FlightGlobal Focus

FlightGlobal

FlightGlobal Focus is your essential podcast for trusted aviation insight. Tune in twice weekly: Friday for a concise news briefing and Monday for in-depth analysis on a rotating agenda spanning airlines, defence and aerospace. Stay informed with expert coverage from the team at FlightGlobal.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

75 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes75

Newest first

Sep 12, 2025 · 23 min
Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat combat drone takes flight, the DOT cleans up records and Putin urges prompt development and production of a new engine
Welcome to FlightGlobal Focus, your new essential podcast for trusted aviation insight. We publish new episodes twice weekly: join us on Friday for a concise news briefing and on Monday for in-depth analysis covering airlines, defence or aerospace. In this news focus episode, Amber Elias is joined by FlightGlobal’s Defence Managing Editor, Greg Waldron to discuss his recent trip to Australia to see the ghost bat in action. Further reading: Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat combat drone demonstrates capabilities at Australian test range Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat demonstrates autonomous capabilities ahead of weapons testing milestone Stay informed, stay ahead, and get expert coverage from the team at FlightGlobal. Pioneering aviation insight. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is produced by Amber Elias. Audio editing by Lucy Johnson. Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply).
Sep 8, 2025 · 27 min
The future of US naval aviation and why its new training jet doesn't need to land on an aircraft carrier
Welcome to FlightGlobal Focus, your new essential podcast for trusted aviation insight. We publish new episodes twice weekly: join us on Friday for a concise news briefing and on Monday for in-depth analysis covering airlines, defence and aerospace. In this defence focus episode Ryan Finnerty and Craig Hoyle discuss the future of the second largest air force in the world (the US navy) and why its new training jet doesn't need to be able to land on an aircraft carrier. Further reading: The Future of Naval Aviation: A Conversation with VADM Cheever US Navy air boss outlines vision for carrier-based sixth-generation fighter Boeing MQ-25 autonomous refuelling aircraft to begin US Navy shipboard integration in 2026 US Navy ditches field carrier landing requirement for T-45 Goshawk replacement Stay informed, stay ahead, and get expert coverage from the team at FlightGlobal. Pioneering aviation insight. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is produced by Amber Elias. Audio editing by Lucy Johnson. Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply).
Sep 5, 2025 · 24 min
What China’s recent military parade told us (or didn't) about the state of their fleet and new technologies
Welcome to FlightGlobal Focus, your new essential podcast for trusted aviation insight. We publish new episodes twice weekly: join us on Friday for a concise news briefing and on Monday for in-depth analysis covering airlines, defence and aerospace. In this news focus episode, Amber Elias is joined by Americas Defence Reporter, Ryan Finnerty to discuss China's recent military parade which offered glimpses of possible new aircraft but produced no major surprises. Stay informed, stay ahead, and get expert coverage from the team at FlightGlobal. Pioneering aviation insight. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is produced by Amber Elias. Audio editing by Lucy Johnson. Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply).
Sep 1, 2025 · 18 min
Trump is Boeing's best salesman (just look at the tariffs)
Welcome to FlightGlobal Focus, your new essential podcast for trusted aviation insight. We publish new episodes twice weekly: join us on Friday for a concise news briefing and on Monday for in-depth analysis covering airlines, defence and aerospace. In this episode, the FlightGlobal aerospace team discuss Boeing's recovery, how Trump adds to the order book and if Airbus responded. Stay informed, stay ahead, and get expert coverage from the team at FlightGlobal. Pioneering aviation insight. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is produced by Amber Elias. Audio editing by Lucy Johnson. Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply).
Aug 29, 2025 · 11 min
Boeing's new orders, the return of the 737 Max and delays in certifications under enhanced scrutiny
Welcome to FlightGlobal Focus, your new essential podcast for trusted aviation insight. We publish new episodes twice weekly: join us on Friday for a concise news briefing and on Monday for in-depth analysis covering airlines, defence and aerospace. In this episode, Amber Elias is joined by eerospace managing editor Jon Hemmerdinger, to discuss Boeing's new orders, the return of the 737 Max and delays in certifications under enhanced scrutiny. Stay informed, stay ahead, and get expert coverage from the team at FlightGlobal. Pioneering aviation insight. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠ For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠ First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is produced by Amber Elias. Audio editing by Lucy Johnson. Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply).
Aug 25, 2025 · 29 min
Can ANA All Nippon Airways recover passenger traffic while remaining profitable post-pandemic?
