Podcast – Dots, Lines & Destinations
DLD 533: Oh no you EWRn’t
All eyes are on Newark these days, much like gawking at a crash when driving by. But fear not; there are plenty of messes to behold around the aviation world.
Also in this episode:
Riyadh Air interiors United’s Archer Plans JetBlue’s rumored United Partnership, and is it really about sticking it to American More close calls at DCA Alaska Airlines & Philippine Airlines strike a deal So do Emirates and CondorFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Southwest revamps seating, bundles (again) Etihad F on the A321LR American’s 789P serv...DLD 532: The Trip That Didn’t Happen
Flying the Air Inuit 737-200 Combi to Puvirnituq’s gravel runway is an AvGeek bucket list item. Alas, the 47-year old plane had other ideas. But we still had an interesting/good time.
Also in this episode:
Malaysia MAX 10 lie-flat seats drama flyadeal adds A330neo fleet RealID is maybe really realFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
JetBlue adds JAL redemptions Pakistan/India Maybe new WiFi eventually for Virgin AtlanticAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show!
DLD 531: Walk this way
Why is walking through an airport so annoying? And whic hnew airports will some airline passengers soon be walking through?
Also in this episode:
American Airlines launching free Wi-Fi in 2026 United’s High J 789? Delta diverts international flights to MGM and leaves them there overnight Alaska Airlines cuts routes (LAX-NAS, LAX-IAD, SFO-IAD, SFO-ORD). 787s move from LAX to SEA Moving walkways in airports New terminal at EYW (Key West)For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Where should Alaska’s next international route be? Ditto for Starlux with the A35K China retu...DLD 530: What’s new?
New seats and new systems unveiled at AIX, and some new leaders needed as two CEOs are out on the same day.
Also in this episode:
CEOs Gone DL earnings & tariffs AIX Stuff New AA 77W LOPAFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
TrueBlue earn & burn on Icelandair F9 cuts & Avelo’s shift Drops in US-bound traffic?And plenty more. Enjoy the show!
DLD 529: HAMming it up
A funky trip to Hamburg, a new mini-hublet, and wondering about inbound international travel (again) among our ramblings this week.
Also in this episode:
United’s HKG mini-hublet VietJet to start C909/ARJ-21 ops More free WiFi on Delta Delta’s Austin growth Inbound US traffic droppingFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
An impressively awkward AA/BA IROPs at BOS Flight Attendants are not happy about operating deportation flights, and soon more will be doing it Canadian judge smacks WestJet for NDA clause in settlement Global Airlines Alaska – NRT-SEA, actual connec...DLD 528: Lies, Damn Lies, and Booking Data
Just how dire is the coming summer for US-bound travel? We’re looking at various data sources to try to figure it out.
Also in this episode:
Oh, Canada Heathrow Slots from BA/AA FR24 in the plane Boeing might be selling Jeppesen Iberia growth to the US Alaska confirms Seoul start / Rumors of Europe in 2026 (Rome)For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
E195-E2 into LCY DCA airspace conflicts Personal greetings on boardAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show!
DLD 527: Power Up!
Got power? That’s usually not an issue for airlines and airports, but this week is different.
Also in this episode:
AF La Premiere (and Brian’s review) Korean adds PremY Frontier trolling Southwest Southwest fighting SAT Heathrow fire College coach talks PaxExFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Transborder schedules trimmed Credit card changes for United and Porter Delta/Endeavor YYZ crash update – TSB Initial Report Traveling while posting on social media against the US admin? WestJet activates Starlink while United’s takes a breakAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show
DLD 526: Not so express
Marrakech remains a mess for connections. And there are plenty of other messes around the world. But we find some good news, too.
Also in this episode:
Southwest charging for bags and many earnings warnings New Korean livery/branding Frontier PAE-DEN/LAS/PHX from June Allegiant closing LAX base NTSB Initial Recommendations re DCA TAP adds lifetime status Virgin Atlantic swaps Vertical for JobyFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Thompson’s VantageNova seating United and FAA/ATC comments Gravel kit lives on in Canada IndiGo picks AMS/MAN for 787 to Eu...DLD 525: Hip to be Square
Which cards to cancel and where to fly? We’ve got Ed from Miles To Go on the show this week to help answer those questions and lots more.
