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Simple Flying Aviation News Podcast

Simple Flying Aviation News Podcast

By Simple Flying

The Simple Flying Podcast - hosted by Joanna Bailey, and Tom Boon is your go to podcast for commercial aviation news and insight.

We discuss the top commercial aviation news stories each week, all of the stories discussed can be found on simpleflying.com.
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#76: Malaysia A380 Sale, Boston - New York Seaplanes & 3 More Stories

Simple Flying Aviation News PodcastJul 22, 2021

00:00
24:18
#210: Qatar Airways First Class Returns, Transatlantic Beluga Crossing

#210: Qatar Airways First Class Returns, Transatlantic Beluga Crossing

In episode 210 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • A transatlantic Beluga crossing
  • Air Astana's impressive 2023 results
  • A LATAM Boeing 787 incident update
  • Qatar Airways reignites first class
  • New 6 hour Embraer E195-E2 flights
Mar 20, 202426:51
#209: A Bad Week For United, Setting Up Riyadh Air

#209: A Bad Week For United, Setting Up Riyadh Air

In episode 209 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • 6 incidents in one week at United Airlines
  • How Tony Douglas is setting up Riyadh Air
  • LATAM's scary Tasman Sea incident
  • PLAY's plans for the future
  • You shouldn't throw coins into an engine
Mar 15, 202430:06
#208: Huge American Airlines Order, JetBlue Breaks Up With Spirit Airlines

#208: Huge American Airlines Order, JetBlue Breaks Up With Spirit Airlines

In episode 208 of the Simple Flying Podcast your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • The FAA's Boeing audit
  • JetBlue/Spirit Airlines breakup
  • American Airlines' huge order
  • Ex-Antonov CEO faces 15 years in jail
  • A new search for MH370?
Mar 07, 202429:08
#207: Qatar Reactivates Last A350, Boeing's 90 Day Warning

#207: Qatar Reactivates Last A350, Boeing's 90 Day Warning

In episode 207 of the Simple Flying podcast, Jo and Tom discuss,

  • Qatar reactivates its last A350
  • Boeing's 90-day warning
  • Flying Blue's status match offer
  • End of the Boeing 767F
  • Flying Emirates' A380 in business
Mar 01, 202429:25
#206: Airbus Results Day, Boeing Clocks Singapore Orders

#206: Airbus Results Day, Boeing Clocks Singapore Orders

In episode 206 of the Simple Flying Podcast your hosts Tom and Jake discuss,

  • Airbus' annual results day
  • Boeing clocks 787 orders in Singapore
  • oneworld's new Amsterdam Schiphol lounge
  • Heathrow Airport's results
  • Breeze Airways celebrates 2/20
Feb 23, 202423:36
#205: US Seizes A Boeing 747, SAS Launches A Mystery Points Plane

#205: US Seizes A Boeing 747, SAS Launches A Mystery Points Plane

In episode 205 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • The US seizes an ex-Iranian Boeing 747
  • SAS launches a points plane with a twist
  • Why United's Airbus A321neos got temporarily grounded
  • oneworld has a new CEO
  • Korean Air-Asiana merger gets EU green light
Feb 15, 202426:58
#204: Lufthansa Strikes, Finnair Weighing Passengers Again & 3 More Stories

#204: Lufthansa Strikes, Finnair Weighing Passengers Again & 3 More Stories

In episode 204 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • Lufthansa ground crew go on strike
  • Another Boeing 737 MAX issue
  • Taylor Swift's private jet
  • Finnair weighing passengers
  • A cool Apple Vision Pro app
Feb 09, 202425:05
#203: German Airport Strikes, Cheap Transatlantic Fares, & 3 More Aviation Stories

#203: German Airport Strikes, Cheap Transatlantic Fares, & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 203 of the Simple Flying podcast, Tom is joined by Jake to discuss,

  • German airport strikes
  • Norse's cheap transatlantic fares
  • Global Airlines' 1st Airbus A380
  • Etihad boosts capacity
  • An Airbus A380 for sale
Feb 05, 202427:46
#202: GOL Bankruptcy, Qantas Turns Heads, & 3 Other Aviation Stories

#202: GOL Bankruptcy, Qantas Turns Heads, & 3 Other Aviation Stories

In episode 202 of the Simple Flying podcast, Tom is joined by Evergreen Manager Jake Hardiman to take a look at,

