The Next Trip - An Aviation and Travel Podcast: Recent Episodes
Doug and Drew
The Next Trip is a weekly podcast with aviation insiders Doug and Drew, who together bring more than 40 years of industry experience as a professional pilot and a hub operations manager at a major airline. Join them, and their frequent guests, as they create a network for other AvGeeks and travel enthusiasts to obsess about all things aviation. Doug and Drew discuss today’s aviation news, share personal operational stories, regale listeners with trip reviews, and engage in friendly AvGeek banter. All thoughts and opinions are their own.Visit us at www.nexttripnetwork.com or follow us on Twitter at @nexttrippodcast
Send us Fan Mail
Doug made it to Colorado with family and Drew just did the Ops Plan for airspace closures around DCA. We discuss:
- Blended wing deep dive
- Next supply chain issue - windows?
- MAX 7 coming to an airport near you!
- Quick recap of airline 2nd quarter results
- Ground air versus APU
Join The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Drew is back from Greece, Doug is back from France, and we are ready to get back on track after two weeks away. We discuss:
- Mediterranean cruise
- Lots of Slots for Jetblue at LGA
- Emirates/Boeing drama
- Philippine widebody order
- Allegiant joins the list of budget airlines trying to be fancy with first class
- Changes are on the horizon for Washington Dulles
- Death of the mobile lounge?
Join The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug is back from beautiful Barcelona where he’s found a relaxing spot away from the crowds. Drew wows visitors from a regional airport with an impromptu visit to the Control Tower. Do you need divine guidance or help on your summer vacation - we have a list of gods you could look to for support. We discuss:
- Noctilucent clouds
- Gods of travel
- The Toolbelt Generation wants A&P licenses
- Air Canada gets a french speaking CEO
- The 777X gets longer legs
- The 737-7 might be certified in weeks
- Listener comments
Join the Network!
Links from this episode:
- Embraer E175 specs
- LGA spotter’s guide
- Doug’s Barcelona hideaway restaurant Cafè de L'Acadèmia
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Drew responded to an Alert 1 (we’ll explain) and Doug is back from a not so hot Zurich. We discuss:
- Happy 250th America
- Big SAS order
- Air New Zealand defers upcoming orders
- EasyJet being acquired?
- What exactly do gate agents do as they “open” a gate?
- Contributor comments
Join The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug is in Palm Springs on a family road trip and Drew is entertaining family from California. They say all aviation regulations are written in blood. Are nautical regulations the same? We discuss:
- All aviation and nautical regulations are written in blood
- When is the best time to book airline tickets?
- Breeze Airways starts service to BWI, DAY, and TTN (Trenton NJ)
- Airbus leans toward launching the A220-500
- JetBlue is the biggest winner from Spirit’s demise
- Parker from SLC asks about pilot crew pairing and influencer pilots
- John from JAX asks how airlines manage crews in IRROPs
Join The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug is back from his W routing, doing SFO-LHR-IAD-LHR-SFO, and met up with Doug in DC. Drew is celebrating his airport’s 85th anniversary. We discuss:
- DCA’s 85th birthday
- The sun is rising on Qantas’ Project Sunrise
- Airlines get a break on fuel prices
- More airlines adding CMB to the route map
- Updates on Boom Overture, Archer Midnight, Heart Aerospace ES30, and JetZero Z4
- What are squawk codes?
- Those pesky transit visas
Join the Network!
Links from this episode:
Heart Aerospace ES30 tester low speed taxi
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug and Drew catch you up on our last two weeks. Drew’s been busy welcoming new employees and showing them around airport operations while Doug talks about his trips to Barcelona and Rome. Drew gets his mom into a travel nightmare, but quickly finds a backup plan, and Doug gets training on night vision goggles. We discuss:
- IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, sounds the alarm
- Riyadh Air takes to the sky
- Travel Insurance
- Listener comments
Join the Network!
Link from this episode:
Doug’s non-touristy fine dining Rome restaurant, Ristorante Il Piccolo Mondo.
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
We’re honored to have Eivind Roald, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, on the show today. Eivind talks about how he came into aviation from IT, left, but then was drawn back in. He was a VP for SAS before his aviation journey brought him to Norse Atlantic. We discuss Norse’s history and challenges and Eivind shares his ideas for how Norse grows, going forward, as well as the possiblity of a merger or acquisition.
We finish with Eivind talking about his favorite destinations around the world and in Norway.
Join the Network!
Links from this episode:
Norse Atlantic Airways
Lofoten Norway
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug is excited to get back to flying after weeks at home and Drew is dealing with record bird strikes at the airport. We discuss:
- Drew’s travel planning
- Possible customs chaos
- 737-7 certification progress
- Norse Atlantic is for sale
- Geography lesson
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Drew is back from a quick trip to Albuquerque and Doug was busy managing his family’s travel. We discuss:
- Summer travel forecast
- Air France and Airbus litigation
- Runway closure at a major NYC airport
- New TSA pilot program in Boston
- UPS 2976 update
- Listener feedback
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Drew is studying for his first Airport Operations certification and Doug had his hands full managing a kids’ carnival. We’re joined by our buddy and engine geek, Greg, from Cincinnati. We discuss:
- How a jet engine works
- Allegiant and Sun Country merge
- Boeing may be launching a 757 size plane this decade
- Lufthansa increases stake it ITA to 90%
- United Flight Attendants get a huge raise
- An overview of the CFM Leap and PW1000G engines
- Listener Survey
Want to reach out to Greg or follow him? Find him at @gwpet01 on Instagram.
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Darth Vader invaded Drew’s ops center and Doug had an emergency air return between layovers in paradise. We discuss:
- A major airline just announced it is cutting cabin service
- NTSB releases information on 2022 China Eastern crash
- A United plane clipped a truck… while landing
- Spirit’s Board pulls the plug
- What happens after an airline shuts down
- Flight path guidance
- Bonus positive story to end the week
Join the Network!
Last chance to take our listener survey!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug has an Air Force flight delay and Drew is escorting 737s around the airport and scaring birds away We discuss:
- LAX Theme Building (the Spider)
- Return of the MD11?
- The 737-7 and 737-10 near certification
- Fuel prices, yes fuel prices, again
- Scope clauses, what are they, and what are the aircraft restrictions?
- Spirit’s last days?
Take our listener survey!
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Aired on April 27, 2026
Drew is learning how to use a firearm at the airport and Doug just made his wine and cheese cruise in Amsterdam. We discuss:
- The next big U.S. carrier reports 1st quarter results
- Trump opposed to some mergers, but not others
- A European airline adds fees after tickets are sold
- Alaska says it is not increasing fares due to rising fuel costs
- Listener feedback
Links from this episode:
Take our listener survey!
Join the Network.
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug is back from Frankfurt and Drew is playing airport cop catching speeders. We discuss:
- No meowing on the frequency please
- United Airlines moonshot merger dream with American Airlines
- JetBlue reportedly looking to be acquired
- Allegiant merger with Sun Country is approved
- Airline cutbacks due to fuel prices
- Busiest airports of 2025
- Contributor comments
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Drew is back from Belgium and Holland with with a nonrev success story and Doug is recovering from his Japan vacation. we discuss:
- Top 10 airlines and lounges for culinary options
- Energy crisis/Middle East updates
- First U.S. airline reports 1st quarter results
- Contributor comments
Join the Network!
Links from this episode:
Keukenhof Gardens
Amsterdam Wine and Cheese Canal Cruise
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug is back from a family Spring break trip to Japan and Drew just got to fly a flight simulator for the first time in Denver. We discuss:
- Artemis II has a successful, and awesome, launch
- Oil prices and airfares
- Sayonara Air Japan
- Konnichiwa, or Namaste, to Willie Walsh at Indigo
- LGA runway incursion
- ARFF indexes
- No more parallel landings at SFO
Join the Network!
Link from this episode:
AAAE Airport Management Jobs
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
This episode is dedicated to you, our listeners and contributors. Thanks for over 6 years of support, encouragement, and ideas!
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug’s KC46 flight is canceled, and he reverts to the flight simulator, and Drew’s trip to Austin is canceled due to heavy loads, caused by South by Southwest, and a DC ATC center shutdown. We discuss:
- FAA fast-tracks air taxi testing
- Southwest leaves two major airports
- Coming flight cuts at Chicago O’Hare this summer
- Atlas expands its fleet with a surprise order
- Flight cancellations and increasing airfares
- Crew bunks on long-haul flights
Join the network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Drew is back from Germany and London while Doug is in London and fighting to stay awake. Special guest, Hunter, the Professor of Points writing for the Points Analyst and Travel Nerd Co blog, joined Drew on the trip and joins us on the episode. We discuss.
- British Airways first class trip review
- Indigo CEO resigns
- Boeing has wiring issues on the 737 Max
- Fuel prices start affecting airfares
- Hunter shares what his favorite 3 travel credit cards are
- Listener comments
Links from this episode:
Hunter’s British Airways A380 First Class review
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug is back from a domestic grind to Denver, Kona, and Chicago and Drew is back from a conference in Pennsylvania followed by a quick trip to Germany. We discuss:
- Military action in Iran
- United wants you to wear headphones
- American launching A321XLR over the Atlantic
- Airlines hit with pain at the pump with high fuel pries
- Crewmember sick calls at outstations
- Contributor comments
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug is back from London and Drew gets to sit in the tower for a snow event.
- The ROTOR Act fails in Congress
- Violence in Mexico leads to flight chaos
- Trouble for Air New Zealand
- Update on Spirit’s bankruptcy
- Listener feedback
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug is back from his new “usual”, Brisbane, Australia, and Drew discusses an ATC flow program as they transition from paper to electronic flight progress strips.
- Paper to Electronic ATC flight progress strips
- New routes for February
- Lufthansa Allegris business class seats
- Will Airbus launch the A350-2000?
- Canadians avoiding travel to the US
- Las Vegas Slump?
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Drew is happy to finally be above freezing in DC and discusses runway closures and Doug is playing nonrev travel agent for family, We discuss:
- Ski jumping (and other extreme sports) versus the Wright Brothers first flight
- Drones, lasers, airspace closures and confusion in El Paso
- Southwest’s shaky assigned seat rollout
- Employee unease over American’s current leadership
- JetBlue and United further expand partnership
- History of e-Tickets
- Listener feedback
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug was able to rendezvous with his parents in Brisbane and Drew managed through multiple irregular operations at work. We discuss:
- Follow ups on grounding Canadian aircraft and DCA helicopter routes
- Airbus is close to launching the A220-500
- BWI expands with 142,000 sq ft of new space
- DEN airport sees record traffic
- Bay Area airports bracing for Superbowl traffic
- Runway conditions from an airport and pilot perspective
- Delta, American, and United accomplishments over 100 years
Links from this episode:
Denver Stapleton Tower Tour
FAA Field Condition Chart
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Drew survives Winter Storm Fern, and the longest shift of his career, and Doug flew one of the last flights out of EWR before Fern shut down operations. We discuss:
- Travel checklists
- American, Southwest, Boeing, and GE 2025 financial results
- Delta orders more Airbus widebodies
- President Trump threatens to ground Canadian aircraft
- NTSB preliminary report on January 29 midair collision
- Runway condition reporting
- Listener Gordon question - is the 777 a dinosaur?
Links from this episode:
NTSB Midair Collision Preliminary Report
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Drew is taping from the airport in DC, where he is bracing for snow storm Fern, and Doug is in Newark preparing to fly out during the storm. We discuss:
- The first 2 of the U.S. “Big 3” reported their 2025 results and projected 2026
- WestJet does a 180
- One of Drew’s predictions is already correct
- GLP-1 drugs and an impact on aviation
- WSJ 2025 Airline Rankings
- Airport architecture
- Listener feedback
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Drew flew to SFO for happy hour and Doug did AF mission planning which didn’t go as planned. We discuss:
- Iran Airspace
- Our 2026 predictions
- Aircraft emergency FAA tower alerts
- Delta finally orders the 787
- Allegiant merges with Sun Country
- Africa’s biggest airport begins construction
- Listener comments
2026 Next Trip Predictions
Doug:
- Geopolitical issues/airspace closures become the norm
- Big E2 orders. (Maybe United)
- Alliance changes (does EK finally join)
- Airbus hints at a new plane ahead of Boeing
Drew
- More 787-10s. American and United increase orders
- Indigo recovers from crew scheduling and expands internationally
- Southwest orders 787s for international flights. BWI-LHR, OAKHND
- 797 is introduced….mini 787
- United makes good on A350 order with 50 -1000s
Links from the show - Drew’s recommendation for Peking duck in San Francisco:
Z and Y Peking Duck
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug is back from another transpacific flight to Taipei and Drew conducted airport movement area training for firefighters. This will will be the first episode we’ve taped in 2026 and we’re officially on a (takeoff) roll! We discuss:
- How good were our 2025 predictions?
- Military action in Venezuela disrupts Caribbean flights
- Avelo reduces flying and staff
- Alaska orders over 100 aircraft and gets its first widebody
- A Boom Overture update
- Listener comments
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug and Drew look back at our travel for 2025 with friend of the show and world traveler, Ian. We discuss:
- Global roundup for 2025 (most delayed airlines and busiest routes)
- Jetway jesus
- Gate allocation
- Listener feedback
- 2026 look-ahead
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Aired on December 29, 2025
Doug and Drew are taking a week off. Enjoy this class episode from August 15, 2023 with Oscar Munoz of United Airlines.
Doug and Drew interview Oscar Munoz, recent CEO and Chairman of United Airlines. Oscar talks about how he turned around a major US airline and put it on a path to success. We talk about his new book “Turnaround Time” which chronicles his life and career and fulfilling his American dream. Oscar discusses with us:
- How he put safety and people first as he turned United around
- Oscar’s thoughts on the Archer Midnight eVTOL and Boom Supersonic Overture
- Surviving a heart attack and the resilience to bounce back stronger
- Advice for people entering the airline industry
- Thoughts on the current state of the airline industry and its future
We don’t let Oscar leave without answering some avgeek questions!
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug is back from Auckland and Denver and Drew is managing the busy pre-Christmas rush. We discuss:
- Christmas passenger traffic
- US government admits fault in January midair collision near DC
- Spirit Airlines gets a lifeline
- Barry Biffle is out as CEO of Frontier
- An update on the 737-7 and 737-10
- US Customs Preclearance in foreign countries
- Listener comments
Join the Network!
Links from this episode:
Doug’s Auckland Steak Restaurant recommendation: Danny Doolan’s
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug trains new pilots on touch and go landings in the KC46 and Drew is preparing for a Winter Ops event. We discuss:
- More Airline Lounges for the new golden age of travel
- India’s Indigo airlines struggles under new pilot rest rules
- FAA administrator’s conflict of interest
- Boeing buys back Spirit AeroSystems
- California’s 79th Air Refueling Squadron
- Listener comments
Join The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Drew is back from 3 days in Dublin and Doug is back from Osaka. Drew just had his first airport winter ops event. We discuss:
- Our travels
- Early season snow
- Thanksgiving travel numbers and 2026 travel trends
- Unexpected growth at a major airport
- Impact of the government shutdown comes into focus
- The FAA is investigating airlines after the shutdown
- Listener feedback
Join The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us Fan Mail
Doug is celebrating Thanksgiving weekend in Chicago and Drew managed to escape from work in time for Thanksgiving dinner in Richmond. How does Doug plan on getting home on the busiest travel day and how does Drew plan to get to Ireland for Christmas Markets?. We discuss:
- Airbus A320 ELAC emergency software update
- New Pacific Airlines shuts down
- The Boeing 767 lives on with new orders for the KC46
- Airline holiday menus
- DOT’s new Golden Age of Travel
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug tapes during another trip to Taipei and Drew finishes his airport scavenger hunt. We discuss:
- Orders pour in from Dubai
- Airbus teases a new model
- An Alaska pilot is sentenced from his 2023 fire handle incident
- Update on UPS 2976
- Aircraft lights
- Listener feedback
Join the network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from London and Drew lost a fight with a windsock. We discuss our weeks in flight and airport ops as well as the latest aviation news:
- Aurora Borealis wows pilots and passengers
- Government shutdown ends and aviation recovers
- 2 airlines serving the UK, Eastern Airways and Blue Islands, shut down
- FAA extends MD11 grounding to its predecessor, the DC10
- Windsocks - what are they and what do they do
- Near miss at LAX
- Listener comments
Join The Network!
Links on this episode:
FAA National Airspace System Status
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from Taipei and Drew has a busy week at airport ops. We discuss:
- More nonrev adventures
- Thanksgiving travel numbers and a way too early weather forecast
- More government shutdown issues impacting aviation
- Security scare in DC
- UPS Flight 2976
- Engine failures
Links from this episode:
- Doug’s Taipei whisky tasting place: Style Liquor and Whisky
- FAA MD11 Emergency Airworthiness Directive
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from a whirlwind nonrev trip to Germany with his dad. We remember the history of Hawaiian Airlines as its airline code and operating certificate are laid to rest. We discuss:
- Doug and Dale’s amazing, and fast, nonrev adventure
- Good bye Hawaiian Airlines
- Creeping 777-9 certification delays
- ATC controllers not getting paid as shutdown drags on
- The COMAC 919 gains traction in Asia
- Listener comments
Join The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew is back from a weekend in Quebec City and Doug is preparing for a nonrev adventure with his dad. We discuss:
- Birds on approach path
- Travelers Aid people are interesting
- Engine shortages
- EK9788 - ACT Airlines 747-400BCF crash in Hong Kong
- American Airlines 3rd quarter numbers
- United flight 1093 severely damaged at 36,000ft
- What are weather balloons?
- Listener feedback
Join The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from his narrow body style trip to NYC and Hawaii, via Denver, and Drew is loving runway inspections between flights (literally) and helping lost pigeons in the terminal. We discuss:
- A Pan Am rebirth?
