The Next Trip - An Aviation and Travel Podcast
The Next Trip is a weekly, internationally acclaimed podcast with aviation insiders Doug and Drew, who together bring more than 40 years of industry experience as a professional pilot and a hub operations manager at a major airline. Join them, and their frequent guests, as they create a network for other AvGeeks and travel enthusiasts to obsess about all things aviation. Doug and Drew discuss today’s aviation news, share personal operational stories, regale listeners with trip reviews, and engage in friendly AvGeek banter. All thoughts and opinions are their own. Visit us at www.nexttripnetwork.com
Boarding Pass 326: ROTOR Act Fails
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Doug is back from London and Drew gets to sit in the tower for a snow event.
The ROTOR Act fails in CongressViolence in Mexico leads to flight chaos Trouble for Air New Zealand Update on Spirit’s bankruptcy Listener feedbackÂJoin the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 325: Las Vegas Slump?
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Doug is back from his new “usual”, Brisbane, Australia, and Drew discusses an ATC flow program as they transition from paper to electronic flight progress strips.Â
Paper to Electronic ATC flight progress stripsNew routes for FebruaryLufthansa Allegris business class seats Will Airbus launch the A350-2000?Canadians avoiding travel to the USLas Vegas Slump?ÂJoin the Network!Â
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Boarding Pass 324: El Paso Airspace Closure and E-tickets
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Drew is happy to finally be above freezing in DC and discusses runway closures and Doug is playing nonrev travel agent for family, We discuss:
Ski jumping (and other extreme sports) versus the Wright Brothers first flightDrones, lasers, airspace closures and confusion in El PasoSouthwest’s shaky assigned seat rollout Employee unease over American’s current leadershipJetBlue and United further expand partnership History of e-TicketsListener feedbackJoin the Network!Â
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 323: Super Bowl LX Flights
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Doug was able to rendezvous with his parents in Brisbane and Drew managed through multiple irregular operations at work. We discuss:
Follow ups on grounding Canadian aircraft and DCA helicopter routesAirbus is close to launching the A220-500BWI expands with 142,000 sq ft of new spaceDEN airport sees record trafficBay Area airports bracing for Superbowl trafficRunway conditions from an airport and pilot perspective Delta, American, and United accomplishments over 100 yearsLinks from this episode:
Denver Stapleton Tower Tour
FAA Field Condition Chart
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...
Boarding Pass 322: Remembering PSA 5342 and PAT 25
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Drew survives Winter Storm Fern, and the longest shift of his career, and Doug flew one of the last flights out of EWR before Fern shut down operations. We discuss:
Travel checklistsAmerican, Southwest, Boeing, and GE 2025 financial resultsDelta orders more Airbus widebodiesPresident Trump threatens to ground Canadian aircraftNTSB preliminary report on January 29 midair collisionRunway condition reportingListener Gordon question - is the 777 a dinosaur?Links from this episode:
NTSB Midair Collision Preliminary Report
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Boarding Pass 321: Winter Storm Fern
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Drew is taping from the airport in DC, where he is bracing for snow storm Fern, and Doug is in Newark preparing to fly out during the storm. We discuss:
The first 2 of the U.S. “Big 3” reported their 2025 results and projected 2026WestJet does a 180One of Drew’s predictions is already correctGLP-1 drugs and an impact on aviationWSJ 2025 Airline Rankings Airport architecture Listener feedbackÂJoin the Network!Â
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 320: Delta Back to Boeing
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Drew flew to SFO for happy hour and Doug did AF mission planning which didn’t go as planned. We discuss:
Iran AirspaceOur 2026 predictionsAircraft emergency FAA tower alertsDelta finally orders the 787Allegiant merges with Sun Country Africa’s biggest airport begins constructionListener comments2026 Next Trip Predictions
Doug:
Geopolitical issues/airspace closures become the normBig E2 orders. (Maybe United)Alliance changes (does EK finally join)Airbus hints at a new plane ahead of BoeingÂDrew
 More 787-10s. American and United increase orders Indigo recovers from crew sch...Boarding Pass 319: Superpower
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Doug is back from another transpacific flight to Taipei and Drew conducted airport movement area training for firefighters. This will will be the first episode we’ve taped in 2026 and we’re officially on a (takeoff) roll! We discuss:
How good were our 2025 predictions?Military action in Venezuela disrupts Caribbean flightsAvelo reduces flying and staffAlaska orders over 100 aircraft and gets its first widebodyA Boom Overture updateListener commentsÂJoin the Network!Â
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Boarding Pass 318: A Fresh Start
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Doug and Drew look back at our travel for 2025 with friend of the show and world traveler, Ian. We discuss:
Global roundup for 2025 (most delayed airlines and busiest routes)Jetway jesusGate allocationListener feedback 2026 look-aheadÂJoin the Network!