  • GOL files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
  • Qantas' latest safety video attracts criticism
  • Latest on the Boeing 737 MAX
  • Loganair retires the Saab 340
  • Lufthansa boosts inflight connectivity
Jan 29, 202421:27
#201: Spirit-JetBlue Blocked, Akasa's Huge Boeing 737 MAX Order & 3 More Trending Stories

#201: Spirit-JetBlue Blocked, Akasa's Huge Boeing 737 MAX Order & 3 More Trending Stories

In episode 201, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • Spirit-JetBlue merger blocked
  • Singapore Airlines' panda express
  • A week of ground collisions
  • Akasa's huge Boeing order
  • Winter weather headaches
Jan 19, 202428:07
#200: Alaska Airlines MAX 9 Door Blowout, Japan Airlines A350 Fiery Crash & More Cool Stories
Jan 13, 202428:37
#199: Aviation's 2023 Wrapped: All The Biggest Stories From Around The World

#199: Aviation's 2023 Wrapped: All The Biggest Stories From Around The World

After a brief break over the festive season, the Simple Flying podcast is back! Join Jo, our managing editor, as she chats with regional journalists for Simple Flying about the biggest news stories from their regions over the course of 2023.

Jan 08, 202434:42
#198: Alaska & Hawaiian To Merge, Reporting From IATA GMD & 3 More Trending Stories

#198: Alaska & Hawaiian To Merge, Reporting From IATA GMD & 3 More Trending Stories

In episode 198 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss:


  • Alaska Airlines set to acquire Hawaiian
  • Cathay orders the A350F
  • Reporting in from IATA's Global Media Day
  • Emirates buys more Airbus A380s
Dec 10, 202323:28
#197: Rolls-Royce Narrowbody Hopes, American Airlines Near Miss & 3 More Trending Stories

#197: Rolls-Royce Narrowbody Hopes, American Airlines Near Miss & 3 More Trending Stories

In episode 197 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

Etihad's New York Airbus A380 plans
Rolls-Royce's narrowbody hopes
An American Airlines near miss
China Eastern gets lost in translation
A flydubai mini-review
Dec 01, 202324:49
#196: Simple Flying At The 2023 Dubai Airshow

#196: Simple Flying At The 2023 Dubai Airshow

In episode 196 of the Simple Flying podcast, Jo and Tom are joined by Sumit Singh, Simple Flying's Lead Editor, and Richard Shuurmann, freelance journalist and the man behind the Airbus A380 Fanclub Twitter account, to take a deep dive into the going ons of the week.

Nov 20, 202318:39
#195: JetBlue's AMS Loss, UK's Last Boeing 767 Retires & 3 More Stories

#195: JetBlue's AMS Loss, UK's Last Boeing 767 Retires & 3 More Stories

Join Jo and Tom for the best aviation news podcast on the planet as we dive into some of the most entertaining, surprising and enlightning stories from the world of aircraft and airlines this week.


In episode 195, we discuss:


  • What really caused the A321neo window blowout?

  • TUI retires the UK's last 767s

  • EVA Air makes a big old Airbus order

  • JetBlue's Amsterdam slot loss turns into a political hot pot

  • Dubai Airshow, naturally

Nov 11, 202331:13
#194: Drama In The Cockpit, Akbar Al Baker's Resignation & 3 More Stories

#194: Drama In The Cockpit, Akbar Al Baker's Resignation & 3 More Stories

In episode 194 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • The latest in the JetBlue Spirit trial
  • Akbar Al Baker steps down as Qatar Airways CEO
  • Arajet's massive Boeing 737 MAX route
  • Etihad moves to a new home in Abu Dhabi
  • A week of cockpit dramas in the USA
Nov 03, 202324:39
#193: Star Alliance's New Paris Lounge Feat. Rhys From Head For Points

#193: Star Alliance's New Paris Lounge Feat. Rhys From Head For Points

In episode 193 of the Simple Flying podcast, regular host Tom is joined by Rhys from Head for Points to take an in-depth look at the new lounge that Star Alliance opened in Paris Charles De Gaulle Terminal 1 earlier this month.

