Airline podcasts are essentially any type of podcast that discusses elements of aviation whether formally or informally. The shows can include discussion of flight, the business side of aviation, legal considerations, and so much more. These podcasts serve a vital role within the business sector for a number of different reasons. However, among the most significant is the simple fact that aviation is a complex industry that is constantly changing. In this article, you’ll learn about the most significant aviation-related podcasts. Likewise, you’ll see how to benefit from the shows.
Table of Contents:
- What Are Airline Podcasts?
- 10 Great Airline Podcasts to Learn about the Industry
- Why Listen to Airline Podcasts?
- Related Podcasts To Try Along With Airline Podcasts
- From Airline Podcasts to the Larger Industry
What Are Airline Podcasts?
Airline podcasts are strictly defined as audio recordings that focus on elements of the airline industry. They have a wide scope and might cover topics like airports, tips for travelers, interviews, and aviation news. The podcasts provide just as many benefits, including insight into pilot’s experiences, new technologies, trends, and challenges. The methods used range from formal technical discussion to firsthand accounts through storytelling. It’s this range of methods and subjects which makes podcasts such a valuable resource. You’ll find podcasts that are technical, entertainment, and mixtures of both types into a singular audio-based whole.
10 Great Airline Podcasts to Learn about the Industry
There’s a wide variety of options for airline podcasts. And each of the following highlights one of the best of the best among those airline podcast options.
Tales From the Departure Lounge Podcast
Tales from the Departure Lounge Podcast is an airline podcast hosted by Andy and Nick. They combine travel experience with interviews, travel hacks, and more. The podcast’s importance is in part thanks to its focus on the travel experience. Travel management is a complex subject, but there’s room for fun. The podcast touches on personal travel elements such as the benefits of studying abroad or which travel destinations will be the right fit. The host’s experience includes travel to over 70 different countries. Likewise, they bring expertise in international education.
Video: Departure Lounge Podcast Episode 83
Airlines Confidential Podcast
Airlines Confidential Podcast is hosted by Ben Baldanza and Scott McCartney. Together, they provide a lively discussion of air-related news, discussion, Q&A, and much more. Airline podcasts thrive on real-world experience, and it highlights one of the show’s important points. It has lively questions and feedback from the show’s listeners. Airlines Confidential also provides some humor in the form of passenger complaints. Ben Baldanza has 35 years of airline-related experience, including 11 years as CEO of Spirit Airlines. Scott McCartney has 40 years of reporting experience, including work with The Associated Press and Wall Street Journal.
Airplane Geeks
Airplane Geeks is a weekly show that examines all things aviation, from commercial to military planes. The show also puts special emphasis on community interaction. Airplane Geeks stands as an example of airline podcasts that recognize the human element. Panels of returning contributors, guests, and the community keep things lively. The show typically brings in experts to discuss new and complex subjects. This means that anything from travel marketing trends to new technologies will often have someone on hand who can explain it. The weekly format also keeps the news fresh and significant.
Aviation Careers Podcast
Aviation Careers Podcast is hosted by Carl Valeri, who invites listeners to explore various aviation-related careers. These discussions even include options for part-time aviation jobs. The podcast has an important place in the industry because of its specific focus on aviation-related careers. Likewise, the sheer variety of options is being discussed. Carl leverages over 20 years of experience in aviation to discuss the various options out there for aviation-related careers. He approaches the subject by looking at different paths to an end goal in aviation. This even includes how people can gradually switch career paths.
The Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast
The Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast is from Skift’s Airline Weekly. Hosts Jay Shabat and Edward Russell build on that strong foundation, focussing on commercial airlines. Its importance among airline podcasts stems from the professional focus. Listeners will learn about professional subjects like business strategies, airline revenue management, markets, and more. The larger aviation and travel industry is fun, but the business side is just as important. This podcast is a strong example of how one can approach the subject of the business while still appreciating exciting elements like breaking news or technologies.
Video: Airline Weekly Lounge Episode
The Airline Business Podcast
The Airline Business Podcast focuses on the industry’s progression from a boardroom perspective. Hosts Graham Dunn and Lewis Harper provide in-depth examinations and strategic breakdowns. Its importance among airline podcasts is in part because of the in-depth coverage of the business side of flight, from sustainability to new industry trends. The podcast also examines how travel trends and spending change in the wake of events like COVID. It’s sponsored by Panasonic Avionics, and those deep ties to the professional sector are always on display—for example, analysis of Qatar Airways and Lufthansa’s strategies.
CaptEddie Podcast
The CaptEddie Podcast, aka The Airline Radio Hour, is heavily focused on the historical side of flight. This includes technical discussions, historical stories, and more. The show’s importance among airline podcasts comes from how fleshed out the discussions are. It covers historical flights and the larger culture surrounding them. For example, discussions of WWII-era flight and travel technology might also feature popular music of that era. Listeners are often a part of the experience as well since the show has call-in segments where people can share their own experiences within the given period.
