AvTalk - Aviation Podcast

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the latest on the investigation into flydubai flight 1073. The NTSB releases its preliminary report on the 767 runway overrun in Miami last month. The Houthis warn airlines against using Saudi Arabian airspace. And airlines are still using decade-old software to avoid glitches in the 737. Keep up with the stories in this week’s epsiode * –02:12 Opening / Plans for Lufthansa’s final A340-600 flight * –05:00 Planes on a train * –11:11 flydubai incident update — investigation, captain’s recovery, and future aviation safety possibilities * –17:16 NTSB preliminary report on the 21 Air 767 runway overrun in Miami * –20:27 Biman Bangladesh is on a shopping spree * –23:01 Norse cuts its transatlantic network (even more) and shifts capacity to Thailand * –25:39 Houthi threats to Saudi airspace and disruption around Riyadh * –30:44 British Airways’ A380 set for the world’s largest business class cabin * –32:22 JetBlue gets Spirit’s LaGuardia slots with some conditions * –34:17…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we unpack what we know so far about flydubai flight FZ1073, what happened to the aircraft itself, and what might lie ahead for any investigation. Also this week, German investigators find brake application on the Vietnam Airlines 787 in Munich, the Airbus A350F makes its first flight, Alaska Airlines makes a big push toward more premium cabins (with a big caveat), and in a twist we don’t think anyone expected, NASA is in the early stages of returning an SR-71 to the skies. –flydubai FZ1073 discussion Click here for a transcript of this episode.

On this week’s AvTalk, we’re back from Dorkfest/SpotLAX with a busy week of news. We’re digging into the ATC failure that snarled traffic in the northeast US to start the week. And the preliminary technical report from NATS on the 8 September outage of the London Control Area says that one millisecond made all the difference between normal operation and the the cancellation of 2,000 flights. Plus Michael O’Leary gives his thoughts. And we have a new kind of show notes this week thanks to some feedback from long-time listeners. Once you click play on the podcast, you can click the time code to jump straight to that section. Links to supporting materials are in the section title. –01:45 Opening / A380 episode-number discussion –05:38 Cranky Dorkfest and SpotLAX recap –09:38 FAA SMART system and machine learning vs AI –14:35 PHL TRACON outage — those cables aren’t buried that deep –19:10 NATS September 8 outage: preliminary technical report –23:26 Prestwick connectivity outage and airline reaction with a choice…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian and Jason prepare to head to Los Angeles for the annual CrankyFlier Dorkfest and NYC Aviation’s SpotLAX events. If you’re in town, stop by and say hello. But before we take off, the NTSB released a partial summary of the cockpit voice recorder from the 21 Air 767 that overran the runway in Miami. Far from providing clarity, the summary only adds to the questions raised about the pilots’ actions in the final minutes of the flight. A news helicopter covering a fatal car collision crashed in Los Angeles, killing the pilot and reporter onboard the aircraft, as well as one person on the ground. Virginia Senators Time Kaine and Mark Warner have introduced a bill to limit flights at DCA in Washington DC. We discuss why the DCA Air Safety Act has a long, uphill battle for passage. A GAO report on the FAA’s recent push to modernize the nation’s air traffic control systems calls for greater cost and schedule planning, noting that there are 11,389 individual project schedules. And…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the more we learn about last Sunday’s fatal runway overrun in Miami, the more confusing the circumstances become. We break down what we know from the ADS-B data and the limited flight data recorder information released by the NTSB thus far. A computer failure at NATS leads to the cancellation of 1500 flights over two days in the UK, while Anak Krakatau’s eruption halts flights in Jakarta. One of only two active DC-8s suffers a runway overrun and gear collapse in Kinshasa. We learn about Honeywell’s Mag Mav, Italian passengers and the danger of steep stairs, and the Swiss transport museum needs to figure out where its going to put a retired A340. And United’s planned 9/11 flypast in Denver is getting push back. (Ed. note: the flypast was canceled after recording of this episode) Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss the low Airlink flypast in Cape Town, what’s been lost in the discussion so far, and what the South African civil aviation authority has to say about it. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns airlines to avoid Russian airspace as drones play an ever increasing role in the war between Russia and Ukraine. German authorities blame Russia for the recent explosive-laden drone in Leipzig. The FAA is moving to fire a pair of controllers who left the La Guardia tower early on the day of the crash between an Air Canada CRJ and ARFF truck. But the situation isn’t as straightforward as it seems. South Korean officials move to charge seven officials from the transport ministry with falsifying documents after the Jeju Air crash in Muan. And US airlines continue the race to be as premium as possible. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Airlink’s low flypast: video, data, airline statement, South Africa CAA statement * La Guardia Controllers left the tower early *…