Oct 27, 202324:27
#192: Emirates & Berlin, AIX's New Boeing 737 MAX Livery & 3 More Stories

#192: Emirates & Berlin, AIX's New Boeing 737 MAX Livery & 3 More Stories

In episode 192 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • Why Emirates can't fly to Berlin
  • AIX's new branding
  • German Chancellor evacuated from Merkel One
  • US airline earnings season
  • Qatar Airways cuts Bangkok A380 schedule
Oct 20, 202332:25
#191: Aviation & The Israel Conflict, Emirates Buying Airbus A380s & 3 More Stories

#191: Aviation & The Israel Conflict, Emirates Buying Airbus A380s & 3 More Stories

In episode 191 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • Aviation and the conflict in Israel
  • Emirates buying Airbus A380s
  • 14 airports lost winter A380 services
  • 1 month until the Dubai Airshow
  • KLM's new porcelain house
Oct 13, 202332:51
#190: United Airlines' Big Order, The Band Sued By easyJet & 3 More Aviation Stories

#190: United Airlines' Big Order, The Band Sued By easyJet & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 190 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • Silk Way West's 1st Boeing 777F
  • United Airlines' big order
  • Allegiant Air updates its order
  • Reasons for London Heathrow's expansion
  • easyJet sues a band over its name
Oct 06, 202333:44
#189:Antonov An-225 Work & Huge Widebody Orders & 3 More Aviation Stories

#189:Antonov An-225 Work & Huge Widebody Orders & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 189 of the Simple Flying podcast your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • Antonov An-225 work begins
  • Huge widebody orders
  • Qantas' sticky situation
  • A busy week for Ryanair
  • Air Peace demands Heathrow slots
Sep 29, 202330:10
#188: A321XLR Route Proving, Fake Engine Parts & 3 More Aviation Stories

#188: A321XLR Route Proving, Fake Engine Parts & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 188 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • The Airbus A321XLR's route-proving campaign
  • Fake engine part certifications
  • Qatar Airways CEO's latest Airbus A380 comments
  • Whats is going on at Avianca
  • Emirates is searching for A380 pilots
Sep 23, 202334:54
#187: RTX Engine Issues, Qatar Airways Saves The Loneliest Lion & 3 More Aviation Stories

#187: RTX Engine Issues, Qatar Airways Saves The Loneliest Lion & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 184 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • The latest Pratt & Whitney engine issues
  • Qatar Airways saves the world's loneliest lion
  • Northern Pacific's new branding
  • Own part of Emirates' 1st Airbus A380
  • A week of crazy dog stories
Sep 15, 202332:16
#186: Discover Airlines, The CR929 Loses Its 'R' & 3 More Aviation Stories

#186: Discover Airlines, The CR929 Loses Its 'R' & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 186 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • NATS meltdown report released
  • Russia pulls out of the CR929
  • Discover Airlines is here
  • Corendon Airlines launches adult only cabins
  • Alan Joyce leaves Qantas early
Sep 08, 202325:02
#185: UK Aviation Chaos, Monarch's Rollercoaster Week & 3 More Aviation Stories

#185: UK Aviation Chaos, Monarch's Rollercoaster Week & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 158 of the Simple Flying podcast Tom discusses,

UK ATC chaos
Hong Kong typhoon disruption
Lufthansa brings back more A380s
Monarch Air’s rollercoaster fortnight
An Auckland Airport proposal
Sep 01, 202321:28
#184: Thai Airbus A380 Sale, BOAC Boeing 747 Scrapped & 3 More Aviation Stories
Aug 25, 202321:55
#183: Simple Flying Meets Avensis Aviation's CEO, Cristain Sutter

#183: Simple Flying Meets Avensis Aviation's CEO, Cristain Sutter

In episode 183 of the Simple Flying podcast, Tom is joined by Cristian Sutter, CEO of Avensis Aviation, to discuss the passenger-to-freighter conversion market.

Aug 18, 202324:10
#182: Cathay Recovery, Qatar Ghost Flights & 3 More Stories

#182: Cathay Recovery, Qatar Ghost Flights & 3 More Stories

This week on the podcast, Jo is joined by Deputy Editor Sumit Singh to discuss:

  • Cathay Pacific’s recovery
  • Airplanes flying the longest routes
  • African airspace closures
  • Bear escapes Iraqi Airways flight
  • Qatar’s ghost flight loophole
Aug 11, 202313:02
#181: Boeing Delay Warning, Iraqi Airways Boeing 747 Sale & 3 More Stories
Aug 04, 202325:56
#180: Etihad's Airbus A380 Is Back!
Jul 28, 202325:34
#179: Simple Flying Meets FCC Aviation

#179: Simple Flying Meets FCC Aviation

In episode 179 of the Simple Flying podcast, Jo sits down with Tobias Konik, CEO of FCC Aviation to discuss,

Aviation taxes: Why is the tax landscape so complicated?
Business jets: Do they pay more tax?
Carbon tax: Is this the right solution for tackling sustainability?
What's the future of aviation tax?
Jul 21, 202326:46
#178: Aircraft Incidents, Icelandair's A321XLR Order, & 3 More Trending Aviation Stories

