Explore every episode of the podcast Layovers - Air Travel podcast
Dive into the complete episode list for Layovers - Air Travel podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
140 AKL - Everything flight planning, future fares, premium leisure growth, BA Fly no more, LHR T1 secret, the return of the 380?
22 Jul 2024
02:14:34
What's next for the aviation industry? The post-pandemic rejigging of air travel with less business travel, and more leisure travelers in the front (who want, like most of you, to experience the full array of premium travel), more often off-season. Will fares keep increasing (it's the economy, stupid!), the unstoppable rise of ancillary revenues (gotta keep those nice margins), and were airlines underpricing their miles up to the pandemic (Emirates believes so)? Where is the next aircraft, it seems neither Boeing nor Airbus has anything on the drawing board (the great Embraer might not dent the market, Comac on the other hand?), and Airbus softening's stance on the future of the 380 (the Emirates pressure could be working). What about single pilot aircrafts (touchy subject!). Greener tech for greener aircraft, and the question of incentives versus punishment (do you know where the term carbon footprint come from?) — and more from the great Hakan Yilmaz (Paul, meanwhile, just spends his time quoting Tim Clark).
Everything you wanted to know about the intricacies of flight planning (choose your wind provider right!). Did you know what purpose does the seemingly abandoned T1 LHR serve? (the guys at the new IST could really teach a thing or two to Heathrow…). BA Fly no more (well, you'll see), and European Single Sky not yet (or ever?!). Flying down under to Brisbane and Auckland, and an Air New Zealand who punches above its weight. And we should really do an episode about the best business seats for tall people (the "old" Turkish one is fabulous for that, we both agree). Oh, and what's your favorite aerobatic display team? (A loaded question, Paul goes for the lunatics).
139 YEG - From ground crew to flight attendant, via two pandemic Olympics: Vinod's AvGeek chronicles
03 Jun 2024
02:42:36
Ever wondered about the life of a flight attendant (and ground crew)? This is the episode for you. Paul welcomes his good friend Vinod for an episode full of fun aviation and travel stories — a long episode, with the laughs taking quite some of that length.
From Edmonton to Vancouver, via Calgary (and its keys!), the many airports he worked at (Paul still hasn't been to Canada), Martinair, British Airways, Air Berlin, or WestJet, amongst the many airlines he worked for (and in a world of crew camaraderie around the world, BA really seems like a big family).
Is there something about the uniform that transcends trends? And Vinod's secret to treat cabin crew well (Paul is inspired).
The experience of turbulences in the air (and yes, we discuss that fateful Singapore Airlines flight), but also the video game of driving a jet bridge.
Can you get Covid from an aircraft wing: flying during the pandemic to (and working at) Tokyo 2020 (NRT, a game of chairs) and Beijing 2022 (PEK, calcifying under sanitizing spray).
Does each airline have a specific smell, or is that a neurotic avgeek thing? (dried fish seems like a bad omen though).
Vinod attempts to convince Paul that Frankfurt and Heathrow are great airports, and he nearly succeeds (his definition of LHR is just the best, and Paul softens on FRA), and we (kinda) agree on Singapore's carpet.
And many more stories (Vinod's most memorable flights are quite something).
Listen to Vinod Viswalingam's podcast (hosted along with the great Geoff Dahl), Seat 1A:
130 MSP - Cheap travel and the hamster wheel of miles and status in the post-Covid devaluation times, with Kyle 'Hello Kitty' Potter
20 Jul 2023
01:49:21
Kyle Potter, Executive Editor at Thrifty Traveler, all-around awesome(ly smart) dude, Hello Kitty enthusiast (well, it's that EVA Air flight, you'll see!), and (very) long time Layovers listener and friend, tells us all about why MSP is the best thing ever, like everything in Minnesota — but also whether cheap travel is still possible in the current era of airfare inflation (yes!), whether passenger rights will ever be a thing in the US (maybe), whether boarding groups will ever be abandoned (forget it). We debate the wilderness where having no status means real freedom (that status, the warm blanket you're sure you need, right?), the crazy valuations of US loyalty programs (and airlines wanted to spin them off? HOW WOULD THEY MAKE MONEY lol, it's as if they're banks that happen to own planes), the devaluation of those programs (non-travel Covid has something to do with it), the importance of alliances and joint ventures in the current air travel era. And yes, for once, we touch upon the world of air miles programs a bit more, and its nearly MLM-esque ecosystem in the USA. As Kyle is a Delta fan (and captive!), we ask him: Why are they so good (that padding!), and how is that new Delta One seat (hint: we're all aligning in saying doors aren't really something we value). Oh, and ORD doesn't get a lot of love, LOL.
