Bonza has come out swinging after reports in The Australian Financial Review that consultant KordaMentha had been called in to advise the airline. In one of the more blunt denials we’ve seen, the low-cost carrier’s CEO, Tim Jordan, has insisted KordaMentha “has not been appointed as financial advisors to Bonza, or in any other capacity” – so what’s…

With tensions flaring between Israel and Iran, Qantas has paused its non-stop Perth–London services, adding a new stop in Singapore on the northbound journey. Given the difficulties of avoiding Iranian airspace between Perth and London while staying within the safe range of a 787-9 Dreamliner, is the Flying Kangaroo hurting for the lack of its new …

Qantas has unveiled a massive shake-up to its frequent flyer program, adding 20 million new seats per year. The “Classic Plus” seats will cost more than the existing 5 million annual “Classic Rewards” seats, but will be more reliably available to passengers looking to spend their hard-earned frequent flyer points. Adam and Jake discuss the pros and…

No sooner have the Network Aviation strikes in WA ended than Airservices Australia becomes the next big name in the sector to face industrial action, as aviation rescue firefighters plan a work stoppage for 15 April and air traffic controllers apply for a strike vote. Amid arguments over “leaked documents”, pay rises, and passenger safety, what imp…

Heads are continuing to roll at Boeing, with the CEO and chairman both announcing their retirement by the end of the year. It’s the latest fallout in the ongoing turmoil stemming from the mid-air blowout on board an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in January – but will even these senior figures falling on their swords prove to be too little, too late? Ad…

In a bid to boost Air Force recruitment, Defence has launched a cinematic new advertising campaign spruiking all the different roles available in the RAAF. Featuring footage of (and shot in) actual RAAF aircraft, the ad blitz aims to get more young people interested in an Air Force career – but will it work? Adam and Jake discuss whether the “Up Th…

Pet-loving passengers rejoice – Virgin Australia is allowing literal ‘sky kittens’ on its planes, with small dogs and cats soon to be allowed in the cabin on select domestic flights. Naturally, there are caveats, of course: pets will need to be confined to approved carriers stored under the seat in front, and will be limited to certain rows, so you…

This week, Bonza quietly revealed its Canadian aircraft would be gaining their Australian passports, switching from a wet to dry lease agreement. Adam and Jake discuss what this means for the airline’s future, and whether it could eventually fly from Sydney to Melbourne. Plus, Jetstar staff have got a fashion makeover in time for the new season. Bu…

Last week, Qantas released another set of impressive financial results that showed the airline is continuing its historic performance post-pandemic. But buried deep down was the news that the first A350 set to fly Project Sunrise direct flights from New York to Sydney was set to be delayed by six months. This episode, Jake and Adam discuss what it …

This week, Virgin Australia’s CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, shocked the industry by stepping down as the airline’s CEO. But has she left on a high, or is there more to the departure than meets the eye? This week, Adam and Jake discuss the latest and speculate on who could take the top job. Plus, the pair discuss never-ending strikes at Qantas and the return…

Babcock Australasia and Ambulance Victoria perform vital work in the state, serving 5.5 million people and retrieving or treating 6,000 patients a year – many of them in critical condition. This week, we speak to two of Babcock’s aviation personnel working on the front line, senior base pilot Heath Mastin and senior aircrew officer Ryan Hurrell. Th…

Former fighter pilot Christian “Boo” Boucousis was one of the original hosts of the Australian Aviation Podcast when it launched in 2020. Now he’s back from his new home of Miami, Florida, to talk about how the industry has changed from the dark days of the pandemic. He tells host Adam Thorn why the enhanced opportunities to fly in the US don’t com…

This week, Qantas unveiled a flash new safety video that took in destinations as varied as Litchfield National Park and Lapland. The problem is not one bit of it was filmed in an aircraft. This week, the team discuss whether it’s too smart for its own good, endangering safety, or whether the Flying Kangaroo’s critics are more interested in holding …

The release of the December BITRE data for on-time domestic performance has seen carriers such as Rex and Qantas rush to claim victory over their rivals. But with on-time performance across the board still well below the long-term average – plus airfares still too high – should major airlines really be celebrating? Adam and Jake crunch the numbers,…

So much for New Year’s resolutions. As we enter 2024, Virgin and Qantas are attacking each other in a bid to operate lucrative flights to Bali. Virgin says Qantas relies too heavily on overseas aircrew, while Qantas says Virgin charges too much. Who are we to believe? In this episode, Adam and Jake discuss the latest. Plus, with flights at record n…

Over the Christmas holidays, two major international aviation stories got Australians talking, with radically different impacts for planemakers. Airbus was hailed for its innovative aircraft design after everybody onboard an exploding A350 miraculously escaped unharmed. However, Boeing faced another backlash after a door on an Alaska Airlines 737 M…

It’s been an unpleasant couple for weeks for Bonza, the new kid on the Australian aviation block, with mass cancellations of its new Gold Coast routes while it waits for CASA to clear its wet-lease operations with Flair. With customers fuming and damage control efforts underway, whose fault is the Gold Coast debacle, and what could have been done d…