- Boeing delivery news
- Another U.S. airline posts great Q3 numbers
- Lots of great contributor feedback
Join The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug and Drew are back from trips over the Pacific to Taipei and Honolulu. Our buddy Patrick returns to the show to talk about dragging aircraft around the airport and Drew around Oahu on a packed 2-day trip. We discuss:
- Getting to Taiwan around a typhoon
- Nonreving to Hawaii and back
- Questions on moving aircraft
- The government shutdown starts affecting ATC
- United announces 6 new routes for summer 2026
- Delta 3rd Quarter results
- Airplane maintenance checks
- Two perfect days on Oahu
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew has to check the runway after a bird strike report and Doug is getting ready to go back to Taipei. We discuss:
- Passengers grabbing bags in emergencies
- No more PLAYtime
- Lufthansa Group announces long-haul fleet plans
- Amsterdam backtracks on fee hikes
- Big, BIG news from Boeing
- Runway lights
Join The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from flying the 777 to Frankfurt and Drew finished his first week on PM shift in airport operations. Fresh croissants from Germany, elevators out of service, runway inspections, and 767 crew resource management - this episode is packed!. We discuss:
- Winter schedule routes
- Spirit lays off 1,800 flight attendants
- The Embraer E2 gets more love - this time from LATAM
- Huge Boeing order from the Middle East
- EMAS saves an E145 in Roanoke, VA
- United upgrades their GUM service
- American and United have IT outages
- Bag cans on narrowbodies
- Listener comments
Join The Nextwork!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew escorts a 737 and Doug is back from Zurich and New York. We discuss:
- The difference between the airport operations area and the movement area
- Helping an AvGeek with trip routing
- An update on Southwest’s long-haul ambitions
- Delta/AeroMexico joint venture in jeopardy
- Is the ultra low-cost airline model dead?
Join The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from Amsterdam and Drew is done with airport ops manager training. We discuss:
- Airport Restrooms
- Top 10 airports according to AirHelp
- The Embraer 195-E2 finally gets some love
- What is a sterile cockpit?
- EMAS to the rescue again…and again
- Aircraft type retirements and pilot assignments
- Contributor comments
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug and Drew fight sleep deprivation after late night and overnight shifts, respectively. Doug was on late night 767 simulator training flights and Drew was watching overnight airport ops in DC. We stay awake to discuss:
- Remembering 9/11
- New cockpit barriers coming to an airline near you
- Spirit’s second bankruptcy
- Another big Boeing order
- Delta settles a lawsuit
- A checked bag takes the long road
- Thrust settings on climb out
- A contributor’s fun work project
Join the network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Happy Labor Day to all the aviation workers for getting where we need to be, safely, this summer. Doug and Drew talk about their aviation work weeks including Doug’s trip to Tokyo and Drew going back to airport ops midnight shift. We discuss:
- Aviation job opportunities
- Korean Air orders 103 Boeing planes
- Frontier encroaches on struggling Spirit routes
- What is an airline focus city?
- How are airline pilots assigned to aircraft
- Listener feedback
Join the Network! Call our hotline to ask a question or just rant about something at 872-529-5620. Add a 001 or +1 if calling from outside the US.
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug and Drew talk about their exciting (not by choice) flights home on standby during a busy week. Drew also does his airfield runway inspections solo and is free to roam about the airport. Doug is back from his old love-hate work destination - London. We discuss:
- Celebrating our 300th episode!
- Passengers sue Delta and United
- Southwest finally admits it has hubs
- Air Canada resumes operations
- How do pilots get assigned specific aircraft types
- Listener feedback
- Voting on an airline’s new route
Join the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug and Drew are doing their final summer nonrev trips which promise to be exciting - not in a good way. We discuss:
- Who is Chester, the eskimo on the Alaska tails?
- Is Atmos the name of Alaska/Hawaiian’s new frequent flier program? Is it the name of a combined airline (Drew, calm down)
- Hawaiian cancels the current longest US domestic flight
- Spirit says it may have to shut down if revenue and costs don’t improve
- Air Canada flight attendants are on the brink of a strike
- To out-source or not to out-source
- Listener comments
- Doug and Drew travel update
Join The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew responds to a bird strike and gets to learn more about snarge - it ain’t pretty. Doug is living a nonrev drama trying to get his family home from Denver. Both of us live vicariously through Drew’s husband Robbie who is flying to Turkey. We discuss:
- How are the travel numbers looking so far this summer?
- Alaska announces a big change
- How some of the smaller airlines are doing this year
- Turbulence avoidance
- Check out this turbulence forecasting website called Turbli
- Listener feedback
Join the network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is with family in Colorado after just making it there and Drew is having to change from airline radio lingo to airport lingo. Its, “roger”… copy? We condense days of NTSB hearings on the DCA crash into 3 main takeaways. Also on this episode:
- So long SeatGuru!
- Blue Sky gets the Green Light
- American Airlines finds a new partner
- More bad news at Spirit
- DCA crash NTSB hearings update
- A tsunami hits the Pacific
- Listener feedback
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew is back from tubing, hiking, and a road trip between Denver and Montana and Doug is back from his new commuter station - Barcelona. We discuss:
- European LCCs
- Update on the JejuAir crash
- Southwest sets a date for its major changes
- American’s Q2 results
- Major airspace closures
- Listener feedback
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from Amsterdam after dodging a volcano and Drew is helping the snow team train in their new equipment in sweltering heat.
We discuss:
- What actually is the oldest airline in the world?
- United is the next airline to report their 2nd quarter results
- Premium demand continues its resilient streak
- Gulf Air gives Boeing another boost
- Unexpected (and expected) volcanic eruptions/disruptions to flights
- Listener feedback
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug had a glitchy 767 simulator flight and Drew succeeded in non-reving during the peak of summer….again. We discuss:
- Delta is the first U.S. airline to report 2nd quarter results
- TSA is changing its screening requirements
- More European airline consolidation ahead?
- Good news from Boeing
- India released the initial report on Air India 171
Video showing operation of fuel cutoff switches
- Runway usage, specifically how much runway to use
Check out this link from contributor Alec regarding intersection takeoffs from a NASA study:
Intersection Incursions
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug and Drew just celebrated the 4th of July, on opposite coasts, and are joined by buddy Anthony, Drew’s previous coworker and an expert on aircraft leasing. We discuss:
- Why did Anthony choose aviation as a career
- The Washington Post’s best airport lists
- Air France/KLM become the largest owners of SAS
- Alaska Airlines getting Boeing 787s and Embraer 195-E2s
- To buy or to lease - Anthony explains
- Honeymoon in Africa and Anthony reviews 3 African airlines
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Despite warnings of a travel slowdown, we exceeded 3 million passengers on June 22nd per the TSA. Drew is facilitating EMAS repairs in hot and muggy DC (we’ll explain) and Doug was relieved to be dismissed from jury duty. We discuss:
- Dayton Airshow
- EMAS - Engineered Materials Arresting System - what is it and does it work?
- Update on single pilot ops
- Update on Air India 171
- NTSB issues initial report on the MAX door plug issue
- Summer travel numbers
- Airspace closures
- Contributor comments
Join the aviation tribe!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew had a rainy week in DC and Doug is back from his Hawaii ping pong trip after doing SFO-HNL-DEN-KOA-SFO. We discuss:
- NOTAMs - what are they and why do we hate them?
- Israel and Iran start a new war
- Top 10 US airlines according to The Points Guy
- Dornier 328 flies again with Deutsche Aircraft’s help
- Baby boomers keeping airlines afloat (aloft?)
- Listener comments
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from Rome, and Drew is getting used to midnight airport ops and is back to private pilot training. We discuss:
- Hurricane Hunter Kermit visits Washington Reagan National Airport
- Good news for Boom Supersonic
- A storied US regional carrier shuts its doors
- Air India 171
- An airline dispatches the wrong plane
- Listener feedback
Joing the dicussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew is enjoying the midnight shift, but not the lack of sleep, so Doug gives him some tips on getting shut eye on an irregular schedule. Doug is back from sunny Frankfurt, a city he’s getting to know better. Speaking of sunny, we give you travel advice as the northern hemisphere gets ready to “summer”. We also discuss:
- Indian aviation news
- United reduces its check in cutoff time
- Newar’s runway 04L/22R opens early
- IATA’s air transportation industry forecast
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew is preparing mentally for overnight shifts, as airport ops manager, and Doug is done with KC46 flying and is about to fly to Frankfurt. We discuss:
- A European country cracks down on a common practice
- Airbus delivery delays
- 737 MAX news
- The “new” Southwest arrives
- JetBlue’s new alliance
- Airplane water
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from Paris and Drew responded to his first birdstrike or “snarge”. We get into how bird strikes affect safety and what we do to mitigate them. Also on this episode:
- Snarge is large - bird strikes happen all the time
- 777X update
- Transatlantic flight cancelations
- FAA reduces flights at EWR
- An airport’s "design aircraft"
- Listener comments
FAA Bird Strike Database
Doug’s Paris Eiffel Tower Pizza place - Gennarina Pizzeria
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew is still learning how to do runway inspections and Doug pushes the 767 to the limit (in a simulator). We discuss:
- Alaska, or Hawaiian?, launches Transpacific flights from Seattle
- More news out of Newark
- A thaw in tariffs opens the order floodgates
- Back to the future with slot restrictions at EWR?
- Contributor feedback
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from London, no wait, Beijing(?), while Drew is just off a week of midnight shifts - we're both sleep deprived but caffeined up for a fun episode. We discuss:
- Aviation moms
- Heart Aerospace moves to the US
- Jetblue update
- Global Airlines might actually fly
- Airport bond ratings
- Squawking, its not just for the birds
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from whirlwind Air Force and airline trips around the Pacific and to Chicago and Drew passed his airport movement area driving test. We discuss:
- U.S. cities that supposedly resemble European cities
- Airspace trouble between India and Pakistan
- A bright spot in the travel sector
- Latest JetBlue gossip and rumors, which is changing by the day…
- Listener feedback
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is taping from a Pacific island on his Air Force mission and Drew drove on a runway for the first time. We discuss:
- Shepherd One
- Airlines navigate through uncertainty
- Airport business models
Join the conversation!
Learn more about the Pope’s American Airlines Shepherd One flight from our buddy Ryan Ewing on airlinegeeks.com:
Remembering Shepherd One
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew is on his 2nd week of training at his airport ops manager job and Doug flew the skies of California in a KC46. We discuss:
- Aviation action figures
- Economic uncertainty and Boeing delivery woes
- eVTOL plans for NYC
- Listener feedback
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew just finished his first week as an airport ops manager and Doug is back from Amsterdam as the IATA Summer schedule starts. We discuss:
- FAA Airport Categories
- Manufacturing A320s in the US
- How tariffs are affecting aircraft deliveries and airline profits
- Our favorite airports ranked by non-avgeek criteria
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from London and Drew is back from SFOh and Taipei and we’ve got some stories to tell. Drew is also enjoying a few days of “retirement” before moving into airport ops in the DC area.
- Largest airlines in 2024 measured by revenue passenger kilometers
- Airbus’ supply chain issues
- Southwest gets downgraded
- Mixed signals in the industry
- Listener feedback
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from Honolulu and Drew celebrated his retirment from the airlines. We discuss:
- Airlines see bookings drop
- Pilots not packing passports
- More DCA midair drama, this time with an Air Force jet and a kite
- Aviation legislation through the years
- Listener comments
- Flight plans for this week
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is on the KC46 simulators this week and Drew has some big career news. We’re also planning California and Hawaii trips.
- Airport theory
- New pick to lead the FAA
- Frontier takes a swipe at Southwest
- Listener’s airport list - plus our own
- Drew’s big news
- More listener feedback
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from 777 training in Denver and Drew runs out of spare 737s on the ground…but wait, what’s in the air? We discuss:
- US economy is seeing some headwinds with airlines bracing for lower bookings
- Performance guidance from the big carriers
- Southwest gives in to bag fees
- Spirit does an about face after bankruptcy and now wants to be a premium, yes you heard that right, a premium carrier
- Korean changes its branding and livery
- Listener comments
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew is back from an airport operations conference in Chicago and Doug’s KC46 flight gets canceled by birds. We discuss:
- ATC Controller paper on leased aircraft and when call signs don’t match liveries. Link here:
https://ifatca.org/wp-content/uploads/WP158.pdf - Yet ANOTHER new aviation startup is aiming to shake up the industry with a major airline partner
- No more paper tickets
- Mergers and acquisitions update from across the pond
- What does it cost to retrofit an airline’s fleet
- KC-46 issues
- Listener comments on Paris and Starlink
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is in Taipei, again, and Drew is back after 24hrs in Paris. Neither time zones, sleep deprivation, nor fatigue will keep us from recording an episode! We discuss:
- Southwest aborted landing at MDW due to private jet
- GE wins huge engine order from Japan
- Archer Aviation releases 2024 results and updates on the Midnight
- FAA firings and hirings and Starlink vs Verizon for the FAA’s internet service
- Wet and dry leases - what are they?
- Contributor 5 STAR rating
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew comes back from sun and warmth to freezing temps and deicing and Doug gets a day off with his AF reserve flight canceled. We discuss:
- Airlines continue their return to Israel as the ceasefire holds
- Southwest announced first-ever layoffs
- Boeing updated its 20-year forecast for Southeast Asia
- Boom supersonic test flights revealed something that has the chance of being a massive game changer
- A Delta Connection CRJ-900 crashed on arrival in Toronto
- Contributor feedback
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug and Drew are back from Asia and have some some great travel stories to tell. Drew’s return flight plan from Colombo had him flying in the opposite direction to get home. Doug was back in Manila where the country is booming and people are nice everywhere you go. We also discuss:
- Airlineratings.com’s lists of top airlines.
- Lufthansa’s new Allegris product seats don’t fit!
- Spirit turns down Frontier’s merger offer for a 3rd time
- New information on the DCA middair collision
- A review of the safey advances after the last major US crash in Buffalo, NY
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
We look at the facts after a tragic accident involving a Blackhawk helicopter and AA5342 from Wichita to Washington Reagan National operated by a PSA CRJ700. Our thoughts are with the families and our extended airline family at PSA and American Airlines.
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is taping from warm Taipei and Drew is back from cold Chicago to colder DC. We discuss:
- Deice procedures review
- Southwest and Spirit cut costs
- DOT fines more airlines for recurring delays
- More orders for new 767s?
- FAA doesn’t mandate thrust reversers
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew started 2025 flying to Denver for work and Doug is finishing a fun (and stressful) couple weeks at home. Drew is also prepping for the biggest Mid Atlantic storm in years. We discuss:
- Winter Storm Blair
- The most on time airlines of 2024
- Jetblue gets the first ever DOT fines for chronic delays
- Archer Aviation gets ready to build eVTOLs
- Jeju Air offices are raided by police
- How to slow down a plane on landing
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
We recount four back to back accidents this week, as 2024 comes to a close, but we also remember the positive things that happened in aviation this year. In this episode we discuss:
IT glitches at American and JAL
Southwest is cleared of safety concerns by the FAA
Azerbaijan and Jeju Air crashes
KLM and Air Canada incidents
Boom Overture, eVTOLs, and Asia is back!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug 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 disruptions
ANA acquires 100% of LCC Peach Air
Air Kerala plans to launch in mid 2025
Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation make progress with their eVTOL air taxis
Frontier brings back an all-you-can-fly pass
China Airlines brings cheer to Boeing and Airbus with widebody orders
United has a new widebody route surprise for Denver
We unpack OAG’s just released busiest routes lists
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug and Drew contributed to the record passenger traffic on Sunday , December 1 and talk about their trips back from Chicago and Nashville. On this episode we discuss:
TSA sets passenger screening record.
Airline ticket taxes and ancillary fees.
Spirit stock is delisted from the NYSE - could it shut down?
Frontier adding first class “style” seats.
AirHelp’s top and bottom 10 airlines.
What’s the difference between True North and Magnetic North?
Drew’s plans to make another attempt at Europe’s Christmas markets.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
The holiday travel season is starting and Doug and Drew will be both airline employees and passengers. We’re excited about our travel this week and about the busy season, at work, before us. We discuss:
Our Thanksgiving feasts.
TSA forecasts the busiest Thanksgiving travel week ever.
Better ways to deplane.
Emirates’ Tim Clark is upset about Boeing delays.
Cathay Pacific sees traffic above pre-pandemic levels by January.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is in Taipei and Drew’s station had its first Winter Ops event. We’re all abuzz about the upcoming US Thanksgiving travel week which is expected to be the busiest ever. We discuss:
Thanksgiving travel forecasts.
American Airlines tries to stamp out Gate Lice.
Spain slaps fines on ULCC carriers for carryon and other fees.
Investors are pumping money into eVTOLs.
Chapter 7 and 11 airline bankruptcies.
Contributor Daniel gives us a book recommendation for aircraft design. Here’s the link:
- https://archive.org/details/danraymerssimpli0000raym/page/n163/mode/2up
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Aired on November 18, 2024
Doug is taping from trip 2 to Taipei and Drew is enjoying the calm before the snow storms and the crowds of the holiday season. We take a look at where people are going this year and how many are planning to travel. We also discuss:
Planes being shot at in Haiti.
Update on AA and Jetblue’s Northeast Alliance.
India’s Vistara flies into the sunset.
Good news for Boeing with new orders.
Warnings about aircraft production issues.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug has just arrived in Taipei after a 14 hour flight and Drew welcomes the first new 787 into the fleet in 2 years. We discuss:
The US elections and how it affects aviation.
Boeing machinists are back at work!
Boom Aeropace’s Overture test aircraft gets closer to the speed of sound.
We say goodbye to SFO’s bouncy walkways.
Why do some different versions of aircraft have different tail sizes?
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew is back from a winter ops summit and Doug’s body clock is all over the map after a multi-day domestic trip. We discuss:
An airline starts bouncing boarding line-cutters.
European airlines see softening load factors and Spirit continues layoffs.
Airbus delivers the first A321XLR to Iberia.
TFRs - temporary flight restrictions. What are they?
What’s the difference between ICAO and IATA.
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Our buddy and 2nd time guest, Stephen, joins us to talk about going from cargo to passenger flying. We had to have him on atfer a hotline message last week where he wanted to strangle us about our pronunciation of new airline destinations. Stephen stays to discuss:
Indian carriers are menaced by multiple bomb threats.
Frontier and Spirit talk merger, again.
The FAA issues final rules for eVTOL or advanced air mobility aircraft.
We compare Boeing’s machinist strike with Eastern Airlines strike and shutdown.
Follow Stephen on Instagram or Threads at @captain_phteven. Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug and Drew have an impromptu avgeek meetup in DC, Doug packs sweaters and hula shirts for this trip, and Drew welcomes pandas back to DC. In this episode we discuss:
Panda Diplomacy.