Also in this episode:
UA MMer changes Dominic Gates retiring SpaceX explodes causing chaos again 15-minute arrival at airport before flight departure trend? Changes in air safety experience, including Reports about FAA/ATC staffing conflicts Dump the UA United Club Card? Tirana airport has an interview on Instagram where they say Delta will fly there Ed’s daughter’s travel plansFor our Patreon subscribers we have b...
DLD 524: TO/GA
Another close call, and a lot to consider as new orders and new routes come online.
Also in this episode:
Midway incident FedEx Saturday morning at EWR ANA’s major order Lufthansa, easyJet go after BAEC elites Frontier boosts ATL Delta running ATL-Marrakech and AccraFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Air France kosher meal snafu Southwest bookable on Expedia JetBlue’s connections play at MHT Qatar dead passenger in the cabin American kicks off the Loyalty Points year with a promoAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show!
DLD 523: Thanks, I hate it
This week’s show title is what my wife said when I showed her the header image for the episode. We talk about it a lot more at the end of the bonus section.
Also in this episode:
American’s Flagship Suite finally moving forward American’s diversion, and the awesome photos that it delivered Choice Has Dumped Hundreds of Budget Hotels in Upscale Strategy Shift New dishware coming to United. No word on if the food gets better. What should AS do about SFO?For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
South...DLD 522: Helo Hold
Another rough week for aviation in many ways. And plenty of concerns about what lays ahead.
Also in this episode:
DL4819 @ YYZ Southwest’s Layoffs 777X more delays EK AS/HA reciprocity Stroopwafel is back at United Iberia follows BA in revenue-based transition Avis Deceptive Practices (again) Contour Air moving EAS routes (MCN, PBG) to IAD from BWIFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
DCA is messy Musk wants to rebuild the FAA’s tech stack Delta clarifies DraftKings “gaming” partnership Airlines want to roll back consumer protections United’s ORD growth net...DLD 521: Far-flung Frontiers
Which new markets make sense? Both long-haul and short-haul are seeing some interesting changes.
Also in this episode:
Bering Air crash in Alaska Frontier wants SJU-BOG Starlux to ONT FAA cutting ops at DCA Norse to fly for IndiGo Nice Airport, If You Can Get to It: No Subway, No Highway, No Bridge BA backs off Executive Club changes a little bit. Alitalia is back (as an “inspiration”)For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Change fees are back, but you might not know until it is too late JSX wants partial 121 trea...DLD 520: It just sucks
Last week was decidedly bad for aviation in many ways. Ugh.
Also in this episode:
AA5342 Boom goes Supersonic LH Group will assign the MAXen to Eurowings LH Group also investing in airBaltic And airBaltic is also headed to South America Icelandair adding Miami for the winter JetTip’s Boeing YahtzeeFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
JetBlue Moves Qantas deval A32neo at LCY? France airspaceAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show!
DLD 519: Rankings and Rantings
We’re back in the USA and ready for some news and rants this week. Some of them are even reasonable.
Also in this episode:
United’s strong earnings and outlook
LOS-IAD?
AA’s strong Q4 but weaker than expected Q1 outlook
Annual WSJ Rankings are out
KCM Going Away
Our Journey Home
For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Alaska – not making it easy
Qatar Airways to Colombia and Venezuela
EUclaim houdt Saudia Airlines aan de g...
DLD 518: Barra or Bust!
A quick hop to the beach runway at Barra was part of this week’s adventure, though it didn’t go exactly as planned.
Also in this episode:
Frontier making moves that none of us quite understand Travel to Glasgow was a mixed bagFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Jeju Air follow-up Germany is getting interesting Rockets go boomAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show!
DLD 517: Deep thoughts
What key messages were in the keynote? What happens when massive hubs freeze? And much more…
Also in this episode:
JejuAir FDR/CVR missing crash data Thoughts from Delta’s CES Keynote and Earnings Call Air Wisconsin is out at American Eagle Nifty story about photographing the B-2 over the Rose Bowl PIA finally returns to Europe, with terrible advertisingFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Nuuk runway troubles IFC updates from United and Delta DFW’s frozen meltdown & ATL’s snowball messAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show!