After a week away, there’s much to discuss on this week’s episode of AvTalk. We start in Munich, where the Runway 26L took a great deal of abuse. We discuss the Vietnam Airlines 787 runway overrun and tail strike, followed two days later by a Lufthansa A380 touching down before the threshold on the same runway. We also examine what happened aboard Air India A320neo VT-EXO, which briefly lost pressure across all three hydraulic systems, causing an upset that injured nearly two dozen people. Plus, American puts two aircraft with the same call sign on the same frequency—again—and investigators say an unqualified passenger may have been flying a Phenom 100 that overran a wet runway. Elsewhere, a ramp worker is killed during the pushback of a French bee A350 in Montreal, a Frankfurt Airport employee dies from a rare case of malaria, and a Qantas A380 flies to Dallas and back with a maintenance light left inside its wing. We also discuss rising runway incursions in Australia, the return of the Delta–Aeromexico…

On this episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by Goodyear Blimp Chief Pilot Michael Dougherty to learn more about his unique role in the aviation industry. Also on this week’s episode, German investigators continue looking for answers for how a drone was able to make it onto the Leipzig Airport ramp. FedEx paints a 777 in a special retro livery to coincide with the renaming of Memphis Airport in honor of FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith. Apollo Global Management wins the battle for easyJet and Air Baltic will shrink its fleet for stability. A BEA report on an incident involving an Air France A320 showcases the dangers of turbulence. And Iberia’s special flight gives us a unique perspective on the total solar eclipse. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Iberia’s live stream from the eclipse * FedEx retro livery 777 * Transponder landing system at McMurdo Station in Antarctica * Mr Porter Blind Box Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

On this episode of AvTalk, we jump back to Oshkosh for a conversation with David Ostdiek of GE Aerospace for an in-depth update on the progress being made on the CFM RISE program, as the manufacturer moves toward first flight of the new engine design by the end of the decade. Also on this week’s episode, a drone laden with explosives is found on the ramp in Leipzig and a DHL 757 strikes something on approach to the airport. The NTSB’s preliminary report on the crash of a Beech King Air in New Mexico leads to popular press reporting that misses the mark. TCAS proves its worth once again as it helps prevent a mid-air collision in Tokyo. And the FAA certifies the Boeing 737-7 MAX after nearly a decade. Helpful links for this week’s episode * An overview of the RISE program * DHL 757 flight path * NTSB Preliminary report on the crash of N249CP * FAA statement on 737-7 MAX certification * Norse statement on IndiGo agreement * National Airlines 777 flight from Prestwick to Melbourne * Airbus A350F ground vibration…

On this episode of AvTalk, we speak with Xavier Pepin, the captain of the Airbus 24 hour, 24 minute Airbus A350-1000ULR flight from Melbourne to Toulouse. We talk about flight planning, crew resource management, fatigue and rest, and what’s next for the A350-1000ULR flight test program. Also on this week’s episode, highlights from EAA Airventure in Oshkosh and flying the Goodyear Blimp. Boeing says the 737-10 MAX flight test program is complete after 976 flights. United says it doesn’t want the 777-9s that Emirates also doesn’t want. And Australia releases new fire bomber procedures designed to make fighting bushfires safer. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Airbus makes history with the A350-1000ULR * Inside the Airbus A350 test cabin * Inside the Flying Bulls DC-6 * Australia fire bombers SOPs Please click here for a transcript of this episode.