The recipe for frost .
Marburg Virus and aviation.
Delta and United 3rd Quarter Results.
Boeing raising cash while troubles arise at Airbus.
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Doug is back from Barcelona and Drew just did his 2nd Cessna 172 solo. Drew gets a visit from a group of airline mileage members and was asked “what do you do when a plane crashes?”. We discuss:
Exotic routes announced for next summer.
Captain on a Turkish Airlines flight from Seattle to Istanbul dies inflight.
The Boom Overture project makes progress
ICAO’s Freedoms of Flight.
Drew's San Francisco Walk:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zbXnsQDJmYwtcqYb7?g_st=ac
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Send us a text
Drew celebrates 25 years at the company and gets a visit from world traveler and frequent guest, Ian. Doug takes the jumpseat on a personal trip home and feels like he’s at work. We discuss: Mark Cuban asks for lifetime travel. Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon causes more flight disruptions. Spirit fights to stay out of bankruptcy. Boeing machinists stay on strike. FAA clears United of safety concerns. We discuss the the holy grail of aviation - lift
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug has an emotional send off to the last KC10 in service. We remember the KC10 and its predecessor, the DC10, with stories about our most memorable flights. Doug also talks about his trip to NYC, cough, Newark, and Drew recaps his Winter Kickoff meeting and short(er) field landings on the Cessna 172. We also discuss: Southwest Airlines operational changes.. Hurricane Helene and how airlines are affected. Safety advances in aviation
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Aired on September 23
Drew is fresh off short field landing practice on the Cessna 172 and Doug had some KC46 late night flying. We discuss:
Airport anxiety - gatexiety.
Boeing freezes hiring.
Update on Alaska/Hawaiian merger.
Lounged at JetBlue?
Hybrid regional aircraft.
Boring plane spotting?
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug is back from London, which we love, and Drew's back on the Cessna 172. We talk about Thai food in London, a wedding in Philadelphia, and pickleball in DC, oh and aviation too 😃. This week:
QRHs vs ECAM/EICAS
Atlanta taxiway collision
Nashville runway incursion
Chairman steps down at Southwest
Strike at Boeing
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug and Drew remember the events of September 11, 2001 and recognize a flight attendant’s moving tribute to the airline family we lost. We also discuss:
Engine trouble on A350s around the globe.
Update on changes at Southwest.
Record setting August in Europe.
Lufthansa’s expanding portfolio.
Key Star Alliance member leaves.
Radar outage hits Newark.
Join the conversation
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Aired on August 26, 2024
Doug is back from a rainy Amsterdam and Drew is recovering from the recovery after storms last week. We discuss:
Horizon diversion and high minimum captains…it’s not an emergency!
Elliott Management demands drastic changes at Southwest.
US Air Force receives Archer Midnight eVTOL aircraft.
Is Addis Ababa the next Dubai of aviation?
Alaska/Hawaiian merger, we good? Not so fast
Staying ahead of the aircraft - listeners tell us what that means.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug's getting used to his new plane, the KC46, and so is Drew on the Cessna 172. Both of us are enjoying flying as anxiety about learning a new plane eases. We also discuss:
Takeoff and travel vibe music.
Is the Alaska/Hawaiian merger imminent?
Boeing and United make nice nice, they were the same company after all.
Voepass 2283 crash and a discussion on icing and lift.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Drew couldn't escape thunderstorms and diversions this week and Doug becomes a KC46 trainer. Doug and family brave the summer load factors and nonrev to Denver. We discuss:
Basic Business? Delta may unbundle Business, eliminating perks like lounge access
United sunsetting their inflight magazine, Hemispheres
Starliner astronauts stuck on the ICC wait for a flight home
Cathay Pacific investing in its product and ordering A330-300neos
Delta vs Crowdstrike…who's to blame for Delta’s extended IRROPs?
Flight delays and compensation
Join the conversation
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug is back from Amsterdam and Drew has a new flight instructor and, phew, he’s great. A listener said that we were ahead of the curve with our discussion about supertugs and then about mentioning “rawdogging” before it became an avgeek household word. Well, we did it again because the new Pan Am is considering branded airline lounges which we suggested last week, AND, the new Boeing CEO will be based in Seattle to focus on making better planes, which we suggested months ago. We also discuss:
Boom Supersonic has a facility to build their Symphony engine and just unveiled it virtual flight deck
Spirit is laying ofg 240 pilots and some flight attendants as it tries to avoid bankruptcy
Doug goes all MBA on airline first quarter results - don’t worry, we make it fun
A listener asks about becoming an pilot in his 50’s - DO IT!
Join the conversation
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Drew is back from New Zealand and Australia and Doug is just off a triangle route, going from San Francisco to Tokyo to New York and back. We recap our trips and discuss:
Paris Olympics causes Delta and Air France financial losses.
Crowdstrike strikes the airlines.
Farnborough airshow orders
Southwest Airlines low flying planes, seat assignments, and premium seating
Doug going to Amsterdam next week and Drew’s back to Cessna 172 school
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Drew made it to New Zealand but it wasn’t without some drama. Doug gives the 767 simulator a workout with some dangerours scenarios. We also discuss:
Carriers increase service to New Zealand from the US.
FAA grants Boeing a TIA (type inspection authorization) for the 777-9, giving it the green light for certification.
We compare the 777-9 to its predecessor, the 777-300ER.
Pan Am rising again? We talk about a new company trying to reimagine the legendary carrier.
Join the discussion!
Check out our map of things to do in Auckland and on the North Island!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Joe, Drew's flight instructor, joins us to talk about teaching people to fly. His last lesson as a CFI happened to be Drew's solo flight! We discuss:
Drew's still on cloud 9 after soloing
What got Joe into aviation
Boeing pleads guilty of fraud
Lufthansa purchases 41% of ITA
TSA breaks a passenger screening record of over 3 million
Joe gives advice to prospective pilots
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Special guest, Ryan, joins us to talk about becoming a private pilot and supervising the Move Team. Doug is back from a domestic 777 circuit including SFO, IAH, DEN, and OGG (Maui). He talks about landing a huge plane on a tiny runway. We also discuss:
CRJ200 hate speech is exposed
Boeing brings Spirit Aerosystems, that makes 737 fuselages, back in-house
Are Air Force uniforms as uncomfortable as they look
Drew is planning to solo for the 1st time. Will he be cockpit blocked again?
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Rawdogging is the challenge of taking a long flight with no IFE, books, music, or sleep. Rawdoggers sit there staring at the cabin, out the window, and at the airshow map - basically what avgeeks do everyday. We’re calling cultural appropriation! 🤣 We discuss this and: Drew’s prepping for his private pilot solo. Doug flies the triangle: SFO-EWR-HND-SFO. Aer Lingus pilot strike complicates Swifties' concert plans. IATA declares that the industry has recovered from COVID. Record TSA screenings. Skytrax top 10 airlines. Remember to check the FAA’s National Airspace System Status before you fly at : nasstatus.faa.gov.
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Virgin Atlantic celebrates 40 years of service this month. We reminisce about the groundbeaking airline's growth and how it's looking to rejuvenate with new management. In other news, Doug is summering in Breckenridge and, for balance, Drew's operations center is flooded. Spoiler…it was a crappy situation. Also on this episode: Alaska loses to the Virgin Group in a $160 million trademark case. FAA reports unruly passenger incidents remain high. Lufthansa and IAG being asked for more concessions for their acquisitions of ITA and Air Europa, respectively. Southwest’s new investor, Elliott Investment Management, demands cchanges. What is a coterminal and what does that mean for passengers
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug is back from steamy hot and bustling Manila, and Drew’s still getting cockpit-blocked on his Cessna 172 training flights. This time Drew's training was canceled when a Yak 52 gear collapse caused the single runway airport to close. On this episode we discuss: We got featured in the New York Times! IATA predicts bigger airline profits in 2024 than 2023 NASA and Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner “Calypso” docks with the ICC. SpaceX launched and successfully landed, Starship, a reusable satellite launcher and moon lander. Speaking of Star, Drew describes how airlines prioritize STAR flights - Start The Airline Right. Doug is planning for a family trip over the weekend and Drew is hitting the books to possibly solo this month
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is back from another Osaka trip and Drew is off for Memorial Day weekend…possibly the busiest in history. We discuss:
(Airline) Summer has started with the TSA expecting almost 3 million passengers on Friday, a new record
Airfares are down and passengers are finding deals
Bark Air launched on Thursday and is providing “white paw" service to our furry friends
Archer Midnight receives FAA airworthiness criteria on the path to certification
Frontier and Spirit reduce fees
We analyze what happened to SQ321 and review tuburlence trends
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023gl103814
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Drew got some good Cessna 172 training in with his first landing at an airport which wasn’t the one he took off from. Martin State Airport to Easton, MD was the route which was short but only 15 miles shy of a “cross country” training flight. Doug is home this week and has been dance dad (vs. soccer mom) . We discuss:
Do customers like preordering meals?
Customers and airlines love the Embraer E jets. We discuss why.
The Embraer E190 and E195 gain ETOPs 120 certification which may open up transatlantic flights.
Could a stretched A220, the A220-500,, mean the end of the A319 and 737-700?
What constitutes a general aviation cross country training flight?
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is back from Raleigh Durham after flight simulator training on the KC46 and Drew is getting better at landings on a Cessna 172. We discuss:
- Lara from Non Rev Lounge Podcast visits DC.
- Will Gen Z, the Toolbelt Generation, fill aviation's need for skilled technicians?
- Southwest cuts service and expects to lose 2,000 employees this year.
- American has a loss in the 1st quarter but sees record revenue and a strong 2nd quarter ahead.
- IndiGo orders up to 100 A350s.
- New DOT rules for refunds and pricing transparency.
Join the Conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Would you pay 30,000 miles for a flight to a mystery destination? We would, and so did several lucky passengers who got to fly on SAS to Athens. We discuss this and:
Delta and United report 1st quarter performance.
Southwest and United reduce schedule due to Boeing 737 delivery delays.
Floods in Dubai shut down the airport.
You're never too old for a new chapter….in aviation!
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/podcast/episode-231-
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Science journalist, Jeff Wise, joins us to share his views on how Boeing lost its way after it acquired McDonnell Douglas. We also look back at one of aviation's biggest unsolved mysteries - the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines MH370 just over 10 years ago.
Check out Jeff’s recent article on Boeing and his intriguing podcast uncovering the latest clues to what happened to MH370:
Boeing Nosedive
Deep Dive MH370
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Drew is back from Hong Kong and Doug is about to do domestic legs from Chicago, to Denver, and then to Maui. How does he pack for this? We discuss:
US adds 303,000 jobs, more than forecast, promising a strong summer travel season.
Doug and Drew love to name lounges according to their themes. Is the “Captain Cook “ lounge at SFO related to Pan Am’s Clipper Club lounges?
Alaska Airlines reveals how much Boeing paid them in damages for the 737-9 grounding.
SAS’ bankruptcy filing has been approved by a US court, allowing it to reorganize and exit as a stronger airline.
Economy airline tickets are 9% more expensive than in 2019 but premium tickets are down by 3%. Is this good or bad for the airlines.
What are the commandments from the FAR/AIM on airspeeds in different classes of air spaces?
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is back from a nonrev family adventure to Santiago, Chile while Drew was busy getting snowbirds to the Caribbean. We discuss:
Jetblue/Hawaiian/Alaska merge into Blue Pacific?
Boom Overture tester, the XB-1, takes flight!
Leadership shakeup at Boeing
Spring Break volumes and airspace bottlenecks
Do crews on turns to Canada and Mexico need to clear customs?
We finish with Drew taping from Seattle and planning to fly to Hong Kong via SFO.
Join the conversation
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug had 3 trips since the last episode - DC to SFO, SFO to Osaka, and an out and back KC46 flight at Travis AFB in California. Drew had a quiet week with a flight lesson and a smooth week managing the a hub operation. We talk about what may be the biggest airplane ever, the WindRunner by start-up Radia, which will transport wind turbines. We also discuss:
United expects its busiest Spring Break ever.
JAL and Korean Air order A350s.
NASA;s Artemis II plans to take astronauts around the moon next year.
Which aircraft have the right of way.
Air Force One and TFRs (temporary flight restrictions.
We finish the episode with our preliminary travel plans for Spring Break. Will Doug and family make it to South America? Cliff hanger for next week!
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug and Drew meet up in DC with a crew of avgeeks that give us a lot of material. Two of them, Drew's coworkers Andy and Patrick, have been on the show. Doug definitely got an earful. We also discuss:
Southwest slashes capacity due to Boeing 737 Max delivery delays.
Cathay Pacific is back in the black with huge profits.
Delta CEO says they're seeing record demand over the next few months.
We do an update on Boeing’s issues.
Latam incident between Sydney and Auckland.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is back from Paris while Drew couldn't get off the ground in Baltimore. It’s Doug’s turn to talk about how his pilot work day starts. We also discuss:
Jetblue/ Spirit merger drama ends.
A United 777 departing SFO loses a wheel and diverts to LAX.
American orders 737 Max 10s AND A321s.
Why is pilot hiring slowing. It's not necessarily the economy.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Drew talks about how he begins his work day and how an airline hub operations begins. Doug is back from Beijing, where the 737 Max is flying again, and where eating shrimp isn’t as easy as it sounds - he explains. We discuss:
Solar Eclipse travel and Delta’s flight along the path of “totality” .
Chinese airlines can add another 50 flights to the US, further thawing relations.
American is about to place an order for 100 narrowbody planes and it looks like Airbus is the victor.
The FAA’s Mike Whitaker gives Boeing 90 days to come up with a comprehensive quality control plan.
Bag fees are rising, but when adjusting for inflation air travel is still a bargain
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is back from Hong Kong and we discuss the city's ups and downs as an aviation hub. We talk about how US airports are seeing billions of dollars of investment which are resulting in magnificent new facilities. Also on this episode:
Winds over the North Atlantic propel airliners over 800mph.
United plans to reinstate Tel Aviv service.
Airport investments.
Aircraft type ratings.
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Drew recaps his round-the-world (kind of) trip and Doug is back from 777 landings training in Denver. We discuss:
Finnair pivots after Asia flights are complicated by Russia airspace issues
Finnair asks customers to weigh in
Russia buys previously leased planes
Thai Airways buys 45 787s
Engines engines engines
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Drew is in Hong Kong, with return guest Ian, while Doug is in North Carolina for KC46 training. Ian and Drew are fresh off flights from LAX where they met up with avgeek friends. We discuss:
Lara of Nonrev Lounge has her birthday at LAX…of course
Getting from LAX to HKG via MUC and ZRH? It’s complicated
4 engines for long haul. We discuss the A340
737 Max update
Lufthansa ground workers strike
Maybe they’re Vince Peterson stairs, not DB Cooper?
What’s KLM Asia?
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Drew is back in the air and working on perfecting landings in a Cessna Skyhawk. Doug is home from work and spending way too mcuh time figuring out if Taylor Swift will make it from her concert in Tokyo. We discuss:
Doug gives Drew tips on how to grease a landing
Jetblue and Spirit appeal the decision denying their merger
Should Boeing “sunset” the 737?
Contributor Steve laments the current state of travel attire and we agree
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Drew is back in the sky working on a private pilot’s license while Doug is in Houston on the “V" part of his “W" assignment of SFO-LHR-IAH-LHR-SFO. We discuss:
Sending a 767 to San Diego with rampers to work it
Late Senator Dianne Feinstein gets an SFO terminal and the Ontario Airport named after her
American, Southwest, and United reported earnings
Jetblue may be changing it's mind about merging with Spirit
El Niño pushes flights across the Pacific at record speeds
The 737 Max 9 is cleared to fly!
American has changed toiletry kits to cardboard
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Drew had 2 deice events this week as El Niño brings in the promised precipitation. Doug is back from sunny Taipei after riding some bad turbulence on the way home. We discuss:
Air Florida 90 and deicing hold over times
Boeing 737 Max 9 grounding update
Everyone’s jumping on the India band wagon (Mumbai rush hour train) with more flights
Spirit/Jetblue merger failure. What now?
Boeing and Airbus order books are packed!
Joint the Av-rants!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is back from a 2-day trip to Munich where the trains weren’t running and Drew is lucking out again with calm East Coast weather for the MLK weekend traffic. We discuss:
Alaska 1282 door plug incident
It’s an El Niño year for weather patterns. How does that affect aviation?
Jetblue's Joanna Geraghty is the first major US airline CEO
Delta orders 20 A350-1000s
What does Boeing pay for 737 groundings?
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Drew deals with “flurrygate" to cap off 7 busy week for airport ops while Doug is getting much needed rest after a running the gauntlet over the Christmas holiday. We discuss:
JAL 516 - “kudos to the crew”
Smooth operators - airlines keep it together over the holiday season
Akasa (who?) on the verge of a 150 aircraft order
2023 was a safe year for aviation
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is back from his “W” trip SFO-LHR-IAH-LHR-SFO and trying not to think of where his body clock is. Drew enjoyed a traditional airline Christmas of working and then enjoying takeout Chinese food on the couch with Robbie and doggie, Henny. We discuss:
Did our predictions for 2023 happen?
Mexicana is back!
Are exploding engines in our future? We look at rotating detonation engines
Why do airlines still use 1960s technology dot matrix Okidata printers?
Predictions for next year
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
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 planes
Boeing resumes deliveries to China
Lufthansa orders 737 Maxes
We explain what “airline chicken” is
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Ganesh Sitaraman, professor at Vanderbilt University, and author of “Why Flying is Miserable: and How to Fix It”, joins us to talk about the history of the airlines and how to make them better. We discuss:
- The inception and growth of America’s airlines
- Regulation and deregulation
- Ideas on how to bring back service to smaller cities, improve the flying experience, and keep it accessible
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is back from KC46 training near Philadelphia and Drew is working to save fuel by having aircraft APUs shut down fast. Both of us are excited about the Alaska/Hawaiian merger and of course we have opinions on it. Should they start a new airline brand or keep Alaska and Hawaiian identities separate? We also discuss:
The best and worst airports for layovers
The JetBlue-Spirit merger gets closer to happening
Thai Airways is on the verge of a huge 787 order
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
It’s confirmed - Sunday, November 26 was the busiest day in US aviation history. Drew talks about how it was running the operation that day, and Doug recounts leaving snowy Chicago. We discuss:
Travel forecasts for 2024
A Virgin 787 flies on 100% SAF
Spirit struggles with planes out of service and excess staffing
We remember the Concorde's last flight 20 years ago
Why are all planes not deiced?
