

AvTalk - Aviation Podcast
Flightradar24
An aviation podcast from Flightradar24, the world’s most popular flight tracking service.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 19, 2025 • 45min
AvTalk Episode 350: “Outrageous:” close calls near Venezuela
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a pair of incidents involving civilian aircraft and military aircraft without active transponders operating in Curaçao’s airspace sounds a bit too familiar. We discuss the events from the last week and the state of airspace in the southern Caribbean.
NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy had choice words for Congress after legislation weakening airspace protections put in place in the wake of January’s crash in Washington DC passed as part of the NDAA. But the Senate has now passed the ROTOR Act, which seeks to further strengthen those protections. We discuss what this might mean for aircraft operators in the US over the next few years.
Elsewhere, Spirit Airlines is still operating and a merger with Frontier is back on the table… again. A sun visor detached on a Malta Air 737 leading to an engine shutdown. And Lufthansa received an offer from the US Air Force it couldn’t refuse and will now say goodbye to a pair of 747-8Is in 2026.
Thank you for listening!
Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.
Please click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.
The post AvTalk Episode 350: “Outrageous:” close calls near Venezuela appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.

Dec 12, 2025 • 39min
AvTalk Episode 349: How do you forget about a 737?
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian and Jason return from their respective travels to survey this week’s news. We return to India where IndiGo’s meltdown last week left the government none-too-pleased with the airline. In the US, Peraton gets the nod as the FAA’s prime integrator for ATC modernization. Boeing completes its acquisition of Spirit Aerosystems (with Airbus picking up some pieces too).
A quickly fixed typo in a Qantas computer started a chain of events that resulted in a 737 taking off thinking it was much lighter than it actually was. And Air India is on the hook for more than $100,000 after discovering they own a 737-200 freighter that had been collecting dust in Kolkata for more than a decade.
Helpful links for this week’s episode
Qantas 737 take off weight miscalculation report
Thank you for listening!
Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.
Please click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.
The post AvTalk Episode 349: How do you forget about a 737? appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.

Dec 5, 2025 • 26min
AvTalk Episode 348: Consider the airspace closed in its entirety
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian is joined by new Flightradar24 crew member Daniel Gustafsson in the Flightradar24 offices in Stockholm, while Jason finishes his journey through Japan’s cat cafes.
We walk through the current NOTAMs affecting flights in and around Venezuela, as well as some of the unofficial pronouncements made with regard to Venezuelan airspace. We also discuss new reporting on the rift between the NTSB and India’s AAIB regarding the investigation of AI171. Airbus A320 family aircraft were grounded for a period last week to address a vulnerability in certain elevator aileron computers (ELAC). And a pair of reports show the benefits of the ground proximity warning system (GPWS).
Helpful links for this week’s episode
NOTAMs regarding Venezuela
Unofficial statements regarding Venezuelan airspace
Reporting on NTSB-AAIB rift
Flightradar24 playback of Air Arabia GPWS incident departing Catania
Flightradar24 playback of Ryanair GPWS incident in Malaga
Ryanair Malaga preliminary report
Thank you for listening!
Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.
Please check back soon for a transcript of this episode.
The post AvTalk Episode 348: Consider the airspace closed in its entirety appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.

Nov 27, 2025 • 52min
AvTalk Episode 347: Fatigue cracks, thrust levers, and sand ballast
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, an aviation journalist and historian, shares insights into the recent MD-11 crash and its troubling pylon fatigue findings. He explains the implications of emergency airworthiness directives on DC-10s and their impact on firefighting capabilities. In Seoul, frequent flyer Seth Miller contrasts his luxurious JAL first class experience with Jason's Korean Air economy trip. They also delve into the JetBlue 25for25 challenge, outlining strategies and obstacles as they navigate their travel adventures.

Nov 21, 2025 • 1h 4min
AvTalk Episode 346: The A340-600 episode
On this episode of AvTalk, the Dubai Airshow wraps up with a long list of major orders and other announcements. The FAA cancels its cancellation order and air traffic in the US returns to pre-government shutdown levels. Plus, anti-GPS jamming technology is coming from Fokker Services in early 2026.
We’re also joined by The Up Front editor-in-chief and Airbus A340-600 aficionado/historian John Walton for an in depth discussion on the development and staying power of Airbus’ longest airplane. AvTalk listeners have exclusive access to a special 24% off subscription rate to The Up Front.
Helpful links for this week’s show
FAA cancellation order canceled
A340-600 downstairs lavatories
A340-600 “Longer Larger Fart”
Video: Accepting a new E195-E2
A new SWISS watch
Thank you for listening!
Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.
Click here for a transcript of this episode.
The post AvTalk Episode 346: The A340-600 episode appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.