Layovers – Air Travel Podcast
Layovers – Air Travel Podcast is a show dedicated to the full travel experience. Listeners join hosts Paul Papadimitriou and Alex Hunter for enthralling travel-related discussions. It has a significant place among airline podcasts due to the breadth of knowledge on display. Travel discussions include firsthand experiences, trends, tips, and more. Paul’s expertise in the digital side of things pairs up nicely with Alex’s extensive history with travel and marketing. They’re able to navigate the intersections of air travel, such as experiences with airlines, time-tested travel methodologies, general tips, and peripherals like the hotel industry.
Airline Pilot Guy – Aviation Podcast
The Airline Pilot Guy – Aviation Podcast is hosted by Captain Jeff Nielson, who provides an insider view of aviation. It blends aviation stories with professionalism. The show is especially noteworthy as a way to look at the industry from an insider’s perspective. You learn about the feel of the industry. Jeff talks about the impact of new trends and technologies with a variety of industry experts. Co-hosts, guests, and listeners add to the interactivity. Taken as a whole, it’s a source of stories and facts, defined subjects, and subjective experiences with flight.
AviaDev Africa
AviaDev Africa sits among the airline podcasts with a geographical focus. Host Jon Howell, CEO of AviaDev, discusses the unique nature of aviation in Africa. AviaDev Africa is especially important as a geographically centered voice in aviation. It’s an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to study aviation in Africa. As part of AviaDev’s larger mission of connectivity, it also helps organize and detail events to bring related elements together. Jon discusses these events, new stories, and more. The pool of potential topics is huge, but they all relate to the African aviation industry.
Video: AviaDev Africa Podcast Episode
Why Listen to Airline Podcasts?
There are endless reasons to listen to airline podcasts. However, these are the main points to keep in mind when considering them.
- Industry Insights: Airline podcasts often give an insider’s look into how new social and technological developments are impacting the industry.
- Travel Tips: You’ll learn how people plan for the perfect trips with advice on booking, airport navigation, and more.
- Expert Interviews: Professionals with diverse aviation-related expertise share their stories, informed opinions, and firsthand accounts.
- Stay Updated: An airline podcast can provide the latest news you need to know in order to stay informed about routes, technologies, and legal considerations.
- Community Engagement: Podcasts often have active communities that share their passion, ideas, and life experiences.
Related Podcasts To Try Along With Airline Podcasts
If you’re enjoying airline podcasts, then the next step involves branching out to aviation podcasts. The larger travel-related sphere also touches on subjects like the restaurant industry, aviation, and airlines, which are almost inseparable. As such, you’ll want to check out what the aviation podcasts have to offer. You’ll find pilots talking about their adventures, the business-focused side of things, location-specific insights, and more. You’ll also see how interconnected travel can be. You can discover the best in audio aviation in the article “Aviation Podcasts: Great Podcasts for Professionals and Enthusiasts.”
From Airline Podcasts to the Larger Industry
Airline podcasts are an important part of the larger world of travel and hospitality. However, it’s just one subject amid multiple related elements like the hotel or cruise industry. As with airline podcasts, you’ll also find audio productions for most aspects of the larger world of travel. These podcasts can touch on anything from business to choosing the best vacation destinations. But they all share the love of travel found in airline podcasts. You’ll find more about the best travel podcasts in the article “Travel Industry Podcasts; Excellent Podcasts for Industry Professionals.”
Airline podcasts are a tremendous resource for anyone in a related field. However, to actually leverage them you’ll need to set out down the path. Pick one or more, enjoy, and explore.
Did You Like This Article About Airline Podcasts?
You might also be interested in the following articles:
- Hotel Podcasts; Excellent Podcasts for Hotel Managers & Executives
- Hospitality Podcasts: Great Podcasts for Hospitality Experts
- Restaurant Podcasts: Excellent Podcasts for Restaurant Owners
- Cruise Podcasts: Discover Excellent Cruise Industry Podcasts
- Overview of All Different Airline Careers And How to Apply for One
More Tips to Grow Your Business
Revfine.com is a knowledge platform for the hospitality & travel industry. Professionals use our insights, strategies and actionable tips to get inspired, optimise revenue, innovate processes and improve customer experience. You can find all hotel & hospitality tips in the categories Revenue Management, Marketing & Distribution, Hotel Operations, Staffing & Career, Technology and Software.This article is written by:
Hi, I am Martijn Barten, founder of Revfine.com. With 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, I specialize in optimizing revenue by combining revenue management with marketing strategies. I have successfully developed, implemented, and managed revenue management and marketing strategies for individual properties and multi-property portfolios.
Leave A Comment