DLD 516: Back at it
A new year brings new topics to the fore, including new routes, new IFE, new status rules, and more.
Also in this episode:
Azerbaijan Air crash/shot down Jeju Air Crash at Muan BA going revenue-based for status JetBlue EvenMore is basically just free drinks EK A350 Official First FlightFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
AS being sketchy about rebooking partner awards DCA Slot times are all final, and UA’s are not what it originally promised Hidden Passenger Ticketing Stupid RTW ideasAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show!
...DLD 515: Droning on and on
Fortunately not too much drone chatter this week; we’ve got more important stuff to talk about. Especially the part where Seth got the date of Hanukkah wrong.
Also in this episode:
The size of meals Fog in SoCal Many new aircraft orders: Air India’s 100 from Airbus Pegasus 100 from Boeing Lufthansa A350s Air Canada A220s Air Canada Investor Day – “Right to Win” Rumored SIN growthFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Allegris mess spreads to 787 biz cabin Malaysia is restarting the MH370 search Nifty new spacing rules at Heathrow t...DLD 514: Hub Plays: Alaska’s Long, Southwest’s Short
Two very interesting and very different sets of route announcements caught our attention this week. Plus premium seats and lots more.
Also in this episode:
All things Alaska AirlinesLong-haul at SEA with Hawaiian’s planes
PDX banked for hub ops
Hawaiian’s revenue premium, so its brand stays in the Islands
More premium seats for long-haul in 2027+
Premium Credit Card
AA’s 2025 program updates
AirTags data can be shared with airlines (UA, AC on board)
FAA chief stepping down
Dron...
DLD 513: We Try Harder(ish)
Is it finally time for some passenger rights in the USA? And why does air travel feel more unbundled than ever, in every class of travel?
Also in this episode:
New US Passenger Rights in play Air Canada gets even more basic AA/Citi Exclusivity Allegris pricing is mildly absurd Icelandair gets its first A321LR Frontier’s first class playFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Cameras are everywhere on board, or at least more places than you might think Boeing/DOJ Deal killed for DEI Also still not building MA...DLD 512: Branching out
It was Thanksgiving week in the US, so we shifted our gaze to Europe and the Middle East, with plenty of news being made.
Also in this episode:
UK ETA really happening BA’s new F seats Virgin Atlantic pushes for break-up of Heathrow Emirates first A350 delivery and first flight plans Korean/Asiana to close by EoY Lufthansa/ITA deal finalized Slot redistribution at Orly nets some interesting new opportunities Norse raising funds, sees more charter than everFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Delta Stowaway on JFK-CDG Man catches Fr...DLD 511: Gobbledy good times
Sure, the U/LCCs are struggling right now, but they’re still planning for growth in 2025.
Also in this episode:
All the WestJet Summer 2025 action Allegiant also going crazy for next summer And Frontier adding 16 more United bringing the 77W to EWR in Summer 2025 Long leisure cuts Catching up with Russian aircraft groundings Finnair brings Biz pre-order to short-haul AA rolls out “wrong boarding group beep” to 100 more airportsFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
DL/WN optimistic for the new administration, but Mayor Pete clapped back Delta Investor Day – AI pricing...DLD 510: Riddled with trouble
Wayward bullets are bad. Ditto for rodents on planes and a handful of now infamous travelers.
Also in this episode:
More on the bullets in Haiti TAP’s Hamster Problem Bermudair’s 2025 growth Iberia’s A321XLR first TATL Alaska Airlines F soft product upgrades Continued engine issuesFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Terrible travelers Spirit’s continued troubles Slot seasonAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show!
DLD 509: Worth the EXPOsure?