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Extra Section 5: Oscar Munoz
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Aired on December 29, 2025
Doug and Drew are taking a week off. Enjoy this class episode from August 15, 2023 with Oscar Munoz of United Airlines.Â
Doug and Drew interview Oscar Munoz, recent CEO and Chairman of United Airlines. Oscar talks about how he turned around a major US airline and put it on a path to success. We talk about his new book “Turnaround Time” which chronicles his life and career and fulfilling his American dream. Oscar discusses with us:
How he put safety and people first as he turned United aroun...Boarding Pass 317: Spirit's Holiday Lifeline and other Christmas Gifts
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Doug is back from Auckland and Denver and Drew is managing the busy pre-Christmas rush. We discuss:
Christmas passenger trafficUS government admits fault in January midair collision near DCSpirit Airlines gets a lifelineBarry Biffle is out as CEO of FrontierAn update on the 737-7 and 737-10US Customs Preclearance in foreign countriesListener commentsJoin the Network!
Links from this episode:
Doug’s Auckland Steak Restaurant recommendation:
Boarding Pass 316: Boeing Goes In-House
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Doug trains new pilots on touch and go landings in the KC46 and Drew is preparing for a Winter Ops event. We discuss:
More Airline Lounges for the new golden age of travelIndia’s Indigo airlines struggles under new pilot rest rulesFAA administrator’s conflict of interestBoeing buys back Spirit AeroSystemsCalifornia’s 79th Air Refueling Squadron Listener commentsJoin The Network!
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Boarding Pass 315: Record Breaking Travel... Again
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Drew is back from 3 days in Dublin and Doug is back from Osaka. Drew just had his first airport winter ops event. We discuss:
Our travelsEarly season snowThanksgiving travel numbers and 2026 travel trendsUnexpected growth at a major airportImpact of the government shutdown comes into focusThe FAA is investigating airlines after the shutdownListener feedbackÂJoin The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 314: The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You
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Doug is celebrating Thanksgiving weekend in Chicago and Drew managed to escape from work in time for Thanksgiving dinner in Richmond. How does Doug plan on getting home on the busiest travel day and how does Drew plan to get to Ireland for Christmas Markets?. We discuss:
Airbus A320 ELAC emergency software updateNew Pacific Airlines shuts downThe Boeing 767 lives on with new orders for the KC46 Airline holiday menusDOT’s new Golden Age of TravelJoin the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 313: Dubai Airshow
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Doug tapes during another trip to Taipei and Drew finishes his airport scavenger hunt. We discuss:
Orders pour in from DubaiAirbus teases a new modelAn Alaska pilot is sentenced from his 2023 fire handle incidentUpdate on UPS 2976Aircraft lightsListener feedbackJoin the network!
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Boarding Pass 312: Aviation Recovers
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Doug is back from London and Drew lost a fight with a windsock. We discuss our weeks in flight and airport ops as well as the latest aviation news:
Aurora Borealis wows pilots and passengers Government shutdown ends and aviation recovers2 airlines serving the UK, Eastern Airways and Blue Islands, shut downFAA extends MD11 grounding to its predecessor, the DC10Windsocks - what are they and what do they doNear miss at LAXListener commentsJoin The Network!