Welcome to FlightGlobal Focus—your new essential podcast for trusted aviation insight. Join the award-winning FlightGlobal team every Monday for in-depth analysis covering airlines, defence and aerospace and every Friday for a concise briefing of the week’s top news stories. In this episode, Lewis Harper, editor of Airline Business, is joined by Alfred Chua, airlines editor for Asia-Pacific, for the first of three deep dive episodes from the airlines team, examining some airlines that have caught our eye this year and looking at their challenges and opportunities and what they tell us about the wider market. This week, we take a look at ANA, All Nippon Airways, which is Japan's biggest operator and a recent winner at the 2025 Airline Strategy Awards. Stay informed, stay ahead, and get expert coverage from the team at FlightGlobal. Pioneering aviation insight. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠ For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠ First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is produced by Amber Elias. Audio editing by Lucy Johnson. Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply).
Aug 22, 2025 · 11 min
Air Canada’s strike dominates airline news as BA Euroflyer and Norse Atlantic post profits
Welcome to FlightGlobal Focus, your new essential podcast for trusted aviation insight. Join the award-winning FlightGlobal team every Monday for in-depth analysis covering airlines, defence and aerospace and every Friday for a concise briefing of the week’s top news stories. Stay informed, stay ahead, and get expert coverage from the team at FlightGlobal. Pioneering aviation insight. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠ For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠ First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is produced by Amber Elias. Audio editing by Lucy Johnson. Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply).
Aug 18, 2025 · 23 min
What the India–Pakistan dogfight could mean for India’s military future
Welcome to FlightGlobal Focus—your new essential podcast for trusted aviation insight. Join the award-winning FlightGlobal team every Monday for in-depth analysis covering airlines, defence and aerospace and every Friday for a concise briefing of the week’s top news stories. In this episode, Ryan Finnerty, FlightGlobal’s America’s defence reporter, is joined by FlightGlobal’s defence team, including Greg Waldron in Singapore and Craig Hoyle in London, to discuss the recent air battle that took place high above the disputed border between India and Pakistan, and the long-term implications for Indian airpower. Stay informed, stay ahead, and get expert coverage from the team at FlightGlobal. Pioneering aviation insight. Further reading India's fighter shortfall grows critical as China offers J-35 jets to Pakistan amid regional tensions | Flight Global India's fighter shortfall grows critical as China offers J-35 jets to Pakistan amidregional tensions | Flight Global HAL chief focuses on key programmes as company evolves for new niche | Interview |Flight Global Awkward discrepancies in Indian Rafale shootdown image | Analysis | Flight Global Pakistan poised to become J-35 operator | News | Flight Global China continues search for fighter export success | Analysis | Flight Global Trump tosses F-35 into India’s fighter acquisition jumble | News | Flight Global F-15EX deemed effective against fifth-generation threats in Pentagon evaluation | Indepth | Flight Global Indian MoD signs deal for 26 Rafale M carrier-based fighters | News | Flight Global If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠ For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠ First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is produced by Amber Elias. Audio editing by Lucy Johnson. Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply).
Aug 16, 2025 · 38 sec
Welcome to FlightGlobal Focus
Welcome to FlightGlobal Focus—your new essential podcast for trusted aviation insight. Join the award-winning FlightGlobal team every Monday for in-depth analysis covering airlines, defence and aerospace and every Friday for a concise briefing of the week’s top news stories. Stay informed, stay ahead, and get expert coverage from the team at FlightGlobal. Pioneering aviation insight. For more information, visit flightglobal.com/podcast If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email podcast@flightglobal.com For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email podcast@flightglobal.com First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is produced by Amber Elias. Audio editing by Lucy Johnson. Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply).
May 17, 2024 · 32 min
Matt Round, Chief Creative Officer at Tangerine
In this episode, Matt Round discusses how the passenger experience will be redefined in years to come, what the next technological advancement for in-flight entertainment looks like and why good design is the first point of impact for customers. Round joined Tangerine in 1996 and now as Chief Creative Officer, he is responsible for creative direction and strategy for the studios’ wide-ranging projects, including Finnair’s award-winning new long-haul cabin interiors, JAL’s A350 fleet renewal, Gulf Air’s 2021 cabin interior redesign, and most recently, new cabin interior programs at Southwest and LOT Polish Airlines. Round was also central in the design team responsible for introducing the world’s first fully flat bed in business class for British Airways in 1998. First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is hosted and executive produced by Amber Elias. For more information, visit ⁠⁠FlightGlobal.com/podcast ⁠⁠ If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠ For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠ Audio editing by ⁠⁠StorySolutions⁠⁠ Access 20% off your new subscription to ⁠⁠FlightGlobal.com⁠⁠ with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply). Listen to the ⁠⁠Airline Business podcast⁠⁠, hosted by Airline Business editor Lewis Harper and executive editor Graham Dunn.
May 2, 2024 · 33 min
Rami El-Dahshan, Head of Clubhouses at Virgin Atlantic
