We’re honored to have Eivind Roald, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, on the show today. Eivind talks about how he came into aviation from IT, left, but then was drawn back in. He was a VP for SAS before his aviation journey brought him to Norse Atlantic. We discuss Norse’s history and challenges and Eivind shares his ideas for how Norse grows, going forward, as well as the possiblity of a merger or acquisition. 

We finish with Eivind talking about his favorite destinations around the world and in Norway. 

Join the Network!

Links from this episode:

Norse Atlantic Airways

Lofoten Norway

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is excited to get back to flying after weeks at home and Drew is dealing with record bird strikes at the airport. We discuss:

• Drew’s travel planning
• Possible customs chaos 
• 737-7 certification progress
• Norse Atlantic is for sale
• Geography lesson 

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from a quick trip to Albuquerque and Doug was busy managing his family’s travel. We discuss:

• Summer travel forecast 
• Air France and Airbus litigation 
• Runway closure at a major NYC airport 
• New TSA pilot program in Boston 
• UPS 2976 update
• Listener feedback

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is studying for his first Airport Operations certification and Doug had his hands full managing a kids’ carnival. We’re joined by our buddy and engine geek, Greg, from Cincinnati. We discuss:

• How a jet engine works
• Allegiant and Sun Country merge
• Boeing may be launching a 757 size plane this decade
• Lufthansa increases stake it ITA to 90%
• United Flight Attendants get a huge raise
• An overview of the CFM Leap and PW1000G engines
• Listener Survey

Want to reach out to Greg or follow him?  Find him at @gwpet01 on Instagram.

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Darth Vader invaded Drew’s ops center and Doug had an emergency air return between layovers in paradise. We discuss:

• A major airline just announced it is cutting cabin service
• NTSB releases information on 2022 China Eastern crash
• A United plane clipped a truck… while landing 
• Spirit’s Board pulls the plug 
• What happens after an airline shuts down
• Flight path guidance 
• Bonus positive story to end the week

Join the Network!

Last chance to take our listener survey!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug has an Air Force flight delay and Drew is escorting 737s around the airport and scaring birds away We discuss:

• LAX Theme Building (the Spider)
•  Return of the MD11?
• The 737-7 and 737-10 near certification
• Fuel prices, yes fuel prices, again
• Scope clauses,  what are they, and what are the aircraft restrictions?
• Spirit’s last days?

Take our listener survey!

Join the Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Aired on April 27, 2026

Drew is learning how to use a firearm at the airport and Doug just made his wine and cheese cruise in Amsterdam. We discuss:

• The next big U.S. carrier reports 1st quarter results
• Trump opposed to some mergers, but not others
• A European airline adds fees after tickets are sold
• Alaska says it is not increasing fares due to rising fuel costs
• Listener feedback

Links from this episode:

Take our listener survey!

Join the Network. 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Frankfurt and Drew is playing airport cop catching speeders. We discuss: 

• No meowing on the frequency please
• United Airlines moonshot merger dream with American Airlines
• JetBlue reportedly looking to be acquired
• Allegiant merger with Sun Country is approved
• Airline cutbacks due to fuel prices
• Busiest airports of 2025
• Contributor comments

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from Belgium and Holland with with a nonrev success story and Doug is recovering from his Japan vacation. we discuss:

• Top 10 airlines and lounges for culinary options 
• Energy crisis/Middle East updates
• First U.S. airline reports 1st quarter results
• Contributor comments

Join the Network!

Links from this episode:

Keukenhof Gardens

Amsterdam Wine and Cheese Canal Cruise

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from a family Spring break trip to Japan and Drew just got to fly a flight simulator for the first time in Denver. We discuss:

• Artemis II has a successful, and awesome, launch
• Oil prices and airfares
• Sayonara Air Japan
• Konnichiwa, or Namaste, to Willie Walsh at Indigo
• LGA runway incursion 
• ARFF indexes
• No more parallel landings at SFO

Join the Network! 

Link from this episode:

AAAE Airport Management Jobs

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

This episode is dedicated to you, our listeners and contributors. Thanks for over 6 years of support, encouragement, and ideas! 

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug’s KC46 flight is canceled, and he reverts to the flight simulator, and Drew’s trip to Austin is canceled due to heavy loads, caused by South by Southwest, and a DC ATC center shutdown.  We discuss:

• FAA fast-tracks air taxi testing
• Southwest leaves two major airports 
• Coming flight cuts at Chicago O’Hare this summer
• Atlas expands its fleet with a surprise order 
• Flight cancellations and increasing airfares 
• Crew bunks on long-haul flights

Join the network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from Germany and London while Doug is in London and fighting to stay awake. Special guest, Hunter, the Professor of Points writing for the Points Analyst and Travel Nerd Co blog, joined Drew on the trip and joins us on the episode. We discuss. 

• British Airways first class trip review
• Indigo CEO resigns
• Boeing has wiring issues on the 737 Max
• Fuel prices start affecting airfares 
• Hunter shares what his favorite 3 travel credit cards are 
• Listener comments

Links from this episode:

Hunter’s British Airways A380 First Class review

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from a domestic grind to Denver, Kona, and Chicago and Drew is back from a conference in Pennsylvania followed by a quick trip to Germany. We discuss:

• Military action in Iran
• United wants you to wear headphones
• American launching A321XLR over the Atlantic
• Airlines hit with pain at the pump with high fuel pries
• Crewmember sick calls at outstations
• Contributor comments

Join the Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from London and Drew gets to sit in the tower for a snow event.

• The ROTOR Act fails in Congress
• Violence in Mexico leads to flight chaos 
• Trouble for Air New Zealand 
• Update on Spirit’s bankruptcy 
• Listener feedback 

Join the Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from his new “usual”, Brisbane, Australia, and Drew discusses an ATC flow program as they transition from paper to electronic flight progress strips. 

• Paper to Electronic ATC flight progress strips
• New routes for February
• Lufthansa Allegris business class seats 
• Will Airbus launch the A350-2000?
• Canadians avoiding travel to the US
• Las Vegas Slump? 

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is happy to finally be above freezing in DC and discusses runway closures and Doug is playing nonrev travel agent for family, We discuss:

• Ski jumping (and other extreme sports) versus the Wright Brothers first flight
• Drones, lasers, airspace closures and confusion in El Paso
• Southwest’s shaky assigned seat rollout 
• Employee unease over American’s current leadership
• JetBlue and United further expand partnership 
• History of e-Tickets
• Listener feedback

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug was able to rendezvous with his parents in Brisbane and Drew managed through multiple irregular operations at work. We discuss:

• Follow ups on grounding Canadian aircraft and DCA helicopter routes
• Airbus is close to launching the A220-500
• BWI expands with 142,000 sq ft of new space
• DEN airport sees record traffic
• Bay Area airports bracing for Superbowl traffic
• Runway conditions from an airport and pilot perspective 
• Delta, American, and United accomplishments over 100 years

Links from this episode:

Denver Stapleton Tower Tour

FAA Field Condition Chart

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew survives Winter Storm Fern, and the longest shift of his career, and Doug flew one of the last flights out of EWR before Fern shut down operations. We discuss:

• Travel checklists
• American, Southwest, Boeing, and GE 2025 financial results
• Delta orders more Airbus widebodies
• President Trump threatens to ground Canadian aircraft
• NTSB preliminary report on January 29 midair collision
• Runway condition reporting
• Listener Gordon question - is the 777 a dinosaur?

Links from this episode:

NTSB Midair Collision Preliminary Report

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is taping from the airport in DC, where he is bracing for snow storm Fern, and Doug is in Newark preparing to fly out during the storm. We discuss:

• The first 2 of the U.S. “Big 3” reported their 2025 results and projected 2026
• WestJet does a 180
• One of Drew’s predictions is already correct
• GLP-1 drugs and an impact on aviation
• WSJ 2025 Airline Rankings 
• Airport architecture 
• Listener feedback 

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew flew to SFO for happy hour and Doug did AF mission planning which didn’t go as planned. We discuss:

• Iran Airspace
• Our 2026 predictions
• Aircraft emergency FAA tower alerts
• Delta finally orders the 787
• Allegiant merges with Sun Country 
• Africa’s biggest airport begins construction
• Listener comments

2026 Next Trip Predictions

Doug:

• Geopolitical issues/airspace closures become the norm
• Big E2 orders. (Maybe United)
• Alliance changes (does EK finally join)
• Airbus hints at a new plane ahead of Boeing 

Drew

•  More 787-10s. American and United increase orders 
• Indigo recovers from crew scheduling and expands internationally
• Southwest orders 787s for international flights. BWI-LHR, OAKHND
• 797 is introduced….mini 787
• United makes good on A350 order with 50 -1000s

Links from the show - Drew’s recommendation for Peking duck in San Francisco:

Z and Y Peking Duck

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from another transpacific flight to Taipei and Drew conducted airport movement area training for firefighters. This will will be the first episode we’ve taped in 2026 and we’re officially on a (takeoff) roll! We discuss:

• How good were our 2025 predictions?
• Military action in Venezuela disrupts Caribbean flights
• Avelo reduces flying and staff
• Alaska orders over 100 aircraft and gets its first widebody
• A Boom Overture update
• Listener comments 

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew look back at our travel for 2025 with friend of the show and world traveler, Ian. We discuss:

• Global roundup for 2025 (most delayed airlines and busiest routes)
• Jetway jesus
• Gate allocation
• Listener feedback 
• 2026 look-ahead 

Join the Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Aired on December 29, 2025

Doug and Drew are taking a week off. Enjoy this class episode from August 15, 2023 with Oscar Munoz of United Airlines. 