Nov 14, 2025 • 54min
AvTalk Episode 345: Reasonable people
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, US airspace held together—barely—with hastily announced cuts to flights at major airports going into effect and air traffic controller staffing triggers peaking on Sunday. We also discuss comments from President Trump (09:23-15:28) on controller staffing during the shutdown and what effect that sentiment might have on controllers in the future.
Updates on the crash of UPS 2976, including the latest updates from the NSTB and the FAA’s decision to ground the MD-11 fleet for inspections.
Australian investigators detail two flights that came extremely close to construction workers on the runway. And United files its response to a lawsuit from passengers who say they paid for a window seat, but all they got was a view of the aircraft sidewall. Listen to the discussion and let us know if you’re also “reasonable people.”
Helpful links for this week’s episode
FAA requires flight cuts at 40 major airports
Airline executives skeptical of flight cut justification
UPS 2976 investigative updates
FAA grounds MD-11s for inspections
ATSB report (with video) on pair of close calls at Melbourne
Thank you for listening!
Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.
Please click here for a transcript of this episode.
The post AvTalk Episode 345: Reasonable people appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.

Nov 7, 2025 • 38min
AvTalk Episode 344: UPS flight 2976
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss what we know so far about the crash of UPS Airlines flight 2976 in Louisville. To manage some of the burden on air traffic controllers during the government shutdown, the US is telling airlines to cancel up to 10% of their flights in major markets. Embraer says it is working on new ideas, but who knows which ones will come to market? And a bill working its way through the legislature in Brazil reads like a list of consumer complaints against airlines.
Helpful links for this week’s episode
UPS MD-11(F) crashes on take off in Louisville
US telling airlines to cancel flights at 40 airports
The Air Show podcast (re: American Airlines)
Thank you for listening!
Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.
Please click here for a transcript of this episode.
The post AvTalk Episode 344: UPS flight 2976 appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.

Oct 31, 2025 • 54min
AvTalk Episode 343: It’s a retention issue
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we chat with Katherine Moloney, a pilot and founder of Elevate(her) Aviation, an organization dedicated to raising the percentage of women in aviation careers around the world. Elevate(her)’s research has led to some obvious immediate changes that would be beneficial to the industry overall and others that offer a more sustainable path to growing the number of women joining—and staying—in aviation.
Also in this week’s episode,
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines now have a single operating certificate and we say goodbye to the “Hawaiian” call sign.
The airACT 747 has been removed from the sea in Hong Kong and investigators are beginning their examination of the data recorders.
The preliminary report on the near collision between a Nouvelair A320 and easyJet A320 in Nice points to just how close the aircraft were to disaster
Hurricane Hunter aircraft collecting data on Hurricane Melissa twice needed to turn out of the storm due to severe turbulence.
A Lufthansa flight took to the long way to Cape Town this week, we discuss the need for the detour.
Thank you for listening!
Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.
Please click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.
The post AvTalk Episode 343: It’s a retention issue appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.

Oct 24, 2025 • 33min
AvTalk Episode 342: Two statistically improbable events
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss two statistically improbable events — an airACT 747 veered off the runway and struck a vehicle before ending up in the sea and a United Airlines 737-8 MAX struck something at 36,000 feet. We walk through the most likely scenario at this point.
Lack of communication (literally) leads to a diversion in Omaha, the NTSB releases its preliminary report on the runway overrun in Roanoke, Boeing is moving up to production of 42 737s per month, and the US Senate advances a bill that would add requirements for ADS-B In usage and remove exemptions for most military flights.
Helpful links for this week’s episode
airACT 747 veers off runway in Hong Kong
United Airlines flight diverts after impact at 36,000 feet
Diversion back to Omaha
NTSB report on runway overrun in Roanoke
Senate advances ADS-B IN bill
A new plan for LAX
Thank you for listening!
Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.
Please click here for a transcript of this episode.
The post AvTalk Episode 342: Two statistically improbable events appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.

Oct 17, 2025 • 50min
AvTalk Episode 341: Dry Clean Only
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Russian president Vladimir Putin admits Russian air defenses damaged Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 before it crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan. American Airlines unveils its centennial logo ahead of its 100th anniversary next year. More than half of Finnair’s A321 fleet is currently undergoing inspections after the seat covers were washed with water. And there’s money behind a bid to revive Pan Am, with a plan for a hub in Miami.
Helpful links for this week’s episode
Data on J28243’s crash in Aktau
American Airlines’ newest special livery retro jet, N735AT
IATA’s Mark Searle WSOC speech on safety
Finnair’s water woes
Boeing’s new electronic standard for parts authentication
Thank you for listening!
Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.
Please click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.
The post AvTalk Episode 341: Dry Clean Only appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.