Nearly two hours of great fun, whilst learning quite a bit (Alex and Paul learnt a lot).
129 GVA - Attaché bromance, Air Force Ones, 777X windows, fly with film, Covid weight, Vomit Pro, Brian Shul
19 Jun 2023
02:07:48
We flew to Geneva to record an episode of Attaché (now on YouTube, link below), so how were our flights, and what did we think of the airport (the new C-Gates are excellent, the time at immigration not always). Does too much info add unnecessary travel stress? (Aka Flighty is Paul's IFE of choice in lounges). Is Covid wear and tear a thing? Some aircraft interiors look older than they should. Dublin airport can be frustrating, but it's pretty much forgiven when you can see one of the most famous airplanes in the world next to you. The 380 is an absolute winner in those times of constraints, the 777X could be too (come on, when???), but its new window dimming is what we'll have to settle for now. The new security machines are awesome, unless you shoot film (yes, you know, rolls of film in cameras, the youth won't know what we're talking about), and a photographer friend has some update on that front. Some LCY & Cityflyer love, but "that stupid goddamn piece of crap building that I'm sure is really important to the operation of the airport blocks the view" (HAHAHAHAHA). We both sing in unisson: BA is improving. Undercover flight attendant CEO, whilst Starlux's saves the day (but might get a fine). Did passengers gain weight during Covid? We have the answer (for Europe at least). Apple Vision Pro, the new IFE (Vomit Pro or not?). Remembering Brian Shul.
Lots more stories, from Japan to terminal pubs (morning beer anyone?).
And whilst we always forget to link stuff in those show notes, for sure go watch Attaché with Alex and Paul:
027 FRA - DXB beacons, Indigo, bye bye US Airways, Air France downsizing, carry-on ads
17 Nov 2015
01:04:16
SHOW NOTES
Captains' Hat Tips
Thanks to Kendall (TXL) for stating that we were one of the best sources of industry news, to Greg (BRS) for his weekly contributions and Vicky (ATH) for her suggestions.
025 LGB - limiting leg room reduction, United iPhones and secret frequent flyer program
10 Oct 2015
01:03:10
SHOW NOTES
Captains' hat tips
Our thanks to Markus (STR), Cedric (CDG), Michael (FAB), Peter (BOH), Ivan (WAW), and Kendall (TXL) for their contributions to this episode and their feedback. Note that due to the increasing incoming messages, we won't be able to thank everyone, nor reference all the news sent to us on each episode, for time's sake. please keep them going though! We really love the conversations and try to answer to each and everyone of you.
024 MRU - New wave of airplane food, Concorde to fly again, 777-9X foldable wings
28 Sep 2015
01:05:50
SHOW NOTES
Shout outs
Special thanks to Michael (FAB) who corrected us (LGW is not a BAA airport anymore) and for his contributions you'll hear throughout this episode, to Nic (LHR) for his endorsement, Mohd (KUL) for the kind words and his question, to the Flying Blue employee Paul phoned to whilst being at MRU for being so kind and efficient.
Paul would also like to thank Bernard who invited him on his Analyse Asia podcast to discuss the state of travel in Asia (show notes):
023 LGW - American First for pets, Iron Maiden 747, LoungeBuddy, sinking airport
14 Sep 2015
01:05:07
SHOW NOTES
Shout outs
Our thanks to all our listeners, we really appreciate your loyalty and your feedback! Special thanks to Neil (JNB), Zachary (SFO), Kendall (TXL), Michael (FAB), HhhHhm (AMS), Gen (PVG), Pieter (BOH), Markus (STR), Mica & Camille (LHR), Gray (TPA) and Mascha (AMS) for your messages. And Don for episode 022, the feedback has been incredible.