Doug and Drew interview Oscar Munoz, recent CEO and Chairman of United Airlines. Oscar talks about how he turned around a major US airline and put it on a path to success. We talk about his new book “Turnaround Time” which chronicles his life and career and fulfilling his American dream. Oscar discusses with us:

• How he put safety and people first as he turned United around
• Oscar’s thoughts on the Archer Midnight eVTOL and Boom Supersonic Overture
• Surviving a heart attack and the resilience to bounce back stronger
• Advice for people entering the airline industry
• Thoughts on the current state of the airline industry and its future

We don’t let Oscar leave without answering some avgeek questions! 

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Auckland and Denver and Drew is managing the busy pre-Christmas rush. We discuss:

• Christmas passenger traffic
• US government admits fault in January midair collision near DC
• Spirit Airlines gets a lifeline
• Barry Biffle is out as CEO of Frontier
• An update on the 737-7 and 737-10
• US Customs Preclearance in foreign countries
• Listener comments

Join the Network!

Links from this episode:

Doug’s Auckland Steak Restaurant recommendation: Danny Doolan’s

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug trains new pilots on touch and go landings in the KC46 and Drew is preparing for a Winter Ops event. We discuss:

• More Airline Lounges for the new golden age of travel
• India’s Indigo airlines struggles under new pilot rest rules
• FAA administrator’s conflict of interest
• Boeing buys back Spirit AeroSystems
• California’s 79th Air Refueling Squadron 
• Listener comments

Join The Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from 3 days in Dublin and Doug is back from Osaka. Drew  just had his first airport winter ops event. We discuss:

• Our travels
• Early season snow
• Thanksgiving travel numbers and 2026 travel trends
• Unexpected growth at a major airport
• Impact of the government shutdown comes into focus
• The FAA is investigating airlines after the shutdown
• Listener feedback 

Join The Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is celebrating Thanksgiving weekend in Chicago and Drew managed to escape from work in time for Thanksgiving dinner in Richmond. How does Doug plan on getting home on the busiest travel day and how does Drew plan to get to Ireland for Christmas Markets?.  We discuss:

• Airbus A320 ELAC emergency software update
• New Pacific Airlines shuts down
• The Boeing 767 lives on with new orders for the KC46 
• Airline holiday menus
• DOT’s new Golden Age of Travel

Join the Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug tapes during another trip to Taipei and Drew finishes his airport scavenger hunt. We discuss:

• Orders pour in from Dubai
• Airbus teases a new model
• An Alaska pilot is sentenced from his 2023 fire handle incident
• Update on UPS 2976
• Aircraft lights
• Listener feedback

Join the network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from London and Drew lost a fight with a windsock. We discuss our weeks in flight and airport ops as well as the latest aviation news:

• Aurora Borealis wows pilots and passengers 
• Government shutdown ends and aviation recovers
• 2 airlines serving the UK, Eastern Airways and Blue Islands, shut down
• FAA extends MD11 grounding to its predecessor, the DC10
• Windsocks - what are they and what do they do
• Near miss at LAX
• Listener comments

Join The Network!

Links on this episode:

FAA National Airspace System Status

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Taipei and Drew has a busy week at airport ops. We discuss:

• More nonrev adventures 
• Thanksgiving travel numbers and a way too early weather forecast 
• More government shutdown issues impacting aviation
• Security scare in DC
• UPS Flight 2976
• Engine failures

Links from this episode:

• Doug’s Taipei whisky tasting place: Style Liquor and Whisky
• FAA MD11 Emergency Airworthiness Directive

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from a whirlwind nonrev trip to Germany with his dad. We remember the history of Hawaiian Airlines as its airline code and operating certificate are laid to rest. We discuss:

• Doug and Dale’s amazing, and fast, nonrev adventure
• Good bye Hawaiian Airlines
• Creeping 777-9 certification delays
• ATC controllers not getting paid as shutdown drags on 
• The COMAC 919 gains traction in Asia
• Listener comments

Join The Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from a weekend in Quebec City and Doug is preparing for a nonrev adventure with his dad. We discuss:

• Birds on approach path
• Travelers Aid people are interesting 
• Engine shortages
• EK9788 - ACT Airlines 747-400BCF crash in Hong Kong
• American Airlines 3rd quarter numbers
• United flight 1093 severely damaged at 36,000ft
• What are weather balloons? 
• Listener feedback

Join The Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from his narrow body style trip to NYC and Hawaii, via Denver, and Drew is loving runway inspections between flights (literally) and helping lost pigeons in the terminal. We discuss:

• A Pan Am rebirth?
• Boeing delivery news
• Another U.S. airline posts great Q3 numbers
• Lots of great contributor feedback 

Join The Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew are back from trips over the Pacific to Taipei and Honolulu. Our buddy Patrick returns to the show to talk about dragging aircraft around the airport and Drew around Oahu on a packed 2-day trip. We discuss:

• Getting to Taiwan around a typhoon
• Nonreving to Hawaii and back
• Questions on moving aircraft
• The government shutdown starts affecting ATC
• United announces 6 new routes for summer 2026
• Delta 3rd Quarter results
• Airplane maintenance checks
• Two perfect days on Oahu

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew has to check the runway after a bird strike report and Doug  is getting ready to go back to Taipei. We discuss:

• Passengers grabbing bags in emergencies
• No more PLAYtime 
• Lufthansa Group announces long-haul fleet plans
• Amsterdam backtracks on fee hikes
• Big, BIG news from Boeing
• Runway lights

Join The Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from flying the 777 to Frankfurt and Drew finished his first week on PM shift in airport operations.  Fresh croissants from Germany, elevators out of service, runway inspections, and 767 crew resource management - this episode is packed!. We discuss:

• Winter schedule routes
• Spirit lays off 1,800 flight attendants
• The Embraer E2 gets more love - this time from LATAM
• Huge Boeing order from the Middle East
• EMAS saves an E145 in Roanoke, VA
• United upgrades their GUM service
• American and United have IT outages
• Bag cans on narrowbodies
• Listener comments

Join The Nextwork! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew escorts a 737 and Doug is back from Zurich and New York. We discuss:

• The difference between the airport operations area and the movement area 
• Helping an AvGeek with trip routing
• An update on Southwest’s long-haul ambitions
• Delta/AeroMexico joint venture in jeopardy 
• Is the ultra low-cost airline model dead?

Join The Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Amsterdam and Drew is done with airport ops manager training. We discuss:

• Airport Restrooms
• Top 10 airports according to AirHelp
• The Embraer 195-E2 finally gets some love
• What is a sterile cockpit?
• EMAS to the rescue again…and again
• Aircraft type retirements and pilot assignments 
• Contributor comments

Join the Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew fight sleep deprivation after late night and overnight shifts, respectively.  Doug was on late night 767 simulator training flights and Drew was watching overnight airport ops in DC.  We stay awake to discuss:

• Remembering 9/11
• New cockpit barriers coming to an airline near you 
• Spirit’s second bankruptcy
• Another big Boeing order
• Delta settles a lawsuit 
• A checked bag takes the long road 
• Thrust settings on climb out
• A contributor’s fun work project 

Join the network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Happy Labor Day to all the aviation workers for getting where we need to be, safely, this summer. Doug and Drew talk about their aviation work weeks including Doug’s trip to Tokyo and Drew going back to airport ops midnight shift.  We discuss:

• Aviation job opportunities
• Korean Air orders 103 Boeing planes
• Frontier encroaches on struggling Spirit routes
• What is an airline focus city?
• How are airline pilots assigned to aircraft
• Listener feedback

Join the Network! Call our hotline to ask a question or just rant about something at 872-529-5620. Add a 001 or +1 if calling from outside the US. 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew talk about their exciting (not by choice) flights home on standby during a busy week. Drew also does his airfield runway inspections solo and is free to roam about the airport. Doug is back from his old love-hate work destination - London. We discuss:

• Celebrating our 300th episode!
• Passengers sue Delta and United
• Southwest finally admits it has hubs
• Air Canada resumes operations
• How do pilots get assigned specific aircraft types
• Listener feedback
• Voting on an airline’s new route

Join the Network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew are doing their final summer nonrev trips which promise to be exciting - not in a good way. We discuss:

• Who is Chester, the eskimo on the Alaska tails?
• Is Atmos the name of Alaska/Hawaiian’s new frequent flier program? Is it the name of a combined airline (Drew, calm down) 
• Hawaiian cancels the current longest US domestic flight
• Spirit says it may have to shut down if revenue and costs don’t improve
• Air Canada flight attendants are on the brink of a strike
• To out-source or not to out-source
• Listener comments
• Doug and Drew travel update

Join The Network!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew responds to a bird strike and gets to learn more about snarge - it ain’t pretty. Doug is living a nonrev drama trying to get his family home from Denver. Both of us live vicariously through Drew’s husband Robbie who is flying to Turkey. We discuss:

• How are the travel numbers looking so far this summer?
• Alaska announces a big change 
• How some of the smaller airlines are doing this year 
• Turbulence avoidance 
  • Check out this turbulence forecasting website called Turbli
• Listener feedback

Join the network! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is with family in Colorado after just making it there and Drew is having to change from airline radio lingo to airport lingo. Its, “roger”… copy? We condense days of NTSB hearings on the DCA crash into 3 main takeaways. Also on this episode:

• So long SeatGuru!
• Blue Sky gets the Green Light
• American Airlines finds a new partner
• More bad news at Spirit
• DCA crash NTSB hearings update
• A tsunami hits the Pacific
• Listener feedback 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from tubing, hiking, and a road trip between Denver and Montana and Doug is back from his new commuter station - Barcelona. We discuss:

• European LCCs
• Update on the JejuAir crash
• Southwest sets a date for its major changes
• American’s Q2 results
• Major airspace closures
• Listener feedback 

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Amsterdam after dodging a volcano and Drew is helping the snow team train in their new equipment in sweltering heat.

