The 18 Best Flights Podcasts (2026)

If you've ever found yourself glued to Flightradar24 tracking a transatlantic flight at 2 AM, AvTalk is the podcast you didn't know you needed. Hosted by Ian Petchenik and Jason Rabinowitz, two aviation journalists who clearly spend way too much time thinking about airplanes (in the best way), this weekly show breaks down the biggest stories in the aviation world with genuine expertise and a relaxed conversational style.

Running since 2017 with over 300 episodes under their belt, Ian and Jason have built a loyal following by tackling everything from cockpit voice recorder regulations and drone incidents to airline route changes and accident investigations. They bring the kind of insider knowledge you'd expect from Flightradar24's own team, often referencing real-time tracking data and ADS-B information that most podcasters simply don't have access to.

The format works because neither host takes themselves too seriously. They'll get into heated but friendly disagreements about FAA policy one minute, then geek out over a rare aircraft sighting the next. Episodes typically land on Fridays, making it a solid end-of-week listen. The production quality is clean, and at roughly an hour per episode, they manage to cover multiple stories without dragging things out. Rated 4.8 stars from over 700 ratings on Apple Podcasts, AvTalk has earned its spot as one of the go-to aviation news shows. It hits that sweet spot between accessible enough for casual plane enthusiasts and detailed enough for people who know what a NOTAM is.

The Airplane Geeks Podcast has been holding court in the aviation podcasting world since 2008, making it one of the longest-running shows in the space. Hosted by a rotating panel that includes Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, and Max Trescott, this is the kind of show where multiple aviation nerds sit around a virtual table and hash out the week's biggest stories in a way that feels like eavesdropping on a really good hangar conversation.

With 300 episodes and counting, the panel format gives each episode a different energy depending on who's at the mic. They regularly bring in guest experts from across the industry -- engineers, pilots, historians, airline executives -- and the interviews tend to go deep rather than surface-level. Expect episodes that run around 90 minutes to two hours, which is a lot of content, but the pacing keeps things moving through aviation news, technical deep-dives, historical segments, and listener mail.

Topics range from FAA reorganization and new aircraft technology to vintage warbird restorations and accident investigations. The show pulls a 4.4 rating from 395 reviews on Apple Podcasts, and longtime listeners appreciate the breadth of knowledge the hosts collectively bring. Some episodes can get opinionated, which keeps things from feeling sterile. If you want a weekly aviation roundtable that doesn't shy away from complexity and treats the subject with the seriousness it deserves while still having fun, Airplane Geeks delivers consistently.

When a retired Navy fighter pilot with the callsign "Jell-O" starts a podcast about air combat, you know you're getting the real deal. Vincent Aiello created the Fighter Pilot Podcast in 2018 to pull back the curtain on military aviation, and over 334 episodes later, it's become the gold standard for anyone fascinated by the world of tactical flying.

The show is interview-driven, with Jell-O (and more recently, new host Tucker "Cinco" Hamilton, who took the reins in early 2026) sitting down with fellow fighter pilots, test pilots, weapons system officers, and other military aviation professionals. These aren't your typical podcast conversations. Guests share firsthand accounts of carrier landings, dogfights, ejections, and missions that most of us only see in movies. One week you might hear from a Vietnam-era F-4 pilot, the next from someone flying the F-35 with AI-integrated systems.

What makes this show stand out is the specificity. Jell-O doesn't just ask "what was it like?" -- he asks the right follow-up questions because he's been there himself. The technical discussions about aircraft systems, weapons employment, and mission planning feel authentic without becoming inaccessible. At 4.9 stars from nearly 1,850 ratings, the audience clearly agrees. Episodes drop weekly, and the Patreon community is active for those who want bonus content. It's military aviation storytelling at its finest, told by the people who actually lived it.

Captain Jeff Nielsen has been recording the view from his side of the cockpit door since 2011, and Airline Pilot Guy remains one of the most authentic windows into what professional airline pilots actually think about the news. Joined by co-hosts Captain Nick Anderson and Dr. Stephanie Plummer, this biweekly panel show feels like pulling up a chair at a crew table during a long layover.

Each episode runs around two hours, which is a commitment, but the format earns the runtime. The crew works through aviation news stories, NTSB reports, and industry developments with the kind of practical commentary you only get from people who fly for a living. They don't just report on an engine failure -- they talk about what the crew likely experienced, what the checklists look like, and how the system is designed to handle it. There's a recurring "Plane Tales" segment where listeners share their own flying stories, and a "Getting to Know Us" section that keeps the personal element alive.

