next day. A straightforward flight on to Düsseldorf. But when Geoff arrived, did they forget all the bags on the tarmac without delivering them to the belt? An overnight in Düsseldorf and onward to Cologne the next morning. Geoff flew with Turkish from Cologne to Istanbul and his first impressions of the massive airport in Istanbul was the very long taxiing time to the terminal. He connected for a domestic flight onward to Bodrum. He returned to Istanbul a week later taking a 777 for a one-hour flight - which managed to have a hot breakfast service. Geoff stayed up all night for a planned Istanbul to Vienna to Toronto trip. There had been issues through the entire trip since it had been booked using points. It's a long walk through the middle of Istanbul Airport without moving sidewalks until you get to the assorted terminal wings. Geoff was told that his flight was late, and he was going to miss the connection, and was advised to stay another day. But the inbound flight connection in Vienna was late. Would he make it? After waiting an hour for takeoff clearance and arriving at a remote stand with a bus, and a sprint though Vienna Airport, the answer was no. Did Air Canada get passenger information from Turkish? Who knows. Could the Star Alliance connection work better? Absolutely. Geoff rants about the newer terminal at Vienna, the need to use stairs often at the airport and the narrow, dark atmosphere. But who was Geoff supposed to contact. Since it was booked with points, he was told to contact Air Canada. After multiple hours waiting, Geoff spoke to Mina at Air Canada, his trip saviour. He tried with Turkish to get a new routing, no chance. He was NOT going to fly back to Istanbul to start over. Air Canada covered the re-routing of his itinerary – now via Barcelona. After an unplanned short overnight in Vienna, and unanticipated excitement with a missing NEXUS card, Geoff flew via Barcelona. What a difference to Vienna with wide walkways and lots of light. A brief layover in Barcelona and a pleasant return flight to Toronto. If you're liking this episode experience, you may also enjoy Experience 9. "Our first deep dive into two different flying experiences." It's available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Vinod had a family trip to Toronto with a redeye flight from Vancouver which was not a pleasant experience. The inbound Air Canada flight was delayed, the passengers sat in the plane waiting for ground crews, the temperature control was uncomfortably warm at times (which is apparently an issue with the MAX), and the crew was uninterested. Vinod shares his rental car experience, and upgrades that can happen for those companies that share the same vehicle pool. Vinod was planning for his first ever flight with a transcontinental flight on Porter. How was his seat planning going? Apparently quite well. If you have a story about 2023 trips that you've already completed or are taking, or other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/

Combini, tamago sando, Skyliner, vending machines, ekiben, baseball Suica cards, yes we discuss Japan, where Alex was earlier this summer. And yes we talk (err, Alex talks) about air travel too, British Airways, Southwest, Hawaiian, ANA, and, drumroll, Zipair — not in that order, and with hops at London Heathrow, San Jose, San Francisco, Tokyo Narita, Osaka Itami, and some shinkansens (and lots of Pocari Sweat, Alex is a fan, Paul isn't), on a few 787s, a 777 (should have been a 380, but …BA), a 737, a MAX (and Alex has thoughts on that one), and a 717 (a great beat up commuter bus!).A new acronym for BA, Belated Airways (are they ever on time these days?). JAL used to advertise: we don't economize in economy, so what about their long haul low cost ZipAir, the “new basic airline”, do they economize? And would you ditch your luggage completely, and rent your clothes at destination, for the duration of your trip? Jerks being jerks, but, really, do you need to complain for hours to no end (aka, the rise of disruptive passengers, Alex had one, could have been two). ANA domestic is like flying United in the 90s, golf highlights included, only announcing turbulences are coming in exactly 30 seconds. Would you rather be clocking in and out of lounges, max duration 30 minutes, or looking at nothing but the Pacific for 10 hours? The beer robot at lounges, the perfect good bye to Japan (or is it the soothing sound of Live ATC?). The two dings, the ominous two dings, they will make robots of people. 