We discuss:

• What actually is the oldest airline in the world?
• United is the next airline to report their 2nd quarter results
• Premium demand continues its resilient streak
• Gulf Air gives Boeing another boost
• Unexpected (and expected) volcanic eruptions/disruptions to flights
• Listener feedback

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug had a glitchy 767 simulator flight and Drew succeeded in non-reving during the peak of summer….again. We discuss:

• Delta is the first U.S. airline to report 2nd quarter results
• TSA is changing its screening requirements
• More European airline consolidation ahead?
• Good news from Boeing
• India released the initial report on Air India 171

Video showing operation of fuel cutoff switches

• Runway usage, specifically how much runway to use 

Check out this link from contributor Alec regarding intersection takeoffs from a NASA study:

Intersection Incursions

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew just celebrated the 4th of July, on opposite coasts, and are joined by buddy Anthony, Drew’s previous coworker and an expert on aircraft leasing. We discuss:

• Why did Anthony choose aviation as a career
• The Washington Post’s best airport lists
• Air France/KLM become the largest owners of SAS
• Alaska Airlines getting  Boeing 787s and Embraer 195-E2s
• To buy or to lease - Anthony explains
• Honeymoon in Africa and Anthony reviews 3 African airlines

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Despite warnings of a travel slowdown, we exceeded 3 million passengers on June 22nd per the TSA.  Drew is facilitating EMAS repairs in hot and muggy DC (we’ll explain) and Doug was relieved to be dismissed from jury duty. We discuss:

• Dayton Airshow
• EMAS - Engineered Materials Arresting System - what is it and does it work?
• Update on single pilot ops
• Update on Air India 171
• NTSB issues initial report on the MAX door plug issue
• Summer travel numbers
• Airspace closures
• Contributor comments

Join the aviation tribe! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew had a rainy week in DC and Doug is back from his Hawaii ping pong trip after doing SFO-HNL-DEN-KOA-SFO. We discuss:

• NOTAMs - what are they and why do we hate them?
• Israel and Iran start a new war
• Top 10 US airlines according to The Points Guy
• Dornier 328 flies again with Deutsche Aircraft’s help
• Baby boomers keeping airlines afloat (aloft?) 
• Listener comments

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Rome, and Drew is getting used to midnight airport ops and is back to private pilot training.  We discuss:

• Hurricane Hunter Kermit visits Washington Reagan National Airport
• Good news for Boom Supersonic
• A storied US regional carrier shuts its doors
• Air India 171
• An airline dispatches the wrong plane 
• Listener feedback 

Joing the dicussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is enjoying the midnight shift, but not the lack of sleep, so Doug gives him some tips on getting shut eye on an irregular schedule.  Doug is back from sunny Frankfurt, a city he’s getting to know better. Speaking of sunny, we give you travel advice as the northern hemisphere gets ready to “summer”. We also discuss:

• Indian aviation news
• United reduces its check in cutoff time
• Newar’s runway 04L/22R opens early
• IATA’s air transportation industry forecast

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is preparing mentally for overnight shifts, as airport ops manager,  and Doug is done with KC46 flying and is about to fly to Frankfurt. We discuss:

• A European country cracks down on a common practice
• Airbus delivery delays
• 737 MAX news
• The “new” Southwest arrives
• JetBlue’s new alliance
• Airplane water

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Paris and Drew responded to his first birdstrike or “snarge”.  We get into how bird strikes affect safety and what we do to mitigate them. Also on this episode:

• Snarge is large - bird strikes happen all the time
• 777X update
• Transatlantic flight cancelations
• FAA reduces flights at EWR
• An airport’s "design aircraft"
• Listener comments 

FAA Bird Strike Database

Doug’s Paris Eiffel Tower Pizza place - Gennarina Pizzeria 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is still learning how to do runway inspections and Doug pushes the 767 to the limit (in a simulator). We discuss:

• Alaska, or Hawaiian?, launches Transpacific flights from Seattle
• More news out of Newark
• A thaw in tariffs opens the order floodgates
• Back to the future with slot restrictions at EWR?
• Contributor feedback

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from London, no wait, Beijing(?), while Drew is just off a week of midnight shifts - we're both sleep deprived but caffeined up for a fun episode. We discuss:

• Aviation moms
• Heart Aerospace moves to the US
• Jetblue update
• Global Airlines might actually fly
• Airport bond ratings
• Squawking, its not just for the birds

Join the discussion!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from whirlwind Air Force and airline trips around the Pacific and to Chicago and Drew passed his airport movement area driving test. We discuss:

• U.S. cities that supposedly resemble European cities 
• Airspace trouble between India and Pakistan
• A bright spot in the travel sector
• Latest JetBlue gossip and rumors, which is changing by the day…
• Listener feedback 

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is taping from a Pacific island on his Air Force mission and Drew drove on a runway for the first time. We discuss:

• Shepherd One
• Airlines navigate through uncertainty 
• Airport business models

Join the conversation! 

Learn more about the Pope’s American Airlines Shepherd One flight from our buddy Ryan Ewing on airlinegeeks.com:

Remembering Shepherd One

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is on his 2nd week of training at his airport ops manager job and Doug flew the skies of California in a KC46. We discuss:

• Aviation action figures
• Economic uncertainty and Boeing delivery woes
• eVTOL plans for NYC
• Listener feedback 

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew just finished his first week as an airport ops manager and Doug is back from Amsterdam as the IATA Summer schedule starts. We discuss:

• FAA Airport Categories
• Manufacturing A320s in the US
• How tariffs are affecting aircraft deliveries and airline profits
• Our favorite airports ranked by non-avgeek criteria

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from London and Drew is back from SFOh and Taipei and we’ve got some stories to tell. Drew is also enjoying a few days of “retirement” before moving into airport ops in the DC area. 

• Largest airlines in 2024 measured by revenue passenger kilometers
• Airbus’ supply chain issues
• Southwest gets downgraded 
• Mixed signals in the industry
• Listener feedback 

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Honolulu and Drew celebrated his retirment from the airlines. We discuss:

• Airlines see bookings drop
• Pilots not packing passports 
• More DCA midair drama, this time with an Air Force jet and a kite
• Aviation legislation through the years
• Listener comments 
• Flight plans for this week

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is on the KC46 simulators this week and Drew has some big career news. We’re also planning California and Hawaii trips.

• Airport theory
• New pick to lead the FAA
• Frontier takes a swipe at Southwest
• Listener’s airport list - plus our own 
• Drew’s big news
• More listener feedback 

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from 777 training in Denver and Drew runs out of spare 737s on the ground…but wait, what’s in the air? We discuss:

• US economy is seeing some headwinds with airlines bracing for lower bookings
• Performance guidance from the big carriers
• Southwest gives in to bag fees
• Spirit does an about face after bankruptcy and now wants to be a premium, yes you heard that right, a premium carrier
• Korean changes its branding and livery
• Listener comments 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from an airport operations conference in Chicago and Doug’s KC46 flight gets canceled by birds. We discuss:

• ATC Controller paper on leased aircraft and when call signs don’t match liveries. Link here:
  https://ifatca.org/wp-content/uploads/WP158.pdf
• Yet ANOTHER new aviation startup is aiming to shake up the industry with a major airline partner
• No more paper tickets 
• Mergers and acquisitions update from across the pond
• What does it cost to retrofit an airline’s fleet
• KC-46 issues
• Listener comments on Paris and Starlink

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is in Taipei, again, and Drew is back after 24hrs in Paris. Neither time zones, sleep deprivation, nor fatigue will keep us from recording an episode! We discuss:

• Southwest aborted landing at MDW due to private jet
• GE wins huge engine order from Japan
• Archer Aviation releases 2024 results and updates on the Midnight
• FAA firings and hirings and Starlink vs Verizon for the FAA’s internet service
• Wet and dry leases - what are they?
• Contributor 5 STAR rating 

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew comes back from sun and warmth to freezing temps and deicing and Doug gets a day off with his AF reserve flight canceled. We discuss:

• Airlines continue their return to Israel as the ceasefire holds
• Southwest announced first-ever layoffs
• Boeing updated its 20-year forecast for Southeast Asia
• Boom supersonic test flights revealed something that has the chance of being a massive game changer
• A Delta Connection CRJ-900 crashed on arrival in Toronto
• Contributor feedback 

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew are back from Asia and have some some great travel stories to tell. Drew’s return flight plan from Colombo had him flying in the opposite direction to get home. Doug was back in Manila where the country is booming and people are nice everywhere you go. We also discuss:

• Airlineratings.com’s lists of top airlines. 
• Lufthansa’s new Allegris product seats don’t fit!
• Spirit turns down Frontier’s merger offer for a 3rd time
• New information on the DCA middair collision
• A review of the safey advances after the last major US crash in Buffalo, NY

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

We look at the facts after a tragic accident involving a Blackhawk helicopter and AA5342 from Wichita to Washington Reagan National operated by a PSA CRJ700. Our thoughts are with the families and our extended airline family at PSA and American Airlines. 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is taping from warm Taipei and Drew is back from cold Chicago to colder DC. We discuss:

• Deice procedures review
• Southwest and Spirit cut costs
• DOT fines more airlines for recurring delays
• More orders for new 767s?
• FAA doesn’t mandate thrust reversers 

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew started 2025 flying to Denver for work and Doug is finishing a fun (and stressful) couple weeks at home. Drew is also prepping for the biggest Mid Atlantic storm in years. We discuss:

• Winter Storm Blair
• The most on time airlines of 2024
• Jetblue gets the first ever DOT fines for chronic delays
• Archer Aviation gets ready to build eVTOLs
• Jeju Air offices are raided by police
• How to slow down a plane on landing 

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

We recount four back to back accidents this week, as 2024 comes to a close, but we also remember the positive things that happened in aviation this year. In this episode we discuss:

IT glitches at American and JAL

Southwest is cleared of safety concerns by the FAA

Azerbaijan and Jeju Air crashes 

KLM and Air Canada incidents

Boom Overture, eVTOLs, and Asia is back!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from New York and Tokyo and Drew is on a much needed break from a busy start to the Christmas travel week. There’s no huge aviation news this week so we have a bunch fun news stocking stuffers for you. On this episode we discuss:

Christmas season passenger volumes and possible disruptions

ANA acquires 100% of LCC Peach Air

Air Kerala plans to launch in mid 2025

Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation make progress with their eVTOL air taxis

Frontier brings back an all-you-can-fly pass

China Airlines brings cheer to Boeing and Airbus with widebody orders

United has a new widebody route surprise for Denver

We unpack OAG’s just released busiest routes lists 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew contributed to the record passenger traffic on Sunday , December 1 and talk about their trips back from Chicago and Nashville. On this episode we discuss:

TSA sets passenger screening record.

Airline ticket taxes and ancillary fees.

Spirit stock is delisted from the NYSE - could it shut down?

Frontier adding first class “style” seats.

AirHelp’s top and bottom 10 airlines.

What’s the difference between True North and Magnetic North?

Drew’s plans to make another attempt at Europe’s Christmas markets.

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

The holiday travel season is starting and Doug and Drew will be both airline employees and passengers. We’re excited about our travel this week and about the busy season, at work, before us. We discuss:

Our Thanksgiving feasts.

TSA forecasts the busiest Thanksgiving travel week ever.

Better ways to deplane.

Emirates’ Tim Clark is upset about Boeing delays.

Cathay Pacific sees traffic above pre-pandemic levels by January.

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is in Taipei and Drew’s station had its first Winter Ops event. We’re all abuzz about the upcoming US Thanksgiving travel week which is expected to be the busiest ever. We discuss:

Thanksgiving travel forecasts.

American Airlines tries to stamp out Gate Lice.

Spain slaps fines on ULCC carriers for carryon and other fees.

Investors are pumping money into eVTOLs.

Chapter 7 and 11 airline bankruptcies.

Contributor Daniel gives us a book recommendation for aircraft design. Here’s the link:

• https://archive.org/details/danraymerssimpli0000raym/page/n163/mode/2up

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Aired on November 18, 2024

Doug is taping from trip 2 to Taipei and Drew is enjoying the calm before the snow storms and the crowds of the holiday season. We take a look at where people are going this year and how many are planning to travel. We also discuss:

Planes being shot at in Haiti.

Update on AA and Jetblue’s Northeast Alliance.

India’s Vistara flies into the sunset.

Good news for Boeing with new orders.

Warnings about aircraft production issues.

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug has just arrived in Taipei after a 14 hour flight and Drew welcomes the first new 787 into the fleet in 2 years. We discuss:

The US elections and how it affects aviation.

Boeing machinists are back at work!

Boom Aeropace’s Overture test aircraft gets closer to the speed of sound.

We say goodbye to SFO’s bouncy walkways.

Why do some different versions of aircraft have different tail sizes?

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from a winter ops summit and Doug’s body clock is all over the map after a multi-day domestic trip. We discuss:

An airline starts bouncing boarding line-cutters.

European airlines see softening load factors and Spirit continues layoffs.

Airbus delivers the first A321XLR to Iberia.

TFRs - temporary flight restrictions. What are they?

What’s the difference between ICAO and IATA.

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Our buddy and 2nd time guest, Stephen,  joins us to talk about going from cargo to passenger flying. We had to have him on atfer a hotline message last week where he wanted to strangle us about our pronunciation of new airline destinations. Stephen stays to discuss:

Indian carriers are menaced by multiple bomb threats.

Frontier and Spirit talk merger, again.

The FAA issues final rules for eVTOL or advanced air mobility aircraft.

We compare Boeing’s machinist strike with Eastern Airlines strike and shutdown.

Follow Stephen on Instagram or Threads at @captain_phteven. Join the discussion!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew have an impromptu avgeek meetup in DC, Doug packs sweaters and hula shirts for this trip, and Drew welcomes pandas back to DC.  In this episode we discuss: 

Panda Diplomacy.

The recipe for frost .

Marburg Virus and aviation.

Delta and United 3rd Quarter Results.

Boeing raising cash while troubles arise at Airbus.

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Barcelona and Drew just did his 2nd Cessna 172 solo. Drew gets a visit from a group of airline mileage members and was asked “what do you do when a plane crashes?”. We discuss: 
Exotic routes announced for next summer.

Captain on a Turkish Airlines flight from Seattle to Istanbul dies inflight.

The Boom Overture project makes progress

ICAO’s Freedoms of Flight.

Drew's San Francisco Walk:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zbXnsQDJmYwtcqYb7?g_st=ac

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew celebrates 25 years at the company and gets a visit from world traveler and frequent guest, Ian. Doug takes the jumpseat on a personal trip home and feels like he’s at work. We discuss: Mark Cuban asks for lifetime travel. Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon causes more flight disruptions. Spirit fights to stay out of bankruptcy. Boeing machinists stay on strike. FAA clears United of safety concerns. We discuss the the holy grail of aviation - lift 

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug has an emotional send off to the last KC10 in service. We remember the KC10 and its predecessor, the DC10, with stories about our most memorable flights. Doug also talks about his trip to NYC, cough, Newark, and Drew recaps his Winter Kickoff meeting and short(er) field landings on the Cessna 172.  We also discuss: Southwest Airlines operational changes.. Hurricane Helene and how airlines are affected. Safety advances in aviation

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Aired on September 23

Drew is fresh off short field landing practice on the Cessna 172 and Doug had some KC46 late night flying. We discuss:

Airport anxiety - gatexiety.

Boeing freezes hiring.

Update on Alaska/Hawaiian merger.

Lounged at JetBlue?

Hybrid regional aircraft.

Boring plane spotting?

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from London, which we love, and Drew's back on the Cessna 172. We talk about Thai food in London, a wedding in Philadelphia, and pickleball in DC, oh and aviation too 😃. This week:

QRHs vs ECAM/EICAS 

Atlanta taxiway collision

Nashville runway incursion

Chairman steps down at Southwest

Strike at Boeing 

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew remember the events of September 11, 2001 and recognize a flight attendant’s moving tribute to the airline family we lost. We also discuss:

Engine trouble on A350s around the globe.

Update on changes at Southwest.

Record setting August in Europe.

Lufthansa’s expanding portfolio.

Key Star Alliance member leaves.

Radar outage hits Newark.

Join the conversation 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Contributor, buddy, and aviation engineer, Greg joins us to talk about thrust links, MCAS, airplane tire pressure, and more. Doug and Drew have a fun meetup in DC but Doug’s return trip to SFO took 30hrs! We discuss:

Record Labor Day Weekend passenger loads.

Doug’s hometown, Dubuque is getting scheduled service again.

A tragic tire explosion in Atlanta.

The 777 is grounded again, this time by Boeing for thrust link cracks

Are stretched versions of aircraft better, operationally?

Smokey and the Bandit, yes, Smokey and the Bandit. 

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Aired on August 26, 2024

Doug is back from a rainy Amsterdam and Drew is recovering from the recovery after storms last week. We discuss:

Horizon diversion and high minimum captains…it’s not an emergency! 