Alaska and Hawaiian drop a whopper of an announcement LATE on a Sunday (after we recorded, edited, and uploaded)
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is back from Beijing and in the US Midwest for Thanksgiving while Drew is working the busiest holiday travel week ever. We talk about out Thanksgiving celebrations and discuss:
TSA passenger numbers this week
Airline service offerings and IATA regulating sandwiches in 1958
Dutch government drops flight cap threat
Boom Supersonic project gains speed with Saudi investment
Dubai Airshow orders are a win for Boeing
GE90 engines vs its replacement, the GE9X on the 777-9
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is back from New Zealand and Drew's back from Geneva via a 747 from Frankfurt. Both are gearing up for a record breaking Thanksgiving travel period. We talk about what we’re thankful for but it didn’t go as planned. 😃
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is back from 777 simulator training and Drew continues Winter Ops training in 70F temps. We discuss:
We get confirmation that our prediction about Jetblue and Alaska merging was and is a possibility
Fedex tells pilots “go work for American"
Spirit leaving Denver
United expects record breaking Thanksgiving holiday travel period
We finish the episode previewing Doug’s trip to New Zealand that evening and Drew's trip to Europe the next day.
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Drew has roadblocks getting flights out with the jetstream causing early arrivals in Europe, weight restrictions to Tokyo due to a volcanic eruption, and gate space issues at Las Vegas. Doug is in Denver for flight sim training after just arriving from Taipei. We discuss:
US Senators accuse airlines of “unfair practices” in their frequent flyer programs
What’s up with AOG Technics, the company at the heart of the fake parts scandal?
The Boeing 737-7 is nearing certification and there’s hope for the 737-10 as well
Chinese airlines post profits again
Why do pilots do jerky slowdowns and stops sometimes
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/podcast/bips64t9pv992nqh3zub135iwvpjo4
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Drew is back from a Winter Ops Summit in Chicago and Doug is getting his honey-do list done before flying to Taipei. We discuss:
Challenges of running a full schedule during snow and ice events
Kudos to the Horizon crew who dealt with a jumpseater trying to shut engines off
Southwest posts smaller profit and orders 108 737-7s
Spirit slows growth plans due to softer demand
FAA finally has a leader
We discuss how to start a jet engine
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug and Drew make it to Hong Kong to celebrate over 200 episodes. We accomplish our mission of walking to Checkerboard Hill where aircraft made the sharp turn before landing at Kai Tak airport until 1998. Drew has a special visitor from Sri Lanka with a civilian aviation story and Doug is back to KC46 training. . We discuss:
Sri Lankan writer Ashok Ferrey joins us to talk about travel from Asia post-Covid
Our flights to and from Hong Kong, including Drew’s serendipitous detour to Osaka
Cebu Pacific ordering up to 150 aircraft
Korean and Asiana merger hits turbulence
United, Delta, and American post 3rd quarter results
We end the show regaling you with our one perfect day in Hong Kong and answering some really good questions from our contributors (you).
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/podcast/episode-204-avgeek-serendipity-hkg
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Drew is at SFO filling in for ops manager and Doug survived a water park with 2 kids. We do a quick taping before Drew rushed to get on a flight to Hong Kong (or anywhere in Asia). We discuss
Drew’s full circle from SFO express ops agent to mainline ops manager
Flights halted to Isreal as war erupts
United flight to nowhere
Boeing X66-A TTBW project update and will it have open rotor engines?
Could you get struck by space junk?
We end the show with our plans for one perfect day in Hong Kong.
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/podcast/vv0jr2at1zqpfmufnmzpvfsvo1pkif
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is back from Frankfurt, and Drew is rounding everyone up to create Winter ops checklists as temps start dropping. Breaking news is a cargo 757 doing a belly landing in Chattanooga, Tennessee after a possible hydraulic issue. We discuss landing gear situations as well as a planeload of other topics:
SAS moves from the STAR Alliance to SkyTeam with Air France/KLM buying a stake
Jetblue flight attendants get a raise and back the merger with Spirit
United buys another 110 aircraft including 50 787s and 60 A321NEOs
Drew has a weight restricted flight from DC to Tokyo - how does ops handle that?
We explain why we think American Airilnes is suing to keep its Northeast Alliance with JetBlue
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is in Green Bay for a Packers game, after operating his 2nd flight to Rome, while Drew holds court with four avgeeks in DC. We discuss
Reactions to Delta’s mileage program changes
Ryan Air's CEO, Michael O’Leary, gets pied
Jetblue/America Northeast Alliance update
AirCanada orders 787-10s while AF/KLM orders A350
Cathay Pacific and HKG rise out of the ashes
ACARS - the system that communicates to aircraft
Your favorite mega airports
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
We made it to 200 episodes and could not have done it without you. Thank you for letting us be your avgeek fix every week. We do it for you! Thanks for the feedback, comments, engagement, and inspiration. We planned a fabulous trip for this episode but had to postpone because life happens, and we’ve alway said people (and pets) over planes. There will still be a celebratory trip soon but in the meantime we’re back to business with the following topics:
Doug’s trip to Shanghai
Delta changes their SkyMiles program to reward spending above miles and segments
India stops issuing visas to Canadians and both countries expel a diplomat. Will travel between the countries grind to a halt?
We remember Leina’ala whose image graces the tails of Hawaiian Airlines
Airline’s mileage programs are sometimes worth more than the airline itself
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
We're back from Dorkfest at LAX but the fun didn't stop there. Doug had a rags to riches avgeek story for his return to the SF Bay Area and Drew and buddies went west to Honolulu (as one does) before returning to the mainland. On this episode we discuss:
A passenger attempted to enter the flight deck at Chicago O'Hare
Ural Airlines A320 lands in a field in Russia
Italy wants to fast track Lufthansa's investment in ITA
PW1100 engine inspections delay Airbus delivery schedules
Through or direct flights involving a plane and equipment change
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/podcast/66phhntqbemsxymi780obv8dkmrg0l
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Patrick from the Move Team at Drew’s Airport joins us to talk about moving multi-million dollar aircraft and being the rescue crew for aircraft in need. He is also fresh from EAA Oshkosh! On this episode we discuss
PW1000G engine inspections
The NASA/Boeing TTBW or X66 future airliner
UPS workers new contract
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug and Drew comiserate with each other and travelers after a rough week at the airlines. We talk about what happened with the weather and ATC and the difficulties of recovering after hundreds of planes and thousands of crewmembers are displaced. We also discuss:
Let’s stop calling it revenge travel - its just travel, and its growing
Mexican airlines are ready to expand as soon as the FAA lifts Mexico back to a Category 1 status. Volaris has several routes planned and Viva Aerobus is expected to order 100 Airbus aircraft.
The cause of a ramp worker engine ingestion fatality last week was, sadly, confimed to be suicide
A DOT Inspector General audit confirrmed that the FAA is understaffed and lacks a plan to address the challenge
A Delta 717 had a gear up landing. Doug tells us how pilots are trained to handle these situations
We end the show with our first Google Voice message from abroad with a comment from Mark in Calgary, Canada.
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug is back in California for a break from KC46 training and Drew is managing through the crazy busy Summer flght schedule. We touch on the Air India diversion to Siberia and SFO go-arounds drama before we head down memory taxi lane with a look back at the Boeing 727. Also on this episode:
SAS opens up reservations on the first electric airliner - the Heart ES 30
B52 Stratofortress might fly for 100 years with new engines and navigations system
Jetblue offers slots at LGA to Frontier in an effort to get its Spirit merger throug
Who is DB Cooper and why are 727 rear stairs named after him, and should they be the Richard McCoy stairs?
Join the fun!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Cathay Pacific’s Senior VP, Americas, Chris van den Hooven joins us as his carrier bounces back from Covid19. China’s “zero covid” policy has kept Cathay Pacific out of the resurgent Asian travel market but now, with restrictions lifted, the sky’s the limit. Also on this episode:
We look at rising traffic volumes in Asia
China’s first large jet, the COMAC C919, starts commercial service
What are the angriest airports in the US?
Cathay Pacifics pre-Covid rise in the Pacific
We end with Chris regaling us with bar recommendations for when we visit Hong Kong, and can tape with him IN PERSON.
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug and Drew are on location in Wichita, Kansas which claims to be the Air Capital of the World. Is it? We tour the city to find out.
Bombardier/ Learjet facilities
Cessna and Textron
Spirit Aerosystems
Airbus
B29 Museum
https://www.b29doc.com/
Kansas Aviation Museum
https://kansasaviationmuseum.org/
All this these aviation giants here but “The I
C..T.” is not all about aviation. We visited breweries, a nature trail, the charming Old Town, and played pickleball!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Airlines are asking for more time to update aircraft altimeters but will the FAA extend the deadline at the end of June? Telecoms executive Hugh Odom, president of Vertical Consultants, joins us to talk about the concerns. Doug goes down memory taxi lane with a visit to Enid Oklahoma where he did early flight training. Drew talks about ensuring thousands of bags fly with passengers. We also discuss:
- Hawaiian gets first 787s. Where will they fly?
- Cargolux 747 loses a main gear assembly
- Russian airlines’ maintenance situation gets worse
- Cathay Pacific works to come back from the downturn but pilot hiring is a challenge
- What's the difference between apron, tarmac, and ramp?
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Nose to the grindstone for Doug and Drew this week with Doug hitting the KC46 books and simulator and Drew prepping for a busy summer airline hub operation. We dive into commercial aviation jet routes which could be a J route or Q route based on if its using ground based VORs or GPS - confused yet? Don’t change the station, we’ll explain. Also on this episode:
737 orders keep coming with Ryanair ordering 150 Max 10s
India’s Go First files for bankruptcy, blaming Pratt and Whitney engines
Emirates makes a $3 billion profit
Biden administration wants airlines to compensate for delayed flights
All this and more - join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug's in KC46 school in Wichita and Drew's back from helping improve airline ops tools in Chicago. This week we discuss:
Aviation word of the week : RUD - Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly
SpaceX Starship
Southwest internal gound stop
Alaska Airlines removing kiosks from ticket counter areas
New Avelo Airlines base at Wilmington, Delaware
United posts small 1st quarter loss
Turbulence getting worse with climate change
Join the conversation
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Drew gets coworkers from 4 departments together because teamwork makes the dream, and the operation, work. Doug is on break from flying the 777 - any withdrawal symptoms? We check on him and discuss:
Our word of the week - PACK
Airbus adds final assembly line in China
NASA names 4 astronauts for the Artemis II moon mission
How do airlines choose where to build hubs?
Our buddies at Nonrev Lounge podcast host a get together on April 14/15. Visit them on Instagram at @nonrevloungepodcast
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug is back from his first trip to Sydney, Australia and Drew is taking new hires on ramp tours. On this episode we discuss:
Aviation word of the week - ADIRU
Jetblue/Spirit merger update - hurry up and wait
Delta starts their Propel flight school
Transatlantic travel is growing
Indian aviation capacity to double by 2027
Artificial intelligence at the airlines
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Greg, our buddy and show contributor, joins us to talk about aircraft engines - how they work, air-starts, and engine supply chain issues. He also is excited to be back in the aviaton industry with what could be his dream job. Doug regales us with a pilot memoir about his 2nd trip to Japan and reveals he’s a train (rail?) geek too. We also discuss:
The Department of Justice trys to block the Jetblue/Spirit merger
The Airport Service Quality Awards names the best airports for customer experience
An appeals court denies a lawsuit to force airlines to increase seat size
Reno Air Races will hold its final event September 13-17
http://airrace.org
Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug is back from his KC10 “fini” flight and Drew’s been spending time with visitors at DC aviation museums. Which one is best for avgeeks? Also:
We remember Susan Wright, “the mother of flight", on Women’s History Month
Drew quizzes Doug on business class cabin names
Central Asian traffic rises as Russian airspace is closed
Norse Air plans several US flights
- Airline sign on bonuses are not just for pilots
- Air fare trends over time
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug takes his mom, Ruth, along for the ride to Japan where she was born. We talk about how it feels to be “back home" and how Japan is getting back to normal after Covid19. Also on this episode.
A quick history on balloons
Near misses and aviation safety
Airbus ramping up production
Historic Air India order
JFK Terminal 1 closure and diversions
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug and Drew are back from trips in opposite directions. Doug flew to post-Covid Taipei as crew and Drew to Tenerife on a quick avgeek getaway with friends. We discuss our trips and:
Iberia still required masks onboard. Who else does?
White balloon shot down over the Atlantic
Another near miss, this time with a Fedex 767 and a Southwest 737 at Austin
Jetblue/Spirit merger update
ATC waypoints
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug is flying to Taipei and Drew is off to Tenerife this week. We look at flight planning and considerations for turbulence and taking advantage of the jet stream to save time. Also:
The last 747 is delivered to Atlas
Super Bowl extra flights
Passenger bills of rights
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Drew is back from an Airport Ops conference and Doug flew a KC10 on its final flight. Drew talks about the need for widebodies to make better use of scarce pilot crews and slots at busy airports. Doug regales us with his recount of flying a KC10 low along a sunny California coast and then east to Tucson.
Also on this episode:
Boom Supersonic breaks ground on a factory in North Carolina
Sustainable Aviation Fuel or SAF will become more prevalent but it won’t be easy getting there.
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
This episode is packed - we talk about the crash of a Yeti Airlines ATR72, a runway incursion at JFK, and what an aircraft stall is and how to avoid one. But wait there’s more - airport lounge access and hotel elite status, Lufthansa makes a bid for Italy’s ITA, and the “Continental Mafia”. Biscoff lovers wait until the end to hear our cookie rant!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
This episode is all about ULCC’s with Travis Christ, Head of Avelo Marketing, joining the show. We were supposed to fly on Avelo’s inaugural from Orlando to Dubuque, Iowa but the flight was canceled due to DBQ Airport still establishing their security plan. Avelo had an awesome recovery effort which led to Travis joining the show. He tells us all about the new airline and about his path from ramper to airline executive.
Doug and Drew proceed with our ULCC run with plans to fly Avelo soon. We take you along for the ride which in avgeek Morse code is:
SFO-EWR-MCO-BNA-CID-DEN-SFO.
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
To divert or not to divert, that is the question for Doug and crew over the North Atlantic. Drew and Doug discuss diversion decisions from flight and station operations perspectives. On this episode we also discuss:
Cargo airlines lose some business with e-commerce coming off COVID highs
Southwest recovers from crew scheduling woes
Porter Airlines get its first EMB195-E2 with up to 100 more coming. We said the “E2" and the A220 would be big stories in 2023
California irrops with SFO diversions due to an “atmospheric river" of rains and a San Diego fuel shortage
Free Wi-Fi on Delta…is this a trend?
We end the episode with an email from listener, Gordon, about his trip on a Continental DC10 with a pub onboard for all customers.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug and Drew have to split taping between 2 airline lounges as Doug travels home to California after check rides in Denver. This episode’s wifi issues can't hold us back from our last 2022 taping, making a 100% completion factor. Thank YOU for sticking with us!
In this episode:
Southwest's crew scheduling woes
Chat GPT can write 747 poems?
Our top stories of 2022
Our predictions of top stories of 2023
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
We’ve talked about deicing planes before they takeoff but how do we keep them from turning into 737 popsicles when they’re sitting at the airport? Drew talks about processes to keep airplanes and ground equipment from freezing over before he goes in to deal with -1F temperatures. Doug is about to fly to Munich before Christmas Eve - will it be festive or sad? See the pictures below. Also on this episode:
Do civilians care if they are on a narrow or widebody plane?
Congress extends Boeing’s deadline to get the 737 Max 7 and 8 certified
SAS is back at JFK, with an A321, not a 747
This year’s busiest airports by aircraft movements and passenger volume
Join the conversation!
Things didn’t go as planned for Doug or Drew this week with both grounded with health issues and full flights, respectively. Doug was sick at home, and Drew couldn’t get to Europe and visited the DC Air & Space museum instead. The podcast cheered us up though! On this episode we discuss:
Fuel shortages in Auckland and Florida
Boom has a plan for its SST engine - its complicated
United orders up to 200 787’s to replace older 767’s and 777’s
Air India is about to make a 500-plane order
Leisure travelers are filling seats normally filled by business travelers
This is our last episode before Christmas, so Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Happy Holidays everyone!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug is in Hawaii and Drew is in Charlotte, with our buddy Matt, who rejoins the show to rant with us on a multitude of topics. Did you know that Charlotte was the 5th busiest airport in the world in 2021 by numbers of flights, and that it is American Airlines’ 2nd largest connection hub. We talk about its history and its rise from a Piedmont Airlines station to a megahub. Also on this episode:
Boeing’s last 747 rolls out of the factory. We discuss some 747 memories
Airlines see profits returning for 2023
Delta pilots get a new contract and huge raise…but is it really?
Airlines and other airport lounge operators start adding restrictions to reduce crowding.
Come for the avgeek information, stay for the #MattRants!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug was in Hawaii for Thanksgiving but got out before Mauna Loa erupted. We discuss how volcanic ash affects aircraft engines and review some near-disasters where 747’s lost all 4 engines due to eruptions around the world. Also:
TSA screened over 2.5 million passengers last Sunday, the most since the start of the pandemic
Saudi Arabia announces the launch of RIA, a new airline based in Riyadh, to compete with the ME 3
New low fare airline Fly Atlantic will be based in Belfast, Northern Ireland and fly transatlantic
We look at the gaps in Boeing’s new product launches: 757 to 777 to 787 to ???.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
The traffic is terrific as we roll into the holiday travel season. Doug is mixing work and pleasure on his trip while Drew is enjoying the week off. We discuss passenger volumes and how airlines hope to avoid the meltdowns we saw this summer. Also:
European carriers are looking to safely operate large jets with a single pilot
FAA creates guidelines for electrical air taxi
We look at the busiest routes this month around the world
Nonstop LAX to Singapore or 5 stops?
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug and Drew ring in the holiday season with our rendition of Home for the Holidays - don’t worry, its just the first two verses. Where exactly was Karen Carpenter when she was singing about people coming and going through Pennsylvania for some homemade pumpkin pie? PHL, PIT, or MEM? We tank dive which airport she was in and which airline. Also on this episode.