In this experience we take a look at our summer 2023 travel plans, and also look at trips we took in June. It's a very different summer than that of 2022. We're getting closer to how things were pre-pandemic with higher amounts of staffing, however now we have to really search again for cheap fares. Vinod and Geoff had travels in June in Canada. Geoff flew to Yukon and did a large road trip from there also through Alaska. Geoff flew with Air North which had a terrific Connector Fare deal to Whitehorse from Calgary. There were a few adventures on the way - including waiting on the tarmac in Toronto for technical reasons and Vancouver for connecting passengers; and a bag drop in Vancouver that still required a visit to a check-in desk. Vinod shares his memories of tarmac holds and whether the passengers should be released. Canada is very large. Toronto to Whitehorse is approximately the same distance as Toronto to Bogota, Colombia. Vinod had an early morning flight to London, Ontario. He learned about extra costs if pre-reserving an Uber. All airlines have a headstart focus for their first flights - trying to get out early for the day. Vinod had worked as crew on the exact same Frozen plane that he was flying on. Even though he had worked for years in Calgary, there were new terminal wings he had not experienced before. His arrival in London was uneventful. Vinod returned to Toronto with a rental car. There was added adventures making the baggage cutoff time and unexpected and unpleasant calls to the car rental agency due to a forgotten item. If you're liking this episode experience, you may also enjoy Experience 22. "Why is my plane parked there? The world of gate assignments." It's available wherever you listen to your podcasts.  Geoff and Vinod discuss their upcoming summer travel. Geoff has a transatlantic adventure along with inter-European flights. Geoff shares a tip on how to manage a flight on Turkish Airlines booked with other airlines' points. Vinod has a family vacation to Toronto. Vinod is trying a new cross-country player in the Canadian air market. We share a tip on how to find the price floor for fares. News Items: simpleflying.com article Japan Airlines Will Hire Clothes To Tourists To Let Them Travel Light  simpleflying.com article The Top 10 Most Expensive Airports To Park At 2023  simpleflying.com article Unusual: LOT Polish Airlines Adds Wroclaw To South Korea Boeing 787 Flights    If you have a story about 2023 trips that you've already completed or are taking, or other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/.

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 divert the flight. The unruly passenger […] The post AvTalk Episode 224: An unruly passenger appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.

In This Episode:In this episode of The Capital Runway, we sat down with Janene Shaw, the Terminal Operations Supervisor at Dulles International Airport. Janene has dedicated over 25 years to Dulles. Tune in and learn how her sister's Air Force career exposed her to airfields and instilled a deep understanding of aviation. Join us as Janene takes us through her various roles over the years that led her to becoming the airport's first female Duty Manager. Don't miss it this one!Have questions for us? We'd love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@thecapitalrunway.comFor more information, please visit our website at https://thecapitalrunway.com.Staff:Tanisha Lewis, VP of DISIJaimini Erskine, VP of Marketing & ConcessionsCharles Wilson, Co-host/Co-producerAmanda Ohbayashi, Co-host/Co-producer/Social media producerRyan Burdick, Editor/Co-producerBong Lee, GraphicsBrian McCoy, Digital Strategy/Co-producerSagia Depty, Marketing Lead/Co-producerAdam Lawrence, Web producer

Please Support Strange Recon! Paypal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stran... Google - strangerecon@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/strangerecon Buy Strange Recon merch! https://www.strangereconpodcast.com/ #ufo #history #science #engineering #plasma #avgeek #avgeeks #aviation #space #nasa #cia #airforce #army #navy #marines #coastguard #spaceforce #missile #china #USA #defense #technology #innovation

We flew to Geneva to record an episode of Attaché (now on YouTube, link below), so how were our flights, and what did we think of the airport (the new C-Gates are excellent, the time at immigration not always). Does too much info add unnecessary travel stress? (Aka Flighty is Paul's IFE of choice in lounges). Is Covid wear and tear a thing? Some aircraft interiors look older than they should. Dublin airport can be frustrating, but it's pretty much forgiven when you can see one of the most famous airplanes in the world next to you. The 380 is an absolute winner in those times of constraints, the 777X could be too (come on, when???), but its new window dimming is what we'll have to settle for now. The new security machines are awesome, unless you shoot film (yes, you know, rolls of film in cameras, the youth won't know what we're talking about), and a photographer friend has some update on that front. Some LCY & Cityflyer love, but "that stupid goddamn piece of crap building that I'm sure is really important to the operation of the airport blocks the view" (HAHAHAHAHA). We both sing in unisson: BA is improving. Undercover flight attendant CEO, whilst Starlux's saves the day (but might get a fine). Did passengers gain weight during Covid? We have the answer (for Europe at least). Apple Vision Pro, the new IFE (Vomit Pro or not?). Remembering Brian Shul.Lots more stories, from Japan to terminal pubs (morning beer anyone?).And whilst we always forget to link stuff in those show notes, for sure go watch Attaché with Alex and Paul:https://youtu.be/0z4pNTXEN3U

Please Support Strange Recon!Paypal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/strangereconGoogle - strangerecon@gmail.comPatreon - https://www.patreon.com/strangereconBuy Strange Recon merch! Website - https://www.strangereconpodcast.com/#avgeek #history #science #aviation #planes #drones #uas #AI #ufo #uap #military #lockheed #northrup #boeing #skunkworks #phantomworks #army #navy #airforce #marines #spaceforce #coastguard #nasa #space

Please Support Strange Recon!Paypal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/strangereconGoogle - strangerecon@gmail.comPatreon - https://www.patreon.com/strangereconBuy Strange Recon merch! Website - https://www.strangereconpodcast.com/Sourcehttps://thedebrief.org/intelligence-officials-say-u-s-has-retrieved-non-human-craft/

