Australian Aviation Podcast Network

Qantas has unveiled a massive shake-up to its frequent flyer program, adding 20 million new seats per year. The "Classic Plus" seats will cost more than the existing 5 million annual "Classic Rewards" seats, but will be more reliably available to passengers looking to spend their hard-earned frequent flyer points. Adam and Jake discuss the pros and cons of the new scheme, and whether it will endea...

No sooner have the Network Aviation strikes in WA ended than Airservices Australia becomes the next big name in the sector to face industrial action, as aviation rescue firefighters plan a work stoppage for 15 April and air traffic controllers apply for a strike vote. Amid arguments over "leaked documents", pay rises, and passenger safety, what impact will the industrial action have on the Easter...

Heads are continuing to roll at Boeing, with the CEO and chairman both announcing their retirement by the end of the year. It's the latest fallout in the ongoing turmoil stemming from the mid-air blowout on board an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in January – but will even these senior figures falling on their swords prove to be too little, too late? Adam, Jake and Ben talk about how the crisis at Boei...

In a bid to boost Air Force recruitment, Defence has launched a cinematic new advertising campaign spruiking all the different roles available in the RAAF. Featuring footage of (and shot in) actual RAAF aircraft, the ad blitz aims to get more young people interested in an Air Force career – but will it work? Adam and Jake discuss whether the "Up There" campaign could help turn around the RAAF's on...

Pet-loving passengers rejoice – Virgin Australia is allowing literal 'sky kittens' on its planes, with small dogs and cats soon to be allowed in the cabin on select domestic flights. Naturally, there are caveats, of course: pets will need to be confined to approved carriers stored under the seat in front, and will be limited to certain rows, so your beloved pooch or pussycat won't be running aroun...

This week, Bonza quietly revealed its Canadian aircraft would be gaining their Australian passports, switching from a wet to dry lease agreement. Adam and Jake discuss what this means for the airline's future, and whether it could eventually fly from Sydney to Melbourne. Plus, Jetstar staff have got a fashion makeover in time for the new season. But is the orange blazer tasteful or tactless? 

Last week, Qantas released another set of impressive financial results that showed the airline is continuing its historic performance post-pandemic. But buried deep down was the news that the first A350 set to fly Project Sunrise direct flights from New York to Sydney was set to be delayed by six months. This episode, Jake and Adam discuss what it means for the Flying Kangaroo and whether this is...

This week, Virgin Australia's CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, shocked the industry by stepping down as the airline's CEO. But has she left on a high, or is there more to the departure than meets the eye? This week, Adam and Jake discuss the latest and speculate on who could take the top job. Plus, the pair discuss never-ending strikes at Qantas and the return of the ACCC's quarterly reports on aviation. 

Babcock Australasia and Ambulance Victoria perform vital work in the state, serving 5.5 million people and retrieving or treating 6,000 patients a year – many of them in critical condition. This week, we speak to two of Babcock's aviation personnel working on the front line, senior base pilot Heath Mastin and senior aircrew officer Ryan Hurrell. The pair discuss how the team in the air works toget...

Former fighter pilot Christian "Boo" Boucousis was one of the original hosts of the Australian Aviation Podcast when it launched in 2020. Now he's back from his new home of Miami, Florida, to talk about how the industry has changed from the dark days of the pandemic. He tells host Adam Thorn why the enhanced opportunities to fly in the US don't compare to the perfect Aussie lifestyle and what air...

This week, Qantas unveiled a flash new safety video that took in destinations as varied as Litchfield National Park and Lapland. The problem is not one bit of it was filmed in an aircraft. This week, the team discuss whether it's too smart for its own good, endangering safety, or whether the Flying Kangaroo's critics are more interested in holding a grudge. Plus, will Western Sydney Airport finall...

The release of the December BITRE data for on-time domestic performance has seen carriers such as Rex and Qantas rush to claim victory over their rivals. But with on-time performance across the board still well below the long-term average – plus airfares still too high – should major airlines really be celebrating? Adam and Jake crunch the numbers, including a horror month for Bonza in the wake of...

So much for New Year's resolutions. As we enter 2024, Virgin and Qantas are attacking each other in a bid to operate lucrative flights to Bali. Virgin says Qantas relies too heavily on overseas aircrew, while Qantas says Virgin charges too much. Who are we to believe? In this episode, Adam and Jake discuss the latest. Plus, with flights at record numbers, is the COVID-19 crisis finally over? 