Elliott Management demands drastic changes at Southwest.

US Air Force receives Archer Midnight eVTOL aircraft. 

Is Addis Ababa the next Dubai of aviation?

Alaska/Hawaiian merger, we good? Not so fast

Staying ahead of the aircraft - listeners tell us what that means.

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug's getting used to his new plane, the KC46, and so is Drew on the Cessna 172. Both of us are enjoying flying as anxiety about learning a new plane eases. We also discuss:

Takeoff and travel vibe music.

Is the Alaska/Hawaiian merger imminent?

Boeing and United make nice nice, they were the same company after all.

Voepass 2283 crash and a discussion on icing and  lift.

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew couldn't escape thunderstorms and diversions this week and Doug becomes a KC46 trainer. Doug and family brave the summer load factors and nonrev to Denver. We discuss:

Basic Business? Delta may unbundle Business, eliminating perks like lounge access

United sunsetting their inflight magazine, Hemispheres

Starliner astronauts stuck on the ICC wait for a flight home

Cathay Pacific investing in its product and ordering A330-300neos

Delta vs Crowdstrike…who's to blame for Delta’s extended IRROPs?

Flight delays and compensation 

Join the conversation 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Amsterdam and Drew has a new flight instructor and, phew, he’s great. A listener said that we were ahead of the curve with our discussion about supertugs and then about mentioning “rawdogging” before it became an avgeek household word. Well, we did it again because the new Pan Am is considering branded airline lounges which we suggested last week, AND, the new Boeing CEO will be based in Seattle to focus on making better planes, which we suggested months ago. We also discuss:

Boom Supersonic has a facility to build their Symphony engine and just unveiled it virtual flight deck

Spirit is laying ofg 240 pilots and some flight attendants as it tries to avoid bankruptcy

Doug goes all MBA on airline first quarter results - don’t worry, we make it fun

A listener asks about becoming an pilot in his 50’s - DO IT!

Join the conversation 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from New Zealand and Australia and Doug is just off a triangle route, going from San Francisco to Tokyo to New York and back. We recap our trips and discuss:

Paris Olympics causes Delta and Air France financial losses.

Crowdstrike strikes the airlines.

Farnborough airshow orders. 

Southwest Airlines low flying planes, seat assignments, and premium seating.

Doug going to Amsterdam next week and Drew’s back to Cessna 172 school.

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew made it to New Zealand but it wasn’t without some drama. Doug gives the 767 simulator a workout with some dangerours scenarios. We also discuss:

Carriers increase service to New Zealand from the US.

FAA grants Boeing a TIA (type inspection authorization) for the 777-9, giving it the green light for certification.

We compare the 777-9 to its predecessor, the 777-300ER.

Pan Am rising again? We talk about a new company trying to reimagine the legendary carrier.

Join the discussion!

Check out our map of things to do in Auckland and on the North Island!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Joe, Drew's flight instructor, joins us to talk about teaching people to fly. His last lesson as a CFI happened to be Drew's solo flight! We discuss:

Drew's still on cloud 9 after soloing

What got Joe into aviation 

Boeing pleads guilty of fraud

Lufthansa purchases 41% of ITA 

TSA breaks a passenger screening record of over 3 million 

Joe gives advice to prospective pilots 

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Special guest, Ryan, joins us to talk about becoming a private pilot and supervising the Move Team. Doug is back from a domestic 777 circuit including SFO, IAH, DEN, and OGG (Maui). He talks about landing a huge plane on a tiny runway. We also discuss:

CRJ200 hate speech is exposed

Boeing brings Spirit Aerosystems, that makes 737 fuselages, back in-house

Are Air Force uniforms as uncomfortable as they look

Drew is planning to solo for the 1st time.  Will he be cockpit blocked again?

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Rawdogging is the challenge of taking a long flight with no IFE, books, music, or sleep. Rawdoggers sit there staring at the cabin, out the window, and at the airshow map - basically what avgeeks do everyday. We’re calling cultural appropriation! 🤣  We discuss this and: Drew’s prepping for his private pilot solo. Doug flies the triangle: SFO-EWR-HND-SFO. Aer Lingus pilot strike complicates Swifties' concert plans. IATA declares that the industry has recovered from COVID. Record TSA screenings. Skytrax top 10 airlines. Remember to check the FAA’s National Airspace System Status before you fly at : nasstatus.faa.gov. 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from 777 simulator training at Denver and Drew is getting ready to solo a (real) Cessna 172. Doug is also choosing patio furniture and guess what… we’ve got an aviation patio furniture story! We discuss: Short runway, big planes at Maui. When did rocking chairs make their way into airports? Boom Supersonic completes its Overture factory in Greensboro.
Archer Aviation partners with Signature Aviation to bring electric air taxi service to United hubs. American Airlines flight attendants demand higher pay. Doug answers listener Kyle’s question about preparing for an international flight.

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Virgin Atlantic celebrates 40 years of service this month. We reminisce about the groundbeaking airline's growth and how it's looking to rejuvenate with new management. In other news, Doug is summering in Breckenridge and, for balance, Drew's operations center is flooded. Spoiler…it was a crappy situation. Also on this episode: Alaska loses to the Virgin Group in a $160 million trademark case. FAA reports unruly passenger incidents remain high. Lufthansa and IAG being asked for more concessions for their acquisitions of ITA and Air Europa, respectively. Southwest’s new investor, Elliott Investment Management, demands changes. What is a coterminal and what does that mean for passengers 

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from steamy hot and bustling Manila,  and Drew’s still getting cockpit-blocked on his Cessna 172 training flights. This time Drew's training was canceled when a Yak 52 gear collapse caused the single runway airport to close. On this episode we discuss: We got featured in the New York Times! IATA predicts bigger airline profits in 2024 than 2023 NASA and Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner “Calypso” docks with the ICC. SpaceX launched and successfully landed, Starship, a reusable satellite launcher and moon lander. Speaking of Star, Drew describes how airlines prioritize STAR flights - Start The Airline Right. Doug is planning for a family trip over the weekend and Drew is hitting the books to possibly solo this month 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug thought he was flying a 777 to Frankfurt but ended up in Barcelona (sorry, Barthelona) while Drew was playing avgeek tour guide again in DC. We discuss:

We broke a US air travel record on Friday .

American changing course after weaker business travel numbers.

El Al making profits despite the war in Gaza.

Gol and Azul talk merger. Brazil's Varig 2.0?

Travel boom or bust coming….it’s complicated.

Drew is finally planning a vacation with his partner after their last trip in 2017.

Doug is going to Manila for the first time.

Join the banter! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from another Osaka trip and Drew is off for Memorial Day weekend…possibly the busiest in history. We discuss:

(Airline) Summer has started with the TSA expecting almost 3 million passengers on Friday, a new record

Airfares are down and passengers are finding deals

Bark Air launched on Thursday and is providing “white paw" service to our furry friends

Archer Midnight receives FAA airworthiness criteria on the path to certification

Frontier and Spirit reduce fees

We analyze what happened to  SQ321 and review tuburlence trends

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023gl103814

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew got some good Cessna 172 training in with his first landing at an airport which wasn’t the one he took off from. Martin State Airport to Easton, MD was the route which was short but only 15 miles shy of a “cross country” training flight. Doug is home this week and has been dance dad (vs. soccer mom) . We discuss:

Do customers like preordering meals?

Customers and airlines love the Embraer E jets. We discuss why.

The Embraer E190 and E195 gain ETOPs 120 certification which may open up transatlantic flights.

Could a stretched A220, the A220-500,, mean the end of the A319 and 737-700?

What constitutes a general aviation cross country training flight?

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Paris after a triangle routing of SFO-EWR-CDG-SFO. He basically has no idea which time zone his body clock is in! He talks about the Olympic buzz already being felt around the city. We discuss:

Paris airports prepare for the Summer Olympics.

Dutch startup Elysian working on what could be the first electric airliner, the E9X

Shots fired across the bay as SFO is not happy about OAK changing its name to San Francisco Bay Oakland Airport.

ADS-B is used by aircraft, ATC, Flightradar24, FlightAware, and a bunch of other applications. What is it and how does it work?

Appreciating our moms putting up with and enabling us avgeeks.

Join the discussion

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from an airport ops summer planning session in Chicago and Doug visited Amsterdam (not just the airport) for the first time. Drew also had a visit from, Aaron, our favorite podcast critic. We discuss:

Boeing 767 slide falls near house of lawyer suing Boeing for a plug door falling out.

Turkish orders up to 235 planes from Airbus and Boeing.

Air China orders 100 COMAC C919s.

Is Embraer working on a 737/A320 beater?

We discuss the bipartisan FAA funding bill.

Doug talks about flying over the Pacific with little to no radar or ATC coverage.

Join the discussion 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Raleigh Durham after flight simulator training on the KC46 and Drew is getting better at landings on a Cessna 172. We discuss:

• Lara from Non Rev Lounge Podcast visits DC.
• Will Gen Z, the Toolbelt Generation, fill aviation's need for skilled technicians?
• Southwest cuts service and expects to lose 2,000 employees this year.
• American has a loss in the 1st quarter but sees record revenue and a strong 2nd quarter ahead.
• IndiGo orders up to 100 A350s.
• New DOT rules for refunds and pricing transparency.