In November, UNSW Aviation held a panel to discuss the government’s aviation white paper, which will create a long-term strategy for the industry for the next three decades. The session featured a collection of senior figures who gave a diverse range of views, including those who are pilots, lawyers, executives and policy experts. It was chaired by…

In a spectacular proof of concept, Virgin Atlantic has flown the world’s first commercial flight – from London to New York – powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) derived from waste fats and plant sugars. At a time when standards dictate a maximum of 50 per cent SAF blend, will Virgin Atlantic’s argument of “if you make it, we’ll fly …

In the wake of Alan Joyce’s exit from the Flying Kangaroo, aviation luminary Peter Harbison has released Alan Joyce and Qantas: The Trials and Transformation of an Australian Icon. The book charts the former CEO’s life and career, from his youth in Ireland through to his defection from Ansett to Qantas, his role in the launch of Jetstar, and his tu…

First Alan Joyce, now this – Australian Aviation’s Chris Fenton is leaving us. In his (sort of) final episode, the team farewells the man who has held almost every job in aviation. But before he goes, Adam, Jake and Chris discuss the week’s biggest stories, including Virgin’s deteriorating relationship with the unions and the ongoing row over singl…

It’s been another rough few weeks for Qantas, with the public unimpressed by the airline’s claim that it doesn’t sell tickets for specific flights but “bundles of contractual rights”. With the Flying Kangaroo already on the nose for allegedly selling more than 8,000 tickets to already-cancelled flights, will the optics of that defence do more harm …

Earlier this year, UNSW Aviation held a special panel at the university, examining how a just culture can be improved to facilitate advances in aviation safety. The session featured a panel of industry experts who gave a diverse range of views, including figures from CASA, Qantas and the Australian and International Air Pilots Association. It was c…

This week, new CEO Vanessa Hudson made her first big call as she unwound Qantas’ agreement to buy Alliance. That deal, of course, was led by her predecessor, Alan Joyce. Chris, Jake and Adam discuss whether this is the start of a new, more diplomatic era for the Flying Kangaroo. Plus, Bonza CEO Tim Jordan swaps the airport for the train station as …

A pair of high-profile departures at the Flying Kangaroo is seeing chairman Richard Goyder and Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth head for the exits. But with no firm departure date, is Goyder taking too long to allow for a true renewal at the top of Qantas? Jake and Chris discuss Goyder’s ‘long goodbye’ and whether it will hamper new CEO Vanessa Huds…

Andrew Charlton is the managing director of Aviation Advocacy, a consultancy firm based in Switzerland. His CV includes stints as chief legal officer at Qantas before heading government affairs for the IATA and working as a lecturer in airport economics, management and policy. In this special episode in partnership with UNSW Aviation, Charlton disc…

Last week, Qantas’s new CEO and chairman were summoned to attend a Senate inquiry into the airline’s recent performance. But how did the Flying Kangaroo do in the face of brutal barbs from the posturing inquisitors? Adam and Chris discuss the fallout and who they believe came out on top. Plus, how good is Rex’s new frequent flyer scheme? Australian…

New Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson had been conspicuous by her absence since taking the top job in aviation. However, last Friday, she recorded a video message to consumers, apologising for the Flying Kangaroo’s performance and pledging to improve the situation. Adam, Chris and Jake discuss how well she came across and whether her intervention will help…

Last week, Qantas lost its High Court appeal over the outsourcing of around 1,700 ground workers during the pandemic. The decision means the airline is facing a hefty compensation bill – and yet more bad publicity. Adam, Chris and Jake discuss the latest and ask how Qantas can say sorry to ex-employees when it fought so hard in court to defend its …

It’s one week PJ (that’s post-Joyce), but Qantas’s critics don’t seem to be letting up. Whether it’s the row over Qatar, frequent flyer points, slots, delays or the Chairman’s Lounge, the bad news keeps coming for the Flying Kangaroo. This week, Jake, Chris and Adam discuss the latest revelations and ask how the airline can stem the tide of bad new…

This week, Alan Joyce stepped down as Qantas CEO early, bringing to an end his 15-year spell in aviation’s top job. It came days after the ACCC revealed it was taking the airline to court over allegations it sold tickets to flights it already cancelled. But as the vultures circle, was he really that bad a leader? Adam, Jake and Chris reflect on the…

Qantas has confirmed it will order 12 new 787 Dreamliners and 12 Airbus A350s to replace the bulk of its ageing A330 fleet. The news means outgoing CEO Alan Joyce will leave the company having overseen what is likely the last significant aircraft order for a decade. But should Joyce have left that announcement to his successor rather than take the …

This week, both Qantas and Virgin weighed in on Qatar being blocked from adding more flights to Australia’s major airports. But Virgin CEO Jayne Hrdlicka has skin in the game because her airline is a codeshare partner of Qatar, and, of course, a fellow rival of Qantas. So what’s going on? And does anyone really have Aussie travellers’ best interest…

