It's only been a few months since the end of Jetstar Asia, but now Jetstar is looking to make a bigger push back into the Singapore market. Starting next March, the low-cost carrier will fly between the Lion City and Bali … but that won't be the end of the journey.

In an interesting twist, the Singapore–Bali services will only be one leg on direct routes connecting through to the Sunshine Coast and Newcastle, a pair of smaller airports in regional cities that wouldn't normally expect to see Singapore services – so, what's the plan for Jetstar?

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake, David and Bethany take a look at Jetstar's new Singapore routes, what they might do for the cities they serve, and what might be next.

Plus, the plan to link Western Sydney Airport to high-speed rail – will it ever happen, and what will come of it if it does?

A few short years ago, Project Sunrise – Qantas' plan to fly non-stop from the east coast to London and New York – was a mere gleam in Alan Joyce's eye. Now, however, as the first A350-1000ULR gets ready to have its engines fitted, those marathon flights are looking closer than ever.

While there's still a lot of work to be done, including extensive test flights, before the plane can be delivered in 2026 ahead of Project Sunrise's planned 2027 launch, there's now something undeniably concrete about the Flying Kangaroo's ultra-long-haul ambitions – but will they succeed?

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and Bethany discuss the milestone and what it might be like to spend upwards of 22 straight hours in the sky.

Plus, Avalon Airport is set to return to international flights – is Melbourne's second gateway finally seeing some love?

Last month, a remarkable journey came to an end when 16-year-old Byron Waller touched down at Brisbane Airport following 67 days circumnavigating the globe in a light aircraft.

Covering 41,700km in his Sling TSi, Byron's odyssey through the skies took him over oceans, deserts, ice fields, and everything in between, including a landing at the Grand Canyon and guest appearances at big airshows.

It was a monumental effort from a young aviator who just a few years ago was bedridden with chronic illnesses, and turned to flying – including becoming the youngest pilot to circumnavigate Australia, at age 14 – to make his dreams a reality.

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake talks to Byron and his mum Jeni about his incredible achievement – and his future aviation ambitions.

After more than a year fossilised in amber, Australia's third largest airline looks to have avoided extinction – American firm Air T has agreed to buy Rex, prompting roars of approval from government and industry as well as the best name for any corporate buyout in history.

But while Air T brings with it plenty of Saab 340 parts to resurrect Rex's dinosaur planes, will fleet renewal still be on the menu – and will creditors get their money back?

Jake, David, and graduate journalist Bethany Alvaro make approximately too many Jurassic Park references as they dissect Air T's Rex purchase and what it might mean for the regional airline's future.

Plus, the first jet lands at Western Sydney Airport; ex-Virgin boss Paul Scurrah returns to aviation; and what, scientifically, is an "RBH"?

A year and a half after the abrupt collapse of Bonza, its erstwhile financier, Miami-based investment firm 777 Partners, is under the microscope again – and for all the wrong reasons.

Its co-founder and former CFO have both been charged by the FBI over allegations of a jaw-dropping US$500 million fraud scheme, with accusations levelled of a complex web of lies and financial chicanery that left lenders and investors holding the bag.

Jake and David dig into the charges and reflect again on how much 777 Partners' alleged dodgy dealings may have brought Bonza down.

Plus, which carrier was Australia's most on-time airline in 2024–25 – and what do you do with a radioactive cat?

Sydney is on the verge of a major aviation transformation. With Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird-Walton) Airport set to open in 2026, the city will soon operate as a two-airport metropolis. How will the two-airport city work?

Western Sydney is now Australia's third-largest economy, with its population set to grow to around 3 million by the 2030s. With air travel demand set to double over the next 20 years, Western Sydney Airport promises to unlock new opportunities in transport, business, and tourism. But delivering on that vision requires careful planning and collaboration.

In this podcast, a panel hosted by UNSW School of Aviation dives into what the opening of Western Sydney Airport will mean for passengers, businesses, and the broader economy.

Join Paul Willis, group executive, planning & delivery, Sydney Airport; Karen Jones, CEO, Destination NSW; and Stevan Sipka, senior manager, network and fleet, Qantas Freight, in a thought-provoking discussion moderated by Dr Ian Douglas, honorary senior lecturer, UNSW Aviation and former chair, International Air Services Commission, on Sydney's two-airport future.

Just when Qantas thought the saga of its frequent flyer hack might be over, a fresh headache has hit the Flying Kangaroo as online miscreants published the stolen data on the dark web.

The airline is warning customers to beware of scammers, and says it is working with "specialist cyber security experts" to investigate exactly what data was leaked – but what does all this mean for the 5 million people caught up in the breach?

Jake turns to David's cyber expertise to find out what might be next for Qantas, and what you can do to protect yourself if you're affected.

Plus, a treat for all you military aviation aficionados out there as our defence and aerospace lead Steve Kuper joins us to talk new Army Apaches, Anduril's answer to the Ghost Bat, and more.

While most of us can navigate airports without a second thought, those with disabilities can find it much more difficult – and people who have hidden disabilities like autism face their own unique challenges.

As airports and airlines implement more accessibility measures for those with obvious needs like wheelchair users and the visually impaired, less is known on what to do for autistic travellers who can face severe sensory issues in the noisy, chaotic environment of an airport.

Fortunately, the tide is starting to turn, with sunflower lanyards making hidden disabilities more visible, and policy changes allowing autistic people to use aids like noise-cancelling headphones to make their airport journeys easier.

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake talks to Emma Beardsley and Dr Tom Tutton from Aspect Autism Friendly on what autistic people have to deal with at airports, and how not just staff but other travellers can support fellow passengers with a sunflower lanyard.

It's finally here – the biggest change to Qantas' domestic fleet in decades. The new A321XLR has joined the national carrier with its first commercial flight, and with 48 on order to replace the ageing 737-800s, it's the most ambitious phase yet in the airline's massive fleet renewal program.

With a wider body, more fuel-efficient engines, and a slew of other changes, the A321XLR is a massive leap for the Flying Kangaroo – but does it live up to the hype, and what's being done about the delicate issue of the toilets?

On this week's podcast, Jake has a full trip report of the inaugural flight of the Qantas A321XLR, and he and David discuss what it will do for the airline both domestically and internationally.

Plus, Qantas looks to improve its battered reputation by making it a condition of CEO Vanessa Hudson's bonuses: will it work, or is it just a PR stunt?

Spare a thought for anyone who's tried to get to or from Europe this week – not only is a "super typhoon" wreaking havoc in Hong Kong, but a massive ransomware attack over the weekend crippled several major airports in Europe, including London's Heathrow.

Passengers were stranded, flights thrown into chaos, and scenes of long lines and pandemonium dominated the headlines – but never fear, for the Australian Aviation Podcast has just the expertise to break down what happened and who might be responsible.

On this week's podcast, Jake and David take a look back at the hack attack, how it unfolded, and what it might mean for Australian airports.

Plus, three QantasLink bases could get the chop following a review – how might it impact both staff and regional travellers?