Join the Conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Would you pay 30,000 miles for a flight to a mystery destination? We would, and so did several lucky passengers who got to fly on SAS to Athens. We discuss this and:

Delta and United report 1st quarter performance.

Southwest and United reduce schedule due to Boeing 737 delivery delays.

Floods in Dubai shut down the airport.

You're never too old for a new chapter….in aviation! 

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/podcast/episode-231-

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Science journalist, Jeff Wise, joins us to share his views on how Boeing lost its way after it acquired McDonnell Douglas.  We also look back at one of aviation's biggest unsolved mysteries - the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines MH370 just over 10 years ago. 

Check out Jeff’s recent article on Boeing and his intriguing podcast uncovering the latest clues to what happened to MH370:

Boeing Nosedive

Deep Dive MH370

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from Hong Kong and Doug is about to do domestic legs from Chicago, to Denver,  and then to Maui. How does he pack for this? We discuss:

US adds 303,000 jobs, more than forecast, promising a strong summer travel season.

Doug and Drew love to name lounges according to their themes. Is the “Captain Cook “ lounge at SFO related to Pan Am’s Clipper Club lounges?

Alaska Airlines reveals how much Boeing paid them in damages for the 737-9 grounding.

SAS’ bankruptcy filing has been approved by a US court, allowing it to reorganize and exit as a stronger airline.

Economy airline tickets are 9% more expensive than in 2019 but premium tickets are down by 3%. Is this good or bad for the airlines.

What are the commandments from the FAR/AIM on airspeeds in different classes of air spaces?

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from a nonrev family adventure to Santiago, Chile while Drew was busy getting snowbirds to the Caribbean. We discuss:

Jetblue/Hawaiian/Alaska merge into Blue Pacific?
Boom Overture tester, the XB-1, takes flight!

Leadership shakeup at Boeing 

Spring Break volumes and airspace bottlenecks 

Do crews on turns to Canada and Mexico need to clear customs?

We finish with Drew taping from Seattle and planning to fly to Hong Kong via SFO.

Join the conversation

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug had 3 trips since the last episode - DC to SFO, SFO to Osaka, and an out and back KC46 flight at Travis AFB in California. Drew had a quiet week with a flight lesson and a smooth week managing the a hub operation. We talk about what may be the biggest airplane ever, the WindRunner by start-up Radia, which will transport wind turbines. We also discuss:

United expects its busiest Spring Break ever.

JAL and Korean Air order A350s.

NASA;s Artemis II plans to take astronauts around the moon next year.

Which aircraft have the right of way.

Air Force One and TFRs (temporary flight restrictions.

We finish the episode with our preliminary travel plans for Spring Break. Will Doug and family make it to South America? Cliff hanger for next week!

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew meet up in DC with a crew of avgeeks that give us a lot of material. Two of them, Drew's coworkers Andy and Patrick, have been on the show. Doug definitely got an earful. We also discuss:

Southwest slashes capacity due to Boeing 737 Max delivery delays.

Cathay Pacific is back in the black with huge profits.

Delta CEO says they're seeing record demand over the next few months.

We do an update on Boeing’s issues.

Latam incident between Sydney and Auckland.

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Paris while Drew couldn't get off the ground in Baltimore. It’s Doug’s turn to talk about how his pilot work day starts. We also discuss:

Jetblue/ Spirit merger drama ends.

A United 777 departing SFO loses a wheel and diverts to LAX.

American orders 737 Max 10s AND A321s.

Why is pilot hiring slowing. It's not necessarily the economy.

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew talks about how he begins his work day and how an airline hub operations begins. Doug is back from Beijing, where the 737 Max is flying again, and where eating shrimp isn’t as easy as it sounds - he explains. We discuss:

Solar Eclipse travel and Delta’s flight along the path of “totality” .

Chinese airlines can add another 50 flights to the US, further thawing relations.

American is about to place an order for 100 narrowbody planes and it looks like Airbus is the victor.

The FAA’s Mike Whitaker gives Boeing 90 days to come up with a comprehensive quality control plan. 

Bag fees are rising, but when adjusting for inflation air travel is still a bargain 

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Hong Kong and we discuss the city's ups and downs as an aviation hub. We talk about how US airports are seeing billions of dollars of investment which are resulting in magnificent new facilities. Also on this episode:

Winds over the North Atlantic propel airliners over 800mph.

United plans to reinstate Tel Aviv service.

Airport investments.

Aircraft type ratings.

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew recaps his round-the-world (kind of) trip and Doug is back from 777 landings training in Denver.   We discuss:

Finnair pivots after Asia flights are complicated by Russia airspace issues

Finnair asks customers to weigh in

Russia buys previously leased planes

Thai Airways buys 45 787s

Engines engines engines

Join the conversation!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is in Hong Kong,  with return guest Ian, while Doug is in North Carolina for KC46 training. Ian and Drew are fresh off flights from LAX where they met up with avgeek friends. We discuss:

Lara of Nonrev Lounge has her birthday at LAX…of course

Getting from LAX to HKG via MUC and ZRH? It’s complicated

4 engines for long haul. We discuss the A340

737 Max update 

Lufthansa ground workers strike

Maybe they’re Vince Peterson stairs, not DB Cooper?

What’s KLM Asia?

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back in the air and working on perfecting landings in a Cessna Skyhawk.  Doug is home from work and spending way too mcuh time figuring out if Taylor Swift will make it from her concert in Tokyo. We discuss:

Doug gives Drew tips on how to grease a landing

Jetblue and Spirit appeal the decision denying their merger

Should Boeing “sunset” the 737?

Contributor Steve laments the current state of travel attire and we agree

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back in the sky working on a private pilot’s license while Doug is in Houston on the “V" part of his “W" assignment of SFO-LHR-IAH-LHR-SFO.  We discuss: 

Sending a 767 to San Diego with rampers to work it

Late Senator Dianne Feinstein gets an SFO terminal and the Ontario Airport named after her

American, Southwest, and United reported earnings 

Jetblue may be changing it's mind about merging with Spirit 

El Niño pushes flights across the Pacific at record speeds

The 737 Max 9 is cleared to fly!

American has changed toiletry kits to cardboard 

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew had 2 deice events this week as El Niño brings in the promised precipitation. Doug is back from sunny Taipei after riding some bad turbulence on the way home. We discuss:

Air Florida 90 and deicing hold over times

Boeing 737 Max 9 grounding update 

Everyone’s jumping on the India band wagon  (Mumbai rush hour train) with more flights

Spirit/Jetblue merger failure. What now?

Boeing and Airbus order books are packed!

Joint the Av-rants!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from a 2-day trip to Munich where the trains weren’t running and Drew is lucking out again with calm East Coast weather for the MLK weekend traffic. We discuss:

Alaska 1282 door plug incident

It’s an El Niño year for weather patterns. How does that affect aviation?

Jetblue's Joanna Geraghty is the first major US airline CEO

Delta orders 20 A350-1000s

What does Boeing pay for 737 groundings?

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew deals with “flurrygate" to cap off 7 busy week for airport ops while Doug is getting much needed rest after a running the gauntlet over the Christmas holiday. We discuss:

JAL 516 - “kudos to the crew”

Smooth operators - airlines keep it together over the holiday season 

Akasa (who?) on the verge of a 150 aircraft order 

2023 was a safe year for aviation 

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from his “W” trip SFO-LHR-IAH-LHR-SFO and trying not to think of where his body clock is. Drew enjoyed a traditional airline Christmas of working and then enjoying takeout Chinese food on the couch with Robbie and doggie, Henny. We discuss:

Did our predictions for 2023 happen?

Mexicana is back!

Are exploding engines in our future? We look at rotating detonation engines 

Why do airlines still use 1960s technology dot matrix Okidata printers? 

Predictions for next year

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew and Doug are both on the job the week of Christmas with Drew working the busy hub operation and Doug doing flights to London, then Houston, back to London, and then home to SFO.  We talk about news stories as presents and what we’d like to see under the avgeek Xmas tree. 

We also discuss:

JSX buys 300 electric and hybrid planes

Boeing resumes deliveries to China

Lufthansa orders 737 Maxes 

We explain what “airline chicken” is

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Ganesh Sitaraman, professor at Vanderbilt University, and author of “Why Flying is Miserable: and How to Fix It”, joins us to talk about the history of the airlines and how to make them better. We discuss:

•  The inception and growth of America’s airlines 
• Regulation and deregulation 
• Ideas on how to bring back service to smaller cities, improve the flying experience, and keep it accessible 

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from KC46 training near Philadelphia and Drew is working to save fuel by having aircraft APUs shut down fast. Both of us are excited about the Alaska/Hawaiian merger and of course we have opinions on it. Should they start a new airline brand or keep Alaska and Hawaiian identities separate?  We also discuss: 

The best and worst airports for layovers

The JetBlue-Spirit merger gets closer to happening 

Thai Airways is on the verge of a huge 787 order

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

It’s confirmed - Sunday, November 26 was the busiest day in US aviation history. Drew talks about how it was running the operation that day, and Doug recounts leaving snowy Chicago.  We discuss:

Travel forecasts for 2024

A Virgin 787 flies on 100% SAF 

Spirit struggles with planes out of service and excess staffing 

We remember the Concorde's last flight 20 years ago

Why are all planes not deiced?