It’s episode 380, so the Airbus A380 is most certainly on the agenda. But first we’re checking in on the orders placed at this year’s Farnborough Airshow. Sir Tim Clark opines on the proper use of early build Boeing 777X frames. Then we get to learn about the important mission for Airbus’ A380 Flight Lab. Also, Ian will be at Oshkosh this weekend for the close of EAA AirVenture. Give him a shout if you’re going to be there. Elsewhere, TCAS does its job over the Atlantic, a Kalitta Air 777 drags its tail in Cincinnati, and passengers on an American Airlines flight from Boston to London go everywhere but London. Helpful links for this week’s episode * American Airlines flight 108 has a very bad week * Video of the PanAm DC-4 discovery * Airbus’ A380 flying test bed * Preliminary report on the crash of LEGO 747 and Space Shuttle Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Ryanair (Malta Air) 737-800 suffers an uncontained engine failure after departing Thessaloniki, Greece, resulting in a shattered cabin window and a passenger partially sucked out of the cabin. We discuss the specifics on this accident and its similarities with Southwest 1380. German investigators release their preliminary report on the Lufthansa 787 that suffered a gear retraction last month in Frankfurt. In a first on Flightradar24, nine 7700 squawks happen near-simultaneously—we dig into what happened at Gatwick airport on Tuesday. And the bidding for easyJet heats up as Apollo Global Management bests Castlelake’s bid for the airline. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Ryanair uncontained engine failure * Southwest 1380 * Lufthansa 787 gear retraction in Frankfurt * Gatwick emergencies * easyJet bidders Please check back soon for a transcript of this week’s episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we’re headed to Farnborough for an inside look at how the airshow comes together. From state of the art aircraft tracking technology to making sure all of the toilets are working, Farnborough International director of operations Ben Gleenson explains what it takes to make sure the biannual airshow goes off without a hitch. Also on this week’s episode, what we know so far about the crash of a K2 Airways Cargo 737 off the coast of Pakistan. Castlelake and easyJet agree in principle to an acquisition. A new report highlights long-term issues with French air traffic control — and Ryanair wastes no time seizing the moment to call for reform. And a look at SpiceJet’s operations reveals a much darker picture than we imagined. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Visit the Farnborough Airshow * K2 Airways 737 crash data * New automated live streams available on Flightradar24 Please check back soon for a transcript of this week’s episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a pair of powerful earthquakes cause widespread damage and significant loss of life in Venezuela. We look at how aid is reaching the country and the impacts on commercial aviation. A low pass at Horseshoe Bay by a 777 is under investigation by the FAA. After a small aircraft crashed into the tallest tower in Beijing late last week, Chinese authorities are implementing further restrictions on general aviation flights in the country. An Electra Airways A320 operating from Warsaw to Tel Aviv on behalf of LOT accidentally squawked 7500 — signaling unlawful interference on the flight deck. Helpful links for this week’s episode * 777 low pass video and data * Accidental squawk 7500 Please check back soon for a transcript of this episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, airspace safety and efficiency take center stage as the NTSB begins an investigation into a close call in Boston. The US Coast Guard says changes to DC’s airspace have actually made helicopter operations in the region less safe. US congressional leaders remain at odds over competing aviation safety bills, but the real sticking point seems to be money. And the FAA announced this week its choice for developing AI-enabled airspace modernization tools. Plus, there are more problems with Airbus A380 wings, one airline is lowering fees (really), and World Cup special liveries abound. Helpful links for this week’s episode * World Cup special liveries * EASA A380 EAD * The Air Current reporting on US Coast Guard comments on DC airspace Check back soon for a transcript of this week’s episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Indian investigators issue a progress note, but don’t necessarily note their progress. After more than a decade of negotiations the European Parliament keeps its signature airline compensation legislation much the same. Qantas announces the first Project Sunrise route for its forthcoming Airbus A350-1000ULRs. And Spirt gets the go-ahead to auction off its assets, including its coveted slots at La Guardia Airport in New York. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Read the AAIB progress report * IATA’s Save a life, not a bag campaign * Reuters reporting on the Pope’s plane problems * Delta Material Services Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Lufthansa 787 takes a bow in Frankfurt, the NTSB issues its preliminary report on the United 767 accident in Newark, and Canadian authorities charge a former Air Canada pilot with fraud and forgery after it was discovered he flew for the airline without ever having the appropriate license. We also check in on the IATA annual general meeting to see airlines looking hopeful about Boeing’s certification efforts, gloomy about sustainable aviation fuel, and stormy about the current (and future) price of jet fuel. Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, SAS’s India relaunch doesn’t quite make it to India. The first Airbus A350-100ULR for Qantas’ Project Sunrise takes to the skies. Boeing is advancing the 737 MAX monthly production rate as it says it anticipates MAX 7 and MAX 10 certification by the end of the year. Violence flares in the Middle East with fresh strikes, including one that hit Kuwait Airport, killing one person and injuring dozens in the terminal. Swiss is parting out a pair of A220-100s and parking the rest to support its A220-300 fleet. Want to buy an MD-83? A former Far Eastern Air Transport frame is up for auction. Send us your questions about the Goodyear Blimp! Email us at podcast@fr24.com Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

We’re in Stockholm for a our semi-annual Flightradar24 crew meetup this week. Ian is joined by Gabe Leigh to discuss what’s it like behind the scenes capturing the stories of aviation professionals around the world. We review the recent incident where NTSB cockpit voice recorder data from UPS flight 2976 was used to recreate simulated audio. The NTSB removed the public docket system in order to prevent further such efforts. The preliminary investigation into the China Eastern A350 jet bridge collision in Shanghai finds a total brake failure on the aircraft. Qantas says its Project Sunrise A350-1000s are delayed again due to supply chain issues. And we recap our flights with the Flying Veterans Association this week and our plan to get on one of the rarest flights in the world. Planning on visiting ILA Berlin this year? AvTalk listeners can receive 10% off trade visitor tickets using the code ILA26_flightradar on ILA Berlin’s ticketing site. Visit our YouTube channel for an all access pass to the best of the…

