Aviation

A 14-hour flight with nothing but coloring books sparked a lifelong fascination. In a special episode closing out our Aviation Series, Dan sits down with his son Oliver Christian, the kid who once built LAX in the garage and could identify aircraft by silhouette, to trace the path from childhood plane-spotting to future pilot, and to explore where aviation is headed next.

We break down the pilot pipeline in plain language, from student permit and first solo to PPL, CPL, instrument and night ratings, multi-engine time, and the road to an ATPL. Oliver shares why he chose Windsor to fly in year one, the importance of logging landings early, and a crucial piece of advice for aspiring pilots: clear your medical before you commit. He also walks through how pilots build hours, from flight instructing and seasonal operations to regional flying, and why passion matters when the workload gets heavy.

Flight canceled, heart rate rising, clock ticking. Now imagine a single tap that rebooks you on any airline in minutes or delivers a full refund without lines, calls, or frustration. In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Steadman, VP of Disruption at Hopper and Hopper Technology Solutions (HTS), to unpack the new playbook for certainty in an increasingly unpredictable sky.

We break down how cancel-for-any-reason, disruption assistance, and price freeze actually work in the real world, why they’re typically priced at 10–15% of trip cost, and how AI models balance risk, demand, and adoption. Patrick explains what happens the moment disruption hits: proactive alerts, a guided self-service experience, and a 98% automation rate that gets travelers moving again fast. We also explore who’s buying flexibility and why, from business travelers with double the attach rate to Gen Z and millennials prioritizing experiences, and premium flyers stacking fintech with loyalty instead of choosing one over the other.

The aviation story is bigger than fares and aircraft, it’s about how global alliances quietly choreograph your entire journey. In the our kickoff episode of our Aviation series, we sit down with Roger Blackburn, VP Commercial & Loyalty at oneworld Alliance, to reveal how 15+ member airlines coordinate routes, lounges, data, and service so travelers can move across continents with fewer frustrations and better perks. If you’ve ever wondered why your status unlocks priority lanes, lounge access, and smoother transfers across multiple carriers, or how alliances choose new members, Roger takes us behind the curtain, minus the jargon.

Step into the future of aviation in this special event spotlight, recorded live from the Aviation Festival Americas in Miami.

Host, Dan Christian sits down with some of the brightest minds in aviation and travel tech to explore the innovations reshaping the industry:

• Amir Amidi explains how Plug and Play Tech Center connects startups with corporate partners across the travel ecosystem
• Tom Trotta details how travel insurance is evolving through AI-powered claims processing and proactive benefits for delayed travelers
• "No Longer Lost" demonstrates their innovative QR code solution for reuniting travelers with misplaced items, pets, and even children
• Ravel's community platform combats the isolation of business travel by connecting professionals in the same destination
• Avion Express shares strategies for recruiting and retaining pilots amid a global shortage
• Terminal manager Jack Ramos reveals how Munich Airport NJ creates exceptional passenger experiences
• Dalton Lane discusses his unique business helping entrepreneurs launch new airlines
• Aviation recruiters highlight the growing demand for digital talent in traditionally operations-focused environments