Links on this episode:
FAA National Airspace System Status
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Boarding Pass 311: UPS 2976
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Doug is back from Taipei and Drew has a busy week at airport ops. We discuss:
More nonrev adventures Thanksgiving travel numbers and a way too early weather forecast More government shutdown issues impacting aviationSecurity scare in DCUPS Flight 2976Engine failuresLinks from this episode:
Doug’s Taipei whisky tasting place: Style Liquor and WhiskyFAA MD11 Emergency Airworthiness DirectiveJoin the Network!Â
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 310: Hawaiian (Airlines) Sunset
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Doug is back from a whirlwind nonrev trip to Germany with his dad. We remember the history of Hawaiian Airlines as its airline code and operating certificate are laid to rest. We discuss:
Doug and Dale’s amazing, and fast, nonrev adventureGood bye Hawaiian AirlinesCreeping 777-9 certification delaysATC controllers not getting paid as shutdown drags on The COMAC 919 gains traction in AsiaListener commentsJoin The Network!
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Boarding Pass 309: Weather Balloons
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Drew is back from a weekend in Quebec City and Doug is preparing for a nonrev adventure with his dad. We discuss:
Birds on approach pathTravelers Aid people are interesting Engine shortagesEK9788 - ACT Airlines 747-400BCF crash in Hong KongAmerican Airlines 3rd quarter numbersUnited flight 1093 severely damaged at 36,000ftWhat are weather balloons? Listener feedbackJoin The Network!
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Boarding Pass 308: PanAm
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Doug is back from his narrow body style trip to NYC and Hawaii, via Denver, and Drew is loving runway inspections between flights (literally) and helping lost pigeons in the terminal. We discuss:
A Pan Am rebirth?Boeing delivery newsAnother U.S. airline posts great Q3 numbersLots of great contributor feedbackÂJoin The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 307: FAA Staffing and Aircraft Maintenance Checks
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Doug and Drew are back from trips over the Pacific to Taipei and Honolulu. Our buddy Patrick returns to the show to talk about dragging aircraft around the airport and Drew around Oahu on a packed 2-day trip. We discuss:
Getting to Taiwan around a typhoonNonreving to Hawaii and backQuestions on moving aircraftThe government shutdown starts affecting ATCUnited announces 6 new routes for summer 2026Delta 3rd Quarter resultsAirplane maintenance checksTwo perfect days on OahuJoin the Network!Â
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 306: Boeing's New Design
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Drew has to check the runway after a bird strike report and Doug is getting ready to go back to Taipei. We discuss:
Passengers grabbing bags in emergenciesNo more PLAYtime Lufthansa Group announces long-haul fleet plansAmsterdam backtracks on fee hikesBig, BIG news from BoeingRunway lightsJoin The Network!