Do you have a number? The saga of Alex trying to beat boarding time at Lisbon (you won't believe he, of all people, made that mistake). A completely charming SWISS cheese board on-board (and cows in the Zurich airport train). Etihad 2.0 are quietly great, a tasteful experience we appreciate (and flying over the Arabian Gulf is a sight to be seen), plus they're now about making money (err, shouldn't it have been the case since the start?). The "Etihad Lounge, The House of the Name of the House of the Lounge of Etihad and Other Airlines that are associated with us, but not really, and we are a good lounge, Lounge" is no more, but Alex isn't sure where he was anyway. A prescient Careem driver takes Alex to the Midfield Terminal, a mirage in a Star Wars movie (will it finally open this December??), but for the moment, the 1970s airport stays your only choice (T3 was opened in 2009, but feels way older). Saudi Arabia is launching a second flag carrier, and another airline, and expansion of airports, and like wow. Floating at 40'000 feet in silence (but with Flightradar). A new A380 UK-based carrier, are they for real? A lounge within a lounge, but it's Louis Vuitton. Super Mario Bros Warp Zones in Madrid.

Alex gets lost at JFK T8, only to encounter crazy turbulences over the Atlantic (a future worsening trend). But how did he get there? Finally testing what Paul did in 2021, the Mint Studio — a hope for the future of long haul narrow bodies. Airfare prices are way up from 2019 (more than inflation!), is that temporary, or what prices will be, and should always have been (that's the opinion of AirAsia's founder), so, please, JetBlue, don't Norwegian it! When you call BA, you will get quoted different fees and taxes every time, just keep calling (but who calls in 2023??). Also, DO YOU KNOW WHAT AIRLINE YOU WORK FOR?Our proposal: play musical chairs in lounges and every five minutes, you have to get up and give somebody else your seat (just keep the ceiling intact, unlike in Paul's sound studio).  

Our meet up is finished and Tyler is just getting started on the massive job of editing all the podcasts we recorded in Dallas! This episode with our Avgeek, plane spotter friend Craig from the United Kingdom was recorded the day before we left for Dallas!  He and his lovely wife Claire were in town trying to thaw out from the cold British weather. The Queen's procession.Visiting our area of the countryClub Suites with British Airways Taxes!! Kuala Lumpur must do! First non rev trip to LAXCraig's side hustleYour can find Craig's amazing airline photos on Instagram at:  https://instagram.com/doorstomanual.exposure?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=His travel consulting business on Instagram at: https://instagram.com/simplybespoketravel?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=✈️ StaffTraveler is a great app that can assist you in your non-rev travels! Use it to find the loads for your non rev travel!  Use this to sign up and get entered into a free weekly raffle: https://stafftraveler.com/nonrevlounge✈️Don't forget your PERX.COM discount!! Use NONREVPOD30 https://www.perx.com/nonrevloungepodcast/Thanks for supporting our show,we really appreciate it!Find us on Instagram @NonRevLoungePodcast and Twitter @NonRevLoungePod.If you have any questions or feedback please feel free to reach out to us via email at: Nonrevloungepodcast@gmail.com

How is it we had never actually done MAD as an episode title? This ends today, however the mad MADrid dash from T4S to T4 never does. Alex has lots to say about BA and it's …not great (he's not alone to think like this). Paul calls it, the better London airport is definitively Gatwick (stop being a wannabe posh by preferring LHR). Lufthansa introduces a grand new First Class, and a super complex Tetris business class with 14+ options (Swiss introduces the same, but in bordeaux). Will Dolomiti be folded into ITA (the ever growing Lufthansa Group realm of the European skies). Emirates is the Apple of airlines, you might not love them but they offer incredible consistency at massive scale, truly admirable (DXB could do with a bit of a refresh though). You know what, you can fly the 747-400 to Palma (BE QUICK, BEFORE THE 744 ERA ENDS).We mentioned (and promised to link) those two:The worst airport in the world (by Jo Ellison, in the FT, paywall possible, I'M SORRY, JO, FOR MISNAMING YOUR LAST NAME!!!!), andThe DISGRACEFUL State of British Airways (by Nonstop Dan, on YouTube).See you again for 127, and, in the meanwhile, please give us any feedback on Twitter or Instagram  (and Apple Podcasts if you're inclined to give us a nice review).

The airport you think is overrated, the airport you like, the airport you love, the airport you feel yourself in, the airport you need to visit — play the airport game with us (and feel free to tweet us your answers!). The new Air France lounge at CDG T2F is beautiful, as can be CDG …when it works (you'll probably need to taxi on a country drive to get there haha). The new lounges at JFK T8, the new of BA in New York, feel like a success (and clever naming!). The end of the 747 production line triggers memories for the both of us (a crazy typhoon for Alex, a cramped Combi for Paul, a sense of place for both). A renewed joie de vivre by flying Air France (is Transavia the legitimate child of KLM though?). Flying the OG Norwegian, riding the good old Acela, and a French guillotine in the 777.