With 301 episodes and a 4.7 rating from 634 reviews, the show has built a dedicated community. One thing that sets it apart: it's completely ad-free. Captain Jeff runs the whole operation without sponsors, which means the commentary stays unfiltered. The episodes include detailed show notes and timestamps, so you can jump to specific segments if two hours feels like a lot. For anyone who wants to understand aviation from a working pilot's perspective rather than a journalist's, this is the show.

Max Trescott brings 40 years of general aviation experience to every episode of Aviation News Talk, and it shows. As a Platinum Cirrus CSIP flight instructor who specializes in glass cockpit systems like the G1000 and Perspective avionics, Max has the rare ability to make complex aviation topics genuinely understandable without dumbing them down.

The show has racked up over 414 episodes with a weekly release schedule, covering everything from accident analysis and safety tips to new aircraft technology and regulatory changes. The format mixes solo episodes where Max breaks down a specific safety topic or news story with interview episodes featuring accident investigators, aviation professionals, and fellow pilots. One of the best features is the listener Q&A segment -- pilots can actually call in and record questions, which Max addresses on air with thoughtful, experience-backed answers.

What separates this from other aviation news shows is the educational depth. When Max analyzes an accident, he pulls in ADS-B data, NTSB reports, and his own instructional experience to paint a complete picture of what went wrong and how to avoid similar situations. It's practical, not theoretical. Student pilots pick up safety habits, and experienced pilots get refreshers on things they might have gotten complacent about.

With a 4.8 rating from 759 reviews on Apple Podcasts, the audience skews toward active pilots, but the explanations are clear enough that aviation enthusiasts will get plenty out of it too. If general aviation safety and piloting skills matter to you, this one belongs in your rotation.

Black Box Down took aviation disaster storytelling and made it genuinely compelling for people who might never have cared about cockpit voice recorders or NTSB reports. Hosted by Gustavo Sorola and Chris Demarais (both from Rooster Teeth), the show ran from 2020 to 2023, producing 150 episodes that systematically walked through history's most significant aviation accidents and the safety improvements they triggered.

The format worked brilliantly: Gustavo brought the research and aviation knowledge while Chris played the role of curious everyman, asking the questions a regular listener would have. That dynamic kept episodes accessible without sacrificing accuracy. Each story followed the accident from takeoff to investigation to the systemic changes that came after, hammering home the point that modern aviation safety was built on hard lessons.

Episodes covered incidents like Air Florida Flight 90, Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182, and dozens of others, typically running 35 to 60 minutes. The storytelling was tighter than many true crime podcasts, largely because aviation accidents have clear timelines, black box data, and investigation conclusions to structure around. No speculation needed.

The show concluded in June 2023 with a final episode on the future of aviation, and the 4.9 rating from over 4,000 reviews reflects just how much the audience connected with it. Listeners still post reviews asking for its return. While no new episodes are coming, the entire back catalog holds up perfectly -- these stories don't have an expiration date, and the production quality makes each episode worth revisiting.

Aviation Week has been the paper of record for the aerospace industry for decades, and their Check 6 podcast brings that same editorial weight to audio form. The show rotates between editors including Robert Wall, Steve Trimble, Brian Everstine, Guy Norris, and Jens Flottau, each bringing deep specialization in their respective beats -- defense, commercial aviation, space, and propulsion.

With 100 episodes since 2014 and a weekly cadence, Check 6 tackles the big-picture stories that shape aerospace and defense. Recent episodes have covered the Singapore Airshow, Pentagon acquisition strategy, NASA leadership transitions, and major defense program updates. Episodes run a tight 18 to 42 minutes, which is refreshing in a podcasting world where everyone seems to think longer is better. The editors get in, make their points with authority, and get out.

The panel format means you're hearing multiple expert perspectives on each topic, and the discussions often include analysis that goes beyond what's published in the magazine. These are journalists who attend the industry events, talk to the executives, and read the procurement documents. A segment on a new fighter jet program will include context about manufacturing capacity, international partnerships, and budget politics that you won't find in a press release.

At 4.2 stars from 395 reviews, it's the most critically assessed show on this list, with some listeners wanting more depth on certain topics. But for anyone following the business and policy side of aviation and aerospace, Check 6 delivers credible industry journalism in a convenient format.

Every pilot has a "There I Was" story -- that moment in the cockpit where training, instinct, and a fair amount of adrenaline converged into something worth telling. AOPA's Air Safety Institute built an entire podcast around collecting these stories, and the result is one of the most genuinely useful safety resources in aviation podcasting.

