Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency, shares insights on future travel trends. He discusses how technology like facial recognition and enhanced Wi-Fi will elevate travel comfort. Charles highlights the surge in European rail investments as a strong competitor to airlines. He notes a rise in adventurous destinations, popular among younger travelers, and TikTok's significant influence on luxury travel choices. Additionally, he addresses the UK's tourism challenges and emphasizes the need for improved airport efficiency to enhance the travel experience.

Paul Charles, the Chief Executive of the PC Agency and a globetrotter, shares his extensive insights on aviation trends. He reveals his impressive stats for 2025, including 82 flights and 145,000 miles traveled. Paul praises British Airways for a delightful custom cake experience in first-class, while contrasting it with a disappointing meal on Air Madagascar featuring a caterpillar. He discusses improvements in punctuality thanks to enhanced weather conditions and tech investments, including facial recognition for smoother airport processes.

For people living in the UK without a car, Christmas Day has long been a problem. No trains are running, and in most areas local buses remain in the depot too – leaving car-less people dependent on friends, family or taxis to get around. But this 25 December things are getting better, according to Graham Vidler, CEO of the Confederation of Passenger Transport.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive of Dubai Airports, used to run Gatwick airport. In the third and final part of our conversation, the boss of the world's busiest international airport offers advice on expansion at both Heathrow and Gatwick. "The boost that will give to the economy, the advantages it will drive for trade for the UK are all desperately needed. Make the decision, stick to it,"This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second part of my exclusive conversation with Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive of Dubai Airports, we gaze deep into the future of aviation. Not only does Dubai International expect to be the first airport in the world to handle 100 million international passengers – along the road, Dubai World Central airport is planned to outpace the DXB and the rest of the world.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today and for the following two days, I am bringing you a conversation with the man who is responsible for more "passenger miles" than anyone else on the planet: Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports. For the first of three parts, we talked about how Dubai International airport has blossomed into the biggest hub for international passengers in the world.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm joined by The Independent's US travel editor, Ted Thornhill, for his insights on the tricky business of reclining seats, sharing armrests, stowing baggage and whether you can ever upgrade to the business class bathroom?This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amelia Neath, travel writer for The Independent, continues her romp through the best-value European city breaks for 2026. Today: the top five are revealed.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Travel writer for The Independent Amelia Neath has compiled a brilliant list of best-value European city breaks for 2026. It's another two-parter: today she is counting down from 10 to six, and tomorrow the top five will be revealed.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Travel desk Tuesday, and today senior travel writer Natalie Wilson is reporting on the Belmond British Pullman Christmas lunch trip from London Victoria to Kent – and looking ahead to Interrail travel for 2026. The current 25% discount offer, for passes that you can start any time in the next 11 months, ends at 9am GMT on Wednesday 17 December.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.