AvTalk Episode 371: “So that started this on the wrong trajectory to begin with”

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1. 

   E376 · 26 Jun 2026 · 52 min

   AvTalk Episode 376: Transferring that risk elsewhere

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

2. 

   E375 · 19 Jun 2026 · 46 min

   AvTalk Episode 375: Progress, but to what end?

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

3. 

   E374 · 12 Jun 2026 · 46 min

   AvTalk Episode 374: 17 years without a license

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

4. 

   E373 · 5 Jun 2026 · 53 min

   AvTalk Episode 373: Eight hours to nowhere

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

5. 

   E372 · 29 May 2026 · 31 min

   AvTalk Episode 372: Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should

   We’re in Stockholm for a our semi-annual Flightradar24 crew meetup this week. Ian is joined by Gabe Leigh to discuss what’s it like behind the scenes capturing the stories of aviation professionals around the world. We review the recent incident where NTSB cockpit voice recorder data from UPS flight 2976 was used to recreate simulated audio. The NTSB removed the public docket system in order to prevent further such efforts. The preliminary investigation into the China Eastern A350 jet bridge collision in Shanghai finds a total brake failure on the aircraft. Qantas says its Project Sunrise…

6. 

   E370 · 15 May 2026 · 1 hr 16 min

   AvTalk Episode 370: The man collecting Spirit’s pieces

   On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by Nomadic Aviation Group co-founder Steve Giordano to talk about what happens when you suddenly need to move dozens of aircraft in a very short amount of time. Steve and his crew have spent the past two weeks bringing former Spirit Airlines aircraft to the desert for storage following the collapse of the airline on May 2nd. What does it take to make sure those aircraft can be legally, safely, and efficiently moved from wherever they ended up when the airline shut down? Also on this week’s episode, a tragedy in Denver as a man intentionally…

7. 

   E369 · 8 May 2026 · 55 min

   AvTalk Episode 369: Extra exits, bread trucks, and bankruptcies

   This week’s episode of AvTalk takes us from the highest highs to the lowest lows of the aviation industry. We begin with a major announcement mere minutes before our recording as AirAsia orders 150 A220s in a new, denser cabin configuration . Spirit Airlines succumbs to its long running financial difficulties and ceases operations. Newly released documents provide insight into the crash of a China Eastern 737 in 2022. And video from this week’s incident involving a China Eastern A350 in Shanghai raises more questions than it answers. Back in the US, a United Airlines 767 struck a light pole…

8. 

   E368 · 1 May 2026 · 47 min

   AvTalk Episode 368: Humanoids handling your bags?

   On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the NTSB’s preliminary report on the crash at La Guardia Airport in New York lays out the avenues of investigation and spurs the Port Authority to action. FedEx says it will put the MD-11 back into service in May, but the FAA still needs to weigh in. US low cost carriers are pitching the government on a $2.5 billion support package, while Spirit negotiates separately for an increasingly unlikely $500 million loan. Alaska Airlines launches its first European service, while American Airlines returns to Venezuela for the first time since 2019. American and…

9. 

   E367 · 24 Apr 2026 · 56 min

   AvTalk Episode 367: We’re worried about availability, not just cost

   On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Europe’s jet fuel supplies run low while airlines cut flights as we transition into the summer season. We’re joined by Steven Fox from NATS to learn more about how the UK’s air navigation service provider prepares for the influx of summer flights. TCAS plays an important role in the nature of our discussions as we discuss safety margins rather than mid-air collisions. And pilots of a Lufthansa flight act well before a situation in Bogota becomes unsafe. The back half of this week’s episode checks in on the financial state of the aviation industry, mainly in…

10. 

    E366 · 17 Apr 2026 · 53 min

    AvTalk Episode 366: An unserious proposal

    On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we make our annual trek to Hamburg for the Aircraft Interiors Expo where Jason is joined once again by PaxEx.aero ’s Seth Miller. * Buttons, buttons, and more buttons * The Skynook concept American Airlines celebrates its 100th anniversary with a special flight and a new set of trading cards , while Lufthansa celebrates its 100th anniversary with a cabin crew strike. Many publications jumped on news this week that United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby suggested a merger between United and American Airlines. We take an icy look at this unserious proposal. A…