Hosted by David O'Leary (following the late Richard McSpadden), the format is straightforward: each episode features a pilot recounting a specific in-flight event -- an engine failure over mountains, an unexpected weather encounter, a gear malfunction on short final -- followed by a discussion about what went right, what could have gone differently, and what other pilots can learn from it. It's the aviation tradition of hangar flying, formalized and recorded for a wider audience.

With 92 episodes released on a monthly schedule since 2017, the show has covered an impressive range of scenarios across different aircraft types and pilot experience levels. You'll hear from student pilots who handled their first emergency alongside airline captains who found themselves in genuinely novel situations. That variety is the show's greatest strength -- no matter where you are in your flying career, there's an episode that speaks directly to your experience level.

The 4.8 rating from 289 reviews reflects the show's credibility. Coming from AOPA's safety institute gives it institutional weight, but the storytelling keeps it from feeling like a lecture. Each episode is a reminder that even routine flights can turn sideways, and preparation makes the difference.

The Hangar Z Podcast occupies a fascinating niche that most aviation shows completely ignore: public safety aviation. Host Jon Gray, along with co-hosts Jack Schonely and Jason Quinn, focuses specifically on the helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft used in law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, and search and rescue operations. It's the side of aviation where the mission isn't getting from A to B -- it's saving lives.

With 331 episodes and a weekly release schedule, Jon has built a remarkable archive of conversations with the people who fly these missions. Guests include helicopter pilots who chase suspects through urban canyons, medevac crews who land on highways at night, and wildfire tanker pilots who fly through smoke that would ground commercial operations. The interview style is thorough, often spanning multi-part series that trace a guest's entire career from military service through civilian public safety work.

Produced in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine and sponsored by industry heavyweights like Airbus and Bell, the show has legitimate industry credibility. Recent episodes have taken the team international, recording at the European Rotors conference in Germany. The 4.9 rating from 97 reviews comes primarily from people actually working in the field, which says a lot.

The mental health angle in the show's genre tags isn't accidental -- Jon regularly addresses the psychological toll of public safety flying, from PTSD to the daily stress of high-stakes missions. That willingness to go beyond the technical and into the human side makes Hangar Z something special in the aviation podcast world.

Justin Siems started Pilot to Pilot in 2017 with a simple premise: get pilots from every corner of aviation to share their stories, and let the conversation flow naturally. Nearly 360 episodes later, that formula has produced one of the most comprehensive interview archives in aviation podcasting, with a 4.9 rating from 946 reviews to prove the approach works.

The guest roster is genuinely diverse. One episode features a bush pilot landing on gravel bars in Alaska, the next has a corporate jet captain explaining the differences between flying a Citation and a Gulfstream, and the one after that profiles a banner tow pilot working the Jersey Shore. Justin has also expanded into a print companion, Pilot to Pilot Magazine, which gives the brand a multi-platform presence that most independent aviation podcasters haven't attempted.

Justin's interviewing style leans into the personal. He's interested in the career arc -- how someone went from their first discovery flight to where they sit now, including the financial struggles, the training setbacks, and the moments that made it worth it. His "rapid fire questions" segment at the end of each interview has become a signature, giving guests a chance to share quick opinions and recommendations.

The weekly release schedule keeps the content fresh, and the topics span career transitions, emergency procedures, financial planning for pilots, and industry trends. It's particularly valuable for aspiring pilots trying to figure out which path to pursue, but experienced aviators consistently say they learn something new from hearing how their peers approach the same job differently.

Doug and Drew bring a combined 40-plus years of airline industry experience to The Next Trip, and the insider perspective makes all the difference. One is a professional pilot, the other a hub operations manager at a major carrier, so between them they cover aviation from the flight deck to the ramp. The result is a podcast that explains how the airline sausage gets made, with enough humor to keep things entertaining.

Running weekly since 2019 with 328 episodes, the show blends aviation news coverage with operational storytelling and what the hosts call "friendly AvGeek banter." When a major weather event disrupts airline schedules, they don't just report on the cancellations -- they explain the cascade effect through the operations center, how crews get repositioned, and why recovery takes longer than passengers expect. That behind-the-scenes view is their biggest asset.

Monday morning episodes have become a ritual for their community of self-described AvGeeks, and the hosts have cultivated an engaged listener base that contributes stories and questions. They even coined the term "avsplain" for their particular brand of aviation explanation, which gives you a sense of the show's personality. Recent episodes have tackled aircraft orders, airline financial results, and weather-related operational challenges.

The 4.9 rating from 89 reviews is strong for a mid-sized show, and the comments consistently highlight the balance between expertise and accessibility. If you want to understand how airlines actually work day-to-day rather than just reading press releases, The Next Trip delivers a perspective you won't find many other places.