Alaska and Hawaiian drop a whopper of an announcement LATE on a Sunday (after we recorded, edited, and uploaded) 

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Beijing and in the US Midwest for Thanksgiving while Drew is working the busiest holiday travel week ever. We talk about out Thanksgiving celebrations and discuss:

TSA passenger numbers this week

Airline service offerings and IATA regulating sandwiches in 1958

Dutch government drops flight cap threat

Boom Supersonic project gains speed with Saudi investment

Dubai Airshow orders are a win for Boeing 

GE90 engines vs its replacement, the GE9X on the 777-9

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from New Zealand and Drew's back from Geneva via a 747 from Frankfurt. Both are gearing up for a record breaking Thanksgiving travel period. We talk about what we’re thankful for but it didn’t go as planned.  😃 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from 777 simulator training and Drew continues Winter Ops training in 70F temps. We discuss:

We get confirmation that our prediction about Jetblue and Alaska merging was and is a possibility 

Fedex tells pilots “go work for American"

Spirit leaving Denver 

United expects record breaking Thanksgiving holiday travel period 

We finish the episode previewing Doug’s trip to New Zealand that evening and Drew's trip to Europe the next day.

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew has roadblocks getting flights out with the jetstream causing early arrivals in Europe, weight restrictions to Tokyo due to a volcanic eruption, and gate space issues at Las Vegas. Doug is in Denver for flight sim training after just arriving from Taipei. We discuss:

US Senators accuse airlines of “unfair practices” in their frequent flyer programs

What’s up with AOG Technics, the company at the heart of the fake parts scandal?

The Boeing 737-7 is nearing certification and there’s hope for the 737-10 as well 

Chinese airlines post profits again

Why do pilots do jerky slowdowns and stops sometimes 

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/podcast/bips64t9pv992nqh3zub135iwvpjo4

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from a Winter Ops Summit in Chicago and Doug is getting his honey-do list done before flying to Taipei. We discuss:

Challenges of running a full schedule during snow and ice events 

Kudos to the Horizon crew who dealt with a jumpseater trying to shut engines off

Southwest posts smaller profit and orders 108 737-7s

Spirit slows growth plans due to softer demand 

FAA finally has a leader 

We discuss how to start a jet engine 

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew make it to Hong Kong to celebrate over 200 episodes. We accomplish our mission of walking to Checkerboard Hill where aircraft made the sharp turn before landing at Kai Tak airport until 1998. Drew has a special visitor from Sri Lanka with a civilian aviation story and Doug is back to KC46  training. . We discuss:

Sri Lankan writer Ashok Ferrey joins us to talk about travel from Asia post-Covid

Our flights to and from Hong Kong, including Drew’s serendipitous detour to Osaka

Cebu Pacific ordering up to 150 aircraft

Korean and Asiana merger hits turbulence

United, Delta, and American post 3rd quarter results

We end the show regaling you with our one perfect day in Hong Kong and answering some really good questions from our contributors (you).

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/podcast/episode-204-avgeek-serendipity-hkg

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is at SFO filling in for ops manager and Doug survived a water park with 2 kids. We do a quick taping before Drew rushed to get on a flight to Hong Kong (or anywhere in Asia). We discuss 

Drew’s full circle from SFO express ops agent to mainline ops manager 

Flights halted to Isreal as war erupts

United flight to nowhere 

Boeing X66-A TTBW project update and will it have open rotor engines?

Could you get struck by space junk?

We end the show with our plans for one perfect day in Hong Kong.

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/podcast/vv0jr2at1zqpfmufnmzpvfsvo1pkif

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Frankfurt, and Drew is rounding everyone up to create Winter ops checklists as temps start dropping. Breaking news is a cargo 757 doing a belly landing in Chattanooga, Tennessee after a possible hydraulic issue.  We discuss landing gear situations as well as a planeload of other topics:

SAS moves from the STAR Alliance to SkyTeam with Air France/KLM buying a stake

Jetblue flight attendants get a raise and back the merger with Spirit

United buys another 110 aircraft including 50 787s and 60 A321NEOs

Drew has a weight restricted flight from DC to Tokyo - how does ops handle that?

We explain why we think American Airilnes is suing to keep its Northeast Alliance with JetBlue

Join the discussion!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is in Green Bay for a Packers game, after operating his 2nd flight to Rome, while Drew holds court with four avgeeks in DC. We discuss 

Reactions to Delta’s mileage program changes

Ryan Air's CEO, Michael O’Leary, gets pied

Jetblue/America Northeast Alliance update

AirCanada orders 787-10s while AF/KLM orders A350

Cathay Pacific and HKG rise out of the ashes 

ACARS - the system that communicates to aircraft 

Your favorite mega airports

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

We made it to 200 episodes and could not have done it without you. Thank you for letting us be your avgeek fix every week. We do it for you! Thanks for the feedback, comments, engagement, and inspiration. We planned a fabulous trip for this episode but had to postpone because life happens, and we’ve alway said people (and pets) over planes. There will still be a celebratory trip soon but in the meantime we’re back to business with the following topics:

Doug’s trip to Shanghai

Delta changes their SkyMiles program to reward spending above miles and segments

India stops issuing visas to Canadians and both countries expel a diplomat. Will travel between the countries grind to a halt?

We remember Leina’ala whose image graces the tails of Hawaiian Airlines

Airline’s mileage programs are sometimes worth more than the airline itself 

Join the discussion!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

We're back from Dorkfest at LAX but the fun didn't stop there. Doug had a rags to riches avgeek story for his return to the SF Bay Area and Drew and buddies went west to Honolulu (as one does) before returning to the mainland. On this episode we discuss:

A passenger attempted to enter the flight deck at Chicago O'Hare

Ural Airlines A320 lands in a field in Russia 

Italy wants to fast track Lufthansa's investment in ITA

PW1100 engine inspections delay Airbus delivery schedules

Through or direct flights involving a plane and equipment change 

Join the discussion!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/podcast/66phhntqbemsxymi780obv8dkmrg0l

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

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://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

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/

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/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

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/

Doug and Drew interview Oscar Munoz, recent CEO and Chairman of United Airlines. Oscar talks about how he turned around a major US airline and put it on a path to success. We talk about his new book “Turnaround Time” which chronicles his life and career and fulfilling his American dream. Oscar discusses with us:

How he put safety and people first as he turned United around

Oscar’s thoughts on the Archer Midnight eVTOL and Boom Supersonic Overture

Surviving a heart attack and the resilience to bounce back stronger

Advice for people entering the airline industry

Thoughts on the current state of the airline industry and its future

We don’t let Oscar leave without answering some avgeek questions! 

Join the discussion!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/podcast/episode-194-turnaround-time-with-oscar-munoz

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

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 during a week where there were two incidents involving a 757 and 767

How do we manage an emergency in the flight deck and on the ground?

Join the discussion!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Patrick from the Move Team at Drew’s Airport joins us to talk about moving multi-million dollar aircraft and being the rescue crew for aircraft in need. He is also fresh from EAA Oshkosh!  On this episode we discuss 

PW1000G engine inspections 

The NASA/Boeing TTBW or X66 future airliner

UPS workers new contract 

Join the discussion!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/podcast/72dj82h71nt1m5mxk7jnvh9yab7puw

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

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 this happen?

Airline passengers can make a Hobson’s choice if they don’t like their meal. Listen to hear what that is. 

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

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 Straight to the Points at:

Straight to the Points

Instagram: @straighttothepoints

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

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.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew comiserate with each other and  travelers after a rough week at the airlines. We talk about what happened with the weather and ATC and the difficulties of recovering after hundreds of planes and thousands of crewmembers are displaced. We also discuss:

Let’s stop calling it revenge travel - its just travel, and its growing

Mexican airlines are ready to expand as soon as the FAA lifts Mexico back to a Category 1 status. Volaris has several routes planned and Viva Aerobus is expected to order 100 Airbus aircraft.

The cause of a ramp worker engine ingestion fatality last week was, sadly, confimed to be suicide

A DOT Inspector General audit confirrmed that the FAA is understaffed and lacks a plan to address the challenge 

A Delta 717 had a gear up landing. Doug tells us how pilots are trained to handle these situations

We end the show with our first Google Voice message from abroad with a comment from Mark in Calgary, Canada. 

Join the discussion! 
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

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 has an aviation angle 

Is a biplane DC9 with props the future of commercial aviation? Enter the TTBW

Boom Supersonic forges ahead with manufacturers lined up to make the Overture’s fuselage and wings

We end the show with a discussion about missed approaches and go-arounds. Don’t be afraid and enjoy more flight time. :)

Join the conversation! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew talks about managing throught the Summer flight schedule and Doug is getting ready to head back to training, this time in Altus, Oklahoma, the middle of nowhere. Is it really the middle of nowhere though? Drew does some research and finds goat petting, corn shucking, and axe throwing to keep Doug occupied. We also discuss:

Spirit Aerosystems and the IAM reach a tentative agreement to avoid a strike and delays to 737 and 787 deliveries

Qantas details its A350 cabin layout for its Project Sunrise flights to LHR and JFK - spoiler, there’s a lounge and its not for first class

Spirit Aerosystems make the whole fuselage of the 737 and many parts for the 787. Should Boeing buy them? 