On this episode of AvTalk, we follow the NTSB’s thread as the agency holds two days of investigative hearings on the crash of UPS flight 2976, the MD-11 that crashed in Louisville after one of its engines separated from the wing. The FAA issues its first official response to the NTSB’S safety recommendations following the 2025 DCA mid-air collisions. And the NTSB calls for more realistic training of smoke in the cockpit scenarios after a 2023 incident. A Croatia Airlines A220 suffers a runway excursion during a rejected takeoff in Split. Indian investigators will travel to Seattle in June to be present for tests of 787 fuel cutoff switches at Boeing’s Pacific Northwest facilities. And WestJet is under investigation for what passengers are calling a deceptive practice of swapping flights to airplanes undergoing maintenance before cancelling those flights to avoid paying compensation. Please click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by Nomadic Aviation Group co-founder Steve Giordano to talk about what happens when you suddenly need to move dozens of aircraft in a very short amount of time. Steve and his crew have spent the past two weeks bringing former Spirit Airlines aircraft to the desert for storage following the collapse of the airline on May 2nd. What does it take to make sure those aircraft can be legally, safely, and efficiently moved from wherever they ended up when the airline shut down? Also on this week’s episode, a tragedy in Denver as a man intentionally entered the runway and was struck by a departing Frontier flight. FedEx returns the MD-11 to service, Lufthansa Group ups its stake in ITA Airways and orders new aircraft, while Air India formalizes its summer schedule reductions in the face of geopolitical and economic headwinds. The FAA says it will now add transponders to all of its airport ground vehicles, but the agency has been reminding airports that money is available…