In this episode, Rami El-Dahshan discusses how airport lounges are at the forefront of excellent customer service, what luxury looks like to passengers now, and how airport experiences will develop in the future. Rami El-Dahshan joined Virgin Atlantic over six years ago from British Airways and has weathered one of the most disruptive periods for airlines and airports; the COVID-19 pandemic. Now as Virgin Atlantic passengers are almost back to their pre-pandemic levels, El-Dahshan has turned his focus to revamping the lounges and customer experiences, including adding more sustainable suppliers and even picking the fresh produce on the farm himself. First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is hosted and executive produced by Amber Elias. For more information, visit ⁠FlightGlobal.com/podcast ⁠ If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠ For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠ Audio editing by ⁠StorySolutions⁠ Access 20% off your new subscription to ⁠FlightGlobal.com⁠ with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply). Listen to the ⁠Airline Business podcast⁠, hosted by Airline Business editor Lewis Harper and executive editor Graham Dunn.
Apr 18, 2024 · 20 min
Stephanie Wear, Vice President of Aviation Development at London Gatwick
In this episode, Stephanie Wear, Vice President of Aviation Development at London Gatwick discusses the airports expansion plans for the North runway, the new routes on offer in 2024 and how slot reform is still a priority. Stephanie Wear joined London Gatwick in 2021 from Philadelphia International Airport, after a career in foreign trade and tourism. London Gatwick is the UK’s second-busiest airport, serving over 40 million passengers in 2023 and with an ambitious target to be a net zero airport by 2030, it is focused on rebuilding and growing sustainably. First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is hosted and executive produced by Amber Elias. For more information, visit ⁠⁠FlightGlobal.com/podcast ⁠⁠ If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠ For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠ Audio editing by ⁠⁠StorySolutions⁠⁠ Access 20% off your new subscription to ⁠FlightGlobal.com⁠⁠ with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply). Listen to the ⁠⁠Airline Business podcast⁠⁠, hosted by Airline Business editor Lewis Harper and executive editor Graham Dunn.
Apr 4, 2024 · 29 min
Candace McGraw, Chair of Airports Council International (ACI) World and chief executive officer of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
In this episode, Candace McGraw discusses how airports and governments can work together to achieve sustainable targets, the impact of new technology to shape the airports of the future, and the importance of recruiting employees from the ground up to shape the workforce for decades to come. Candace McGraw began her two-year term as the new chair of ACI World in January 2024, and she now chairs the ACI World Governing Board that consists of 28 leading airport CEOs. McGraw is also the chief executive officer of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is hosted and executive produced by Amber Elias. For more information, visit ⁠FlightGlobal.com/podcast ⁠ If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠ For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠ Audio editing by ⁠StorySolutions⁠ Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com⁠ with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply). Listen to the ⁠Airline Business podcast⁠, hosted by Airline Business editor Lewis Harper and executive editor Graham Dunn.
Mar 21, 2024 · 35 min
Catherine Jestin, Executive Vice President Digital at Airbus
In this episode, Catherine Jestin discusses how Airbus has been using AI for over 20 years, what the future of digital technology looks like in aviation, and the lessons she learnt from her career in mining (hint: it includes autonomous vehicles). Catherine Jestin has been at Airbus since 2013, and before aviation held senior roles at Rio Tinto and Accenture. Airbus is the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe and is a leader in commercial aircraft, helicopters, advanced technologies, and employs over one hundred and thirty thousand people. For more information, visit FlightGlobal.com/podcast If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email podcast@flightglobal.com For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email podcast@flightglobal.com Audio editing by StorySolutions First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is hosted and executive produced by Amber Elias. Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply). Listen to the Airline Business podcast, hosted by Airline Business editor Lewis Harper and executive editor Graham Dunn.
Jan 30, 2024 · 1 min
Introducing First Flight, a new podcast from FlightGlobal
Welcome to First Flight, a new podcast by FlightGlobal. In each episode, Amber Elias will be speaking with CEO’s, experts and innovators from across the aviation industry. Join FlightGlobal as we explore the length and breadth of a global industry. First Flight is the first podcast by FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company. First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal and is hosted and executive produced by Amber Elias. For more information, visit flightglobal.com/podcast If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email podcast@flightglobal.com For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email podcast@flightglobal.com Audio editing by StorySolutions Listen to the ⁠Airline Business podcast⁠, hosted by Airline Business editor Lewis Harper and executive editor Graham Dunn. Access 20% off your new yearly subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code PODCAST24 (terms and conditions apply).