#178: Aircraft Incidents, Icelandair's A321XLR Order, & 3 More Trending Aviation Stories

In episode 178 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • This week's major incidents
  • Icelandair's Airbus A321XLR order
  • Norwegian is buying Widerøe
  • What's going on at MYAirline
  • Germany opens up passport eGates
Jul 13, 202328:23
#177: Lufthansa Boeing 747 Diverts Twice, Everything Air Astana & 3 More Aviation Stories

#177: Lufthansa Boeing 747 Diverts Twice, Everything Air Astana & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 177 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • Busiest travel day in US history
  • What's going on at Air Astana
  • Lufthansa Boeing 747 diverts twice
  • What it's like to fly Air Astana
  • Japan Airlines is now renting clothes
Jul 07, 202325:38
#176: Engine Ingestions, Boeing 737 Airbnb & 3 More Aviation News Stories

#176: Engine Ingestions, Boeing 737 Airbnb & 3 More Aviation News Stories

Simple Flying's managing editor Joanna Bailey is joined by Jake Hardiman, content manager, to discuss all the latest aviation news. In this week's show, we chat about:


  • Engine ingestions - what's going wrong?

  • United 737-200 is turned into a gorgeous AirBnB

  • Recaro Xtend could herald the end of extra legroom in exit rows

  • Throwback to the Vickers Wellington assembly record

  • NASA X57 Maxwell project abandoned before a single flight

Jun 29, 202321:14
#175: All The Biggest News From The Paris Air Show

#175: All The Biggest News From The Paris Air Show

In episode 175, Jo and Tom report on all the biggest news from the Paris Air Show, including:


  • All the Airbus orders

  • IndiGo places biggest-ever order

  • Boeing's airshow orders

  • What else is going on at the airshow?

  • Other PAS announcements

Jun 23, 202328:21
#174: Simple Flying Meets: Alejandro Núñez Vicente - Founder & CEO Of Chaise Longue

#174: Simple Flying Meets: Alejandro Núñez Vicente - Founder & CEO Of Chaise Longue

In episode 174 of the Simple Flying Podcast, Tom is joined by Alejandro Núñez Vicente, the Founder & CEO of Chaise Longue. Alejandro is on a mission to revolutionize economy seating in a way not seen since the dawn of passenger flight. He talks through his concept, known as the Chaise Longue, some of the challenges he has faced, and addresses some of the critisisms of the project.

Jun 16, 202321:20
#173: Riyadh Air Reveal, Reports From IATA & AIX, & More Aviation News

#173: Riyadh Air Reveal, Reports From IATA & AIX, & More Aviation News

Today, your host Joanna Bailey recaps some of the most important aviation news of the week, and is joined by Sumit Singh and Tom Boon for feedback on the week's major aviation events.


  • Riyadh Air reveals its livery
  • IATA AGM - a post event report
  • Airplane order rumors and bookings for the week
  • What happened at AIX this year?
Jun 09, 202323:60
#172: Lufthansa Buys ITA, Air New Zealand Is Weighing Passengers & Three More Aviation News Stories

#172: Lufthansa Buys ITA, Air New Zealand Is Weighing Passengers & Three More Aviation News Stories

In episode 172, Jo and Tom discuss:


  • Lufthansa finally purchases ITA

  • Why Air New Zealand is weighing passengers

  • Singapore Airlines' A380 is going to Auckland

  • What you need to know about animal fats in SAF

  • Growing Saudi Arabian lessor Avilease buys 13 planes

Jun 02, 202329:22
#171: Finnair Heads Down Under, Cathay Pacific Fires Crew & 3 More Aviation Stories

#171: Finnair Heads Down Under, Cathay Pacific Fires Crew & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 171 of the Simple Flying podcast your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • American Airlines/JetBlue North East Alliance banned
  • British Airways' latest Avios-only flights
  • Fokker working on a hydrogen F100
  • Cathay Pacific fires cabin crew
  • Finnair heads to Australia
May 26, 202330:22
#170: Mental Health In Aviation: In Conversation With Captain Chris

#170: Mental Health In Aviation: In Conversation With Captain Chris

As part of mental health awareness week (May 15 - 21), we sit down with Instagram sensation and Simple Flying regular, Captain Chris, to discuss mental health in aviation. As a training captain, Chris works closely with hundreds of other pilots, giving him a unique vantage point into the industry.