This week’s episode of AvTalk takes us from the highest highs to the lowest lows of the aviation industry. We begin with a major announcement mere minutes before our recording as AirAsia orders 150 A220s in a new, denser cabin configuration. Spirit Airlines succumbs to its long running financial difficulties and ceases operations. Newly released documents provide insight into the crash of a China Eastern 737 in 2022. And video from this week’s incident involving a China Eastern A350 in Shanghai raises more questions than it answers. Back in the US, a United Airlines 767 struck a light pole and damaged a delivery truck while landing in Newark. And you could become the world’s most well paid airplane valet. Please check back soon for a transcript of this week’s episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the NTSB’s preliminary report on the crash at La Guardia Airport in New York lays out the avenues of investigation and spurs the Port Authority to action. FedEx says it will put the MD-11 back into service in May, but the FAA still needs to weigh in. US low cost carriers are pitching the government on a $2.5 billion support package, while Spirit negotiates separately for an increasingly unlikely $500 million loan. Alaska Airlines launches its first European service, while American Airlines returns to Venezuela for the first time since 2019. American and Southwest roll out special liveries ahead of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Plus, this month in Tokyo, humanoid robots could soon be handling your bags. And we mark a special week at Flightradar24 as Fredrik Lindahl passes the CEO baton to Andreas Schorling. Helpful links for this week’s episode * NTSB preliminary report on LGA collision * Reporting on FedEx MD-11s via FreightWaves *…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Europe’s jet fuel supplies run low while airlines cut flights as we transition into the summer season. We’re joined by Steven Fox from NATS to learn more about how the UK’s air navigation service provider prepares for the influx of summer flights. TCAS plays an important role in the nature of our discussions as we discuss safety margins rather than mid-air collisions. And pilots of a Lufthansa flight act well before a situation in Bogota becomes unsafe. The back half of this week’s episode checks in on the financial state of the aviation industry, mainly in the US. Boeing and United Airlines report their earnings, while JetBlue reports getting a loan. And Spirit Airlines looks to the US government to help it avoid liquidation. And we take a surprisingly thorough look at the discussions over how many flights the FAA will allow at Chicago-O’Hare International Airport this summer. Not because the discussions were particularly insightful, but because who doesn’t love the classic…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we make our annual trek to Hamburg for the Aircraft Interiors Expo where Jason is joined once again by PaxEx.aero’s Seth Miller. * Buttons, buttons, and more buttons * The Skynook concept American Airlines celebrates its 100th anniversary with a special flight and a new set of trading cards, while Lufthansa celebrates its 100th anniversary with a cabin crew strike. Many publications jumped on news this week that United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby suggested a merger between United and American Airlines. We take an icy look at this unserious proposal. A retiring Icelandair pilot decided to celebrate with a (very) low pass over Vestmannaeyjabær. The only problem: they didn’t have permission. Now the airline and authorities are investigating the stunt. The US House of Representatives passes a modified version of the ALERT Act, setting requirements for ADS-B In and ACAS-X equipage. The House and Senate will need to agree on compromise language between the ALERT Act the Senate-passed…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we make a special trip to space and await Artemis II’s return to Earth. A tenuous cease fire in Iran leads to the first airspace re-openings, but a lack of jet fuel is affecting airports in Asia and Europe. US airlines are hiking bag fees across the board and United Airlines is introducing basic premium fares. And in Brisbane, one particular jet bridge really had it out for a pair of 737s. Helpful links for this week’s episode * How NASA’s Optical Communications System (O2O) works * NASA’s test cat “Taters” * Photos from the Artemis II mission * United Airlines’ new basic business class fares Thank you for listening! Whether this is your first episode of AvTalk or you’ve listened to every single episode, we appreciate you spending your time with us. If you’d like to help other people find AvTalk, please consider leaving a rating and review on the the platform of your choice. Happy tracking and thanks for listening! Please click here for a transcript of this episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, airlines—and entire countries—outside of the Middle East are facing a reckoning as the high price and impending unavailability of fuel. The FAA is making changes to approaches in San Francisco, reducing the arrival rate even further than planned runway construction already will. A Delta A330 suffers an uncontained engine failure departing São Paulo. Major leadership changes are coming at Air Canada and IndiGo and Jason nominates Ian for IATA director general. And it’s a busy week for new special liveries. Helpful links for this week’s episode * SAS’ 80th anniversary livery * JetBlue’s Blueprint II * Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary employee livery Thank you for listening! Whether this is your first episode of AvTalk or you’ve listened to every single episode, we appreciate you spending your time with us. If you’d like to help other people find AvTalk, please consider leaving a rating and review on the the platform of your choice. Happy tracking and thanks for listening! Please…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss what we know so far about the collision between flight AC8646 and an airport fire truck at New York’s La Guardia Airport. We walk through the sequence of events provided by the NTSB and analyze some of the initial areas where investigators are focusing their efforts. In Los Angeles, Jason is joined by Ned Russell and Jon Ostrower to recap the news from United Airlines’ big reveal, including new aircraft configurations, features, and a new aircraft name. Plus, it was the unscripted comments just as much as the scripted ones from United CEO Scott Kirby that got our attention. In the Middle East, Qatar Airways is parking a portion of its fleet while some countries in Asia are warning of a looming fuel shortage. Plus we check in on news orders for the Finnair fleet to find the airline still very much averse to the A320neo family. Helpful links for this week’s episode * La Guardia crash data * FAA issues new rules on helicopter separation Thank you for listening!…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, more updates on the war in the Middle East, including the mid-air collision between two US Air Force KC-135s and an Iranian drone attack on a fuel facility next to Dubai International Airport. We take a gander at some wildlife related accidents and Atlas Air places the largest A350F order so far. A Tunisian appeals court increases the sentences of two airline executives convicted in hiring fraud. And LEGO is ready with another aviation set that we can’t wait to get our hands on. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Middle East war live blog * Beware elk and hog hunters * Spirit’s new plan * LEGO’s new DC-3 Thank you for listening! Whether this is your first episode of AvTalk or you’ve listened to every single episode, we appreciate you spending your time with us. If you’d like to help other people find AvTalk, please consider leaving a rating and review on the the platform of your choice. Happy tracking and thanks for listening! Click here for a transcript of this week’s…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, updates on the war in the Middle East and the widening effects on the aviation industry. We cover the new airspace restrictions in Azerbaijan, additional rescue flights by airlines in the region, and the pressing problem of skyrocketing fuels costs around the world. Also on this week’s episode, Air India Express loses a nose wheel in Phuket, while IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers abruptly resigns. Auditors in South Korea explain why the ILS antenna in Muan was constructed with a concrete wall. China is considering a large Boeing order to be timed with a state visit by US President Trump to Beijing. We review preliminary reports on the SAS attempted taxiway takeoff and the Bangor Challenger crash. And another search for the missing MH370 yields no results as we mark 12 years since the 777 disappeared. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Middle East updates live blog * Air India Express loses its nose wheel * SAS attempted taxiway departure report * Bangor crash preliminary report…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss the US-Israeli attack on Iran and Iranian response with an eye on the effects on commercial aviation. Airspace closures, flight cancellations, reroutes, diversions, and how airlines are coping with the rapid changes. Also on this week’s episode, another emergency evacuation with passengers carrying their baggage, the FAA steps in between United and American in Chicago, investigators issue their final report on LATAM’s 2024 inflight upset, and Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary livery 747 comes home to Frankfurt. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Middle East airspace closures live blog * GPS jamming map * Brett Snyder’s article on United vs American in Chicago * Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary 747 arrives in Frankfurt Thank you for listening! Whether this is your first episode of AvTalk or you’ve listened to every single episode, we appreciate you spending your time with us. If you’d like to help other people find AvTalk, please consider leaving a rating and review…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, after passing unanimously in the Senate, the US House of Representatives votes down the aviation safety-focused ROTOR Act, which was championed by the NTSB, pilots’ unions, and families of the victims of last year’s mid-air collision in Washington DC. The House will now turn to an alternate bill, the ALERT Act. We break down the differences between the bills and reaction to Tuesday’s vote. Elsewhere, Spirit Airlines says it has a plan to emerge from bankruptcy, cartel violence paralyzes a pair of Mexican airports early in the week, a big news from Really Cool Airlines (yes, that is their actual name). Helpful links for this week’s episode * Flights return to New York and Boston after the snow * NTSB fact sheet on differences between the ROTOR Act and the ALERT Act * Spirit’s plan to exit bankruptcy * Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary livery A380 * Aireon data now available on Flightradar24 Thank you for listening! Whether this is your first episode of AvTalk or you’ve listened…