022 JNB - Don Hunter, fmr Cathay Pacific and Kai Tak, debating the future of flying
10 Sep 2015
01:26:11
SHOW NOTES
Guest
Don Hunter. Chief Officer Airport Operations at Oman Air since 2010. Prior to that, MD Dnata Philippines and Vice President Operations Dnata Dubai. Managing director of Menzies Macau in 2007-2008. General Manager Airport Services Virgin Atlantic in 2004-2007. Cathay Pacific Airways in 1986-2004, posts included General Manager Kai Tak, Managing Director Hong Kong Air Terminal Services, and MD Hong Kong Airport Services, General Manager Africa and Airport Manager San Francisco. 10 years as commissioned officer in the Royal Air Force.
We've discussed about this topic in all our episodes so far. Of note, check episode 005 MUC on the origins of the Gulf airlines, 004 GVA on the US versus Middle-East debate, 008 SIN on Lufthansa's low cost strategy or 014 DXB where we talk about Emirates.
Do you have a number? The saga of Alex trying to beat boarding time at Lisbon (you won't believe he, of all people, made that mistake). A completely charming SWISS cheese board on-board (and cows in the Zurich airport train). Etihad 2.0 are quietly great, a tasteful experience we appreciate (and flying over the Arabian Gulf is a sight to be seen), plus they're now about making money (err, shouldn't it have been the case since the start?). The "Etihad Lounge, The House of the Name of the House of the Lounge of Etihad and Other Airlines that are associated with us, but not really, and we are a good lounge, Lounge" is no more, but Alex isn't sure where he was anyway. A prescient Careem driver takes Alex to the Midfield Terminal, a mirage in a Star Wars movie (will it finally open this December??), but for the moment, the 1970s airport stays your only choice (T3 was opened in 2009, but feels way older). Saudi Arabia is launching a second flag carrier, and another airline, and expansion of airports, and like wow. Floating at 40'000 feet in silence (but with Flightradar). A new A380 UK-based carrier, are they for real? A lounge within a lounge, but it's Louis Vuitton. Super Mario Bros Warp Zones in Madrid.
1st Class, Premier Class, Upper Class. Who truly has the top tier "pointy end product"? What product/services are necessary to be widely considered a 1st class product?by Will Hunter from Berkeley, California.
VI. Airport of the week
LAX
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127 JFK T8 - Mint Studio wow, airfare inflation, BEY dual time, increased turbulences, why do you go to a lounge?
27 Apr 2023
01:59:13
Alex gets lost at JFK T8, only to encounter crazy turbulences over the Atlantic (a future worsening trend). But how did he get there? Finally testing what Paul did in 2021, the Mint Studio — a hope for the future of long haul narrow bodies. Airfare prices are way up from 2019 (more than inflation!), is that temporary, or what prices will be, and should always have been (that's the opinion of AirAsia's founder), so, please, JetBlue, don't Norwegian it! When you call BA, you will get quoted different fees and taxes every time, just keep calling (but who calls in 2023??). Also, DO YOU KNOW WHAT AIRLINE YOU WORK FOR?
Our proposal: play musical chairs in lounges and every five minutes, you have to get up and give somebody else your seat (just keep the ceiling intact, unlike in Paul's sound studio).
006 BCN - Google Flights, Bombardier CS300, mobile passport, Airwolf, MH370
05 Mar 2015
01:12:14
SHOW NOTES
Two shout outs this week. First to TheDesignAir for going live with their brand new podcast, The Aviator, it's really great and you should all subscribe!
Second to our own Alex who just released the first episode of his video travel show, Attaché. Take a look at the London episode. Paul attended the filming of Barcelona this week—what fun we had!
004 GVA - US3 versus ME3, SkyMall, Google Glass at airports, La Compagnie
16 Feb 2015
01:11:57
SHOW NOTES
We implemented a new recording method for this episode, which improves on the sound. We realize that the mixing is not yet perfect but we know that John Biggs will continue pushing us towards perfection.
003 SFO - Japan Airlines leg room, LCY expansion, flight booking apps, selfie crash, Emirates 747
09 Feb 2015
01:05:51
SHOW NOTES
We are very appreciative for the all the feedback received in the past week. It was overwhelming, thank you everyone and keep it coming!