We'll discuss the current situation in the cockpit, the support airlines are giving stressed-out pilots, and how the pandemic has affected mental health. We also talk about the 'lie to fly' mentality, and whether there is misinformation being spread, making pilots afraid to seek help.

May 18, 202318:16
#169: Coronation Aviation Recap, Ryanair Massive Boeing Order & 3 More Aviation Stories

#169: Coronation Aviation Recap, Ryanair Massive Boeing Order & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 169 of the Simple Flying podcast, Jo and Tom discuss:


  • King Charles III is crowned - a recap of aviation-related events
  • Ryanair places a giant Boeing order for the 737 MAX 10
  • Airlines are abandoning Twitter - here's why
  • The world's longest flights since 1997
  • The US is preparing to implement flight delay compensation
May 12, 202327:47
#168: Go First Collapses, Breeze Goes International & 3 More Aviation Stories

#168: Go First Collapses, Breeze Goes International & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 168 of the Simple Flying podcast your hosts Jo and Tom discuss:

  • Air India's sterile cockpits
  • Go First declares bankruptcy
  • Breeze eyes international expansion
  • The US won't delay 5G any longer
  • Qantas is getting a new CEO
May 05, 202325:20
#167: First Non-Chinese ARJ21 Airline, Ryanair's Rolling 'Ramp'age & 3 More Aviation Stories

#167: First Non-Chinese ARJ21 Airline, Ryanair's Rolling 'Ramp'age & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 167 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • The 1st non-Chinese COMAC ARJ21 operator
  • Ryanair's rolling 'ramp'age
  • ANA's error fares
  • JetBlue's Q1 and Amsterdam launch
  • Our latest webinar
Apr 28, 202326:11
#166: Ryanair's Germany Struggle, United's Launches & Losses & 3 more Aviation Stories
Apr 21, 202328:06
#165: Air Astana's FlyArystan Relationship, The COMAC C919 Is Good For Western Airlines & 2 More Aviation Stories

#165: Air Astana's FlyArystan Relationship, The COMAC C919 Is Good For Western Airlines & 2 More Aviation Stories

In episode 165 of the Simple Flying podcast your host Tom discusses,

  • Air Astana's relationship with its LCC FlyArystan
  • Why the COMAC C919 is good news for western airlines
  • How Russian airlines are getting around maintenance sanctions
  • Lufthansa positions an Airbus A380 to Munich
Apr 14, 202321:08
#164: Flybe 3.0, Single European Skies, & 3 More Aviation Stories

#164: Flybe 3.0, Single European Skies, & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 164 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • Flybe's brand is up for sale again
  • Airlines still want Single European Skies
  • Spirit-JetBlue merger faces more hurdles
  • Ryanair will rush back into Ukraine when safe
  • Lufthansa mistakenly sells a passenger's return ticket
Apr 06, 202324:03
#163: Pratt & Whitney Troubles, Ras Al Khaimah's New Connection & 3 More Aviation Stories

#163: Pratt & Whitney Troubles, Ras Al Khaimah's New Connection & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 163 of the Simple Flying podcast, your hosts Jo and Tom discuss,

  • Ras Al Khaimah's new German connection
  • Pratt & Whitney's engine troubles
  • The Aircraft Cabin Innovation Summit
  • Europe's second busiest transatlantic route
  • Lufthansa's Airbus A380 return
Mar 31, 202328:40
#162: Simple Flying Meets: Dr Henri-Charles Ozarovsky - Head Routes, & Networks - TAP Portugal

#162: Simple Flying Meets: Dr Henri-Charles Ozarovsky - Head Routes, & Networks - TAP Portugal

With its fleet of Airbus A320s and A330s, TAP Air Portugal has placed the COVID pandemic behind itself as it looks to optimize its route network. Join Simple Flying as we chat with Dr. Henri-Charles Ozarovsky, Head of Strategy, Network & Partnerships at TAP Air Portugal, to dig into what it takes to optimize a flag carrier’s network.

Mar 24, 202320:24
#161: Riyadh Air Revealed, Ryanair’s Massive Dublin Ops & 3 More Aviation Stories

#161: Riyadh Air Revealed, Ryanair’s Massive Dublin Ops & 3 More Aviation Stories

In episode 161 of the Simple Flying podcast, your host Jo is joined by Jake Hardiman to discuss,
Saudi Arabia introduces Riyadh Air and buys some planes
What's happened to an ex-Alitalia Boeing 777
Bomb threats on board planes
Ryanair's huge schedule from Dublin
Flair Airlines has its 737s repossessed
Mar 17, 202323:54