Sky Lounge Podcast

Hello everyone, and welcome to The Sky Lounge Podcast ! In this episode, Alex & self sit down with Tero Taskila, CEO of Beond , the airline redefining travel as the world’s first premium leisure airline . Beond is far from a traditional carrier, and this conversation explores what it really means to build an airline around luxury, leisure, and a completely different business mindset. From busi...

You’re about to step into the world of airport lounges, but not as you know them. The lounge experience is being reimagined. And leading that change is the Plaza Premium Group, the independent hospitality brand that democratized (this is a word you will hear very often in the episode) airport comfort. In this episode, we take a very comfortable & relaxed lounge chat with Jonathan Song, Chief C...

The final 2025 episode of The Sky Lounge Podcast – where Alexandra & David talk about the Dubai Airshow, long haul narrow body aircraft, the 777X flying at the Airshow (but when will it truly fly?); They then talk about Beond & it's US expansion, global airport growth ambitions and much more! A question for 2026 - Will fast & free onboard WIFI be a criterion for you to choose which air...

This episode had more that it's fair share of focus on low cost airlines. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has packed up and left, Spirit has filed for bankruptcy… again, and we share a few stories from our own recent trips on budget carriers. Of course, you can’t talk low-cost without mentioning their favorite workhorses—the Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s and woo hoo, we may have a new market #1 soon! Alex also...

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost family and friends in the recent Air India AI171 accident in India. In this episode, Alex and David had plenty to catch up on—especially with David just back from his U.S. travels. He was absolutely raving about the United Airlines app, calling it “H-appy” with good reason! Meanwhile, Alex couldn’t get over Air France and their delicious gr...

In this episode, Alexandra shares her recent trip to the U.S. aboard Air France—complete with a whole row to herself and a glass of champagne! Meanwhile, David is gearing up for his own long journey—fingers crossed for some empty rows on his flight too. We also dive into the retro charm of the TWA Hotel, the complexities of airport security, and more. Tune in and enjoy the journey! Hosted on Acast...

We talk about Alex’s “almost” India experience and why she had to go to Indigo’s Plan B! David’s trip to Kazakhstan just seemed to “Wizz” by ! Oh, and we touched on Alex’s current airline crush! This airline for this episode was “F” – one of the world’s oldest airlines – and they do have a unique seat (hint). We also had a quick shout out to the world’s most profitable airline – you guessed i...

Travel demand remains strong, but could tariffs be the turbulence ahead for aviation growth? Let’s not dwell too long on that—because we’re also celebrating a terrific birthday for the airline that starts with “E”! Can you guess which one? Tune in to the episode to find out! In this week’s episode, Alexandra and David dive into a mix of quirky and serious aviation updates: ·From Finnair’s non-recl...

Alexandra got the opportunity to try out some first-class luxury without even leaving the ground! While David got to relive old memories with a trip to Amsterdam – and the weather was just perfect! They then jumped into various topics from loyalty to Aviation & AI – ending with the airline of the episode – “D”. Guess the airline name – It’s a big one!  Nope, we know what you are thinking...

It’s already the middle of February! And in this episode of THE SKY LOUNGE podcast, Alex & David talked about a relatively small and unknown airline starting with the letter B! The airline “B” has a very unique product that not many other airlines can lay claim to! But do you need to say a prayer before you take that flight with them? We discussed the evolution of loyalty programs, airline &am...

Happy New Year! Yes, we know that it is almost the end of January 2025 but is a good reminder how quickly the new year tends to come and go! In our very first episode of 2025, Alex & self-have tried a slightly different format, where we take some of our LINKEDIN posts and talk a little bit more about them. Alex’s posts tend to be more practical & product focused; Mine tend to be more wishy...

Alex & David take a look back at 2024! It's been a year full of stars, good memories & lot of travel!, but it has been a year with it's share of sadness as well! Champagne in economy, free agents versus loyalty - How will 2025 be for the industry? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to season 2 of The Sky Lounge podcast with Alex & David. The new season starts with a slightly different format with the both of us talking about avgeeky things! This episode has a lot on airline food, a subject that always tends to bring up a lot of emotion! Blame it on the sugar rush thanks to all the Diwali & Halloween sweets! We hope you enjoy the discussion! Hosted on Acast. S...