The traffic is terrific - heavy load factors this week
How NOT to run a Winter Operation
Frontier’s Unlimited Flight Pass
5G interference with aircraft and radio altimeter replacements
Jetblue plans flights to Paris - bring on the A321XLR’s
Cathay Pacific starting to ramp up again
Air India brings Vistara and Air Asia India under its brand
Whether you’re connecting at PHL, ATL, DFW, or ORD for the holidays, you can’t beat home sweet home. Thanks for spending part of your holidays with us!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug and Drew are back to work with Drew hosting an avgeek group with the airport authority and Doug doing his last simulator ride on the KC10. Doug squeezes in a quick trip to see family and breaks his reluctance to use his standby airline travel benefits. Also in this episode.
Mexico’s president Obrador wants foreign airlines to compete for domestic traffic
Airbus makes the A350 cabin wider. Is 10 across coming?
Frontier, now free from merger talks, is interested in the A321XLR and international flights
Pilots at US carriers are demanding better pay and work rules
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug and Drew, taping from a Houston airline lounge, are fresh off their excellent avgeek adventure to Europe. We’re excited to regale you with our stories about tailcams, nail-biting nonrev travel, Eurobiz, and Singapore Business Class. This whirlwind trip included flying on SAS to Copenhagen, then Manchester, and back to the US on Singapore Airlines. We enjoyed visiting and getting to know listeners in both cities. Thanks to Dominik and David for showing us around! We also discuss:
American removing international First Class
Is a 747-8 more efficient that a Toyota Corolla?
Fifth Freedom flights (We took one)
Join the fun!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
**Drew’s flight instructor tells him to get ready to rock and roll with high winds. We discuss turbulence, crosswind landings, and “beating up” the pattern. We also discuss::
United, American, and Lufthansa earnings.
Cathay Pacific finally adding flights
Hawaiian operating freighters for Amazon
We end with a tease about our European trip next week.**https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Drew is back from a Winter Ops meeting and Doug is at a nondescript hotel room (sound familiar) getting rested for a red eye flight. We talk about company loyalty and how it has changed over the years. The example we used was a listener poll on whether airlines should board employee standbys by time of check in or seniority. The answers will surprise you! We also discuss:
Delta third quarter results
United may order 100 widebodies
Why do airlines hold seats?
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug see’s some strange lights on a red eye flight between SFO an EWR and other flights report the same. The FAA hasn’t come back with any confirmation so we have some fun with what we think they might be. Drew and Doug meet up at IAD to take a look at Drew’s workplace and Doug’s office (a 777 flight deck). Also on this episode:
IAD mobile lounges
Supply chain issues delaying Boeing and Airbus deliveries
FAA Category 1 and 2 airlines
FAA increases flight attendant minimum rest time to 10 hours from 9
Back to UFO’s which are now refured to as UAP’s - unidentified aerial phenomenon
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
This week our thoughts are with our listeners in Florida who are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. We highlight NOAA and their work studying and other storms, to improve forecasts, and we take a close look at their Hurricane Hunter aircraft. Currently two Lockheed WP-3D aircraft named Kermit and Ms. Piggy are tasked with flying into the eye’s of storms. An engineer on one of the passes through Ian called it the worst flight he’s ever had in terms of turbulence! Other topics on this episode:
Virgin Atlantic finally joins SkyTeam
Sri Lanka starts to emerge out of a financial crisis with a new low fare airline - FITS Air
China Airlines of Taiwan confrms order for 16 787-9’s
Asia continues to open up with Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong lifting restrictions
JD Power releases its choices for the top 10 US mega airports
We end the episode with a tank dive into what speed tape is - don’t be afraid, it’s normal to see on aircraft.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Leave it to our British friends to turn a line into an institution. We discuss The Queue to pay last respects to Queen Elizabeth and guess what? There's an aviation tangent. Drew regales Doug with his trip to LAX via Fargo and LAX to DC via Maui (it's complicated). Also on this episode:
Cargo traffic declines while passenger loads stay strong
FAA upholds 1,500 hour requirement for pilots to fly for scheduled carriers
IATA kicks EWR out of the NYC airports designation
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
World traveler and friend of the show, Ian, joins us to talk about frequent flier programs and the benefits of having status on multiple airlines. He mentions the “holy trinity” 🤣 of United, American, and Delta and being elite on a three.
We also discuss whether Boom's Overture will go forward after Rolls Royce announced they’re leaving the project, the rise in business travel, and the United/Emirates partnership.
Find Ian on Instagram at @iandeyoung
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug has the smoothest flight ever to Eefrow (London Heathrow) and Drew is planning to fill in as ops manager at SFO where his airline career started. Doug’s flight from SFO to LHR carries the legacy of Pan Am flight 1 which flew the route in the 90’s. Pan Am flight 1 of yore flew around the world in 1947. We discuss the other “Flight 1’s” of the world which represent several airline’s most prestigious routes. Also on the episode:
United and Emirates plan a possible codeshare agreement
Italy’s ITA gets bought out by an Air France/Delta and a private equity firm
A Cessna 172 flew from California to Honolulu nonstop
China Airlines orders the Boeing 787 for the first time
We finish the episode with a go-around on why most airliners are low wing and we share listener comments and questions.
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
This week’s show has an airport theme with our buddy Francis, an airport ops supervisor, joining us for the 2nd time. Francis explains airport classifications, signage, and how they deal with diversions. We also dicuss:
American Airlines joining the list of customers for the Boom SST
Why tarmacs are made of asphalt or concrete
We end with a quick lesson on airport signage and lighting that will raise your avgeek credentials.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Summer travel is in full swing and so are Doug with a family vacation, and Drew with a busy airport operation. We give you tips on how to avoid drama at the airport by planning ahead. Get there early, have back up plans, use the airline apps, and check the FAA's National Airspace System Status to avoid problem airports.
Also on this episode:
The Boom Overture SST makes progress
Alaska launches electronic bag tags in the US
Piper Warrior and Boeing 777 takeoff procedures
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Would you pay extra to use a flat bed on a long flight? Air New Zealand thinks you will with their Skynest which are 6 stacked bunks mid cabin. We discuss this and commiserata about both of our crazy work days negotiating East Coast thunderstorms and a pigeon (?). Drew is hitting the private pilot training books and Doug has a previous KC10 pilot and coworker jumpseating on his flight. Also on this episode:
The Jetblue and Fronter merger courtship of Spirit continues
Heathrow turning away passengers?
Airline pilots seeking, and getting, raises
Airlines fined for improper passenger travel documents
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Matt joins us for the third time and is now an official co-host! His love for aviation started as a nonrev flying on his dad’s benefits on the original Frontier. He then went from ramper, to operations agent, to zone controller, to customer service supervisor, and finally to travel agent. He regales us with stories from when suits were required for employees. We also discuss:
Travel chaos from Sydney to Amsterdam as airlines cope with heavy traffic
SAS files for bankruptcy
Singapore Airlines North America service tops pre-CovidTWA Museum in Kansas City
We end the episode quizzing Matt on weird reservations terms. Ever heard of an open jaw ticket, skiplagging, and married segments? It’s all in this fun filled episode
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Happy 4th of July to our American listeners! On this holiday weekend Doug gets a call to fly to Taiwan, 20 minutes after the check-in time, to cover a 777 first officer opening. We tape with Doug in a glorified hotel “jail” cell in Taipei with the country still under severe Covid-19 restrictions. We talk about Doug’s trip to Asia, Drew’s “seconds to cancelation” story about how everything has to come together in Airport Ops to get a flight out of the gate and off the ground. We also discuss:
The A380’s are making a triumphant comeback with Lufthansa and Korean dusting off the “Supers”
The JetBlu/Frontier/Spirit telenovela continues with Spirit extending the shareholder vote date to July 8
We discuss another poll on how you choose a flight, this time when money is no object. Drew is upset with the results….again
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Just off our Boeing 777 and Piper Warrior flights we are pumped up and ready to talk aviation! Doug gets to fly a frequent flier across the 4 million mile mark and Drew gets comfortable with Warrior landing patterns and touch and goes. We then dive into:
A listener’s poll about how you decide on what ticket to buy (price, schedule, service?)
Jetblue increases its offer for Spirit
US Transportation Secretary asks airlines to do better
Air India is in talks to buy 300 narrowbodies and 50 A350’s
Skywest forms charter subsidiary to fly 30-seat planes with lower pilot requirements
Pre-cleared cities
We end with a listener’s love-hate relationship with his hometown airline, Norwegian.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug is fresh off his first 777 flight with a trip from San Francisco to Honolulu, to Guam, and back. Drew has a bunch of questions for Doug on the 777 and the airports he visited, and has his own story flying the other end of the spectrum - a single engine Piper Warrior. Other topics on this episode:
Biden Administration lifts the testing requirement to travel to the US
Jetblue/Spirit/Frontier merger triangle drama continues
The new Air Force One will not have the Trump inspired dark livery - we’ll tell you why
We do a tank dive on TWA and its merger with AA after you asked or it
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug is still waiting to be called to work his first 777 flight and Drew gets some family time in between crazy busy operations shifts. Busy or not, we always find time for our avgeek podcast break. Speaking of work and pleasure, what’s s good term for a combination business/leisure trip? Bleisure, Lisness, WFV (working from vacation)? We share your great ideas.
What is CRM, crew resource management, and how does it apply in any work environment, not just on the flight deck?
Also on this show:
Cancelations and delays rise around the world as the recovery hits roadblocks
Norwegian settles a contract dispute with Boeing and orders 50 737 MAX 8’s
We do a go-around on our 767-400 story from last week with some added fun facts
We end the show with a great question about regional airlines from Drew’s flight instructor Kathleen and a big thank you to flight attendants around the world for you hard work. Happy International Flight Attendants Day!
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug is going stir crazy at home waiting for “the call”, with his first 777 assignment, and Drew is trying to keep the operation from getting crazy with 4 ramp closures for lightning within a few hours. To get our minds off our week, we obsess about why the 767-400 wasn’t successful with only 37 built. We continue our discussion about a new “Golden Age” of aviation with Bombardier flight testing the Global 8000, which will be the fastest passenger airplane, and the growth of luxurious airport lounges. Also on this episode:
Lufthansa partnering with MSC to buy 80% of ITA, the successor to Alitalia
We make a whole segment out of a listener comparison of European and US premium products - thanks Guy!
Check out this great historical lounge overview by Lounge Review.
https://loungereview.com/the-use-of-airline-lounges-as-a-marketing-tool-history-and-innovation/
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
What was the first airline alliance - was it STAR, NW/KL, oneworld, Wings? We discuss international alliances that help improve revenues and ease passenger connectivity across carriers. Also, we believe we may be entering a new Golden Age of Aviation with supersonic airliners running on sustainable fuel, electric sea gliders, and airlines competing on improved passenger experience. Doug waits for the call to fly his first 777 and Drew has a busy week with flight training, irregular ops at work, and two Next Trip listeners visiting. Other topics:
jetBlue is at it again, now with a hostile takeover bid for Spirit
EU drops its mask mandate but Italy and Spain keep masks on plane
US airlines continue to press for lifting testing requirements to enter the country
FAA still needs more data before Boeing 787 deliveries can resume
China Eastern plane may have been intentionally crashed
We finish the show answering great questions from listeners regarding passenger experience on the 787 and 777, Eurobiz, and possible new mid-continent airline hubs.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
What's better, having a middle seat open, lounge access, and high quality meals, or a bigger seat? We discuss Eurobiz vs US domestic First. Other topics on this episode:
Non-pairwise widebodies…what are they?
Japan may open to tourists
Fedex gets it’s first SkyCourier - weird but functional
Republic Airways asks for minimum new pilots hours of 750 vs 1,500
WN improves inflight product
Avianca and GOL try to team up
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Drew is fresh off his third private pilot training flight so get ready for more small plane pilot memoirs. Doug is more excited about Drew’s business trip and asks him if it was better than Zoom - spoiler…..uhhh YES!! Also on this episode:
Qantas orders the A350-1000 to launch Project Sunrise nonstop flights between Sydney and London and New York
Spirit rejects jetBlue's offer to merge
Airlines offer reduced price or free wifi. Does wifi or messaging affect which airline you choose
The FAA's confusing new aircraft wake turbulence categories
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
We’re going from Guppies (737’s) to Bigfoot (777) as Doug finishes 777 training. One of the striking features of the 777 is its huge main landing, the largest on any aircraft. We dig into landing gear and getting aircraft on the ground vs. off the ground on this episode. Other topics discussed
Drew flies jetBlue Mint for the first time
Delta flight attendants start getting paid during boarding
Is the A220 the 787 of long, thin domestic routes. Breeze starts A220 transcon flights
ANA says outlook for air travel in Japan is improving
We end the show sharing listener comments on flying on the 747, getting through Amsterdam Schipol Airport, and airline boarding cutoff times.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
We’re partying like its 2019! Load factors and fares are up as Americans throw off their masks and head back to the skies as COVID19 wanes. We go through the spreadsheets as the major US carriers reveal their 1st quarter results. We also talk about Russia cranking up the TU-214, cough Russian 757, and IL96-300, cough Russian A340, production lines.
In our pilot and airport memoirs we talk about Doug’s 777 training and Drew’s airport operation which changes drastically when load factors increase from 75% to over 90%.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Next Trip was the #1 aviation podcast in Dubai this week so who better to have on this episode than the #1 avgeek in Dubai? Return guest, Roxi or @roxavgeek on Instagram and Twitter, is a flight attendant for a Dubai based carrier and also has a large following as an aviation influencer. Traffic is up 215% in the Middle East and we ask Roxi if it seems like the area is beyond COVID. She also recaps the Dubai Airshow for us since she was attending the event when we taped before. Also on this episode:
Doug starts his 777 flight simulator training
Drew gets audited by an express carrier
Denver over Dubai - US airports were 8 of 10 of the busiest last year
We’re airline employees - what are we thinking when we fly other airlines?
We end the show with your questions for Roxi on aircraft and aviation. Did you stump her? You gotta listen!
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
https://www.roxavgeek.com
Move over Frontier, jetBlue also has its eye on Spirit and makes a bid to buy it. Of course we have opinions on this - would a jetBlue/Spirit merger help or complicate jetBlue’s current operational issues? Would the cost of reconfiguring all of Spirit’s aircaft be worth it? Would the merger be denied because the two control so much New York to Florida traffic? Listen to what we think jetBlue’s master plan may be. Drew talks about Mainline and Express and how branding and customer products are similar but flight operations and dispatch are separate.
IATA’s Summer and Winter seasons and slot allocations
Cathay Pacific resumes pilot cadet training program
Phillipine Airlines aims to be in Asia’s top 3
We end the episode laughing about how Condor’s new livery is so bad,…it’s good. Listen to find out why.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Longtime listener and avgeek friend Ryan joins us to talk about changing lanes in his aviation career. Ryan has been an avgeek his whole life and had dreams of being a pilot or working for the airlines. His road took him to driving trucks for a major cargo airline and loving his quality of life in a “flyover'“ state. Doug starts the transition from the 737 to the 777 and Drew talks about running a busy hub operation this week. We also discuss:
Fedex and American Airlines have leadership changes
Elroy Air is developing an unmanned eVTOL aircraft to fly cargo distances of 300 mile
Listener Poll: Would you rather fly an A350 to Singapore nonstop or an A380 with a stop?
Find ryan at @plainsandplanes on Twitter and Instagram.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Pilot memoirs continue with Doug doing his last 737 flights, before going to 777 training, and Drew regales you with his second Piper Warrrior flight above the DC Area. Topics covered:
- FAA increasing reviews of midair collision warnings
- China Eastern Flight 5735 crash update
- Russia creates its own laws for aircraft leased from other countries
- CEO of Spirit and Frontier says they have 2,000 market opportunities
- Boeing in talks with DL for huge 737 Max order
- Canada drops COVID19 testing requirement. C’mon USA
We end the show answering lister Noah’s questions about ATC ground delay programs and Drew talks about listeners also starting their prival pilot journey.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Drew finally has his first private pilot training flight and, as expected, it was amazing. Doug enjoys his last few weeks on the 737 before 777 training next month. We both talk about last week’s busy operation with full flights during and weather issues around the country. Topics on the episode:
Staying calm and professional in stressful situations
Travel and airline profits are rising despite high fuel costs
777’s with PW4000 engines will be cleared to fly again soon
Mask mandates keep lifting with the latest being on UK airlines
Drew responds to a listener question about plane changes
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
We start with positive news of countries opening back up to international travel and Drew’s trip to Chicago. Other topics discussed:
Aerflot suspends all international flights
Airlines find routes around Russia
IATA opposes bans on parts shipments to Russian Airlines
ANA creating a low fare carrier called Air Japan
We end with a light-hearted ranking of all the annoying passenger types. Doug might be the small bladder passenger and Drew is definitley chatty Cathy.
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, affecting millions of people. Sanctions against Russia are coming from all angles and we discuss how aviation is affected. We end with some positive news on COVID19 with infections declining and masks coming off everywhere - even on some planes. Other topics on this episode:
Two Russian planes trying to enter Canadian airspace are turned back while one flight, SU111 flies over Canada declaring that it’s a humanitarian flight. Transport Canada is investigating
Nigeria Air may be the name of Nigeria’s national airline but few details exist
We discuss recent airspace closures in the Middle East and Asia
We explain how runways are configured - its complicated
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
The world is starting to open up but will Russia’s invasion of Ukraine change everything? We discuss the breaking news of countries closing their airspace to Russia and the unfortunate destruction of the heaviest airplane in the world, the Antonov 225, Myria. We get a lot of feedback from you regarding the use of the term “gas” versus “fuel”, you do a deeper dive into our Flyover States segment, and you offer more airports named after famous people in your neck of the “tarmac”. Also on this episode:
Marriot doubles revenue despite Omicron
Will there be a major travel and tourism recovery this year
We discuss high winds in our Ops Center topic
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug and Drew meet up in DC with Doug picking up an SFO-DCA trip before he leaves the 737. Doug tells Drew his route was over some "flyover states" so we research where the term came from. Drew regales you with the history of College Park Airport which he lives by and we discus airports named after presidents on this President's Day episode. Other topics:
Boeing’s new middle market plane's size
Mesa Airlines invests in seaplane startup, Regent
We end the episode with a look into where the word cockpit comes and whether flight deck is a better term...and is it "in" or "on" the flight deck?