Plenty to discuss on this week’s episode of AvTalk: * More clarity on what exactly led to the closure of airspace above El Paso last week * A United Airlines flight from Lagos experiences an extraordinary series of events (UA613 leg 1 | UA613 leg 2) * ANA operates a 14 hour flight from Tokyo to Tokyo * An Arik Air 737 experiences an uncontained engine failure * A LATAM 777 rejects take off beyond V1 * The NTSB releases its final report on the DCA mid-air collision * Brussels Airlines unveils new Tintin livery Thank you for listening! Whether this is your first episode of AvTalk or you’ve listened to every single episode, we appreciate you spending your time with us. If you’d like to help other people find AvTalk, please consider leaving a rating and review on the the platform of your choice. Happy tracking and thanks for listening!

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian is joined by Ned Russell in the studio as Jason and Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren report from their outpost in the Caribbean. We try to understand what happened in El Paso on Wednesday morning and offer some thoughts on the FAA administrator’s actions to close airspace around the city. Cuba says it is out of jet fuel. This has led to flight cancellations by some airlines, but a few seem to still be able to top up before returning home. Lufthansa pilots strike for better compensation and investigators focus their sights on why a LATAM 777 suffered a tail strike on departure from Milan last year. Helpful links for this week’s episode * A photo of the Britten Norman Trislander * The El Paso NOTAM * Havana Airport departure and arrival boards * SAS taxiway departure * PT-MUG tail strike final report Thank you for listening! Whether this is your first episode of AvTalk or you’ve listened to every single episode, we appreciate you spending your time with us. If you’d like to help…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the FAA finalizes the rule mandating 25-hour recordings on cockpit voice recorders. Confusion ensues after President Trump says he’s decertifying “Canadian made” aircraft. Air India and Indian investigators probe a fuel cutoff switch incident aboard a Boeing 787 in London. And the Singapore Air Show brings some interesting orders. Thank you for listening! Whether this is your first episode of AvTalk or you’ve listened to every single episode, we appreciate you spending your time with us. If you’d like to help other people find AvTalk, please consider leaving a rating and review on the the platform of your choice. Happy tracking and thanks for listening! Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode

On this week’s episode of AvTalk: * The NTSB holds its board meeting to determine the probable cause of the mid-air collision above the Potomac River last January * UPS announces it has retired its MD-11 fleet * A Bombardier business jet crashes attempting to depart Bangor, Maine * Airlines are modifying their routes and schedules to avoid tensions in the Middle East * A massive winter storm forces airlines to cancel more than 20,000 flights * A British Airways A350 loses a wheel departing Las Vegas * JetBlue livery contest Thank you for listening! Whether this is your first episode of AvTalk or you’ve listened to every single episode, we appreciate you spending your time with us. If you’d like to help other people find AvTalk, please consider leaving a rating and review on the the platform of your choice. Happy tracking and thanks for listening! Check back soon for a transcript of this episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the US issues a set of NOTAMs warning of military activity in a large swath of the North Pacific. The NTSB issues an update on the UPS MD-11 crash, focusing on additional materials analysis performed on a bearing from the engine pylon mount. An ATR 42 operating for the Indonesian government crashes while attempting to land in Makassar. And a United A321neo loses a nose wheel during a hard landing in Orlando. Plus, you could be the proud new owner of a VIP configured 747SP. Helpful links for this week’s episode * NTSB investigative update on UPS MD-11 crash * EASA CZIB on Iran * Video of United A321neo hard landing * United converts 787 order * FAA says MAX delays not our fault * New Addis Ababa Airport trailer * Want to buy a 747SP? Thank you for listening! Whether this is your first episode of AvTalk or you’ve listened to every single episode, we appreciate you spending your time with us. If you’d like to help other people find AvTalk, please consider leaving a rating and…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing and Airbus report their final tallies for orders and deliveries in 2025 and it was Boeing’s best year since 2018. Allegiant is buying Sun Country in a shake up of the ultra low-cost market in the US. Delta comes full circle and orders up to 60 787s. And a pair of reports from British accident investigators highlight the importance of good procedure on the flight deck. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Air France flight 191 * Allegiant announcement on Sun Country merger * Boeing 2025 orders and deliveries * Airbus 2025 orders and deliveries Thank you for listening! Whether this is your first episode of AvTalk or you’ve listened to every single episode, we appreciate you spending your time with us. If you’d like to help other people find AvTalk, please consider leaving a rating and review on the the platform of your choice. Happy tracking and thanks for listening!