Change seems to be the mantra for aviation over the last few months! From low cost airlines adding business class & wide-body aircraft, to legacy carriers looking at ways to make more money, there is a lot happening in the industry. What's in an airline business model anyway - the new model is "The What Works Model". And to add a little drama to all these changes, add in technology meltdowns!...

Don’t you feel like royalty with that airline loyalty card! Lounge access, priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, free seat assignments, and a whole bunch of other nice to have “status” benefits! This episode of Sky Lounge features Mark Ross-Smith, Loyalty guru  & CEO of Loyalty Status Co., the creator of StatusMatch! Like Mark said in a post “ We all intuitively know that loyalty st...

Travel and fitness might seem like an unlikely pair. Think about all the trips filled with flights, time zones, different hotels, and busy days where fitness was the last thing on your mind. And consider the hard-working aviation professionals, both on the ground and in the air, working long and odd hours—fitness often takes a back seat after such hectic schedules. Today, it's just me, David, here...

Rafat Ali, the CEO & Founder of SKIFT, the leading news source for travel executives, had a wide-ranging discussion with Alexandra & self on India!  Skift (verb) - origin: Nordic languages - meaning: Shift; transformation.   We could definitely say that I ndia is Skifting , transforming in so many ways, specially when it come to travel.   We touched on the "small" Indian wed...

Alexandra & self, discuss aviation news “worthy” events in February. The shortest month of the year but a very hectic month!  Love was in the air with Valentine’s Day & what better than travel to keep romance alive. And then you had silent airport discos! Airports can be such fun places. Bots have a mind of their own, as Air Canada discovered. People continue to travel, as the passeng...

Gosh, how times flies! It’s the end of January already & here we are with the very first episode of Season 2 of the Sky Lounge podcast! Alexandra & David catch up on trending aviation news ranging from the recent aircraft scares to Alexandra’s trip on BeOnd; David talks about his experience in the sparkling new Etihad lounge, Abu Dhabi’s Terminal A; Then you have Air India’s very first A35...

Alexandra & David close the final episode of Season 1 of the Sky Lounge podcast with a look back at the year in aviation. They discuss & rank a number of key airline metrics based on their experiences in 2023. There are plenty of fun ones too - Bananas & Snickers! As they wrap up this year and reflect on the amazing journey they have had, they take this opportunity to thank all the lis...

In this episode, we talk to Roger Hall - a veteran aviation professional with many talents & many passions. Aviation isn't just about flying planes; it's a realm where diverse talents and passions converge. Join us as we celebrate the richness of talent and passion in aviation, showcasing how these multifaceted individuals thrive in an environment that encourages diverse pursuits. Hosted on Ac...

Alexandra reverses roles & becomes the interviewee in this episode as she talks about her recent experiences on JetBlue. She had a "mint"ful journey, in particular on their inaugural flight from Amsterdam! JetBlue is an interesting airline - it's onboard product is more akin to a full service one; and then you have them pioneering the use of narrow body aircraft for trans-Atlantic routes! Host...

In this episode, we'll dive into the world of customer experience, with Vimal Kumar Rai. Whether you're a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler, what are some of the things that make your journey truly an experience to remember? Or is one of those trips that you sooner forget! "Airlines have the opportunity to create lasting impressions and build brand loyalty through exceptional customer exper...

Embarking on a journey is more than just buying a ticket; As travelers, we prepare to explore new horizons, but our trusty companions on these expeditions are often the bags we carry. These bags, whether they're neatly packed suitcases, reliable backpacks, or stylish totes, hold more than just our belongings – they contain our anticipation, curiosity, and the promise of what's to come. Hosted on A...

Have you ever thought about who designed the seat that you sat in on a flight? But, we are sure that it was a key part of your onboard travel experience. This episode of the podcast focuses on aircraft seats and is a captivating listen of the passion, dreams, innovation & dedication of two very special guests; Jeff O’Neill who is a perennial traveler, aviation enthusiast & avid points coll...