Join the conversation! https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Welcome to our first crossover episode with another aviation podcast, Nonrev Lounge. NonRev Lounge is hosted by Tyler who works ramp, his sister Monique who’s a gate agent, and their friend Lara, a flight attendant and a previous guest on our show. Today we have Tyler guest hosting the show with two other avgeek friends, Greg and Nate. We’re taping from SFO where we’ve met to spot planes and participate in some major avgeekery.
This is a two part episode with this being Part 1 and Part 2 airing tomorrow, February 15th, on Nonrev Lounge. Be sure to check them out right after this and subcribe to their podcast. Nonrev lounge is focused on travel and their exciting jobs working for a major airline with a hub at Phoenix.
Topics in this episode
How we all got to SFO
Spirt and Frontier to tie the knot
Northern Pacific Airways recreating Icelandair’s model in Anchorage
Tyler, Doug, and Drew talk about why they work in aviation
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
We keep our pilot memoirs and deice diaries short today after some mixed feedback. Who are we kidding?? Doug talks about his trip to Honduras and happening to be there for their presidential inauguration. Drew talks about running it hard with a full schedule during the Nor'easter. Also:
China Airlines 747 ingested an LD3 container
Boeing 787 delivery delays
COVID travel rules rekaxed in Europe
Wall Street Journal's best and worst airlines
We end with an update on the aviation telenovela between Airbus and Qatar airlines regarding peeling paint on A350's.
Join the conversation
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug’s pilot memoir this week is his return to the KC10 after several months. Was it like riding a bike? We talk about the KC10’s successor, the KC46 Pegasus, based on a 767-200 with a 767-400 flight deck. Does it measure up to the KC10 Extender? Also on this episode:
The UK relaxes COVID19 documentation requirements
Air India returns to the Tata Group after 69 years
Lufthansa and Air France push back on the EU’s climate plans
US retaliates against China by blocking flights after China’s regulations against US flights
We end the episode with a fun discussion on things people say that make avgeek’s twitch. British Airlines? QUANTAS? 787-900?
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
DC gets an another big snowstorm and Drew tells Doug, whatever you do, don’t connect through DC! Guess what Doug does? We got a chance to meet up and Doug got to see Drew’s deice operation in person. Our first topic is one we both are experts at - airline seats. With narrow-bodies doing more international routes, a new “Butterfly” seat, which converts from 2 standard domestic first seats to 1 international lie-flat seat, may be the answer. We also discuss:
Airlines panic about the introduction of 5G in the US and its possible affects
The pandemic is becoming an endemic and will still weigh on airline profits
An idea for resolving the airline pilot shortage - raise the maximum age to 75
European airlines say that they are flying empty planes to maintain slots. Is it true?
We end with another airine and wine piece, this time with a New Zealand airline started by a winery. A Saab 340 regional airline that’s focused on a beverage? We have concerns!
Join the convsersation:
Next Trip Network
From Martin Luther King Day, to Sidney Poitier, to United product placement, to DC8's to Hawaii? Stay with us…and yes, everything leads to aviation. We look at how far (or not) we’ve come from the DC8. Also on this episode:
SST updates on Boom Overture and NASA's X59 QueSST
Airport 5g buffer zones
A380/747-8 replacements?
We end with our favorite avgeek dad jokes. We apologize in advance.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
We start the show sharing how busy our weeks were with snow on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Drew discusses deicing challenges with moderate to heavy snow and Doug talks about how weather issues around the sytem are constantly changing his flying schedule. Drew explores going back to pilot school to get his private pilot's license with Doug encouraging him that its never too late to learn. Also on this episode:
2021 was the safest year for flying since 2017
Airlines cancel over 1,000 flights per day for the 11th straight day
Allegiant buys 50 new 737 Max jets
Kenya Airways and South African Airways may join forces
5g rollout delayed due to FAA concerns about interference with avionics
We end the show with Drew answering a listener question about how arrival gates are chosen.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
We dive into the new year with our predictions for the top aviation stories of 2022. Our main topic is the 777 and its ups and downs, pun intended, with PW4000 777’s expected to return service while the 777x sees certification delays. We end the episode with our “demands” in our Avgeek Bill of Rights. Other topics discussed:
Our last flights of 2021
Omicron hits crews and causes cancelations
Indonesia and Ethiopia approve 737 Max operations
The GE90-94B reaches 100,000 flight hours
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
We love airplanes and we love flying...especially with a nice glass of wine to enjoy our trip. We end the year talking about how airlines choose the varieties they serve. Also in this episode:
Doug flies the 737-700 hot rod
Drew works on getting thousands home for the holidays
Omicron is dampening hopes for a fast recovery
Phillipine Airlines restructures
We ask you: was the A380 a success or a failure?
Join the conversation! https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
We talk about our busy weeks as we help move thousands of people the week before Christmas. We give our listeners tips on how to score airline and hotel perks to take take your avgeek travel up a notch. Other topics discussed:
Boom Aerospace negotiating with Greensboro Airport for a manufacturing site for the supersonic Overture airliner
United to order zero-emission hydrogen electric engines to retrofit on regional aircraft
American hiring 18,000 employees in 2022
Will Omicron set back air travel's recovery?
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Christmas is only 2 weeks away and airlines are busy carrying millions of packages around the world. What better time to have two cargo pilots on? Think cargo employees are introverts? Think again because these guys, our buddies Matt and Stephen, are a plane load of fun.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
We review Thanksgiving week traffic and congratulate the airlines on a smooth operation with few cancelations. Topics covered:
Traffic is back but the Omicron variant could change everything
Some countries start closing borders to international traffic
Business travel is on the road to recovery
We note several aircraft with wingspans greater than their lengths.
Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
We welcome our first corporate aviation employee, Embraer Phenom 300 pilot, Sean. We knew that corporate flying was different from the airlines but we were impressed with all the additional functions Sean does. This includes creating his own flight plans, doing the passenger safety briefing, fueling his own plane, and even serving cocktails when needed. He discusses the perks and challenges in his career and how he loves how unpredicatable his work day can be.
Other topics:
Airbus gets its first orders for the A350F freighter which will compete with the 777-200F
The recent rise in passengers choosing to fly chartered jets over commercial
We discuss a listener poll about whether you would choose First Class on a 777 or a chartered Phenom 300 to get from LAX to DFW
Thanks for joining the conversation and stay aviationTOUGH.
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
We're approaching the busy travel season in the US with TSA passenger screenings nearing 2019 levels. Doug and Drew will be in the thick of it, working to get some of the 5 million travelers to their destinations safely. We ask you, our listeners, to guess what the highest daily total of passengers screened in the US will be during the Thanksgiving holiday travel week. The listener who guesses closest will get some Next Trip swag. Get your answer to us by Wednesday, November 24, 10:00a eastern US time, Submit your answer via the Contact button on www.nexttripnetwork.com or via Instagram or Twitter direct message.
Topics Discussed:
Singapore Airlines has most of its fleet ready for the upcoming rebound
Chnia's CAAC satisfied with 737 Max updates
Airbus gets commitments for the A350F freighter version
Airlines offer staff holiday incentives to come to work
Doug and Drew talk about airline employee scheduling
We thank you for listening to the podcast and joining the coversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Special guest, international Dubai-based flight attendant and avgeek Roxi, joins us and explains her path from Europe to Dubai and from Law and Criminology to Aviation. She’s been an avgeek her whole life and now she’s living her dream traveling the world and becoming an aviation social media celebrity. We chat about her favorite aircraft, the Boeing 777 (Booboo) and the Airbus A380 (Fluffy), and her participation in the Dubai Airshow.
Topics discussed:
Doug gets to fly to Hawaii
Roxi sat in the jumpseat on her first flight
We compare the 777 and the A380 from business and passenger perpectives
Our thoughts on national and international no-fly lists
Roxi talks about living in Dubai
Find Roxi on Instagram and Twitter at @roxavgeek and on her blog www.roxavgeek.com. Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug and Drew are back from their avgeek trip and getting back to their normal format. In this episode they discuss:
The Boeing 787 celebrating its 10th anniversary
SkyWest and American cancelations
The US opening up to travel from Europe
Supply chain issues and how they affect airlines
We end with a debate on how to pronounce SFO and other city codes. Yes, there's a poll of course!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Come along with Doug and Drew on a 26-hour avgeek marathon trip from San Francisco (Burlingame) to New York (Elizabeth) and back. We're celebrating getting to 100 episodes last week with a widebody transcon, premium economy, a great walk and brunch in NYC, airline lounges, and domestic first class. We tape on our trip so enjoy background lounge and engine noises and listen to us staying high energy with little sleep.
On the trip we discuss:
- Both our airline careers starting at SFO. #Airline101
- The 777-300 and if the 777-8X should have been launched as its successor before the -9X
- Doug talks about landing in high winds after a sporty 777 touchdown at EWR
- We discuss whether the A220-300 with 130 seats is an A319 killer
- Drew is impressed by the expansion of SLC and reminisces about his first flights here, connecting from a 767 to an L1011 Tristar
- We wrap up thanking you for coming along for the ride and getting us past 100 episodes!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug and Drew make it to 100 episodes! We reminisce about how it started and how we really are creating a community of aviation and travel enthusiasts.
We're joined by three avgeek friends and listeners who've been with us from the start. They show their appreciation of the show by roasting us and boy were they mean (in the nicest way possible).
We end the show by teasing our 26 hour avgeek marathon trip next week.
Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug flies the 737 for the first time, with passengers, and gets a red carpet welcome at Drew's airport. We review Doug's first airline work trip from takeoff at SFO, across the country, and back.
Other topics discussed
- Southwest cancelations
- The Tata's come full circle and regain ownership of Air India
- Delta makes a profit
- United adds flights
We end the episode with our plan for a marathon 24hr avgeek trip to celebrate our 100th episode!
We welcome our first flight attendant on the show, Lara, who's career began when America West founder, Ed Beauvais, asked her to come work for him when she was mowing the lawn. We ask her all about her career including how she gets sleep in other time zones, whether she prefers working in First Class or Main Cabin, and what all those chimes mean. You gotta hear her story!
Lara discusses the expansion of Premium Economy with us, Drew remembers his days at America West, and Doug finally gets the call to fly the 737.
Join the conversation:
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug and Drew are joined by Avgeek Travel Agent and LAX Dorkfest friend Eric. Eric's flexible schedule allows him to fly on inauagural and final flights and his stories make the rest of us avgeeks with regular jobs jealous. He tells us about how he got into aviaton and how he is finding a niche being a travel agent as the profession has gone through a downturn.
We also discuss:
- LAX announced they will test a new earthquake early warning system
- United fined for long tarmac delays
- Delta wants airlines to share their no-fly lists
- Listener poll - should there be a federal no-fly list?
Join the conversation at
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Drew is back from LAX Dorkfest and Doug turns a wor trip into his own spotting getaway at SFO.
Also on this episode
- Study finds PCR tests are almost 100% accurate
- US lifts travel restrictions on several countries
- Criminal indictment for Boeing technical pilot
- AA/JetBlue alliance
- Emirates hiring 3,000 cabin crew
- Does visiting an airport count as visiting that city?
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
On this episode Doug and Drew discuss:
- Doug getting his 737 certification
- Drew caters HNL with schnitzel and strudel?
- Drew's routing to Dorkfest
- LAX traffic volumes rising
- Sustainable fuels are coming
- JFK or LAX, what's better for spotting
Join the conversation at:
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
On this episode we discuss:
- Doug getting his 737 type rating
- Neeleman and his non-737 airline Breeze
- 787 deliveries delayed due to FAA inspections
- Ryanair walks away from 737 Max order
- American and Alaska end pay protections for unvaxed staff
- Next Trip air travel volume predictions
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
On this episode, Doug and Drew discuss the following:
- Upset recoveries
- AvGeek bubble baths in Burlingame, CA
- Airports named after a city they're not located in (or near)
- Cargo CRJ-200
- Philippine Airlines bankruptcy
- Gulfstream's new G700
- Grounded PW4000 powered 777s are getting new paint - hopefully flying soon
- Would you rather fly the first 777 delivered or a swanky new 787-10
- Remembering the crews lost on September 11, 2001
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
In this episode we discuss:
- Afghanistan CRAF charters
- Will holograms replace travel?
- Escape Lounges opening
- Southwest running it hard
- Ryanair traffic and leaving Belfast
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Topics discussed on this episode:
- ACARS air to ground communications
- ITA replaces Alitalia
- CRAF is activated to move US citizens and Afghans out of Kabul
- Doug and Drew on how to get into an aviation career
- You know you work for an airline when...
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Drew continues to run the operation hard this week while Doug flies the 737 simulator and takes a 777 joy ride to visit Houston which was voted the top US airport.
Topics discussed:
- Load factors are decreasing to more sustainable/manageable levels
- 737 landings
- More jumpseating and more chicken orzo
- Delta variant is hurting Southwest's bookings
- Business travel slowly rebounding
- Potential 737 MAX deal for Indian startup
- JetBlue launches London service
- Skytrax list of top airports in the world and in the U.S.
- Two-hour domestic widebody
Join the conversation at
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
On this episode, Doug and Drew discuss the following:
- Doug's jumpseat observation rides
- Newark, NJ as a destination
- Nonrev troubles
- Spirit and American cancel thousands of flights
- United to require vaccinations for all employees
- GE CF-6 engine celebrates 50 years
- Listener feedback
Join the conversation
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
On this episode, Doug and Drew discuss the following topics:
- Managerial training (Drew lets someone else drive the bus for a few days)
- Doug is leaving the 737 aka Guppy/FLUF/Whistling Sh!tcan already?!
- Checking to see if you were listening
- Ironman is back at LAX
- Western U.S. fuel shortage
- Condor replaces its aging 767s
- Airbus launches the A350 freighter
- Would you take a middle seat "upgrade?"
- Which plane looks better - the 757 or the A220?
- Checking to see if you were listening part 2
- Our next trip...
Doug jumps out of a plane (or a mockup of one) and Drew avgeeks with previous Next Trip guest Matt this weekend. A commemorative coin from Matt celebrating Piedmont Airlines is an inspiration for our topics today.
On this episode, Doug and Drew discuss:
- Experiencing an airplane escape slide
- Cocktails, Thai food, and A319s
- Billionaires in Space
- World airline rankings
- Positive quarterly financial results in the U.S.
- Charlotte, NC is now the 5th busiest airport in the world?
- Remembering Piedmont Airlines
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
On this episode, Doug and Drew discuss the following:
- Why the episode is late (and why it might continue to be late in the future now)
- Pilot shortage and why it matters
- Doug's new job and why that relates to late episodes (and possibly extra sections - BONUS eps!)
- Listener engagement
- Airlines need LOTS of new employees
- Electric regional props?
- Airlines now turning a profit...get used to it
- 737 appreciation week (and month or year?)
Be sure to check out www.nexttripnetwork.com for more information!
On this episode, Doug and Drew discuss the following:
- Doug's last week as a "civilian"
- Drew's flights to PHX
- Listener Ian's multiple "round the world" flights
- Airliners International trade show
- Lufthansa brings back all of its routes
- Singapore positions itself for regional dominance
- Flying into a sandstorm
Be sure to check out www.nexttripnetwork.com for more information!
Jailbreak? Yes, from COVID19 and cabin fever. Americans are well into revenge travel with TSA numbers higher than pre-pandemic 2019 levels last week. Europe joined the exodus recently and international flights are resuming with heavy passenger bookings. Doug and Drew will be doing their own trips with Doug going to training in Denver for his new pilot job and Drew heading to Phoenix for the Airliners International Conference.
Other topics on this episode:
- United places the largest aircraft order in its history
- New low fare carriers are launching in Saudi Arabia and Alaska
- Was Qantas the first airline to launch a business class product?
Will you be in Phoenix July 8-10th? Send us a message on www.nexttripnetwork.com if you are interested in visiting the Airliners International Conference. The first 8 listeners to reply will received free tickets to the collectibles show!
Doug and Drew’s AvGeek credentials are vetted on this episode as we welcome card-carrying AvGeek Chris Slimmer. Chris organizes the upcoming Airliners International Conference, the largest airline collectibles show in the country! He regales us with his stories of jumpseating on the Concorde and many other amazing aviation stories over the last several decades. Plus he gives us his overview of flying on upstart airlines Breeze and Avelo.
We also discuss how airlines are "running it hard" as the summer travel number continue to strain fleets. Southwest and American cancel hundreds of flights and Lufthansa elects to bring back the A340-600 for Summer 2022, citing the need for First Class seats - a positive sign?
We end the show with and exciting exclusive announcement from Chris regarding the next Airliners International Conference in June 2022.
Be sure to visit Airliners International and Next Trip Network for more details!
Are you ready for single pilot flightdecks? Cathay Pacific and Airbus are working on a project that may make it a reality. Doug describes pilot workload on a long range flight and if this may be feasible. We discuss your thoughts and ours from a spreadsheet and human perspective.
Other topics on this episode:
- Happy 50th birthday Southwest!
- The Boeing 737 Max10 takes flight
- Emirates and Lufthansa face a slow recovery with global traffic still at half of pre-pandemic levels
- Boeing and Airbus sales are competing with low cost used aircraft
Join the conversation at www.nexttripnetwork.com!
We welcome Drew’s buddy and coworker Steven, who’s worked as a photographer, bartender, electrician, etc…, before choosing Aviation as his career. We talk about Steven’s path to the airlines and how he’s worked his way from customer service agent to operations manager and to now developing tools to help us run the airline better. Steven is also an avid traveler and gives us some great advice.
Other topics on this episode:
- American and Virgin invest in eVTOL aircraft
- Delta gets their 50th A220
- Boom Overture XB-1 fact sheet and “would you rather Boom or Zoom?”
Join the conversation at:
www. nexttripnetwork.com
More great pictures from Steven. Follow him on Instagram at @standby_explorer.
On this episode, Doug and Drew begin by laughing about turbulence definitions. Have you ever felt "definite strain" against your seatbelt? If so, you've experienced moderate "chop!" They also discuss the following topics:
- U.S. downgrades Mexico's safety rating
- Airbus eyes quicker recovery than analysts predict
- United places order for supersonic airliner
- Pilots find note in cockpit of plane parked for 435 days
- FAA creates database of bad pilots
- Pilot hiring and training practices improve safety
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Our fringe AvGeek buddy and airline brat, Matt, joins us again to rant (and rave) about Milk Runs of yore, airplane nicknames, and cabin etiquette. Doug is getting ready for his last flight at his current job and we hope touch and go’s in Reno are on the flight plan. Drew and Matt talk about the crazy busy airports this week and how it seems like a normal start to the summer travel season.
