logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
50m 52s

Virgin dethrones Qantas as most reliable...

MOMENTUM MEDIA
About this episode

For 19 months, Qantas reigned as Australia's most reliable airline group – but no more, with Virgin Australia last month knocking the Flying Kangaroo off its perch in a clean sweep of on-time arrivals, on-time departures and cancellations.

With both major domestic airline groups now at or approaching long-term averages for reliability, will the trend hold, or could the "bad old days" of 2022 make a comeback?

Adam, Jake and Ben crunch the numbers and cross their fingers that the era of domestic airline havoc is finally behind us.

Plus, frustration abounds for Bonza staff still stuck in a holding pattern as administrators fight to save the airline – will stood-down employees get what they're owed?

Up next
Today
Major airlines charged with assault on batteries
<p>After months in the works, it's official – from December, you'll be banned from using or charging your portable power bank on flights with any major airline in Australia.</p> <p>Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin, which already require power banks to be carried in cabin baggage and ke ... Show More
40m 9s
Yesterday
What makes a good air incident investigator, with UNSW
<p>It's said that every accident makes aviation safer – but that doesn't happen on its own. Across the globe, air incident investigators are on the scene whenever something goes wrong with an aircraft, finding out the root of the problem and making sure it doesn't happen again.</ ... Show More
58m 10s
Nov 19
Jetstar's Singapore fling
<p>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.</p> <p>In a ... Show More
43m 47s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 7
Should we expect more airline delays?
Passengers are suffering more disruption as technology at airports, airlines and air traffic control is failing.But why is aviation software becoming more prone to failure and vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and what is the solution to preventing delays?Presented and produced by Rus ... Show More
17m 28s
Jun 2025
Innovation, and the tale of three airlines. June 13, 2025
– The challenge of innovation – ASX hits a record high – Virgin to list, Rex might survive, Qantas shuts Jetstar Asia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
1h 12m
Aug 2024
Australia: Airlines under scrutiny for not offering refunds
Australia correspondent Peter Ryan speaks to Lisa Owen about how airlines that unreasonably cancel or delay flights are coming under greater scrutiny to provide a better deal for jilted travelers. The pressure comes after rising anger and frustration from travelers who are tired ... Show More
5m 18s
Feb 2025
Chinese Airlines Breaking Through Turbulence
<p>Our Hong Kong/China Transportation &amp; Infrastructure Analyst Qianlei Fan explains why a resurgence in air travel is leading China’s emergence from deflation.</p><p><br></p><p>----- Transcript -----</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to <em>Thoughts on the Market</em>. I’m Qianlei Fan ... Show More
4m 55s
Aug 25
When Schiphol Airport shredded 400 squirrels (and why no one was to blame)
Have businesses become less accountable? If something goes wrong with your flight, train, or takeaway, you’ll probably struggle to get a helpful response from someone. Today’s guest on Nudge, economist Dan Davies, says this is by design. He calls them Unaccountability Machines, a ... Show More
37m 13s
Oct 2024
Turkish Airlines Business Class… Worth The Indictment?
In this week’s episode, the duo discuss Dan’s Virgin Atlantic & Heathrow nightmare, the NYC Mayor who risked it all for Turkish Airlines Business Class, a Qatar Airways & Virgin Australia tie-up, and more. Your new episode of On-Air is now ready for boarding (but not from A10)!-- ... Show More
56m 42s
Aug 20
Can Southwest Airlines Survive? | Excess Baggage | 2
<p>It’s 2023 and Southwest Airlines’ stock is in a nosedive. With costs ascending, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan freezes hiring and slashes spending. Amid all that, a crisis at Boeing has left Southwest short on jets. With Southwest weakened, an unwelcome, activist investor rushes on ... Show More
42m 14s
May 2025
How airline fees turned baggage into billions
From extra bags to choosing a seat, airline passengers are faced with an array of extras, for a fee. And stricter limits for luggage in particular have turned 'compatible' suitcases and bags into big business. From bag manufacturers, racing to design the next travel bag innovatio ... Show More
17m 38s
May 2024
800 Tail Strike
Airplane tail strike, miracle flights, 737 MAX Deferred Prosecution Agreement, the FAA Reauthorization Act, airport name changes, and fatal helicopter crash in Iran. Also, a report on the Valdez Fly-In and Airshow, and a scenic flight around Denali Mountain. Aviation News N ... Show More
1h 4m
Aug 13
Can Southwest Airlines Survive? | Hard Landing | 1
<p>It's 2021 and for the first time in nearly 50 years, Southwest Airlines posts an annual net loss. Amid the crisis, thousands of Southwest workers head for early retirement. The next year, Southwest is short on staff as Americans return to the skies. Pilots and flight attendant ... Show More
40m 29s