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/...
Jan 15, 2024•1 hr•Ep 216•Transcript available on Metacast 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/...
Jan 08, 2024•53 min•Ep 215•Transcript available on Metacast 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 discussi...
Jan 01, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep 214•Transcript available on Metacast 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/...
Dec 25, 2023•56 min•Ep 213•Transcript available on Metacast 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/...
Dec 18, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep 212•Transcript available on Metacast 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.nex...
Dec 11, 2023•59 min•Ep 211•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Dec 04, 2023•54 min•Ep 210•Transcript available on Metacast 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! ht...
Nov 27, 2023•53 min•Ep 209•Transcript available on Metacast 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/
Nov 20, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep 208•Transcript available on Metacast 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.nexttripne...
Nov 13, 2023•44 min•Ep 207•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Nov 06, 2023•47 min•Ep 206•Transcript available on Metacast 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/...
Oct 30, 2023•52 min•Ep 205•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Pac...
Oct 23, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep 204•Transcript available on Metacast 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. htt...
Oct 16, 2023•40 min•Ep 203•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Oct 09, 2023•59 min•Ep 202•Transcript available on Metacast 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/...
Oct 02, 2023•45 min•Ep 201•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Sep 25, 2023•53 min•Ep 200•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Sep 18, 2023•54 min•Ep 199•Transcript available on Metacast Doug and Drew make it to Dorkfest 2023 LAX and meet up with a bunch of our awesome friends and listeners. This is a yearly avgeek meetup first organized by Brett Snyder, better known as blogger Cranky Flier. VIP listeners Ian and Ryan join us on the episode. We discuss: Our crazy routes to LAX Avgeeks on a train? Annoying announcements New FAA administrator Tom Brady hired as Delta spirit animal? Day trip to Mohave Airpark and Palmdale Join the discussion! https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/ https:...
Sep 11, 2023•52 min•Ep 198•Transcript available on Metacast It’s the busiest Labor Day weekend ever in the US and Drew’s mom tells us about getting the last seat on a flight from SF to DC. We also discuss: Allegiant's new alcohol pricing LHR's ATC meltdown Redway Airlines, acting as sales agent for Fly Next, flying Global Crossing Airlines aircraft, fails. Confused yet? FAA investigation close to 5,000 pilots for not reporting health issues Join the discussion https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/ https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/...
Sep 04, 2023•53 min•Ep 197•Transcript available on Metacast See Rome and fly! Doug’s speed dating the Eternal City and Drew's on AM shift avoiding delays for customers in line for pumpkin spice lattes. We discuss Is FCO the best large airport in Europe? Will Carsten Spohr of LH bring ITA into STar Alliance? Dulles breaks ground on largest airport green energy project Boom's SST tester aircraft gets FAA certification Will the Boom Overture succeed where Concorde failed? We look at the numbers Join the discussion! https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/...
Aug 28, 2023•52 min•Ep 196•Transcript available on Metacast Doug is flying the line again and Drew is transitioning to AM shift. We talk about one of our favorite cities, Heathrow…sorry, London, where Doug just did a 24hr turnaround. Also on this episode Sensational news articles Runway incursions and San Diego's single runway Delta buys corporate jet operator, Wheels Up Airlines keep adding premium seats Air India livery….hero (window) or zero? Join the discussion! https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/ https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/...
Aug 21, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep 195•Transcript available on Metacast 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 bo...
Aug 15, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep 194•Transcript available on Metacast Drew is having a difficult work week while Doug is just as busy on his time off. On this episode we discuss: Some US airlines are seeing a clear drop in domestic demand. Will international demand supplement the drop? European carriers, including Ryanair, continue to see strong load factors Wizz Air orders 75 A321neos and American is looking of 100 narrowbodies After a customer opened a door inflight on Asiana, Korean carriers restrict access to emergency exit seats We discuss aviation safety dur...
Aug 07, 2023•48 min•Ep 193•Transcript available on Metacast 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/podcast/72dj82h71nt1m5mxk7jnvh9yab7puw https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/...
Jul 31, 2023•1 hr•Ep 192•Transcript available on Metacast Doug gets to fly the KC46 (for real, not simulator) and discusses the similarities with the 777. Drew is in peak Summer airport operations and working to keep things moving. On this episode we discuss: Congress shows bipartisanship buy signing the FAA reauthorization bill An escape slide escapes from a 767-300 Delta, United, and American 2nd quarter results Pilots, flight attendants, and ground workers are demanding better contracts A Delta 757-300 returns to the gate with a hot cabin. How does ...
Jul 24, 2023•49 min•Ep 191•Transcript available on Metacast Spencer Howard of Straight To The Points , a must-have premium travel resource, joins us this week. We discuss how he left a career in politics to follow his passion which has taken him around the world in luxury. We were also able to confirm that Spencer is an avgeek….at least we think he is, you decide. Spencer also discusses with us: Skiplagging - but is it legal? LAX airport worker strikes NASA X-59 quiet SST may be the future of travel Spencer’s picks for best airline products Check out Str...
Jul 17, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep 190•Transcript available on Metacast Next Trip Public Enemy #1, airport ops supervisor Francis, joins Drew on a widebody transcon trip from DC to LAX. We visit Next Trip public enemy #2, Aaron, and regale Doug about planes, Hollywood, and ARFF of course. In this episode: ARFF, aircraft rescue and fire fighting PFAS (forever chemicals) in fire fighting foam Jetblue leaving Northeast Alliance, AA: “not so fast" Spirit Aerosystems machinists end strike TSA has busiest travel day Join the discussion! https://www.nexttripnetwork.co...
Jul 10, 2023•48 min•Ep 189•Transcript available on Metacast 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 t...
Jul 03, 2023•54 min•Ep 188•Transcript available on Metacast Drew has a rough week with nights ending up at IHOP and not Jimmy’s (we’ll explain) and Doug is on a soccer dad break from KC46 training. On this episode we discuss Paris Airshow begins Indigo has a record 500 plane order, Qantas orders the A220 to replace the 717, Phillipine Airlines orders A350’s Boeing and Airbus forecast the need for 40,000+ planes in the next 20 years Spirit Aerosystem machinists go on strike, causing new supply chain issues for the 737 and 787 The OceanGate Titan tragedy h...
Jun 26, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep 187•Transcript available on Metacast 