We are learning about podcasting as we go and, for instance, we have tested an improved sound solution that we should start using for next week's episode.
126 MAD - Mad dash at MADrid, skip the JAL banana, BA/LHR chagrin, Lufthansa seat Tetris, Emirates is Apple
09 Mar 2023
02:02:18
How is it we had never actually done MAD as an episode title? This ends today, however the mad MADrid dash from T4S to T4 never does. Alex has lots to say about BA and it's …not great (he's not alone to think like this). Paul calls it, the better London airport is definitively Gatwick (stop being a wannabe posh by preferring LHR). Lufthansa introduces a grand new First Class, and a super complex Tetris business class with 14+ options (Swiss introduces the same, but in bordeaux). Will Dolomiti be folded into ITA (the ever growing Lufthansa Group realm of the European skies). Emirates is the Apple of airlines, you might not love them but they offer incredible consistency at massive scale, truly admirable (DXB could do with a bit of a refresh though). You know what, you can fly the 747-400 to Palma (BE QUICK, BEFORE THE 744 ERA ENDS).
We mentioned (and promised to link) those two:
The worst airport in the world (by Jo Ellison, in the FT, paywall possible, I'M SORRY, JO, FOR MISNAMING YOUR LAST NAME!!!!), and
See you again for 127, and, in the meanwhile, please give us any feedback on Twitter or Instagram (and Apple Podcasts if you're inclined to give us a nice review).
125 CDG T2 - The 747 is forever, a London NY bridge at JFK T8, Air France lounge joie de vivre, 777 guillotine, the airport game
18 Feb 2023
02:10:30
The airport you think is overrated, the airport you like, the airport you love, the airport you feel yourself in, the airport you need to visit — play the airport game with us (and feel free to tweet us your answers!). The new Air France lounge at CDG T2F is beautiful, as can be CDG …when it works (you'll probably need to taxi on a country drive to get there haha). The new lounges at JFK T8, the new of BA in New York, feel like a success (and clever naming!). The end of the 747 production line triggers memories for the both of us (a crazy typhoon for Alex, a cramped Combi for Paul, a sense of place for both). A renewed joie de vivre by flying Air France (is Transavia the legitimate child of KLM though?). Flying the OG Norwegian, riding the good old Acela, and a French guillotine in the 777.
124 LAX — In and out LAX, the rise of Turkish Airlines, frequent flyer free agents, airline consulting, LA celebrity handling, with Hakan aka LAFlyr
21 Jan 2023
01:46:22
Friend of the show, and very long time listener (since episode 1!), Hakan Yılmaz, aka @LAFlyr on Twitter, grew up wanting to go early at the airport to see the planes, and collect avgeek paraphernalia, and never stopped being a kid, by still going early to the airport to see the planes, and a career that led him to American Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Atlas, etc., with millions of miles under his belt, and tons of stories to share — from the admirable rise of Turkish Airlines (fascinating SAS story on the invention of the hub and spoke model), to the celebrity stories at Virgin (do you carry money when traveling but nothing else? Or lots of LV luggage instead? Reach out to us!), from over-complicating airline operations (which airline is it, do you reckon?) to the uncomplicated life as loyalty programs free agents (the three of us are becoming so, though it's a mental fight to let go), we geek out and rant and laugh, we get the in and outs of LAX (that's Hakan's pun), and thank you all for still listening to us in 2023.
123 BRR — Flying the Concorde, visiting all the Concordes, accessing the Concorde Room, a Concorde episode with GGL Ed Parsons
31 Dec 2022
01:47:43
Ed Parsons, the Google Maps guy, is our guest today. He's heard the Concorde prototype noise as a kid, flown on the Concorde before it got retired, explored all the Concordes in existence around the world since — a true fan — and we discuss it all, from the history to the conspiracy theories, to a certain nostalgia about a future that's now in the past.
He is also a GGL, Gold Guest List, the (almost) top tier British Airways status, which gives him access to the exclusive Concorde Rooms (yes, there's more than one), and we learn about more the extra perks, whilst we discuss the not-exactly-great state of current BA, and Heathrow.
Ed tells us about the many Air Shows he's toured (and photographed!), and of the amazing BRR beach airport (Otter it is, but no Maldives temperatures). Thank you SO MUCH, Ed!