Airline Weekly Lounge takes a fundamentally different approach to aviation podcasting. Instead of talking about airplanes and routes, hosts Gordon Smith, Jay Shabat, and Meghna Maharishi focus squarely on the question that drives the entire industry: how do you actually make money running an airline? Produced by Skift, the travel industry's leading business publication, this is aviation coverage through a financial lens.

With 414 episodes on a weekly schedule, the show has built an extensive archive of airline business analysis. Each episode dissects earnings reports, route economics, fleet decisions, and strategic moves by carriers around the world. Recent episodes have examined airlines as varied as Icelandair, JAL, ANA, and Ethiopian Airlines, giving the show a genuinely global scope that most US-centric aviation podcasts lack.

The three-host panel format creates a roundtable discussion feel, and occasional live interviews with airline executives and industry leaders add primary-source perspectives. The analysis goes deeper than what you'll read in mainstream business news -- these are people who study airline financials full-time, and they'll explain why a particular aircraft order signals a strategic shift or why a route network change reveals something about a carrier's competitive positioning.

The 4.0 rating from 140 reviews is the lowest on this list, and recurring feedback points to audio quality inconsistencies. That's a legitimate gripe for a podcast backed by a major media company. But if you can look past the production issues, the analytical content is genuinely hard to find anywhere else. For anyone interested in the business mechanics behind the flights they take, Airline Weekly Lounge fills a gap no other show really tries to.

Taking Flight is an independent aviation podcast created by Jordan McDonald that covers breaking developments in the airline and aviation world with a frequency that puts most shows to shame. With 249 episodes across five seasons since its 2021 launch, Jordan has maintained a release pace of multiple episodes per week during active periods, making this one of the most timely aviation news sources in podcast form.

The format is primarily solo commentary, with Jordan working through recent aviation stories -- airline developments, safety incidents, Boeing's ongoing issues, carrier launches and closures -- with the energy of someone who genuinely can't stop following this industry. Episodes tend to be focused and direct rather than sprawling, which makes them easy to fit into a commute or a quick break.

The show added a co-host in 2024, bringing a second voice into the mix for some episodes. The community element is strong, with Jordan actively engaging listeners through Instagram and encouraging reviews and feedback. That grassroots approach gives the show a personal feel that larger, more polished productions sometimes lack.

With a perfect 5.0 rating (though from only 4 reviews), Taking Flight is still building its audience. The review count suggests it's an emerging show rather than an established one, but the episode count and consistency demonstrate real commitment. Topics have included the Alaska Airlines door plug incident, the Bonza airline closure in Australia, and ongoing coverage of commercial aviation safety. For listeners who want frequent, concise aviation news updates from a passionate independent voice, Taking Flight delivers that reliably.

Pan American World Airways operated for 64 years and essentially invented international commercial aviation as we know it. The Pan Am Podcast, hosted by historian Tom Betti and produced by the Pan Am Museum Foundation in Garden City, New York, tells that story through the people who lived it, and the results are genuinely remarkable.

With 61 episodes on a monthly release schedule, Tom conducts long-form interviews with former Pan Am employees, passengers, historians, and cultural figures connected to the airline's legacy. The guest list reads like an awards ceremony -- George Takei, former Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs, and Jack Epps Jr. (who wrote the screenplay for Top Gun) have all appeared. But some of the most compelling episodes feature regular people: former flight attendants recounting what service looked like in the 1960s, mechanics who maintained the Clippers, and passengers who remember when flying Pan Am meant something specific and glamorous.

The production quality reflects the show's multiple award wins, including a Platinum 2025 Muse Creative Award and recognition from the National Audio Theater Festivals. Tom's interviewing style is patient and detailed, giving guests room to tell their stories fully rather than rushing through talking points.

The perfect 5.0 rating from 140 reviews is earned. This isn't a show about aviation news or flight training -- it's oral history preserved in audio form, focused on a single airline that shaped the modern world. For anyone interested in aviation history, airline culture, or mid-century American life, The Pan Am Podcast is a treasure.

The Future in Flight Podcast does something surprisingly rare in aviation media: it speaks directly to young people and families who are curious about careers in the sky. Hosted by Shawn Staerker and produced by Creative Relay Media in partnership with AviNation USA, this weekly show was built from the ground up to inspire the next generation of pilots, engineers, and aerospace professionals.

With 49 episodes since its launch, the show is still relatively new but has quickly established a clear identity. Episodes feature interviews with aviation professionals and young achievers who are already making their mark in the industry, along with practical advice about flight school, training pathways, and career options that go well beyond just "become a pilot." The show covers aerospace engineering, air traffic control, maintenance, and other roles that keep the industry running.

