Layovers - Air Travel podcast

Flighty has changed how we experience air travel.
The flight tracking app, which obsessively focuses on the user experience and data accuracy, has been mentioned in nearly all our episodes since Paul got on the beta in early 2019, and we're so pleased to welcome Ryan Jones, the Founder CEO of Flighty, for an entertaining chat on everything Flighty, and more.
Ryan shares the journey of creating this epic app, the importance of design, the challenges of data acquisition, the commitment to providing real-time information  and how the three founders prioritize new innovative features.
We learn who uses Flighty the most (can you guess?) and the role of the community in shaping the app's development and future directions for Flighty (Ryan loves feedback!).
We realize how intricate it is to track a flight, and the challenges of providing timely information and flight statuses (and what to surface when, during our flying journeys). Not everything is equal, some territories are better than others, some airports or airlines better than others (there's one that doesn't seem to care).
And yes, Paul asks Ryan about his favorite airport, and he tells us which one he hates hahaha (Paul and Ryan find a commonality in hating carpets!), and his plan to change the IATA code for Austin.
We had tremendous fun talking to Ryan, and the two hours flew by.
Thank you, Ryan, and your two co-founders, for creating such a beautifully designed experience.
You should try Flighty:
https://flighty.com
Flighty on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/flighty/
Flighty on X: https://x.com/Flighty
Flighty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flightyapp/
Flighty on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flightyapp/
Flighty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flighty/
This episode is on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5DttBKTF-g
Happy flying!
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Reach out to the creator of Layovers, Paul
On Instagram: https://instagram.com/paulpapa.io
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpapadimitriou/
More links on our website: https://layovers.to

Alex finally boards a Qatar Airways flight, and finds how to get a premium economy seat in this airline that doesn't have premium economy (not through that ethernet port though). Paul completely changes his mind about United, a true Christmas miracle (and a possible playbook for BA), what an incredible crew. Farewell to SeatGuru, nothing truly replaces you (AeroLOPA is the nearest). When your boarding pass gets denied at Hanoi airport, and you unwillingly discover the bowels of Hanoi airport (a gripping tale by Alex!). And more.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all. See you in 2026!
Creators & Guests

Paul Papa (Paul Papadimitriou) - Host

Alex Hunter - Host

____Click here to watch a video of this episode.

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We are at Rolls-Royce, exploring the engineering marvels behind aviation engines, the inner workings behind the quiet hums of those incredible machine.
We dive into the importance of expertise, heat management, and innovation in ensuring engine durability and performance.
Most importantly, we talk to the people, as this is as much craftsmanship as it is the absolute edge of science — and the people are absolute gems, it has been such a highlight listening to them all talk about what they do with such enthusiasm and love for what they do.
We also take a voyage through the intricate support systems in place for engine operations, the real-time monitoring of all those engines that fly you around, and the collaboration with aircraft manufacturers and airlines.
We delve into the future of aviation, focusing on the development of next-generation engines, the importance of efficiency, the importance of research and development, the collaboration within the industry to tackle sustainability issues, and the role of sustainable aviation fuels.
Our thanks to all of you at Rolls-Royce, your dedication to the craft is why we, the traveling public, tend to forget about engines (they always work, which is why a podcast like ours where we mostly talk, or moan, about a seat or a choice of food instead!).
Special thanks to Ben Todd for having welcomed us with open arms, you're a star — it is connections like those that fuel the passion for air travel that we, and the audience, share.
Learn more about our discussion here.
Check Veritasium's video at Rolls-Royce for the science of this all: Veritasium on YouTube
You can follow Rolls-Royce here: LinkedIn - Facebook - X - Instagram
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Watch us: Spotify or YouTube
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Paul & Paolo are guinea pigs, they enter a bar, only that it's Paul's living room (but there's actual beer!), to talk, in length, about the state of BA, what is premium about their premium economy, and if it can compare to Emirates' one (or Virgin's for that matter). 
Paul calls BA the Emirates of the 80/90s (he felt inadequate flying them back then!) — were there enough headphones and food in that era? 
Paolo flies a brand new Emirates A350 (that includes the water cannon baptism!) and defines what is a part-time terminal. 
What do you do when ill in an aircraft with sickness bag available? 
And is there anything precise about Precision Air?
Happy flying!
(The next episode should be epic, be ready!)
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For video, subscribe on Spotify or YouTube (or YouTube Music)
Review, and rate us, on Apple Podcasts
Follow us, and comment on: Instagram - Bluesky - Threads - Mastodon - Twitter/X
Comment, like, review, and rate us, on Facebook
Search for 'Layovers' on any podcast service (some direct links are on our website)
If we're missing somewhere, or for any feedback, let Paul know on Instagram - Threads - Mastodon - Bluesky - Twitter/X

Paul goes to Namibia to check the cute WDH airport, and drive 3000km+ — and yes, before you all ask, driving the Skeleton Coast is everything you dream it to be (this country is stunning, and the NamibRand is perhaps the most beautiful place he has ever seen). He falls in love with Airlink (from their Embraer to their extensive safety talk, and they serve something called food, a forgotten art in Europe/North America), maybe with JNB a bit less (but that lounge there, woah!). Should you board when an aircraft is refueling? Maybe better than staying in front of it like Paul wanted (but the words of the catapion overrule him). Vinod does wide body bingo in Canada (there's one route always on time, listen to discover which!), and shares his South African Airways memories (the current one is a shadow of its former self). The last 777-300ER has left the factory, meanwhile the 777x is delayed, again (dire when compared to the speed of delivery of earlier designs), but it will be a success. SWISS is selling its famous on-board chocolates in stores, but be quick, it's only temporary (you can always dance the extra chocolate off at the Zurich Airport wave, which seems easier to access than the Narita raves we discussed in 149). Hacking the airplane wifi? Well, not really, but... And yes, like in every episode, we talk BA, and we mention FRA haha.
We're on video if you listen to us to Spotify, or YouTube (this is nearly 3 hours, our record, so prepare to see our faces for that long!)
Thank you to long time listener Garett Gaudet for his insights, here's his latest (excellent) MixCloud
See you in the next episode, happy flying!
—
For video, subscribe on Spotify or YouTube (or YouTube Music)
Review, and rate us, on Apple Podcasts
Follow us, and comment on: Instagram - Bluesky - Threads - Mastodon - Twitter/X
Comment, like, review, and rate us, on Facebook
Search for 'Layovers' on any podcast service (some direct links are on our website)
If we're missing somewhere, or for any feedback, let Paul know on Instagram - Threads - Mastodon - Bluesky - Twitter/X