Topics discussed:
- Planemaker Aerion shuts down but Boom may get orders. Will we ever see supersonic travel?
- The Ryanair flight diversion and the implications for international air traffic
- What do new airlines Avelo and Breeze mean for US Aviation?
Join the rants and the conversation!
www.nexttripnetwork.com
We’ve been saying for over a year that we are “one week closer to this crisis being over,” and here we are - at least in the US. Passenger volumes are back with a vengeance as Americans crowd airports and head to leisure destinations after enduring COVID cabin fever. Doug regales us with his fabulous last business trip at his current job. Spoiler alert, he won’t get miles at his new job...
Other topics discussed
- Traffic is up at the airports and in the air as we start seeing ATC programs to manage volume
- TSA screenings are up to 70% of 2019 and airfares are rising
- EU to open doors for vaccinated foreigners
- Breeze launches with nonstop flights between smaller cities to “get people there twice as fast for half as much money”
- Our Ops Center discussion focuses on windshear and microbursts and how we’re able to detect them
We finish the episode with our thoughts on a blog post explaining why widebody domestic flights should be avoided. What!? We think you know where this discussion is going...
Join the conversation at:
www. nexttripnetwork.com
Cathay Pacific Senior VP Americas, Chris van den Hooven, joins us to talk about how his airline is managing through the pandemic. Travel to Hong Kong, Cathay’s base, is still depressed due to international travel restrictions. Chris explains how the the airline is leaning on cargo, mainland China flights, and a few international routes in the interim. Doug and Drew confirm Chris’ avgeek status as he regales us about landing at Kai Tak airport and spending hours spotting there.
Other topic discussed;
- Colonial Pipeline shutdown affecting airlines in the southeast
- Airlines score higher on the JD Powers list during the pandemic
- United Airlines is bringing back domestic hot plated meals
Chris stays to give us tips on things to see and do in Hong Kong. Doug and Drew immediately started making travel plans after the show!
Join the conversation at
www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug and Drew and over a dozen of our AMAZING listeners attended the first Northern fLights event in Anchorage! Listen to our recap of the Alaska Airlines milk run (flight 65) from Seattle to Anchorage via Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, and Juneau. Plus, we talk about the main event - spotting late into the night at one of the busiest cargo hubs in the world.
Aired on May 10, 2021
Doug and Drew are on the way to Alaska and their Northern fLights listener meet-up. We stop at an LAX lounge to tape this week's episode. Sorry not sorry for the ambient airport noises and both of us interrupting the taping when a 777 lands.
Topics discussed
- Passenger volume increases
- The age of premium economy?
- Airlines refer unruly passengers to the FAA
- Zoom fatigue and cabin fever
Join the conversation at
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Aired on May 3, 2021
Doug and Drew are joined by Andy, a former airline employee and lifelong fringe avgeek who also makes a mean Aviation (the drink). Will our Old Fashioned’s be replaced by Aviations as our signature Next Trip cocktail? Andy and Drew reminisce about their final 747 flight and then Doug regales us with his white knuckle touch and go landings in the DC10 simulator this week!
Other topics discussed:
- Andy remembers his favorite aviation moment when he watched a 747 transport the Space Shuttle Discovery to Washington Dulles Airport
- Avelo Airlines launches 737 service from Burbank to Santa Rosa. Will its leisure point to point model work?
- An Alaska government official gets banned for not complying with mask guidelines and has to figure out how to get from Anchorage to Juneau
- Alaska Airlines launches a special livery which Drew doesn’t dislike
We finish this week with an update on Next Trip Northern fLights. We will be on Alaska flight 65, the “Milk Run” departing Seattle at 830a on Friday, May 7 and arriving in Anchorage at 415p. We’ll meet everyone at the Moose’s Tooth Pub at 630p to plan our spotting the next 2 days.
Join the conversation at
www.nexttripnetwork.com
Aired on April 25, 2021
Doug and Drew looked into our Avgeek cyrstal ball a year ago and forecast that we’d be at 75% of 2019 capacity by the summer of 2020. American Airlines announced that they would be at 80% this summer so we were close! Not so much on our forecast of travel bubbles which look to be overtaken by “Green” destinations.
Topics covered:
- EVA Air repaints its Hello Kitty 777-300 back to normal
- Aer Lingus flew leased 757’s which were another casualty of COVID19
- Would you pay for extra legroom?
- Virgin Atlantic predicts they will resume all flights by November
- Southwest and American say leisure travel is rebounding
- We talk about how to get a job in the airlines
We finish the episode with an update on our Alaska trip, Northern fLights. Agenda below:
08MAY
- 830a - depart SEA on Alaska Airlines flight 65
- 415p - arrive ANC (We’ll be staying at the Captain Cook Hotel)
- 630p - Meet up at Moose Tooth Pub and & Pizzeria and then spotting at ANC
09MAY
- Currently open but we’re planning on spotting, with breaks, until at least midnight
10MAY
- AM free for meet ups and more spotting before departing for ANC at 5pm
Join the conversation at http://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug is on his way home from DC where he met Drew at work for the first time. We talk about the visit as well as Doug flying Southwest and experiencing a “violent” go-around in Denver. We get way too AvGeeky on tail strikes and tail skids and we have some details on our trip to Alaska in May.
Other topics on this episode:
- Is Southwest an LCC (low cost carrier)?
- The continued rise of domestic widebodies
- Australia and New Zealand created an aviation bubble
- American honors our veterans by being the Official Airline for Dream Flights
This episode was taped from Delta’s SkyClub at Detroit so enjoy (or excuse) the background noise!
Join the conversation at:
www.nexttripnetwork.com
Aired on April 12, 2021
Will Norse Atlantic succeed where Norwegian didn’t with the same planes and leadership? Doug and Drew discuss low cost long haul and ideas to create a succeesful business model with a product attractive to business travelers. Doug is on a another business trip of his own on the episode but we take a moment to talk about how we would use expiring frequent flight miles for leisure travel. (cough) JFK-SIN on Singapore Airlines!
Other topics discussed on the episode
- UK carriers push air bridge between the UK and US
- JAL retires fleet of PW4000 engined 777’s after United engine failure
- LATAM will retire its 13 A350’s and go to an all Boeing long haul fleet
- United plans to start training new pilots at its United Aviate Academy this year
- Are COVID19 health passports the way to get international travel moving again?
We end the episode with Drew talking about making his childhood best friend a fringe avgeek and we iron out our plans to visit Alaska early next month on the Alaska Airlines Milk Run!
Join the conversation at www.nexttripnetwork.com
John, a flight instructor and long time listener tells us about surviviing during the pandemic. We discuss how cyclical the industry is and how we need to stay resilient and have an irregular ops plan. John talks about his path to becoming a flight instructor and gives some great advice to anyone interested in being a pilot. He also explains how he’s teaching Asian pilot cadets how to fly as well as speak English. Find John on Instagram at @jdebrey.
Other topics discussed:
- New airpane maker Aerion announced that their AS3 airliner will fly from LAX to Tokyo in 3 hours
- United announced they will be hiring 300 pilots
- American says bookings are at 90% of prepandemic levels
- TSA has 18 straight days of 1 million plus passenger screenings
- We appreciate an unsung hero, the A330, shortly after avgeek “A330 Day” on 3/30
Join the conversation!
www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug and Drew are circling back on our week with a look at Doug's work on his DC-10 simulator. How does it simulate acceleration, turbulence, and the G forces of flight? Spoiler alert - Drew learns you can't replicate rolling the DC-10 in the simulator. We also discuss the new routes airlines are launching and which ones we think are more than darts thrown at a board.
Other topics discussed:
- Southwest resumes pre-pandemic boarding - is it too soon?
- Airlines lobby the White House to start easing travel restrictions
- Will (and should) vaccines be required for international travel?
- Aer Lingus to launch service from Manchester to the U.S.
We finish the show with a really important question for you. Do you like aircraft takeoff or landing shots? We have the poll results and - big surprise - we have strong opinions!
Join the conversation at:
www.nexttripnetwork.com
Yes! Amelia Rose Earhart is our VIP Guest who completed the round-the-world flight that her namesake inspired her to do. She tells us all about how she flew a Pilatus PC-12 on the eastward journey, stopping in Brazil, Africa, the Maldives, and Australia along with a high-drama stay in Papua New Guinea. Amelia also started Fly with Amelia, a foundation to help get more girls into aviation and she is an artist and soon-to-be author.
In this episode we also cover:
- Air travel optimism as people get back on planes
- A post-COVID19 pilot shortage
- The Senate Resolution to Promote Aviation Gender Parity
Amelia discusses the inspiration that her name gave her as well as some criticism from people. She talks about how she overcame challenges and how she 'learned to love turbulence". She is an inspiration for anyone who wants to break through barriers.
Join the conversation and learn more about Amelia Rose Earhart at:
http://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Surprise! Southwest goes with the 737 for an order for up to 300 planes. This time they choose the 737-7Max over the Airbus A220. Doug and Drew start the transition from Winter Ops talk to Summer and thunderstorms preparation. We take time to think about what we, including our listeners, have been through over the last year, and our ups and downs with COVID19 ravaging the aviation world.
Other topics in this episode:
- Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr shuts down the A380
- New York lifts travel restrictions
- American and United cancel 27,000 furloughs thanks to stimulus package
- Why does the Antonov An-225 have some many landing gear tires?
- Our Anchorage spotting trip, Northern fLights, is on, departing on May 8 on the Alaska Airlines Milk Run!
Join the conversation at:
http://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug and Drew found some domestic widebodies and tried out products on three different airlines in a whirlwind weekend of lie-flats, lounges, lobster mac-n-cheese, and Las Vegas. Sorry guys and gals, no Doug spreadsheets and no Drew deice procedures on this just pure avgeek fun!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Things are starting to look up with rising TSA screening numbers, airplane orders, and more signs of people eager to fly again. Topics discussed:
- We kick off Women's History Month remembering Amelia Earhart
- Singapore Airlines will test IATA's Travel Pass mobile app verifying COVID19 tests
- If you can't beat em, use em to bring you passengers. Lufthansa joins with Deustche Bahn trains to connect customers with flights from Frankfurt
- Some states are lifting mask mandates. Will this open a can of worms at airports?
- Airines are taking the lead in getting their employees vaccinated
- A flight attendant prevents a plane from taking off with ice-covered wings
- Past airline CEO's give their outlook on the aviation industry. We look at their predictions from our perspective of being employees and customers
- Our ops topic is tow bar shear pin breaks on pushback. Spoiler alert - we might get a little nerdy on this
Doug and Drew visit the TWA Hotel at JFK as part of a whirlwind avgeek coast to coast trip. COVID19 was definitely dampening the experience along with rain but we still enjoyed the mid-century modern architecture of Eero Saarinen. The rooftop pool was open and we had burgers and drinks with a Lockheed Connie as our backdrop. An avgeek mecca for sure.
We also talk about:
- We close out Black History Month remembering aviatrix Bessie Colemean
- PW4000 Boeing 777 update and inaccurate media coverage. #HeavyMayday
- Airline traffic fell last year to its lowest level since 1984
- Mexico City's new airport may not be completed. Will it cost more to cancel the project
- Singapore Airlines continues upgrading the A380 as other airlines retire them
We end the show with Doug talking about pilot air-to-ground communication from takeoff to landing using our flight from Miami to JFK as the example.
Join the conversation at:
http://www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug and Drew have a packed show for you this week so get ready to enjoy your commute, workout, or avgeek Zen moment with us. Topics we discuss:
- Who knew the C5 Galaxy and 747 competed head-to-head for military and airline orders?
- Two aircraft had engine failures this week. Doug talks about how crews handle engine failures and Drew discusses how the station addresses overweight landings
- We can’t get enough about the Boeing NMA and all the possibilities a small widebody would open up. Would it be an A321XLR AND A330 beater?
- Are airlines throwing darts on the board with new routes hoping some will stick?
We finish the episode saying goodbye to the Learjet. We ask you if you’d choose the CRJ200 or ERJ145 as your personal business jet.
Join the conversation and stay aviation tough!
www.nextripnetwork.com
Drew flies on United's relaunch of the 737MAX and Doug dusts off his spreadsheets with an overview of airline financial performance for the last few quarters. We're continuing to see signs of an improving aviation industry but is it fast enough to save jobs? Join the conversation as we ponder the results and go over a few other topics:
- Flying a domestic 787
- Drew now loves the Hello Kitty livery
- Sriwajaya 737 crash update and thrust imbalance recovery
- Cathay Pacific crew quarantine requirements causing cancelations
- US government votes on an additional $57 billion in aid for transportation
- United places $1 billion order for electric VTOL aircraft
- Singapore Airlines swaps 787-10 orders for the 777X
- Snacks on a Plane! You tell us which complimentary snack you'd want
Join the conversation and stay aviation tough!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Doug and Drew love airports and we have another airport employee and civilian turned avgeek, Jenn, or @Jenn_Niffer on Twitter. Jenn works in airport finance but loves the operations side and will come out and help, when they let her. Jenn runs a fun blog called Tales From theTerminal (www.talesfromtheterminal.com) where you can read about her airport adventures.
Other topics covered:
- Its the law - TSA mandates masks in the airport and onboard aircraft
- JetBlue introduces an updated version of it’s Mint premium product in preparation for A321XLR service to LHR
- Aviation Week reports that Boeing is moving forward with a widebody NMA (new middle market aircraft) to beat the A321
We end the show with Jenn av-splaining what you can and cannot say on the ATC frequency and we choose which airport vehicles we’d choose if we were racing them. Watch this hilarious Top Gear episode that we laughed about with Jenn. Join the conversation and stay aviation tough!
https://youtu.be/K05NgDMz2r4
Doug and Drew start February - Black History Month - remembering the Tuskegee Airmen. Will the Washington Football Team pick an AvGeek nickname "The Red Tails" as Drew and Doug hope? We love widebodies, but force each other to discuss the business reasons for Singapore and Cathay Pacific using narrowbodies for the first time in decades. Other topics on this show:
- Boeing reports $12 billion loss and delays EIS 777X to at least 2023 (if ever)
- American and Southwest post record annual losses
- Southwest offering another round of voluntary leave to reduce staffing
- Frontier and Spirit hiring pilots and Delta calls 400 pilots back to active status
- Vaccine updates with Johnson & Johnson soon joining Pfizer and Moderna
- Should COVID-19 tests be required for domestic flights?
- What is a nautical mile vs. a statute mile and why does it matter?
We end the show with a poll by our buddy Greg who posed the question, "Which USAF bomber should lead the Super Bowl flyover next Sunday? "
Join the conversation at www.nexttripnetwork.com!
What is snarge? To find out you gotta listen to the whole episode with our special guest, airport operations supervisor, Francis (Twitter - @foxtrotcola). We discuss what the 3 of us, a pilot, airline ops manager, and airport ops supervisor do to respond to bird strikes and emergency landings.
Other topics covered:
- Public vs. private airports, which works better?
- Update on the Sriwajaya 737-500 crash
- United Airlines 4th quarter results
- IATA Travel Pass may streamline COVID19 travel documentation
Listen all the way to the end where Francis and Doug do a role play of Drew's favorite scene in the move airport 1970. See the actual scene here:
https://youtu.be/I6NoWweYJw4
Join the conversation at www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug and Drew live on location... in Camden, NJ! Despite the winter winds, it was actually a great recording location. In this episode:
- Doug's unexpected work trip to the East Coast
- Delta is the first airline to report 2020 annual numbers, have they turned a corner?
- Norwegian pulls the plug on low-cost long-haul flying in a bid to save the company
- Best NFL charters of the weekend
- Simulator training for flight crews
Honorable mention: we recorded a segment on Southwest Airlines celebrating its 50th anniversary this week, but the winds made the entire segment unintelligible and unusable. Hopefully we can circle back to it and re-record in an upcoming episode because there was a lot of great information discussed. Congrats Southwest - here's to another successful 50 years (and more)!
www.nexttripnetwork.com
VIP Guest Justin Yarbrough joins us to talk about his Runway Girl Network article about changes in airline emotional support and service animal acceptance. We discuss a poll one of listeners Ryan posted on Twitter about where to sit on a 777-200, and our own poll, asking you which of this month’s football charters you would fly on. (Spoiler alert, always bet on the 747).
Topics discussed:
- Will any of the Big 4 (United, American, Delta, Southwest) merge in 2021
- Sriwajaya flight 182 crash
- Doug and Drew’s guest appearance on the Non-Rev Lounge Podcast
Doug and Drew have their first episode of 2021 with a look at their last flights and a forward look at an airline traffic recovery. Drew gets to talk about his concern about eyebrow windows on older planes and Doug tells us all the ways he can navigate without using a sextant and the stars.
Topics discussed:
- Drop in traffic in 2019
- Domestic Asian routes are busiest
- Only 21 A380's currently in service
- Ryanair CEO talks about growth opportunities with airlines dropping service
- Some airlines are buying planes in preparation for a surge
- GPS, INU, and radio beacon navigation systems
Visit our website for pictures and more:
www.nexttripnetwork.com
Doug and Drew usher out 2020 by reminiscing about nostalgic AvGeek trips from decades past on planes no longer in service.
BoardingPass 57 is live with VIP Guest Isaac Alexander, Editor in Chief of aviation and space news outlet Jet City Star. We get Isaac's in depth analysis of Mitsubishi's MRJ90 Space Jet program and his overview of SeaTac airport. Isaac makes some bold 2021 predictions with us which we'll revisit 12 months from now.
Other topics on this episode:
- Alaska 737 MAX order - a much needed shot in the arm for Boeing
- Canada imposes fines for anti-maskers
- Congress approves $15 billion aid for the airlines... too little too late?
Join the conversation!
Merry Christmas and happy holidays from us to you! Enjoy this bonus AvGeek episode. We'll be back with our normal format on Monday.
Doug and Drew are back for another On Time Departure of the The Next Trip. This week was rough with passenger loads rising before the Christmas holiday. Add in East Coast snow storm Gail and we have an airline irregular operation on top of the holiday rush. Just perfect!