We begin the year with a mess in Amsterdam as more than 3,000 flights have been canceled at the airport this week following snow storms and a long list of operational problems. We look at the impact on civil aviation from the US military action in Venezuela last weekend. Kazakhstan investigators issue an update on their investigation into Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243. We delve into a wide variety of regulatory updates, including another round of radio altimeter updates because of 5G mobile data. It would appear that Pakistan International Airlines is actually on its way to privatization. And in our most exciting story on this week’s episode, Coulson is developing a 767 Very Large Air Tanker for fire fighting. Other helpful links * American bets passengers might actually prefer longer trips – CrankyFlier * Cathay Pacific’s 80th anniversary livery A350 * American Airlines’ newest 100th anniversary livery Thank you for listening Whether this is your first episode of AvTalk or you’ve listened to every single…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we’re beginning 2026 by looking back at a pair of our favorite conversations from 2025. Throughout the year, we focused a lot on the seemingly unending stream of news and what it meant for the aviation industry, but we also had a chance to speak with some very interesting people. We first revisit our conversation with Eliska Hill, Senior Vice President for Cargo at Air Partner. We chatted about her career path, how the cargo market has evolved post-COVID, and some of the more interesting shipments she’s had to deal with. And then we sat down with Katherine Moloney, pilot and founder of Elevate(her) Aviation, an organization dedicated to raising the percentage of women in aviation careers around the world. Elevate(her)’s research has led to some obvious immediate changes that would be beneficial to the industry overall and others that offer a more sustainable path to growing the number of women joining—and staying—in aviation. Thank you all so much for listening to AvTalk, we…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a pair of incidents involving civilian aircraft and military aircraft without active transponders operating in Curaçao’s airspace sounds a bit too familiar. We discuss the events from the last week and the state of airspace in the southern Caribbean. NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy had choice words for Congress after legislation weakening airspace protections put in place in the wake of January’s crash in Washington DC passed as part of the NDAA. But the Senate has now passed the ROTOR Act, which seeks to further strengthen those protections. We discuss what this might mean for aircraft operators in the US over the next few years. Elsewhere, Spirit Airlines is still operating and a merger with Frontier is back on the table… again. A sun visor detached on a Malta Air 737 leading to an engine shutdown. And Lufthansa received an offer from the US Air Force it couldn’t refuse and will now say goodbye to a pair of 747-8Is in 2026. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian and Jason return from their respective travels to survey this week’s news. We return to India where IndiGo’s meltdown last week left the government none-too-pleased with the airline. In the US, Peraton gets the nod as the FAA’s prime integrator for ATC modernization. Boeing completes its acquisition of Spirit Aerosystems (with Airbus picking up some pieces too). A quickly fixed typo in a Qantas computer started a chain of events that resulted in a 737 taking off thinking it was much lighter than it actually was. And Air India is on the hook for more than $100,000 after discovering they own a 737-200 freighter that had been collecting dust in Kolkata for more than a decade. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Qantas 737 take off weight miscalculation report Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian is joined by new Flightradar24 crew member Daniel Gustafsson in the Flightradar24 offices in Stockholm, while Jason finishes his journey through Japan’s cat cafes. We walk through the current NOTAMs affecting flights in and around Venezuela, as well as some of the unofficial pronouncements made with regard to Venezuelan airspace. We also discuss new reporting on the rift between the NTSB and India’s AAIB regarding the investigation of AI171. Airbus A320 family aircraft were grounded for a period last week to address a vulnerability in certain elevator aileron computers (ELAC). And a pair of reports show the benefits of the ground proximity warning system (GPWS). Helpful links for this week’s episode * NOTAMs regarding Venezuela * Unofficial statements regarding Venezuelan airspace * Reporting on NTSB-AAIB rift * Flightradar24 playback of Air Arabia GPWS incident departing Catania * Flightradar24 playback of Ryanair GPWS incident in Malaga * Ryanair Malaga preliminary…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian is joined by aviation journalist Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren to discuss a trio of recently released preliminary accident reports. * UPS flight 2976 — MD-11F crash on take off in Louisville * Emergency Airworthiness Directive regarding MD-11s * Emergency Airworthiness Directive regarding DC-10s * United Airlines flight 1093 — impact with object at 36,000 feet * airACT 747-400F runway excursion in Hong Kong Plus, Jason reports in from Seoul, South Korea where he’s joined by Seth Miller. They chat about their very different methods of getting from the US to Seoul this week and Seth’s quest to achieve the JetBlue 25for25 prize. Wishing all our listeners in the US a very happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show,…

