AvTalk Episode 351: Our favorite conversations from 2025

AvTalk Episode 351: Our favorite conversations from 2025

Author: Flightradar24 January 2, 2026 Duration: 34:09
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we’re beginning 2026 by looking back at a pair of our favorite conversations from 2025.  Throughout the year, we focused a lot on the seemingly unending stream of news and what it meant for the aviation industry, but we also had a chance to speak with some very interesting people.
We first revisit our conversation with Eliska Hill, Senior Vice President for Cargo at Air Partner. We chatted about her career path, how the cargo market has evolved post-COVID, and some of the more interesting shipments she’s had to deal with.
And then we sat down with Katherine Moloney, pilot and founder of Elevate(her) Aviation, an organization dedicated to raising the percentage of women in aviation careers around the world. Elevate(her)’s research has led to some obvious immediate changes that would be beneficial to the industry overall and others that offer a more sustainable path to growing the number of women joining—and staying—in aviation.
Thank you all so much for listening to AvTalk, we truly appreciate all of you! We’ll be back next week with our first new episode of the year as we take on all the news that’s happened while we’ve been on break, including the first real-world use of Garmin’s Emergency Autoland system and updates on the investigation into the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243.

Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

Every Friday, the team at Flightradar24 opens the hangar doors for a conversation that goes far beyond just tracking flights. AvTalk-Aviation Podcast is hosted by Ian Petchenik and Jason Rabinowitz, two genuine enthusiasts whose curiosity is as vast as the skies they discuss. This isn't a technical manual, but a weekly gathering for anyone who feels that familiar pull to look up at the sound of a jet engine. You'll hear the latest news shaping the industry, from new aircraft developments to airline culture, alongside deeper explorations into the history, places, and societal impact of flight. The discussions are grounded in expertise yet remain completely accessible, whether you're just discovering your inner avgeek or you live and breathe all things aviation. With regular special guests adding their perspectives, each episode feels like sitting in on a fascinating conversation among friends who love to share what they know. Tune in for your regular dose of everything that makes aviation endlessly compelling.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

AvTalk - Aviation Podcast
Podcast Episodes
AvTalk Episode 296: A fire, a crash, and a contract [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:43
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Jason is traveling in Japan and Ian is prepping his Thanksgiving Turkey. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to discuss. An Azimuth Airlines SuperJet caught fire after a hard landin…
AvTalk Episode 294: Please don’t shoot at the planes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:01
On this week’s AvTalk, at least three aircraft are struck by bullets while trying to landing in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Spirit Airlines could soon file for bankruptcy after Frontier walks away from a potential merger. And…
AvTalk Episode 293: All right, everybody back to work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:33
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing machinists in the pacific northwest ratify a new contract, ending a 53 day strike. We discuss what’s in the contract and where Boeing goes from here. Spirit Aerosystems, the maker…
AvTalk Episode 292: Airplane facts with Max [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:17
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we welcome Max Comer, and airline mechanic and the man behind social media sensation Airplane Facts with Max, which compares and contrasts interesting aviation information… and the works…
AvTalk Episode 291: They strike on [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:36
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing announces a $6 billion third quarter loss, while the company’s striking machinists reject the latest contract offer, sending negotiators back to work. A close call in Austin as TC…
AvTalk Episode 290: Boeing brings the battle axe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:31
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing announces layoffs affecting 17,000 employees and the sunset of the 767 program. The 777X is delayed until at least 2026 and airlines are having trouble getting ahold of aircraft t…
AvTalk Episode 289: The FAA doesn’t want headless pilots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:44
On this episode of AvTalk, a new report from the New York Times raises questions about Boeing’s differing response to 737 MAX operators’ requests for safety information following the crash of Lion Air 610. A passenger sa…
AvTalk Episode 288: Escalation or the new normal? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:46
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss Iran’s missile attack on Israel and the consequences (so far) for commercial aviation. The NTSB shakes its fist at the FAA over moist rudders, while the FAA’s investigation in…
AvTalk Episode 287: How best and final is “best and final”? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:39
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing gives its striking machinists union its “best and final” offer. But how best and final is it? EASA informs A350 operators to ensure they’re cleaning their fuel hoses properly. Can…