A standout feature is the "Vintage Aircraft Spotlight" segment, where the show profiles a classic airplane and its place in aviation history. It's a clever way to build enthusiasm and knowledge at the same time, connecting the romance of aviation's past with the career opportunities of its future.

The 5.0 rating from 5 reviews tells you this is an early-stage show still finding its audience. But the concept fills a real gap -- most aviation podcasts assume their listeners are already pilots or deep enthusiasts. Future in Flight meets people where they are, before they've made the decision to pursue aviation, and gives them the information and inspiration to take that step. The family-friendly, clean content makes it appropriate for younger listeners, which broadens its reach considerably.

Miles to Go sits at the intersection of aviation and travel rewards, hosted by Ed Pizza and Richard Kerr -- two frequent flyers who have collectively logged enough miles to qualify for their own airline. Running weekly since 2018 with 300 episodes, the show covers the practical side of air travel: how to maximize credit card points, which airline loyalty programs actually deliver value, and what's happening in the travel industry that affects how you book and fly.

The format is a two-host conversation that frequently brings in guest bloggers and industry experts from the points and miles community. Episodes run 30 to 50 minutes and tend to be topical, responding to the latest program changes, card launches, and airline news with analysis geared toward people who take travel optimization seriously. The hosts maintain an active Slack community and offer paid memberships for deeper engagement.

What makes this relevant to a flights category is the airline-focused coverage. Ed and Richard regularly break down flight product reviews, airline lounge experiences, booking strategies for premium cabins, and route network changes. They approach flying as both a hobby and a skill to be optimized, which resonates with the points-and-miles crowd.

The 4.5 rating from 371 reviews is solid, though some listeners have flagged a perceived bias toward certain credit card partners in recent episodes. That's worth keeping in mind, but the core travel intelligence is still strong. For anyone who thinks about flights in terms of value, redemption rates, and program strategy rather than just buying a ticket, Miles to Go speaks your language.

The Black Box Aviation Podcast launched in early 2025 and has quickly built momentum with 75 episodes from hosts Tom and Mike, who bring professional airline and military pilot backgrounds to every conversation. This is a newer show that's still defining itself, but the foundation is solid: two experienced aviators talking about the topics they know best.

The format is conversational, with Tom and Mike working through aviation accidents, industry news, pilot career paths, and travel stories in a two-host discussion that occasionally brings in guests. They recently transitioned from audio-only to video, which signals ambition and growth. Episodes cover a wide range, from NTSB report analysis and aircraft systems deep-dives to personal narratives about life as a professional pilot.

What comes through in the episodes is genuine enthusiasm backed by real credentials. When they discuss an accident investigation, they're drawing on their own cockpit experience to contextualize what happened and why. The listener reviews reflect this -- one reviewer with 26 years of Air Force experience and 17 years of airline flying specifically praised the show's authenticity and technical accuracy.

The 4.8 rating from 22 reviews puts it in strong territory for a show that just celebrated its first anniversary in January 2026. The community is still small but engaged, with the hosts maintaining active social media channels and a text hotline for listener interaction. For a show this young, the consistency and quality are impressive. If you enjoy hearing professional pilots break down aviation topics without a script, The Black Box is building something worth following.

Flying the Line takes a completely different approach from every other podcast on this list. Rather than covering current aviation news or interviewing active pilots, it's an audio adaptation of George E. Hopkins' book of the same name, which chronicles the founding and growth of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) -- the world's largest pilot union and nongovernmental air safety organization.

Narrated by Corey Kuhn (Volume 1) and Gina Leahy (Volume 2), the 87 episodes unfold like a serialized audiobook, tracing the early struggles of airline pilots to organize, establish safety standards, and gain a collective voice in an industry that was, in its earliest decades, genuinely dangerous and unregulated. Episodes run 11 to 24 minutes each, making them digestible chapters rather than marathon listens.

Volume 1 covers the formative years and is consistently praised by listeners as gripping storytelling about pilots who risked their careers to fight for basic safety protections. The stakes were real -- early aviators faced pressure to fly in dangerous conditions with no recourse, and the organizing efforts that followed changed commercial aviation forever. Volume 2 shifts into the more complex territory of industry politics and labor relations, which some listeners find less engaging but others appreciate for the historical completeness.

The 4.9 rating from 108 reviews reflects a niche but dedicated audience. This is aviation history for people who want to understand how the industry's safety culture was actually built, one labor fight at a time. It's not flashy, but the story it tells is foundational to everything modern airline pilots take for granted.