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Boarding Pass 305: Big Cans on Narrow Bodies
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Doug is back from flying the 777 to Frankfurt and Drew finished his first week on PM shift in airport operations. Fresh croissants from Germany, elevators out of service, runway inspections, and 767 crew resource management - this episode is packed!. We discuss:
Winter schedule routesSpirit lays off 1,800 flight attendantsThe Embraer E2 gets more love - this time from LATAMHuge Boeing order from the Middle EastEMAS saves an E145 in Roanoke, VAUnited upgrades their GUM serviceAmerican and United have IT outagesBag cans on narrowbodiesListener commentsJoin The Nextwork!Â
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 304: Future of ULCCs and Southwest First Class
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Drew escorts a 737 and Doug is back from Zurich and New York. We discuss:
The difference between the airport operations area and the movement area Helping an AvGeek with trip routingAn update on Southwest’s long-haul ambitionsDelta/AeroMexico joint venture in jeopardy Is the ultra low-cost airline model dead?Join The Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 303: The Embraer 195 "E2" Gets Some Love
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Doug is back from Amsterdam and Drew is done with airport ops manager training. We discuss:
Airport RestroomsTop 10 airports according to AirHelpThe Embraer 195-E2 finally gets some loveWhat is a sterile cockpit?EMAS to the rescue again…and againAircraft type retirements and pilot assignments Contributor commentsJoin the Network!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 302: Cockpit Barriers, Westjet 787s, and Lost Baggage
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Doug and Drew fight sleep deprivation after late night and overnight shifts, respectively. Doug was on late night 767 simulator training flights and Drew was watching overnight airport ops in DC. We stay awake to discuss:
Remembering 9/11New cockpit barriers coming to an airline near you Spirit’s second bankruptcyAnother big Boeing orderDelta settles a lawsuit A checked bag takes the long road Thrust settings on climb outA contributor’s fun work projectÂJoin the network!Â
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 301: Open Aviation Jobs
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Happy Labor Day to all the aviation workers for getting where we need to be, safely, this summer. Doug and Drew talk about their aviation work weeks including Doug’s trip to Tokyo and Drew going back to airport ops midnight shift. We discuss:
Aviation job opportunitiesKorean Air orders 103 Boeing planesFrontier encroaches on struggling Spirit routesWhat is an airline focus city?How are airline pilots assigned to aircraftListener feedbackJoin the Network! Call our hotline to ask a question or just rant about something at 872-529-5620. Add a 001 or +1 if calling fro...
Boarding Pass 300: Vote on Delta's New Route
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Doug and Drew talk about their exciting (not by choice) flights home on standby during a busy week. Drew also does his airfield runway inspections solo and is free to roam about the airport. Doug is back from his old love-hate work destination - London. We discuss:
Celebrating our 300th episode!Passengers sue Delta and UnitedSouthwest finally admits it has hubsAir Canada resumes operationsHow do pilots get assigned specific aircraft typesListener feedbackVoting on an airline’s new routeJoin the Network!Â
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Boarding Pass 299: Air Canada Winds Down
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Doug and Drew are doing their final summer nonrev trips which promise to be exciting - not in a good way. We discuss:
Who is Chester, the eskimo on the Alaska tails?Is Atmos the name of Alaska/Hawaiian’s new frequent flier program? Is it the name of a combined airline (Drew, calm down) Hawaiian cancels the current longest US domestic flightSpirit says it may have to shut down if revenue and costs don’t improveAir Canada flight attendants are on the brink of a strikeTo out-source or not to out-sourceListener commentsDoug and D...Boarding Pass 298: Alaska Airlines Modernizes
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Drew responds to a bird strike and gets to learn more about snarge - it ain’t pretty. Doug is living a nonrev drama trying to get his family home from Denver. Both of us live vicariously through Drew’s husband Robbie who is flying to Turkey. We discuss:
How are the travel numbers looking so far this summer?Alaska announces a big change How some of the smaller airlines are doing this year Turbulence avoidance Check out this turbulence forecasting website called TurbliListener feedbackJoin the network!Â
https://www.nexttrip...
Boarding Pass 297: DCA NTSB Hearing Takeaways
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Doug is with family in Colorado after just making it there and Drew is having to change from airline radio lingo to airport lingo. Its, “roger”… copy? We condense days of NTSB hearings on the DCA crash into 3 main takeaways. Also on this episode:
So long SeatGuru!Blue Sky gets the Green LightAmerican Airlines finds a new partnerMore bad news at SpiritDCA crash NTSB hearings updateA tsunami hits the PacificListener feedbackÂhttps://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 296: Barcelona and Bozeman
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Drew is back from tubing, hiking, and a road trip between Denver and Montana and Doug is back from his new commuter station - Barcelona. We discuss:
European LCCsUpdate on the JejuAir crashSouthwest sets a date for its major changesAmerican’s Q2 resultsMajor airspace closuresListener feedbackÂJoin the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 295: Surprise Volcanoes
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Doug is back from Amsterdam after dodging a volcano and Drew is helping the snow team train in their new equipment in sweltering heat.
