See you late-y, A380

See you late-y, A380

Author: Momentum Media September 2, 2026 Duration: 52:07

It's a sad day for those who love big planes – after 20 years in the sky, Qantas will begin retiring its mighty A380s from 2028, with smaller and more fuel-efficient twinjets like the 787 and A350 set to replace them.

Beloved by passengers, but with fuel and maintenance bills to match its massive size, the A380 may no longer make sense for Qantas' business model, but it'll always hold a special place in the hearts and minds of avgeeks – and for bigger hub airlines like Emirates, where it's arguably a better fit.

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David bid a fond early farewell to the Qantas A380 fleet as the superjumbos get ready to fly off into the sunset.

Plus, results season is upon us – which airlines came out ahead in the 2026 financial year, and which ones took a beating from the ongoing geopolitical and economic storm?


You'll find the Australian Aviation Podcast Network right at the intersection of runway tarmac and boardroom strategy. Produced by Momentum Media, this collection of shows digs into the stories that define flight in this part of the world, moving well beyond the headlines. Each episode feels like a hangar chat with the people who know the industry best-pilots, engineers, executives, and analysts-offering a grounded perspective on everything from the engineering marvels of new aircraft to the complex logistics of running an airline. We explore the sheer joy and freedom of recreational flying just as deeply as the tough commercial decisions that keep the sector aloft. Whether it's a discussion on sustainable fuel technologies, the revival of regional routes, or the history behind a beloved aircraft type, the conversation is always driven by genuine curiosity. Tune in for clear, informed talk that connects the dots between the business of aviation and the passion that fuels it, all delivered with a distinct Aussie lens. This podcast network is for anyone who feels that lift of anticipation when an aircraft throttles down the runway, or who simply wants to understand the forces that shape how we connect across this vast continent and beyond.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 50

Australian Aviation Podcast Network
Podcast Episodes
Flying to the bottom of the world [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:59
It's one of the harshest and most unforgiving environments on Earth – but even in Antarctica, aviation is still a vital connection for those living on research stations across the frozen continent. Skytraders has worked…
Alan Joyce tells all [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:26
From the founding of Jetstar to his 15 years at the helm of our largest airline group, Alan Joyce is undoubtedly one of the most consequential figures in the last quarter-century of Australia's aviation history. He becam…
All A-OK for APAC aviation? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:06
As the Iran conflict drags on, it's easy to be pessimistic about the effects on aviation, including high fuel prices and geopolitical headaches – but at least in the Asia-Pacific, things may not be as bad as they seem. A…
How do you solve a problem like Sydney? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:07
Another week, another hair-raising near mishap at Sydney Airport, this time with a Virgin 737 almost taking off as a Qantas plane was crossing the runway ahead of it. Airservices has again come under the magnifying glass…
Carrying on about carry-ons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:24
We've all danced the airport suitcase shuffle, moving item after item back and forth between our cabin bags and our checked bags in a desperate hope to get in under those pesky weight limits. Now, Jetstar says it's offer…
Flying in the line of fire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:21
As Australian helicopters head north to help with wildfires in Europe, a deadly crash in Greece – and new regulations following a crash in WA two years ago – have once again put the spotlight on how dangerous it can be t…
Cargo (but plane go faster) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:50
We don't talk about it too often on the podcast, but cargo is a huge sector of the aviation industry – and with big news out of both Western Sydney and Avalon Airports this week, it found itself unexpectedly in the spotl…
Qantas in the clear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:05
Qantas has frequently found itself in the news for all the wrong reasons over the past few years – but it got a much-needed win when the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) found last year's data bre…
The future of pilot training, with UNSW [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:35
As the aviation industry grapples with ongoing talent shortages, the question becomes: are current training methods the right model for creating skilled pilots at the rate the sector needs? Cockpits are becoming increasi…
A red card for the yellow card [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:16
If you've ever found yourself scrambling for a pen on the plane to fill out one of those pesky paper cards before you reach Customs, fear not – after a two-year trial and much lobbying by the tourism industry, there will…