Trade shows and fines and AI and aircraft orders and lots, lots more…
Also in this episode:
Delta/FlightPath3D accessibility map Virgin Atlantic talks free Wi-Fi, but only after it actually works and returning to CUN from Oct 2025 AA consent order for disability violations Lufty also paying the DOT BNA gets AC (YVR) and XP (LAL)For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
BA biz meal cuts AF adding CDG-MCO from 21 May Riyadh Air’s big order and digital plans New private terminal at MANAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show...
DLD 508: Worth a switch
As Elite Status rules continue to shift, is there really any greener grass out there? With United’s latest changes announced we brought in Ed to get a fresh take.
DLD 507: Lounge Life
Doing our best to prove that there’s no such thing as a quiet airport lounge anymore, and part of the problem, too.
Also in this episode:
FlyDubai to Bhairahawa Air Canada/airBatic codeshare via AMS/CPH Dulles Master Plan Update AA Cabin Upgrades slip to 2025 Elliott gets six seats on the Southwest Board SAS joins the Greenland funFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Qatar’s first Starlink plane is flying Spirit bets on Malcolm in the Middle, sells off planes Boeing machinists rejected the latest offer, while Textron seems to h...DLD 506: P(l)aying premium
Lots of chatter this week about premium products, and which airlines are having success with them or not.
Also in this episode:
Cathay’s new Aria suite finally breaks cover DCA slots allocated AA/Hyatt changes, plus Hyatt/Peloton KE F meal preorder launch Russia wants cabotage Avianca’s single-aisle business class expansion Skiplagged owes AA $9M? Norse FCO-LAX Alaska Airlines MileagePlan ChangesFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Spirit’s push for more premium, plus renegotiating card processing deals SkyTeam and trains Strange China tech stops IND/ORD follow-up Play pivot ...DLD 505: Cream of the Crap or Cream of the Crop?
An interesting CEO panel discussion at a trade show?!? It finally happened last week at the World Aviation Festival in Amsterdam.
Also in this episode:
New United routes for summer 2025 Other bits from Neeleman at WAF, including a larger F cabin coming to Breeze, and another Alaska Airlines “AI-powered search engine” Brazil CC changes Delta adding Asia and Europe mostly hub stuff in 2025For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Boeing cuts/delays Zipair/IAH Mega Airbus order reportedly going to AI Superdupe Snoop Snagged SethAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show...
DLD 504: Reading the fine print
Details matter, and a few of this week’s topics dig in to that fine print.
Also in this episode:
Qatar buying 25% of Virgin Australia to boost market access Emirates’ new CCs, with a lot of fine print FAA’s safety review of United ends with no significant findings Lebanon’s plans for foreign airlines to resume service A US bomb blew up a Japanese airport taxiway Spirit’s potential re-org Aer Lingus to BNA (with the A321XLR)For our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Bastian’s comments on the meltdown and Buttigie...DLD 503: Where’s the Widget?
Dartboard or strategic planning? Either way, lots of new routes to discuss in this week’s news.
Also in this episode:
Delta to CTA next summer, plus SLC-ICN, AUS Growth Starlink for Air France (and United, too) Cathay to DFW Another NYC helicopter play Seth’s Frontier rant-ish UA has reintroduced change feesFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Adams and TK YVR vs YYZ border connections Southwest News UA Total System Outage United route announcement on the 10th Cap1 Lounge ReviewAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show!
DLD 501: Star signs and labor challenges
One strike averted, another underway. And plenty of challenges remain for the aviation industry overall.
Also in this episode:
United picks Starlink for Wi-Fi refresh Real ID is really real (almost) Allegiant gets its first MAX Boeing strike AC Pilots have a TA Confirmed SEA cyberattack Aegean taking a stake in Volotea Sun Country Loses Its Only Essential Air Service Contract Riyadh Air certification flights begin Six Directors (plus the Chairman) to step down at Southwest San Antonio terminal shuffleFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Who is the target of...DLD 500: Or something like that
A strike avoided, an engine fire, and new routes as we hit another arbitrary milestone.
Also in this episode:
Cathay Pacific finds flaws in A350 engine components Virgin Atlantic to Riyadh, Accra in Summer 2025 LATAM new 787 Biz seats American’s Summer 2025 plans DOT auditing loyalty programsFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Vance’s charter hits trouble again MH back to Paris Boeing/IAM751 Tentative Agreement Small Community Air Services Development Program 2024 applications are inAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show!
