World of Aviation Podcast Network

It was another big week here on World of Aviation, with financial results, travel corridors and, of course, the latest Mars Helicopter update.

On this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling give you the latest information on the status of Ingenuity, as NASA’s Mars-based rotorcraft hit its very first roadblock.

The team also discusses the latest update on Europe’s travel corridors, ahead of the UK’s upcoming announcement of its border situation and easing of travel restrictions from 17 May.

Finally, the crew talks about the ongoing Boeing v Airbus rivalry, and where each of the major planemakers stand following their 2021 Q1 results.

This week saw NASA’s Mars Helicopter successfully complete its second flight test, while back on Earth, the FAA’s new drone regulations officially came into play.

On this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling talk all things drones in light of the FAA’s newest regulations that will see humans begin to experience life in shared spaces with semi-autonomous drones.

The team also discusses the latest update on NASA’s Mars Ingenuity Helicopter, and what this means for the future of space exploration.

The crew also speaks about United reinstating its Boeing 777s with PW engines following a fiery engine failure, and Emirates challenging Boeing on its 777X program progress.

It’s one for the history books!

In an exceptional feat of engineering, NASA has flown the first rotorcraft on the surface of another planet, with its solar-powered and remotely operated helicopter Ingenuity taking to the Martian skies for 39 seconds.

In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss the history-making event, as well as Ryanair’s cheeky ploy to stop traditional airlines from being bailed out by European countries.

Finally, the team talk about Boeing’s week of bad luck following a slew of lawsuits over its Air Force One contract, and even more electrical faults located in the ever-embattled 737 MAX.

This week saw a lot of discussion around the long-fabled industry pilot shortage, particularly in the US, as well as the emerging trend of international travel bubbles.

In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss the current state of the perceived shortage and its short-term impact on the industry in light of Delta’s dramatic cancellation of 100 flights.

The team follows it up with debate about United’s announcement to launch a new recruitment campaign for its very own pilot training academy, including its ‘controversial’ decision to push for 50 per cent of all applicants to be women or people of colour.

Other topics discussed this week included the beginning of international ‘travel bubbles’, Iran’s indictment of officials involved in the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane, and UPS welcoming eVTOLs for rural deliveries.

In traditional Ryanair fashion, the budget carrier is ambitiously striving to hit 80 per cent or more of its pre-COVID capacity as soon as July, in a bid to see Europeans embrace the summer travel season.

In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss the European giant’s latest headline-making statements, along with the news of European planemaker Airbus completing the inaugural flight of its final iconic four-engine A380.

The team also discusses the intriguing controversy surrounding Norway’s latest low-cost trans-Atlantic carrier Norse Atlantic, in a story that sounds all too familiar as embattled carrier Norwegian Air exits that very same market.

Finally, the crew also touches on current recovery prospects for airlines across the globe, and the innovative ways some airlines are increasing cash flow to tide them over – including IAG’s decision to offer lucrative landing slots at Heathrow and Gatwick to secure $1.8 billion in funding.

Last week saw Iran release its final report into the passenger jet it accidentally shot down in January last year, while the number of US domestic travellers hit its highest level since March 2020, a key sign that confidence is returning to the market.

In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss the final report into the Ukranian International Airlines jet that was accidentally downed by Iranian forces in January 2020, and the global criticism it has subsequently received.

The team also highlighted the current trajectory of industry recovery across international markets, as well as Sir Richard Branson’s latest £100 million bailout for Virgin Atlantic.

Finally, the team talk about Boeing’s week of new orders and controversies.

Last week, passengers onboard the United Airlines 777 that suffered an engine failure in February officially moved to take a class action suit against the airline for the incident, citing emotional distress.

In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss whether or not United is at fault for the incident, and if passengers have any leg to stand on in their suit.

The team also explores the US CDC’s decision to limit the movement of even fully vaccinated people, by extending its advice against non-essential travel to them.

Finally, the crew look into the turning tides for Boeing, as the embattled planemaker begins to pick up some steam in 2021, after its notorious ‘year from hell’ in 2020.

Here’s to a good news week!

In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling delve into the current status of aviation’s post-crisis recovery, as well as the updated information on the United 777 that dropped engine parts over Colorado.

Then the team discusses the FAA’s new testing regime for drone detection and mitigation technologies in shared airspaces with manned aircraft.

Finally, the crew talks all things supersonic, with the latest updates in the battle to return supersonic passenger aircraft to the skies, for the first time since the fall of the Concorde in 2003.

On Saturday, 27 February 2021, a United Airlines 777 suffered a single-engine failure that resulted in engine shrapnel, including a near-intact engine cowling, falling on a Denver suburb below.

Just hours beforehand, a very similar incident occurred on a Boeing 747 in the Netherlands, which saw two minor injuries and cars littered with engine blade parts.

This week, the World of Aviation team investigated the two curious cases of aircraft engines suffering a failure, and raining shrapnel on the cities below them.

Host Adam Thorn and World of Aviation reporter Hannah Dowling walk through what we know so far about each incident, what we expect to uncover in the coming days and weeks, and the response of the parties involved.

The future is now! Flying cars to hit the road (and skies) by 2022.

