Podcast
AvTalk - Aviation Podcast
Hosted by Flightradar24 · EN
An aviation podcast from Flightradar24, the world’s most popular flight tracking service.
20episodes
Episodes
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AvTalk Episode 372: Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should
5d ago00:31:01Tap to summarizeWe’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 world of aviation professionals. Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode. The post AvTalk Episode 372: Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.
Transcribe →AvTalk Episode 371: “So that started this on the wrong trajectory to begin with”
2w ago00:51:21Tap to summarizeOn 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. The post AvTalk Episode 371: “So that started this on the wrong trajectory to begin with” appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.
Transcribe →AvTalk Episode 370: The man collecting Spirit’s pieces
3w ago01:16:09Tap to summarizeOn 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 to equip vehicles for the last 3 years. And to everyone’s dismay, MHIRJ’s chief says the CRJ-200 could fly for another 20 years. Helpful links for this week’s episode An early look at the latest episode of Cockpit Casual featuring Steve and his team’s efforts moving former Spirit Aircraft, as well as a heartfelt goodbye from Spirit staff Where former Spirit Airlines aircraft are located now Frontier A321neo strikes person in Denver NTSB two-day investigative hearing on UPS crash New Zealand Q300 final report Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode. The post AvTalk Episode 370: The man collecting Spirit’s pieces appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.
Transcribe →AvTalk Episode 369: Extra exits, bread trucks, and bankruptcies
4w ago00:54:51Tap to summarizeThis 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. The post AvTalk Episode 369: Extra exits, bread trucks, and bankruptcies appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.
Transcribe →AvTalk Episode 368: Humanoids handling your bags?
May 100:46:40Tap to summarizeOn 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 Southwest’s Independence One Welcoming Andreas Schorling as Flightradar24’s new CEO Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode. The post AvTalk Episode 368: Humanoids handling your bags? appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.
Transcribe →AvTalk Episode 367: We’re worried about availability, not just cost
Apr 2400:55:52Tap to summarizeOn 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 board game Clue? Helpful links for this week’s episode Boeing Q1 2026 earnings Boeing anti-ice fix in flight testing O’Hare flight reduction transcripts The European Union’s AccelerateEU proposals Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode. The post AvTalk Episode 367: We’re worried about availability, not just cost appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.
Transcribe →AvTalk Episode 366: An unserious proposal
Apr 1700:52:40Tap to summarizeOn 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 ROTOR Act if the bill is to become law. And a Senate committee advanced legislation that would update how the FAA handles pilot and air traffic controller mental health. And we go all the way back to Episode 78 as Air New Zealand’s SkyNest is finally set to make its debut. The post AvTalk Episode 366: An unserious proposal appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.
Transcribe →AvTalk Episode 365: Bag fees, bag fees, bag fees
Apr 1000:52:24Tap to summarizeOn 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. The post AvTalk Episode 365: Bag fees, bag fees, bag fees appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.
Transcribe →AvTalk Episode 364: Emergency management mode
Apr 300:56:18Tap to summarizeOn 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 check back soon for a transcript of this episode. The post AvTalk Episode 364: Emergency management mode appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.
Transcribe →AvTalk Episode 363: Collision on the runway
Mar 2701:02:39Tap to summarizeOn 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! 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. The post AvTalk Episode 363: Collision on the runway appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.
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