DLD 499: Ramble on
Another week, with plenty of random thoughts from the guys…
Also in this episode:
Malaysia cuts follow-up HA/AS comments from UA and HI AG Russia, Japan facing staffing shortages for somewhat similar reasons Frontier keeps growing at JFK Mint to Montana C919s now at all three major Chinese airlines Beginning of the end for Vistara AI A350 now running real longhauls KLM gets its first A321neo Boom second flight and AMA Lufty going for a stake in TAPFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Delta’s TATL cuts Nors...DLD 498: You’re Grounded!
The 777X is back on the ground, while an IFC vendor goes under and a couple airlines have operational issued. But it isn’t all bad news…
Also in this episode:
777X test program grounded Malaysia Airlines significant cancellations through December Mokulele fleet troubles in Hawaii DOJ approval of HA/AS merger AeroShark for EVA 777F fleet Air Canada pilots vote for strike authorization Virgin Australia & Air New Zealand codesharingFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
SmartSky drops out, with some impressively bad sales numbers reported Azul adds long-haul connectivity Hawaiian’s Star...DLD 497: A hail of a problem
Airplanes and hail don’t mix. A storm rendering 10% of an airline’s fleet unflyable is all sorts of bad.
Also in this episode:
New stuff coming over the next few years Rolling delays for the HA/AS merger Elliott proposes 10 new directors for Southwest Delta’s “CrowdStrike” recovery remains a burden for travelers Greenland and FozzFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Czech Airlines wrapping up operations Edelweiss adding ZRH-SEA/YHZ from June 2025, and also has an A350 nowAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show!
DLD 496: In search of cool carpet
Gotta love that new terminal smell, right? PDX finally opened its new space, and we’ve got Ned Russell on to talk about it.
Also in this episode:
Crash in Brazil Canada Jetlines demise Cathay orders 30 A339s Qaviar for Qsuites FlightAware Data Breach Ned and Stephan talk about the new PDXFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
BA dropping Beijing for Winter 2024 Frontier defers ~50 planes to end of the decade New Haven battle Australia joining Global EntryAnd plenty more. Enjoy the show!
DLD 495: Shifting borders in air world
Fiorello would be happy, perhaps, to see Newark no longer managed by New York ATC. But will it help?
Also in this episode:
Spirit goes normie, but it is gonna take a while to see results Rex bankruptcy; Is Oz a failed aero market? JetBlue sheds Europe growth Air NZ bails on 2030 climate goals Allegiant pushing more Extra TUI Belgium grounds E2s on GTF issues, shuttering Antwerp ops Porter to PSP/SAN from YYZ CUR-FLL from AzulFor our Patreon subscribers we have bonus content, including:
Korean dropping ramen as mid-flight snack DOJ...DLD 494: The Farnborough files
Perhaps major airshows are losing their impact on the industry a bit. But Farnborough still brought plenty of key news to the fore.
Also in this episode:
Flydubai sees things differently on Boeing’s solid first day TK non-order (engines) Flynas – MoU 75x A320neo, 15x A339 (2-class, 400pax) Indian & Swiss flying boats Hydrogen fuel cells, including KLM prop w ZeroAvia, but Airbus scales back APU test plans Boom’s “progress” towards real planes New Qsuite from Qatar Airways and new Crystal Suite from Turkish AirlinesIn the not from Farnborough files:
BA moving to GE engi...DLD 493: Is your crowd on strike?
What a mess for airlines and more as millions of Windows-based computers were knocked offline last Thursday night. The recovery was still ongoing as the week rolled on.
Also in this episode:
XLR Certified by EASA Farnborough Pretty good Boom article from Flight Global Some eVTOL plans Boeing still hoping to get back to 38 MAX/month by EOY China-UK Virgin Atlantic bails on Shanghai BA down to just one 787 for HKG Mainland carriers backfilling massively Alaska Airlines retrofitting interiors CLD getting American flights (On the E75, not a CR7/9 like Seth said in the show) TA...