Qantas has officially thrown its weight behind the Yes campaign for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. The Flying Kangaroo has unveiled a new livery for three of its aircraft – a Qantas 737-800, a Jetstar A320, and a QantasLink Dash 8 – featuring the Yes campaign’s logo, saying it has long supported reconciliation and a “fair go”. But is the natio…

Air traffic control provider Airservices Australia finally admitted it's not delivering the service people expect – on a Friday afternoon. The statement, significantly, didn’t contain an apology and came after repeated assurances that the organisation did actually have enough staff. This week, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss and latest and ask whether…

Weeks ago, Bonza announced a surprising cut to its network despite only launching in January. But on Monday, the point-to-point carrier revealed it is setting up a third base in the Gold Coast, from where it will fly to 11 destinations. Adam, Jake and Chris discuss what this means for Bonza’s strategy and what might be going on with its wet lease a…

This week, Sydney Airport’s CEO told major airlines to use their take-off slots or let other carriers have them as domestic traffic continues to languish. It comes after the ACCC in June argued that larger airlines “can exploit” slot rules to stifle competition from smaller carriers, with both Bonza and Rex claiming the system is putting them at a …

Last week, Bonza said it would axe five of its 27 routes just months after their launch in a move the airline said would reduce cancellations across its network. Chief customer officer Carly Povey admitted to Australian Aviation the decision to cut back services had been made earlier than Bonza would have liked and added the company was compelled t…

Australia’s biggest pilots’ union last week claimed air traffic control staffing issues are making skies less safe for pilots and passengers. The Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) has told Australian Aviation that its members have encountered “chronic” and “systemic” staffing problems at Airservices dating back to before the COVID-19 pande…

This week, Bonza has blamed the industry’s ongoing talent shortage for a rash of cancellations that have left passengers stranded. They weren’t the only ones, with controversy surrounding whether or not Australia has enough air traffic controllers following delays and cancellations affecting NSW’s school holiday getaway. This week, Adam, Chris and …

To its detractors, the noise from overhead aircraft will hugely affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents, but for avgeeks, living under the flight path is a privilege. In this episode, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss whether we should care about the ‘purring’ of an aircraft overhead. The team also chat about whether airlines handled COVI…

Qantas has unveiled the first photos of the unique stretching area located on its Project Sunrise A350-1000s that will fly for up to 20 hours. The ‘Wellbeing Zone’, accessible to all passengers, will feature “sculpted wall panels” and “integrated stretch handles” as well as a guided on-screen exercise program. But is it a smart solution to survivin…

The Australian Aviation Awards 2023 are on course to be the biggest in our history. In this episode, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss why you need to take this last chance to enter and share their tips for becoming a nominee. Plus, the team discusses the biggest news stories of the week, including the latest on noise for locals near Brisbane Airport, W…

Aeromedical charity CareFlight, which delivers aeromedical services in urban, regional, and remote areas around Australia, has partnered with AMSL Aero on a new electric VTOL air ambulance – the Vertiia. CEO Mick Frewen talks with Australian Aviation’s Jake Nelson on how the Vertiia will be added to CareFlight’s fleet and what it means for aeromedi…

This week, the ACCC claimed airlines “can exploit” the rules around airport slots – effectively hoarding the best take-off times to indefinitely block out rivals. But what on earth are the rules, and why have they proved so controversial? In this episode, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss whether the system is helping maintain the duopoly of Qantas and …

Four months after its launch, low-cost carrier Bonza has wrapped up its initial 27-route network rollout and is now eyeing future growth. CEO Tim Jordan joins us again on the Australian Aviation podcast to discuss Bonza’s early successes, the challenges of launching a new domestic airline in today’s environment and what might be in store for Bonza …

With aviation continuing to emerge from the COVID-19 slump, YouTubers like Jeb Brooks of GreenerGrass.com are making a living bringing the flying experience – especially business and first-class travel – to people who may never sit in the pointy end of the plane themselves. Jeb tells Jake Nelson how he’s made a thriving career out of sharing “the m…

As drone technology advances by leaps and bounds, Sydney-based drone training company Aviassist has brought another new innovation to Australian shores, with the country’s first AI-operated drone flight recently taking place on Goat Island in Sydney Harbour. In this episode, Aviassist’s Ross Anderson talks to Jake Nelson about the Skydio Dock techn…

Air New Zealand has finally released more details around its much-hyped Skynest. This week, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss whether the bunk bed design is a revolution or PR stunt. Plus, the team discusses reports we’ll soon be flying between London and Sydney in two hours. Can it possibly be worse than 18 hours in economy?…

This week, it emerged Alan Joyce’s successor at Qantas, Vanessa Hudson, will be paid significantly less than the airline’s long-serving CEO. In this episode, Adam, Jake and Chris ask whether that’s a blow for industry equality – or still a handsomely-paid chief executive. Plus, the team discusses the latest instalment in the bizarre and confusing b…