Welcome to FlightGlobal Focus, your new essential podcast for trusted aviation insight. We publish new episodes twice weekly: join us on Friday for a concise news briefing and on Monday for in-depth analysis covering airlines, defence or aerospace.

In this airlines focus episode, Alfred Chua, airlines editor for Asia-Pacific is joined by Howard Hardee, Americas aviation reporter, for the second deep dive episode from the airlines team, examining the airlines that have caught our eye this year and looking at their challenges and opportunities and what they tell us about the wider market. This week, we take a look at United Airlines, a recent winner at the 2025 Airline Strategy Awards.

Stay informed, stay ahead, and get expert coverage from the team at FlightGlobal. Pioneering aviation insight.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is produced by Amber Elias. Audio editing by Lucy Johnson.

Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply).

Welcome to FlightGlobal Focus, your new essential podcast for trusted aviation insight. We publish new episodes twice weekly: join us on Friday for a concise news briefing and on Monday for in-depth analysis covering airlines, defence or aerospace.

In this news focus episode, Amber Elias is joined by FlightGlobal’s Defence Managing Editor, Greg Waldron to discuss his recent trip to Australia to see the ghost bat in action.

Further reading:

Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat combat drone demonstrates capabilities at Australian test range

Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat demonstrates autonomous capabilities ahead of weapons testing milestone

Stay informed, stay ahead, and get expert coverage from the team at FlightGlobal. Pioneering aviation insight.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is produced by Amber Elias. Audio editing by Lucy Johnson.

Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply).

Welcome to FlightGlobal Focus, your new essential podcast for trusted aviation insight. We publish new episodes twice weekly: join us on Friday for a concise news briefing and on Monday for in-depth analysis covering airlines, defence and aerospace.

In this defence focus episode Ryan Finnerty and Craig Hoyle discuss the future of the second largest air force in the world (the US navy) and why its new training jet doesn't need to be able to land on an aircraft carrier.

Further reading:

The Future of Naval Aviation: A Conversation with VADM Cheever

US Navy air boss outlines vision for carrier-based sixth-generation fighter

Boeing MQ-25 autonomous refuelling aircraft to begin US Navy shipboard integration in 2026

US Navy ditches field carrier landing requirement for T-45 Goshawk replacement

Stay informed, stay ahead, and get expert coverage from the team at FlightGlobal. Pioneering aviation insight.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For sponsorship and commercial opportunities, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@flightglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

First Flight is a production of FlightGlobal, an award-winning aviation media company, and is produced by Amber Elias. Audio editing by Lucy Johnson.

Access 20% off your new subscription to FlightGlobal.com with the code FGPODCAST (terms and conditions apply).