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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 fli ..read more

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 Invest ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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/1 ..read more

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