We also discuss:
- the Great Conjunction
- aircraft safety issues as they come out of storage
- will business traffic come back?
- improved airline satisfaction during pandemic
- JAL offering customers the ability to NOT have a meal
- Doug and Drew talk about their experience with deicing and delays
VIP Guest Tom Pallini, transportation writer for the Business Insider, joins us for a fun and information filled episode! Tom tells us how he got into aviation and shares his avgeek pilgrimage to Maho Beach in St. Maarten for airplane spotting. Doug and Drew then go through a litany of topics including a few of Tom's recent articles.:
- The things flight attendants say
- Remembering Chuck Yeager
- Pfizer vaccine deliveries start
- Hawaiian adding flights to the mainland in 2021
- Jetblue's refreshed Mint premium A321XLR vs old British Airways Club World
- Airline lounges during COVID19
We end the show talking about United's return to JFK and Doug and Drew's plans to join Tom on the first departure.
Comment on this episode and join the conversation at:
www.nexttripnetwork.com
- Drew flies Delta (specifically the MD-95)!
- Thanksgiving TSA numbers
- Airline cash burn climbing again
- Southwest announces possible furloughs
- 737 MAX topics
- Ryanair places new order
- GOL to operate first MAX flights in the world
- Will Delta order the MAX
- What should the plane be called?
- U.K. approves first use of COVID vaccine
- AA getting rid of high-premium A321T?
- Ops topic: takeoff power
Doug and Drew talk about record TSA checkpoint traffic during the Thanksgiving travel week despite health warnings. They discuss other positive news stories including Delta avoiding pilot layoffs, IATA working on a “Health Passport” to open up international travel, and United starting charter flights to transport vaccines.
Hear our thoughts on our recent domestic widebody flights and your responses on whether you would take the vaccine as soon as it’s available. Don’t miss Doug’s aviation nightmare dream and Drew’s question on which one airline perk we’d keep if we had to choose. “Not without my…”
Comment on this episode at
www.nexttripnetwork.com
or follow us on Twitter at @nexttrippodcast
Are we turning the corner? The virus is still raging around the world but two vaccines are about to be approved and we may be on our way back to the “old normal”.
Doug and Drew discuss several positive stories this week:
- TSA numbers are gradually rising
- The 737 MAX recertification
- QANTAS turns 100
- Korean plans to buy Asiana
We end with some day job deicing stories with Doug laughing at Drew’s deice coordinator names. Spoiler alert, take IceMan before all that’s left is Snowflake.
Doug and Drew are joined by Paul who just retired after flying everything from the Piper Warrior to the Boeing 777. We discuss our thoughts on the vaccine announcement and how it will affect aviation and our choice for the most iconic airplane/airline combination.
Paul then regales us with stories from his aviation career including:
- Bringing a Bonanza back to life
- What does a 2nd officer do
- Airbus or Boeing, which did he prefer
- Crew rest on a transatlantic flight
- What do you do when lavatories fail in flight
Fasten your seatbelt for several ups and downs on this episode!
Doug and Drew are excited to be doing our 50th episode almost a year after we started. We always say this is your show and for our 50th we invited 3 of our listeners to join us in some avgeek fun. In this episode we:
- Choose our favorite widebody
- Debate our favorite liveries
- Share our favorite aviation experiences
Join the conversation!
Send us comments at:
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
- Doug regales us with his story about his trip on Delta’s final revenue 777 flight from JFK to LAX on Saturday.
- We talk about American Airlines putting the 737Max on the schedule this year and their plans to make passengers feel comfortable about flying on it. Find out what our listeners thought about the chances of it flying this year
- Can the aviation industry be carbon neutral by 2050? The EU thinks so. Hear our thoughts
- Doug and Drew’s Halloween costumes were the Incredibles and the Brawny Man (cough) Village People.
We're joined by a return VIP guest, fringe avgeek, and frequent flier, Dale. He just happens to be Doug's dad too! We go over several topics on this high energy episode:
- Updates on US Airline losses and daily cash burn
- Dragonair out. Flybe back in?
- AA puts 737Max back on the schedule for December
- Boeing looking at new 757-size aircraft
- Dale asks about how airlines get international overflight approval
We're back with a fun sandwich of news and avgeek banter this week!
- KLM, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific livery updates "woah" or "meh"
- DOD study shows air onboard is 15x cleaner than at home
- 737max gets EASA green light
We commiserate on missing international travel and share how people are getting their fix. Would you pay to sit in an A380 restaurant, buy Finnair meals, or spend up to $875 for the PanAm Experience dinner theater?
Join the conversation!
Doug and Drew discuss Boeing's production forecast, British Airways 747 final flights, a DARPA cabin air study, and European curfews. Also, does the KC10/DC10 have Fowler flaps?
Special guest MarkyMark, @fiicaan on Twitter and Anchorage Planespotting on YouTube, joins us to talk about Anchorage and his journey from Kenya to Alaska and from civilian to avgeek.
We discuss the layoffs in the US, Boeing 737 recertification, and Lufthansa keeping the 747.
Doug and Drew start planning an Alaskan spotting trip starting off with a ride on the Alaska Milk Run making 4 stops on the way from Seattle to Anchorage. Join us May 8-10th!
Doug finally got to fly on an A220 and Drew had a surprise invite to fly on a WW2 B-25! We give you an update on the CARES Act and pilot layoffs and commiserate on the last A380 rolling off the production line. Will the 747(-8) outlast the A380 in passenger service?!
Time is running out for an extension of the CARES Act to save thousands of airline jobs. Doug and Drew have updates on this and COVID19 infections in aviation vs. the general public. We discuss the popularity of "flights to nowhere" and talk about jetlag in the same time zone for Doug and a maintenance plane change in record time for Drew.
Join the conversation!
Need an escape from COVID19? Join us on our avgeek adventure to LAX with a few friends for plane spotting. We talk about flying during the pandemic which was safe, clean, and reliable.
BoardingPass 41 is live! Good news, change fees are gone, fly nonstop TLV-AUH/DXB, and TSA numbers are up. Doug tells us about his windshear recovery 😬 and Drew introduces "civilians say the darndest things" 🤣.
BoardingPass 40 is live with Doug and Drew ripping the bandaid off with an update on airline layoffs. We share positive news on Virgin Atlantic and #avsplain landing on a snowy runway and how #BagCans work. #aviationTOUGH
Boarding pass 39 is out and the winner of our New Kid on the Gate poll is the #A350! We also talk about Joey @GerardiAviation visiting IAD for #planespotting and hash over layoffs and the slow recovery. Still staying #aviationTOUGH.
We talk safety first this week with FOD checks and maintenance tail swaps, Tata possible Air India takeover, and are UA/DL marketing to us avgeeks? Join the conversation!
Doug and Drew get caught up on the latest news:
- Airline furloughs
- Virgin Atlantic bankruptcy
- Air India crash
- BA retiring A318
We also give tips on carryons.
Aviation professionals and avgeek photographers Jason (@jknapfel) and Tyler (@tcrookairways) join us to talk about life working Ramp Ops at a busy hub. We also chat about spotting, non-reving, and of course, Biscoff. 🙄
Doug and Drew discuss the latest 737 drama (not the Max), news briefs, and a shout out to our FAA friends! We also confirmed Doug was a spreadsheet guy at 7.
BoardingPass 34 is live with Speedbird Julie, @JSS779, joining us to mourn the retirement of the British Airways 747. She also gives us a virtual tour of Heathrow Airport airline lounges. Spoiler alert, lots of bubbles 🥂🥂 along the way!
Doug and Drew hash over possible massive job cuts at US Airlines and about a stalled economic recovery.
We take diversions to talk about our Twitter poll on the best alliance livery and Doug tells us what its like to fly through hail. Spoiler alert, its scary.
Doug and Drew talk about everything from nonreving, to facemasks, the 737 Max, touch and go landings, lightning, and the galley sink. Join the (A.D.D.) conversation!
BoardingPass 29 is live with our friend @FatElvis04 talking about his @RunwayGirl article on #FlyingBlind during COVID19. We do an international bailout update and lose some #avgeek street cred with an #airlineslogan game gone wrong 🤦🏾♂️🤦♂️.
Doug and Drew talk about staying positive in our new normal. We give the Mad Dog a proper send off and rant about another T-Tail, the CRJ200.
- Mad Dog Madness final week
- A Workhorse Remembered, our 1st YouTube video
- PIA 8303 update
- Airlines see an upswing in traffic
- Mitsubishi CRJ?
- CRJ200 - the good, the bad
It's all about Doug's excellent MD80 adventure but we take some time to marvel at the SpaceX launch and go over news topics.
- Doug's surprise MD80 trip
- PIA 8303 crash update
- LH accepts bailout conditions
- LATAM Chile is the latest bankruptcy
- SpaceX Crew Dragon launch success
- Thank you Airport Ops workers
BoardingPass 26 is live with VIP guest Joey of @GerardiAviation . We chat about his turboprop transcon trip article in @AirlineGeeks , EAS flights, and @owayfinder's #MD80 trip. Come for the info, stay for the #avgeek rants!
- VIP Joey Gerardi
- Doug’s Mad Dog Trip!
- Transcon Turboprop
- PIA A320 Crash
- Airlines’ Slow Climb
Nick of JetTip.Net joins us to look at the data on flight and passenger volumes
- Find your favorite aircraft and liveries
- Trainspotting and planespotting meet
- Digging through passenger volumes for hope
- Premium seat going or coming?
- 787 to the Rescue
- Passengers to Pallets
- Avianca Troubles
- Aisle or Window?
- Drew and Doug get Real
- VIP Guest Matt
- Masks✔Middle Seats🚫
- Combis to the Rescue
- Airline Brat to Employee
- 767 and 747 Rants
In Boarding Pass 22, Doug and Drew discuss several aviation related topics including:
- Introducing our new logo
- Merchandise shop is live! Get NTP socks, stickers, shirts, etc here
- Why would we save LGA or EWR?
- More airlines announce bankruptcy or need of state aid
- Have we hit the bottom?
- Boeing backs out of Embraer Deal
- Updated predictions
- Listener feedback
- Wonder Plane questions
- Surprise guest appearance
In Boarding Pass 21, Doug and Drew welcome two of our listeners to the show to discuss several aviation topics including:
- The likely end for South African Airways
- Voluntary time off
- Middle seats blocked
- New blood tests might become the "new normal," but have the chance to speed up travel recovery
- Ops topic: storing a plane, then flying it again for the first time
- ERJ-170/175 vs. CRJ-700/900
- Favorite liveries
- Favorite past trips and dream trip once the crisis ends
In Boarding Pass 20, Doug and Drew discuss several aviation topics including:
- Avro RJ/BAe 146
- Fat-and-Backs
- Cargo only flights
- KLM 747-400 Combi returns!
- NE Patriots plane goes to China
- Routes to China might soon open
- Listener feedback
- Repatriation flights - who sits in first class?
- Twitter game: What airline do you operate?
- Twitter game: What 3 airlines would you bring back?
- Want to join the listener episode? Email us at nexttrip.podcast@gmail.com
In Boarding Pass 19, Doug and Drew welcome a very special guest to help divert our attention from COVID-19 and instead focus on some AvGeek stories from times past.
In Boarding Pass 18, Doug and Drew welcome Ryan Ewing of Airline Geeks back to the show to discuss several aviation topics including:
-
aviationTOUGH
- Order #aviationTOUGH stickers here
- Settle the Biscoff debate
- COVID-19 updates
- Lessons from 9/11
- Aircraft retirements
- Listener poll: what do you call the MD-80
You can find Ryan on Twitter @FlyingHighRyan or read his team's great content at airlinegeeks.com.
In Boarding Pass 17, Doug and Drew discuss several aviation topics including:
-
aviationTOUGH
- COVID-19 latest
- Aggregated airline impacts here (courtesy of Jon Ostrower, Seth Miller, Jason Rabinowitz, et al)
- KLM 747-400 retirement
- Ops Topic: Diversions
- Feedback
- Listener Poll: DC-10 vs. L1011
In Boarding Pass 16, Doug and Drew discuss several aviation topics including:
- Doug's current trip
- 737 MAX update
- COVID-19
- Airlines brace for impact
- U.S. restricts travel from Europe
- Listener Poll: Which cookies do you prefer?
- Feedback
- Next Trips
In Boarding Pass 15, Doug and Drew discuss several aviation topics including:
- Drew's trip home from Sri Lanka
- COVID-19 update
- IATA's revised revenue guidance
- More airlines cut service, ground staff and airplanes
- Business travel and conferences get the axe
- Flybe ceases operations
- Heathrow's proposed 3rd runway hits a roadblock
- Ops Topic: holding vs. circling
- Ops Topic: fuel emergency
- A380 wake turbulence
- Ops Topic: flying in wake turbulence
- Listener Poll: preferred London airport
- Our next trips
In Boarding Pass 014, Doug and Drew discuss several aviation topics including:
- Drew in India and Sri Lanka
- Drew’s travel to India
- Air India’s privitazation issues
- Vistara’s new code-share with United
- Aviation center of gravity
- American and Qatar announce new partnership
- Trans States Airlines (United Express) is closing its doors
- Covid 19 Update
- Travel restrictions to Italy and South Korea
- Airlines cut service to Japan, Italy and South Korea
- Oceanic flight from an operations perspective
- 10 highest grossing routes in the world
- Feedback
- Our next trips
In Boarding Pass 013, Doug and Drew welcome Justin Yarbrough to the show to discuss several aviation topics including:
- Qatar increases stake in IAG
- Coronavirus update
- Debris found in undelivered 737 MAX aircraft fuel tanks
- IFE accessibility
- Proposed changes to service animal policies on U.S. airlines
- How do airlines schedule aircraft
- Twitter Poll: Do you check a bag for a 2-day trip?
- Non-rev stories
- Next trips
In Boarding Pass 012, Doug and Drew discuss several aviation topics including:
- Doug's window shade fight
- JetBlue turns 20
- Air Italy liquidates
- United buys a pilot academy
- Coronavirus update
- Breeze Airlines
- Alaska plans to join oneworld, cozies up (again) with American
- Twitter Poll - what is Alaska's fleet plan going forward
- Feedback from listners
- KLM 747-400 breaks the speed of sound! Not really, here's why...
- Drew's AMAZING 787-9 delivery flight
In Boarding Pass 011, Doug (on location at OKC) and Drew discuss several topics including:
- Drew's second domestic wide-body flight in as many weeks
- Doug's AvGeek way home from OKC
- Coronavirus update
- Airbus learns of punishment in bribery scandal
- Airbus' intended purchase of Bombardier's remaining stake in the A220 program
- Breeze Airlines (formerly Moxy) starts to take form
- What to do for entertainment on a 6 hour transcon
- Teasing Drew's 787 delivery flight
In Boarding Pass 010, Doug and Drew discuss several topics including:
- Doug's AvGeek weekend at DFW
- Settling the LATAM pronunciation debate... and opening the Qatar can of worms
- Boeing, Boeing Boeing - NMA, 777X, 2019 net loss, 787 production cut, 737 MAX, and more!
- Latest on Coronavirus, including massive cuts on flights to China
- IFE on flights
- Next trips
In Boarding Pass 009, Doug and Drew discus several topics including:
- South African Airways' future
- Coronavirus and its impacts on travel
- A major U.S. carrier announces a new window shade policy - one week after we debated it on this show
- Boeing's new aircraft, the 777X, takes to the skies on its inaugural flight
- Will any U.S. airline order the 777X?
- Listener poll - do you sleep on the short flight from the East Coast to Europe?
- Doug's seven week flying drought is about to end
- Drew discusses his domestic wide-body flight from last week
In Boarding Pass 008, Doug and Drew discuss several topics including:
- The never ending window shade debate
- Boeing introduces a possible 737 MAX replacement
- The 777X might fly this week
- Delta announces new Miami service to feed new LATAM partnership
- How does one pronounce LATAM? We don't actually know - help us!
- A Delta 777 dumps fuel on the ground during an emergency retern
- Fuel dumping from an operations perspective
- Craziest non-rev and travel experiences
- A VIP 787 is going up for auction
- Next trips
In Boarding Pass 007, Doug and Drew are joined by Ameri, a Maintenance Operations Coordinator for a major U.S. based carrier. The three discuss how aircraft maintenance is handled, and how it impacts the traveling public.
In Boarding Pass 006, Doug and Drew predict and debate what they think will be the ten biggest aviation related stories in the 2020s.
In Boarding Pass 005, Doug and Drew discuss and debate what they thought were the ten biggest aviation related stories in the 2010s.
In Boarding Pass 004, Doug and Drew welcome Ryan Ewing of Airline Geeks to the show to talk big changes at the top for Boeing, and other AvGeek topics including:
- What got us interested in aviation
- The "AvGeekiest" thing we've ever done
- If we could be a plane, what would we be and why
You can find Ryan on Twitter @FlyingHighRyan or read his team's great content at airlinegeeks.com.
In Boarding Pass 003, Doug and Drew cover a wide range of AvGeek topics including:
- Our trips home from OKC
- Boeing announces they're suspending production of the 737MAX beginning in January
- Qantas selects an airplane for Project Sunrise
- We recap our AvGeek trip to the West Coast for some planespotting and lounge hopping
- We discuss planespotting hotels
- We debate how early to arrive at the airport if you have lounge access
- We discuss why nonstop flights aren't always better for some people
In Boarding Pass 002, Doug and Drew pick up where they left off in BP001 - not necessarily seeing eye-to-eye on everything.
- Do you obsessively check your itinerary before you fly? Different views from different types of passengers - a non-rev vs Elite
- Breaking down United's surprise order for 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft
- Is United's A321XLR order the end of the road for Boeing's NMA development (New Middle of the Market Aircraft)?
- What are different airplanes called? Seven one seven vs. seven seventeen. A three twenty one vs. A three two one, and so on
- Our next trips
In Boarding Pass 001, Doug and Drew introduce themselves and the podcast, and cover a wide range of contemporary aviation topics.
- Traveling through the world's busiest airport on one of the busiest travel days of the year
- The beginning of the end for the A380 - or the actual end in airframe 003's case
- Qantas' Project Sunrise - what does a long-haul pilot think of the "research" being conducted?
- Boeing rolled out the 737 MAX 10 - is this a big deal?
- Taking an upgrade while your partner sits in economy
- Poll: would you take an upgrade to a middle seat in economy plus or stay in your economy window seat?
- Our next trips