Tune in to this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, where host Adam Thorn, joined in studio by reporter Hannah Dowling, shares the details of the FAA’s mammoth decision to certify a hybrid flying car for personal use.

The team also discusses Boeing’s ‘mixed bag’ of a week, including over 200 Dreamliners grounded for defect inspections and the UAE lifting its MAX ban.

Also explored is the end of the Bombardier Learjet after more than six decades of production, and the ongoing non-COVID crisis facing the aviation industry: the environmental crisis.

It was a week that saw government bailouts, trans-Atlantic rivalries, and moves towards sustainable aviation.

Tune in to this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, where host Adam Thorn and guests Hannah Dowling and Christian “Boo” Boucousis discuss the current status of US government financial aid for US airlines and airports.

The team also discusses the ongoing battle between Airbus and Boeing, and the trans-Atlantic tariff feud that may just have an end in sight.

To wrap up, the crew talks about KLM’s commercial service using sustainable fuel, and other climate-conscious decisions made as the aviation industry returns some of its focus to the climate emergency.

Ryanair has continued to push for Europeans to return to travelling, despite US airlines warning of thousands more furloughs and Boeing reporting a 60 per cent plummet in firm 777X orders.

This week on the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling question why Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary continues to suggest it’s safe to travel, as the UK continues to report tens of thousands of COVID cases per day.

The team also discusses American Airlines warning 13,000 of its staff they are at risk of furlough, while Boeing’s firm orders on its recently delayed 777X program fell by 60 per cent.

Finally, what will the pre-COVID pilot shortage mean for the industry’s long-term recovery?

Tune in to this week’s episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, where host Adam Thorn and guests Hannah Dowling and Christian “Boo” Boucousis discuss the latest update on the Sriwijaya crash, as well as Airbus in criminal court and, of course, the latest and greatest of Boeing’s woes.

The week saw Boeing shaken up by seemingly endless PR problems amid its record-breaking $12 billion annual loss, while rival Airbus was asked to return to French criminal court on charges of manslaughter.

Meanwhile, in lighter news, the UK is set to see its first-ever eVTOL pop-up airport in Coventry, of all places.

Welcome to 2021: a year marked by trouble at Boeing, border closures and major aircraft tragedies.

This week on the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and guests Hannah Dowling and Christian “Boo” Boucousis discuss a start to the year that seems worryingly familiar.

In particular, the team talks in-depth about Boeing’s $2.5 billion 737 MAX fine, what we’re set to learn from Israel’s rapid-fire vaccine program and whether the new normal will ever go back to being the old normal we liked.

Finally, in some positive news, the crew chats about a recent FAA ruling that opens the door to a new generation of supersonic business jets. 

Imagine a world without COVID. A world where international travel is back on and stood down workers are stood upright again. Everything’s going to be great, right?

This week, World of Aviation’s Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling ask whether the industry is in for a grim future of longer hours and less staff as the new, new normal kicks in.

Will early retirements leave us with a bigger pilot shortage? Will young people training today have a future? And how many airlines will remain?

Plus, the team discusses the rise of drones. Will they really disrupt traditional aviation? 

The good news is the world has a vaccine that should bring aviation back to life.

The bad news is we have no idea exactly when, or how, that will happen.

This week, World of Aviation’s Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling ask if the world will open back up in summer or winter; at the same time or separate; and whether domestic travel can plug the gap in the meantime?

The pair also discuss the different tactics employed by airlines. Will a decision to stick or twist have long-term ramifications?

Unlike most in the industry, Boeing knew it was in for a rough 2020. It just probably didn’t realise how bad.

This week, World of Aviation’s Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling discuss how the planemaker dealt with the dual blows of struggling to certify the MAX and COVID.

Will passengers be scared to buy a ticket? Does Ryanair’s deal herald a breakthrough moment? And can the MAX ever reclaim its position as one of the world’s most successful planes ever?

Finally, the team discusses the departure of the 747. Will we ever see the like of the Queen of the Skies again?

Tune in to this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, where Adam and Hannah discuss Boeing’s year from hell, Ryanair’s ever-expanding European footprint, and the return on Flybe.

As with much of 2020, Boeing continues to dominate the news.

In this week’s podcast, host Adam Thorn and World of Aviation journalist Hannah Dowling discuss Boeing’s first 737 MAX delivery since the aircraft was grounded nearly two years ago.

Elsewhere, collapsed regional player Flybe applied for an operating licence in the UK, and European low-cost giant Ryanair expanded its ever-growing foothold in Europe with new bases.

Last week, Ryanair threw its weight behind the MAX with 75 more orders.

But are other airlines now following suit?

In this week’s Inside Aviation catch-up, Phil and Adam discuss the state of play for Boeing. Is its year from hell now over?

Finally, the team discusses the latest burst of optimism for the 747. Does the iconic aircraft have a future now it’s in semi-retirement?

You wait a year for one approval, and then you get two at once!

This week, Adam and Boo discuss the two breakthrough moments of the last 12 months as the UK begins vaccinating people and Boeing lands its first big MAX order.

But while the good news should be celebrated, it also brings some questions. What will be the politics behind jabs and border openings? Will people care if they’re on a MAX? And were the two announcements interrelated?

Finally, the team future-gaze as to what they can expect in 2021.