We discuss:
What actually is the oldest airline in the world?United is the next airline to report their 2nd quarter resultsPremium demand continues its resilient streakGulf Air gives Boeing another boostUnexpected (and expected) volcanic eruptions/disruptions to flightsListener feedbackJoin the conversation!
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 294: TSA: "Leave Your Shoes On!"
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Doug had a glitchy 767 simulator flight and Drew succeeded in non-reving during the peak of summer….again. We discuss:
Delta is the first U.S. airline to report 2nd quarter resultsTSA is changing its screening requirementsMore European airline consolidation ahead?Good news from BoeingIndia released the initial report on Air India 171Video showing operation of fuel cutoff switches
Runway usage, specifically how much runway to useÂCheck out this link from contributor Alec regarding intersection takeoffs from a NASA study:
Intersection Incursions
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Boarding Pass 293: Aircraft Leasing With Anthony
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Doug and Drew just celebrated the 4th of July, on opposite coasts, and are joined by buddy Anthony, Drew’s previous coworker and an expert on aircraft leasing. We discuss:
Why did Anthony choose aviation as a careerThe Washington Post’s best airport listsAir France/KLM become the largest owners of SASAlaska Airlines getting Boeing 787s and Embraer 195-E2sTo buy or to lease - Anthony explainsHoneymoon in Africa and Anthony reviews 3 African airlinesJoin the discussion!Â
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 292: More Travel Records!
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Despite warnings of a travel slowdown, we exceeded 3 million passengers on June 22nd per the TSA. Drew is facilitating EMAS repairs in hot and muggy DC (we’ll explain) and Doug was relieved to be dismissed from jury duty. We discuss:
Dayton AirshowEMAS - Engineered Materials Arresting System - what is it and does it work?Update on single pilot opsUpdate on Air India 171NTSB issues initial report on the MAX door plug issueSummer travel numbersAirspace closuresContributor commentsJoin the aviation tribe!Â
https://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
Boarding Pass 291: More Disruptions in the Middle East
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Drew had a rainy week in DC and Doug is back from his Hawaii ping pong trip after doing SFO-HNL-DEN-KOA-SFO. We discuss:
NOTAMs - what are they and why do we hate them?Israel and Iran start a new warTop 10 US airlines according to The Points GuyDornier 328 flies again with Deutsche Aircraft’s helpBaby boomers keeping airlines afloat (aloft?) Listener commentsJoin the discussion!Â
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Boarding Pass 290: Air India 171
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Doug is back from Rome, and Drew is getting used to midnight airport ops and is back to private pilot training. We discuss:
Hurricane Hunter Kermit visits Washington Reagan National AirportGood news for Boom SupersonicA storied US regional carrier shuts its doorsAir India 171An airline dispatches the wrong plane Listener feedbackÂJoing the dicussion!Â
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Boarding Pass 289: Airport Playset
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Drew is enjoying the midnight shift, but not the lack of sleep, so Doug gives him some tips on getting shut eye on an irregular schedule. Doug is back from sunny Frankfurt, a city he’s getting to know better. Speaking of sunny, we give you travel advice as the northern hemisphere gets ready to “summer”. We also discuss:
Indian aviation newsUnited reduces its check in cutoff timeNewar’s runway 04L/22R opens earlyIATA’s air transportation industry forecastJoin the discussion!Â
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Boarding Pass 288: Blue Sky
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Drew is preparing mentally for overnight shifts, as airport ops manager, and Doug is done with KC46 flying and is about to fly to Frankfurt. We discuss:
A European country cracks down on a common practiceAirbus delivery delays737 MAX newsThe “new” Southwest arrivesJetBlue’s new allianceAirplane waterhttps://www.nexttripnetwork.com/