Slide deployments - why do they happen? How much do they cost to repair , and why is Doug scared every time he opens a door?

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back in California for a break from KC46 training and Drew is managing through the crazy busy Summer flght schedule. We touch on the Air India diversion to Siberia and SFO go-arounds drama before we head down memory taxi lane with a look back at the Boeing 727. Also on this episode:

SAS opens up reservations on the first electric airliner - the Heart ES 30

B52 Stratofortress might fly for 100 years with new engines and navigations system

Jetblue offers slots at LGA to Frontier in an effort to get its Spirit merger throug

Who is DB Cooper and why are 727 rear stairs named after him, and should they be the Richard McCoy stairs?

Join the fun! 
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Cathay Pacific’s Senior VP, Americas, Chris van den Hooven joins us as his carrier bounces back from Covid19. China’s “zero covid” policy has kept Cathay Pacific out of the resurgent Asian travel market but now, with restrictions lifted, the sky’s the limit.  Also on this episode:

We look at rising traffic volumes in Asia

China’s first large jet, the COMAC C919, starts commercial service

What are the angriest airports in the US?

Cathay Pacifics pre-Covid rise in the Pacific

We end with Chris regaling us with bar recommendations for when we visit Hong Kong, and can tape with him IN PERSON. 

Join the discussion!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew are on location in Wichita, Kansas which claims to be the Air Capital of the World. Is it? We tour the city to find out.

Bombardier/ Learjet facilities

Cessna and Textron

Spirit Aerosystems

Airbus

B29 Museum
https://www.b29doc.com/

Kansas Aviation Museum
https://kansasaviationmuseum.org/

All these aviation giants here but “The I

C..T.” is not all about aviation. We visited breweries, a nature trail, the charming Old Town, and played pickleball!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Airlines are asking for more time to update aircraft altimeters but will the FAA extend the deadline at the end of June? Telecoms executive Hugh Odom, president of Vertical Consultants, joins us to talk about the concerns. Doug goes down memory taxi lane with a visit to Enid Oklahoma where he did early flight training. Drew talks about ensuring thousands of bags fly with passengers. We also discuss:

• Hawaiian gets first 787s. Where will they fly?
• Cargolux 747 loses a main gear assembly 
• Russian airlines’ maintenance situation gets worse
• Cathay Pacific works to come back from the downturn but pilot hiring is a challenge 
• What's the difference between apron, tarmac, and ramp?

Join the discussion!

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Nose to the grindstone for Doug and Drew this week with Doug hitting the KC46 books and simulator and Drew prepping for a busy summer airline hub operation.  We dive into commercial aviation jet routes which could be a J route or Q route based on if its using ground based VORs or GPS - confused yet? Don’t change the station, we’ll explain. Also on this episode:

737 orders keep coming with Ryanair ordering 150 Max 10s

India’s Go First files for bankruptcy, blaming Pratt and Whitney engines

Emirates makes a $3 billion profit

Biden administration wants airlines to compensate for delayed flights

All this and more - join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from another Summer IRROPs preparation meeting and Doug is back to Wichita in KC46 training. Drew talks about how airlines and ATC work behind the scenes to make sure your flight is safe. Both Doug and Drew talk about how they individually work with ATC and Dispatch, real time, to get planes moving. We also discuss:

Will the A220-500 and EMB 195-E2 kill the A320 and 737?

The US allows airlines from China to add 4 additonal roundtrips per week for a total of 12 now

American and Southwest pilots vote on whether to strike. Will the Railway Labor Act of 1926 apply to them today?

We discuss “one hit wonder” engines that are used on only one aircraft type

We finish the episode ranting about an article lamenting airport lounges. We agree lounges could be better, but a lounge is better than no lounge! 

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew is back from an IRROPs strategy session in Las Vegas and Doug is on the way home from Wichita for a break from KC-46 training. They were both on direct flights …or were they non-stop flights? Doug av-splains the difference.  Also on this episode:

Fedex closes bases at Anchorage, Los Angeles, and Cologne

Mexico is closer to regaining Category 1 status with the FAA

Engine manufacturers, like airlines, are enjoying tailwinds

Southwest posts a 1st quarter loss and American posts a profit

Ticketed and confirmed passengers 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug's in KC46 school in Wichita and Drew's back from helping improve airline ops tools in Chicago. This week we discuss:

Aviation word of the week : RUD - Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly 

SpaceX  Starship 

Southwest internal gound stop 

Alaska Airlines removing kiosks from ticket counter areas

New Avelo Airlines base at Wilmington, Delaware 

United posts small 1st quarter loss

Turbulence getting worse with climate change 

Join the conversation 
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is at DFW for a meetup with our buddies at Nonrev Lounge Podcast.  He also talks about flying the competition from Sacramento to Wichita and driving (?) to DFW. Drew's about to leave for Chicago to help improve a tool they use to manage the operation. We also discuss:

Word of the week: DOD - domestic object damage

Airlines are asked to reduce NYC flights due to ATC staffing issues

Delta posts a small loss but forecasts a strong Summer season

The Dutch government tries to limit traffic at AMS

We ask you what you'd choose as your hubs if you started an airline in North America

Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Drew gets coworkers from 4 departments together because teamwork makes the dream, and the operation, work. Doug is on break from flying the 777 - any withdrawal symptoms? We check on him and discuss:

Our word of the week - PACK

Airbus adds final assembly line in China

NASA names 4 astronauts for the Artemis II moon mission

How do airlines choose where to build hubs?

Our buddies at Nonrev Lounge podcast host a get together on April 14/15. Visit them on Instagram at @nonrevloungepodcast 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from his first trip to Sydney, Australia and Drew is taking new hires on ramp tours. On this episode we discuss:

Aviation word of the week - ADIRU

Jetblue/Spirit merger update - hurry up and wait

Delta starts their Propel flight school

Transatlantic travel is growing 

Indian aviation capacity to double by 2027

Artificial intelligence at the airlines 

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from a fun, and tiring, family vacation in Disneyland and Drew spent another day at the Udvar-Hazy Aviation Museum in DC. How many trips must he make before he gets docent status and free parking? On this episode we discuss:

Aviation word of the week - TCAS 

Archer Aviation’s Midnight eVTOL may have its first route - Downtown Chicago to O’Hare Airport

UPS and Fedex plan to retire their MD11’s

Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway are in talks to form a joint force of 250 combat aircraft

737 Max - the more things change the more they stay the same

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from Kona and Denver and Drew had an unexpected deicing event, and major delays due to winds and a single runway operation, the next day.  Also on this episode:

Aviation word of the week - RAT, ram air turbine

New Saudi airline RIA hopes to challenge the ME3

Flair Airlines 737s seized

Alaska's Northern Pacific first route is LAX to Las Vegas (?)

SFO runway incident 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Greg, our buddy and show contributor, joins us to talk about aircraft engines - how they work, air-starts, and engine supply chain issues. He also is excited to be back in the aviaton industry with what could be his dream job. Doug regales us with a pilot memoir about his 2nd trip to Japan and reveals he’s a train (rail?) geek too. We also discuss:

The Department of Justice trys to block the Jetblue/Spirit merger

The Airport Service Quality Awards names the best airports for customer experience

An appeals court denies a lawsuit to force airlines to increase seat size

Reno Air Races will hold its final event September 13-17

http://airrace.org

Join the discussion! 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is back from his KC10 “fini” flight and Drew’s been spending time with visitors at DC aviation museums. Which one is best for avgeeks? Also:

We remember Susan Wright, “the mother of flight", on Women’s History Month

Drew quizzes Doug on business class cabin names

Central Asian traffic rises as Russian airspace is closed

Norse Air plans several US flights 

Airline sign on bonuses are not just for pilots

Air fare trends over time 

Join the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug takes his mom, Ruth, along for the ride to Japan where she was born. We talk about how it feels to be “back home" and how Japan is getting back to normal after Covid19.  Also on this episode.

A quick history on balloons 

Near misses and aviation safety

Airbus ramping up production 

Historic Air India order

JFK Terminal 1 closure and diversions 

Join the conversation! 
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug and Drew are back from trips in opposite directions. Doug flew to post-Covid Taipei as crew and Drew to Tenerife on a quick avgeek getaway with friends. We discuss our trips and:

Iberia still required masks onboard. Who else does?

White balloon shot down over the Atlantic 

Another near miss, this time with a Fedex 767 and a Southwest 737 at Austin

Jetblue/Spirit merger update

ATC waypoints 

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/

Doug is flying to Taipei and Drew is off to Tenerife this week. We look at flight planning and considerations for turbulence and taking advantage of the jet stream to save time. Also:

The last 747 is delivered to Atlas

Super Bowl extra flights

Passenger bills of rights

https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/