Layovers - Air Travel podcast

The road that Lufthansa took to get to their new business class seemed somewhat long and convoluted, Paul is finally able to tell you if it was worth the wait (choosing a seat on Allegris might be as long and convoluted a process though).
And hey, there are no less than 5 outside cameras on their 350!
How to strike gold after gold at JFK Terminal 1 and be faster than fast-track.
Vinod finally gets the satisfaction of flying aboard an Air Canada A330, do the nuances of in-flight service and crew dynamics hit him then?
We opine on a few anniversary liveries, there's one we love ("DEADLY"), there's one we're not sure about.
Ever wanted a flight tracker on your desk? Jetclock is a pretty cool one.
What Vinod prioritizes when he chooses a seat in business class (which he kinda goes against when he chooses a seat in premium economy!)
Tasting thousands of wine for an airline? Where do we apply?
Air Canada, please introduce those lesley stowe raincoast crisps on-board (and for the love of God. someone import them to the UK, says Paul!)
We mentioned: JetClock
(The link Paul promised is here, but the live ATC feeds sadly do not seem to work anymore: https://listentothe.cloud/ )
See you in the next one, happy flying!
____
For video and commenting: YouTube or Spotify
Social: Instagram - Facebook (we're everywhere else too)
Listen and review: Apple Podcasts - search for 'Layovers' wherever you listen
Reach out to Paul on Instagram (his photography Instagram), or LinkedIn
More links on our website.

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!
____
For video, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lay_overs
or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4JaAXzE6CNLIZXv1buXuTT
Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lay_overs/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/layovers.podcast
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.

For video, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lay_overs
or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4JaAXzE6CNLIZXv1buXuTT
Review us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/layovers-air-travel-and-commercial-aviation/id965163837
Reach out to the creator: https://instagram.com/paulpapa.io
Comment on YouTube, Spotify or
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lay_overs/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/layovers.podcast
More links on our website: https://layovers.to

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
____
Listen anywhere: website (most reviews are on Apple Podcasts)
Watch us: Spotify or YouTube
Follow us: Instagram - LinkedIn - Bluesky - Threads - Mastodon - Twitter/X - Facebook
If we're missing somewhere, or for any feedback, let Paul know on Instagram - Threads - Mastodon - Bluesky - Twitter/X

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!)
—
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