Plane and Simple Podcast

Ever wondered what it’s like to run an airline when you’re also its biggest fan? Join us as we talk to Sanjiv Kapoor , the executive who describes himself as an "aviation nut" first and a businessman second. From "fanboy" moments cold-calling the legends of the industry to navigating the high-stakes days of 9/11 at Northwest Airlines, Sanjiv shares the fascinating stories that...

India leads the world with the highest percentage of female pilots. But this milestone wasn't reached overnight. In this episode, we sit down with Capt Nivedita Bhasin , an icon, a pioneer and truly a champion who has been at the forefront of Indian aviation for half a century. Some firsts associated with Capt Nivedita Bhasin: youngest woman pilot in history to command a commercial jet first f...

In this special episode, we celebrate one year since the launch of Plane and Simple . To mark the occasion, we’ve turned the tables; instead of our usual deep dives, we are joined by guest Hardeep Singh —a lawyer with aviation credentials—who helps us tell our own "reverse story" In this episode: We journey back to our earliest memories, from handwritten tickets and battery-operated 747...

Join hosts Jitesh and Arpit alongside Darrel Chua , who helped build KrisWorld & start the IFE revolution at Singapore Airlines. Going back to the 1990s, Darrel takes us behind the curtains of the industry he helped define. Discover the absolute amazing and crazy things that happened during the birth of modern IFE. Hear insider stories about: The creation of KrisWorld and the massive investmen...

In this episode of Plane and Simple, hosts Arpit and Jitesh welcome  Behramjee Ghadially , an expert with 15 years of experience in Route Network Planning and fleet planning, having worked for carriers in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In this episode we cover: Business Models:  We explore the difference between point-to-point and the globally more successful  hub-and-spoke model  (pioneered b...

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes before your flight even leaves the gate? We go behind the scenes with Damian Szumski , who is a licensed flight dispatcher & has worked in all aspects of data in aviation, including working at Flightradar24 . In this episode we cover: Damian's journey into aviation as a 9 year old to working at Flightradar24. the intense pre-tactical planning requir...

This week on Plane and Simple, we chat with Nitin Sarin , an aviation enthusiast whose passion became his profession as an Aviation lawyer. Being a true collector: If collecting were a sport, Nitin would be in line for Olympic gold. He shares more about his legendary collection including rare 1:400 scale models he used to secretly buy on eBay to unique memorabilia like Concorde fan blades and croc...

Ever wished you could get the business class experience without the business class ticket? On this episode of Plain and Simple, we chat with Iñigo Merino , co-founder of Wingle , an app on a mission to make your entire travel day more comfortable. What started as a clever way to chat with fellow passengers offline has evolved into a powerful tool for every traveller. Tune in for a deep dive into:...

How did an 18-year-old organize a feat of global logistics during a pandemic? Join Jitesh and Arpit on yet another episode of "Plane and Simple" as they chat with Jiajun Ma, a UCLA senior from Beijing, China, whose aviation journey will leave you spellbound! From Childhood Wonder to Global Sensation: Discover the roots of Jiajun's aviation "disease," starting with VIP treat...

Ever wondered how your iPhone got from China to your hand, or what truly keeps the world's supply chains moving? 🌍✈️ In this episode of Plane and Simple, we connect with Prithviraj Chug, a "Cargoman" whose family has been in the Air Cargo business for many decades. Discover the fascinating, often-overlooked world of Air Cargo operations , from the massive thuds of cargo being loaded...

Did you know that every commercial flight in India needs to be certified by an engineer before it can take off? Often seen roaming with papers before a flight, these aircraft engineers are the "unsung heroes”. They are an important cog in the wheel of flight safety through meticulous line and major maintenance checks. This episode of Plane and Simple takes a deep dive into the fascinating world of...

Believe it or not, it was not until the 1930's that closed lavatories debuted on passenger aircraft. They form an important part of the passenger experience and a severe malfunctioning can be a reason behind the aircraft being on ground longer than you want. Just ask Air India about their recent incident . This episode of Plain and Simple goes beyond the call button with aerospace engineer Faiqa A...

What happens when the fearlessness of the Indian Air Force meets on-point knowledge of Aviation? In this episode of Plane & Simple, we delve into the often unspoken world of flight anxiety with a truly unique guest: Wing Commander Dinesh Nair , a retired Air Force Officer & Founder of Cockpit Vista. In this episode, we speak about: Wing Commander Dinesh's inspiring journey from a childhood...

The Boeing 737 is an aviation icon and one of the most successful commercial aircraft ever built. However, recent news surrounding one of its variants, the 737 MAX, has raised questions, particularly regarding safety. In this episode, we speak with Neelakshi, a technical ground instructor on the Boeing 737 family and directly address the primary concern: the safety of the Boeing 737 MAX . The epis...

The life of an airline pilot isn't just takeoffs and landings. They get on-ground support in the form of Ground Instructors who work closely with them ensuring flight safety and efficiency. In this episode of Plane and Simple, we talk to Archana Choudhary, who is a Ground Instructor for an India based airline. In addition to personal experiences & insights from a Ground Instructor's pe...

Every AvGeek knows the thrill of diving deep into air crash investigations—those gripping reconstructions that break down the science and human factors behind aviation incidents. But when it comes to homegrown content on air safety, India has always had a void. That is, until Vikram Vetrivel stepped in. A filmmaker, cinematographer, and director with a passion for aviation, Vikram has revolutioniz...

To the outside world, Vinamra Longani has a dream life. He loves planes; gets to fly them all the time (often to some very exotic places); and works in the aviation industry. But it's not as Plane & Simple. From being on the front line as a crew member to working with some of the biggest names in the aviation industry across aircraft leasing and finance, Vinamra has a career trajectory lik...

In this episode, we take to the skies with a former Jet Airways pilot, delving into what it was like to work for one of India’s most iconic airlines. From life in the cockpit to the highs and lows of the aviation industry, join us for an insider’s perspective on the legacy of Jet Airways. Special thanks to Sankalp Luthra for the editing.