Over the Christmas holidays, two major international aviation stories got Australians talking, with radically different impacts for planemakers. Airbus was hailed for its innovative aircraft design after everybody onboard an exploding A350 miraculously escaped unharmed. However, Boeing faced another backlash after a door on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 blew out mid-flight. It came after the same a...

It's been an unpleasant couple for weeks for Bonza, the new kid on the Australian aviation block, with mass cancellations of its new Gold Coast routes while it waits for CASA to clear its wet-lease operations with Flair. With customers fuming and damage control efforts underway, whose fault is the Gold Coast debacle, and what could have been done differently? In the last Australian Aviation podcas...

In November, UNSW Aviation held a panel to discuss the government's aviation white paper, which will create a long-term strategy for the industry for the next three decades. The session featured a collection of senior figures who gave a diverse range of views, including those who are pilots, lawyers, executives and policy experts. It was chaired by Australian Aviation's Adam Thorn. In this special...

In a spectacular proof of concept, Virgin Atlantic has flown the world's first commercial flight – from London to New York – powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) derived from waste fats and plant sugars. At a time when standards dictate a maximum of 50 per cent SAF blend, will Virgin Atlantic's argument of "if you make it, we'll fly it" spur further action from industry and governme...

In the wake of Alan Joyce's exit from the Flying Kangaroo, aviation luminary Peter Harbison has released Alan Joyce and Qantas: The Trials and Transformation of an Australian Icon. The book charts the former CEO's life and career, from his youth in Ireland through to his defection from Ansett to Qantas, his role in the launch of Jetstar, and his turbulent 15 years as CEO of Australia's biggest air...

First Alan Joyce, now this – Australian Aviation's Chris Fenton is leaving us. In his (sort of) final episode, the team farewells the man who has held almost every job in aviation. But before he goes, Adam, Jake and Chris discuss the week's biggest stories, including Virgin's deteriorating relationship with the unions and the ongoing row over single-pilot flights. Plus, how will Canadian crew work...

It's been another rough few weeks for Qantas, with the public unimpressed by the airline's claim that it doesn't sell tickets for specific flights but "bundles of contractual rights". With the Flying Kangaroo already on the nose for allegedly selling more than 8,000 tickets to already-cancelled flights, will the optics of that defence do more harm than good? Jake and Chris discuss the ongoing head...

Earlier this year, UNSW Aviation held a special panel at the university, examining how a just culture can be improved to facilitate advances in aviation safety.   The session featured a panel of industry experts who gave a diverse range of views, including figures from CASA, Qantas and the Australian and International Air Pilots Association. It was chaired by UNSW School of Aviation's Head of Scho...

This week, new CEO Vanessa Hudson made her first big call as she unwound Qantas' agreement to buy Alliance. That deal, of course, was led by her predecessor, Alan Joyce. Chris, Jake and Adam discuss whether this is the start of a new, more diplomatic era for the Flying Kangaroo.  Plus, Bonza CEO Tim Jordan swaps the airport for the train station as he rages against high airfares. 

A pair of high-profile departures at the Flying Kangaroo is seeing chairman Richard Goyder and Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth head for the exits.   But with no firm departure date, is Goyder taking too long to allow for a true renewal at the top of Qantas?   Jake and Chris discuss Goyder's 'long goodbye' and whether it will hamper new CEO Vanessa Hudson's efforts for a fresh start.   Plus, the Tr...

Andrew Charlton is the managing director of Aviation Advocacy, a consultancy firm based in Switzerland. His CV includes stints as chief legal officer at Qantas before heading government affairs for the IATA and working as a lecturer in airport economics, management and policy. In this special episode in partnership with UNSW Aviation, Charlton discusses creating a new course for the School of Avia...

Last week, Qantas's new CEO and chairman were summoned to attend a Senate inquiry into the airline's recent performance. But how did the Flying Kangaroo do in the face of brutal barbs from the posturing inquisitors? Adam and Chris discuss the fallout and who they believe came out on top. Plus, how good is Rex's new frequent flyer scheme? Australian Aviation signs up to find out.