RGN In Conversation

Diving into what went down at this year’s IATA AGM in Sydney, aviation journalist Marisa Garcia joins RGN deputy editor John Walton to analyse what commercial aviation’s largest and most influential trade body is thinking.

What did new chairman of the board Akbar al Baker say about the capacity and capability of women to run airlines — and was it, as he suggests, both blown out of proportion and a joke that missed the mark? Did IATA and Qatar Airways do enough to correct the record after the shocked aftermath? But what skills do aviation CEOs need, and are they unique to aviation? Elsewhere on the IATA agenda, why do airlines want airports re-regulated? And what changes are afoot among the global airline alliances?

Going deep on economy seats, Routehappy by ATPCO director of airline research Jason Rabinowitz joins RGN deputy editor John Walton to discuss the latest trends down the back of the plane, where new generations of seating products create more space for airlines, and in some cases for passengers.

What new slimline seats are on the horizon for passengers in economy class? Which airlines have big plans for their economy product? What do these changes mean for passengers’ knees — and for their eyeballs? Which of the new generation of slimlines, with their brand-new engineering, work best for passengers, and which get the density airlines want but at the cost of comfort? And, if you’re an airline, how can you get them on your planes fastest, including by leasing a full set of seats from Lufthansa Technik?

What’s new in the world of the Aircraft Interiors Expo? RGN’s Mary Kirby and John Walton are in conversation about AIX 2018, talking new slimline economy seats, business suites, inflight entertainment, connectivity, and more from the busiest interiors show in quite some time!

How do these new slimline seats work? Do they really give you more room than previously? What’s the difference between the models from Geven, Recaro, Rockwell Collins, Pitch, Mirus and others? Is that really the Skyrider saddle seat making a reappearance? Why are so many seatmakers bringing business class suites with doors to the show? What’s new in the world of inflight entertainment, and what new systems are on the market? And in a turbulent time for connectivity, what’s the latest from the show floor?

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Recorded live in one of flydubai's 737 MAX aircraft, the airline’s vice president of inflight product, Dan Kerrison, is in conversation with RGN Deputy Editor John Walton, discussing this fascinating airline — “always the launch customer for something!” — and the innovative passenger experience it continues to design.

How is flydubai’s inflight and on-the-ground product evolving? To what extent does being a smaller airline than its bigger neighbour — and partner — Emirates make the airline more nimble? How did the airline work with JPA Design, Thompson Aero Seating, Recaro and Zodiac Aerospace to create the new cabin, seats and IFE? What soft product improvements are planned? How does inflight entertainment content work with the airline’s three official languages? Why does flydubai take its new 737 aircraft empty from Boeing? And how is the airframer’s new radome affecting inflight connectivity?

Aviation Yteke de Jong speaks with RGN Deputy Editor John Walton from Amsterdam, talking all things KLM and Schiphol Airport in the context of some looming threats for both the airline and its hub operation.

What do the relatively positive annual report figures during the booming economy mean for KLM and, with less rosy figures, Air France-KLM? What does KLM need to do to put itself in a better position — in terms of passenger experience and other performance — for leaner times? With 20% of its market touching the UK, how will Brexit affect KLM? What about the trans-Atlantic partnership with Delta, Air France, Virgin Atlantic and Alitalia? And with government constraints, what does Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport need to do in order to keep its place as a favoured hub within northwestern Europe?

Recorded the day before the International Trade Commission’s surprise ruling in favour of Bombardier in Boeing’s case against the Canadian airframer’s C Series, CNN Aviation Editor Jon Ostrower joins RGN Deputy Editor John Walton to discuss the latest in this ongoing saga.

Who are the key players, and what’s their interest in the game? What was Boeing’s argument to trade adjudicators about the C Series? Did it measure up to industry scrutiny? Do airlines really consider the C Series, the Boeing 737 MAX 7, and the Airbus A319neo in the same fleet conversation? How did Boeing’s move push Airbus and Bombardier closer together, leaving Boeing with the almost inevitable conclusion to continue working closely with Embraer? And what’s next for this market segment at a time of monumental change?

Aviation journalist Benét Wilson explains how peak holiday travel affects #PaxEx to RGN deputy editor John Walton, with insights from her years working for airlines and covering the industry as a journalist. 

How does the passenger experience change over the holidays, with so many people (including infrequent travellers) on the road? How do airline operations change at this busiest time? What airlines and airports spread the magic of the season well, and what can other players in the industry — from small to large — learn from them? And what are some of the tips and tricks that Benét advises consumers to use when travelling at this time of year?

The Royal Aeronautical Society’s Tim Robinson joins RGN deputy editor John Walton to talk about what the UK leaving the EU will mean for the British aviation industry, delving deep into recent submissions to parliamentary committees.

How will aviation safety certification, the CAA, and EASA need to change? What changes will manufacturing have to make? How will aviation employees and the next generations of the industry be affected? What is the prospect of an interim deal for aviation? And is there any good news — for passengers or for airlines — at all?

Icelandic photographer and aviation industry Bergdís Norðdahl is in conversation with RGN Deputy Editor John Walton this week, talking about one of the world’s most fascinating aviation markets: the international flights via and domestic demand from Keflavik Airport in Reykjavik.

How has Iceland’s domestic market — about half of the demand for the Icelandic carriers — recovered from the global financial crisis, which hit the island country particularly hard? What do Icelanders want from Icelandair and WOW Air? Is WOW’s customer-wowing pricing sustainable? Will WOW U-turn over connectivity? And what’s next in passenger experience from one of the world’s key Boeing 757 niche markets?

RGN deputy editor John Walton is in conversation with Olli Vainio, a frequently flying Finn with a wealth of knowledge about national carrier Finnair, its passenger experience, and its markets. John and Olli explore how this niche carrier is expanding after a period of consolidation, and discuss how the airline attracts a wide range of passengers.

How does Finland’s busiest domestic route link in with a wider European network and one of the region’s largest Asian networks? What aspects of the passenger experience have been created to appeal to domestic, European and Asian travellers? How does primary local competition Norwegian’s free inflight connectivity affect what Finnair provides to its passengers? And what do Finns really think about all the Marimekko and Moomins?