Send us a text 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 w...
Jan 09, 2023•58 min•Ep. 163
Send us a text 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/ https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/...
Jan 02, 2023•56 min•Ep. 162
Send us a text 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...
Dec 26, 2022•42 min•Ep. 161
Send us a text 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-plan...
Dec 19, 2022•47 min•Ep. 160
Send us a text 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 p...
Dec 12, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 159
Send us a text 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, No...
Dec 05, 2022•57 min•Ep. 158
Send us a text 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.nex...
Nov 28, 2022•52 min•Ep. 157
Send us a text 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 Pas...
Nov 21, 2022•57 min•Ep. 156
Send us a text Doug and Drew were on flip flop and laptop trips this week (we'll explain) with Doug being best man and wedding cruise director and Drew working LAX Ops. We also discuss: ITA ownership and Italian government control Boeing betting on China despite a trade war Embraer 195-E2 vs 737 Max 7 We end the episode talking about how failures got us to where we are. https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/ https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/...
Nov 14, 2022•57 min•Ep. 155
Send us a text 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 ...
Nov 07, 2022•55 min•Ep. 154
Send us a text 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 discu...
Oct 31, 2022•57 min•Ep. 153
Send us a text 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/ https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/...
Oct 24, 2022•54 min•Ep. 152
Send us a text 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.nexttripne...
Oct 17, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 151
Send us a text 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 tim...
Oct 10, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 150
Send us a text 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 to...
Oct 03, 2022•49 min•Ep. 149
Send us a text 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 Joi...
Sep 26, 2022•55 min•Ep. 148
Send us a text 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 the Star Alliance, oneworld, and Skyteam and being elite on all 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://w...
Sep 19, 2022•57 min•Ep. 147
Send us a text We're semi-unplugged this week with Doug taping with his cellphone from a layover hotel room. Forgive us for too much realness on this MacGyver'ed episode. Drew gives an update on private pilot training and Doug is back from a 2nd LHR trip. We discuss what rights you have when your flight cancels. Surprise, you will get less from ULCC's (ultra low cost carriers). The DOT hss created a dashboard to help you fund the answers at: Customer Sevice Dashboard Other topics ...
Sep 12, 2022•57 min•Ep. 146
Send us a text 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 agre...
Sep 05, 2022•51 min•Ep. 145
Send us a text High wing or low wing, what’s better and what’s the difference? We discuss that, trying to sleep during a 3 hour break on an 11 hour flight (spoiler…it’s hard), and a glass cockpit in a Cessna 172. Also: Sizing airlines by available seat miles Inflation is easing and so are ticket prices Frontier is free from merger shackles with Spirit and plans for huge growth Join the conversation! https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/ https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/...
Aug 29, 2022•58 min•Ep. 144
Send us a text 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/ ...
Aug 22, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 143
Send us a text Doug and Drew meet up in California and tape in person. Drew takes Doug to Concord Buchanan Airport where he started his aviation career as a lineserviceman. Doug tells us about his first charter flight and how being on reserve is like nonreving for your job. Also on this episode: The Jetblue/Spirit merger and ticket prices We meet up with Nate of “In the Air” on Youtube for spotting We spend a lot of time bantering with each other, and you, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the trip,...
Aug 15, 2022•56 min•Ep. 142
Send us a text Doug embarks on his Atlantic IOE with a flight to Frankfurt that is pure aviation magic from two sunsets, during takeoff, and a rare view of the aurora borealis on a summertime flight. Drew might be changing from Team Piper to Team Cessna with a new instructor and flight school. A Cessna with a low budget “EICAS” system…whaaat? Also: In-class vs. in-the-field training 787 deliveries are starting up again Forget hate-selling, BA is “not-selling” tickets on LHR short haul FAA asks f...
Aug 08, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 141
Send us a text Are we seeing aviation stabilizing as airlines hire workers back and the travel surge starts to ease? We discuss positive trends we’re seeing in the supply chain, load factors, and our daily work life. Also on this episode: The Spirit merger Toronto Pearson Airport struggles with explosive travel growth Boeing forecasts the global air fleet to double in the next 20 years Engine failures on a 777 and a Piper Warrior We end the show answering some great questions about LCC’s, pilot ...
Aug 01, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 140
Send us a text 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 ...
Jul 25, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 139
Send us a text 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 turn...
Jul 18, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 138
Send us a text 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 Singapo...
Jul 11, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 137
Send us a text 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 al...
Jul 04, 2022•54 min•Ep. 136
Send us a text 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 a...
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 135
Send us a text 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 ...
Jun 20, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 134