On this episode of AvTalk, the Dubai Airshow wraps up with a long list of major orders and other announcements. The FAA cancels its cancellation order and air traffic in the US returns to pre-government shutdown levels. Plus, anti-GPS jamming technology is coming from Fokker Services in early 2026. We’re also joined by The Up Front editor-in-chief and Airbus A340-600 aficionado/historian John Walton for an in depth discussion on the development and staying power of Airbus’ longest airplane. AvTalk listeners have exclusive access to a special 24% off subscription rate to The Up Front. Helpful links for this week’s show * FAA cancellation order canceled * A340-600 downstairs lavatories * A340-600 “Longer Larger Fart” * Video: Accepting a new E195-E2 * A new SWISS watch Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, US airspace held together—barely—with hastily announced cuts to flights at major airports going into effect and air traffic controller staffing triggers peaking on Sunday. We also discuss comments from President Trump (09:23-15:28) on controller staffing during the shutdown and what effect that sentiment might have on controllers in the future. Updates on the crash of UPS 2976, including the latest updates from the NSTB and the FAA’s decision to ground the MD-11 fleet for inspections. Australian investigators detail two flights that came extremely close to construction workers on the runway. And United files its response to a lawsuit from passengers who say they paid for a window seat, but all they got was a view of the aircraft sidewall. Listen to the discussion and let us know if you’re also “reasonable people.” Helpful links for this week’s episode * FAA requires flight cuts at 40 major airports * Airline executives skeptical of flight cut justification * UPS 2976…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss what we know so far about the crash of UPS Airlines flight 2976 in Louisville. To manage some of the burden on air traffic controllers during the government shutdown, the US is telling airlines to cancel up to 10% of their flights in major markets. Embraer says it is working on new ideas, but who knows which ones will come to market? And a bill working its way through the legislature in Brazil reads like a list of consumer complaints against airlines. Helpful links for this week’s episode * UPS MD-11(F) crashes on take off in Louisville * US telling airlines to cancel flights at 40 airports * The Air Show podcast (re: American Airlines) Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we chat with Katherine Moloney, a pilot and founder of Elevate(her) Aviation, an organization dedicated to raising the percentage of women in aviation careers around the world. Elevate(her)’s research has led to some obvious immediate changes that would be beneficial to the industry overall and others that offer a more sustainable path to growing the number of women joining—and staying—in aviation. Also in this week’s episode, * Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines now have a single operating certificate and we say goodbye to the “Hawaiian” call sign. * The airACT 747 has been removed from the sea in Hong Kong and investigators are beginning their examination of the data recorders. * The preliminary report on the near collision between a Nouvelair A320 and easyJet A320 in Nice points to just how close the aircraft were to disaster * Hurricane Hunter aircraft collecting data on Hurricane Melissa twice needed to turn out of the storm due to severe turbulence. * A Lufthansa…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss two statistically improbable events — an airACT 747 veered off the runway and struck a vehicle before ending up in the sea and a United Airlines 737-8 MAX struck something at 36,000 feet. We walk through the most likely scenario at this point. Lack of communication (literally) leads to a diversion in Omaha, the NTSB releases its preliminary report on the runway overrun in Roanoke, Boeing is moving up to production of 42 737s per month, and the US Senate advances a bill that would add requirements for ADS-B In usage and remove exemptions for most military flights. Helpful links for this week’s episode * airACT 747 veers off runway in Hong Kong * United Airlines flight diverts after impact at 36,000 feet * Diversion back to Omaha * NTSB report on runway overrun in Roanoke * Senate advances ADS-B IN bill * A new plan for LAX Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Russian president Vladimir Putin admits Russian air defenses damaged Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 before it crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan. American Airlines unveils its centennial logo ahead of its 100th anniversary next year. More than half of Finnair’s A321 fleet is currently undergoing inspections after the seat covers were washed with water. And there’s money behind a bid to revive Pan Am, with a plan for a hub in Miami. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Data on J28243’s crash in Aktau * American Airlines’ newest special livery retro jet, N735AT * IATA’s Mark Searle WSOC speech on safety * Finnair’s water woes * Boeing’s new electronic standard for parts authentication Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better…