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The Open Skies Podcast; sharing the untold and almost-lost stories from airline + aviation companies worldwide.
19 Episodes
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In this episode of OpenSkies, we sit down with John Werner, founder and CEO of Pilot John International, to explore how a Midwest farm kid with a love of aviation and tech built one of the fastest-growing e-commerce companies in the ground support equipment industry. John shares his unique path from flying Dash 8 (DHC-8) as a commercial pilot to scaling a niche aviation business from a blog with a few parts listings to a 50-person operation that ships 80% of orders the same day. We talk about...
In this episode of Open Skies, host Chris Glass sits down with Willie Cecil of FLYHT Aerospace to demystify one of aviation's biggest hidden challenges: how aircraft operational data is collected, transmitted, and used today—and why it desperately needs a 21st-century overhaul. From legacy telex-based communication systems to manual engine downloads that take hours, Willie explains why so much of aviation still operates like it’s the 1970s—and what’s finally changing. Willie introduces us to...
In this eye-opening episode, host Chris Glass is joined by airline veterans Bob Cummings and Richard Bartrem, who offer a frank and informed take on the state of Canadian aviation. With decades of experience at the helm of WestJet and other carriers, they unpack why Canada’s air travel system is financially unsustainable, regionally imbalanced, and policy-stagnant. From rising airport fees to ineffective passenger rights legislation, the current system penalizes travelers and discourages inve...
In this episode of Open Skies, host Chris Glass welcomes Monica Badra, founder of Aero Next Gen, a trailblazing tech broker bringing digital transformation to the aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) space. With a unique background in finance and deep hands-on experience in aerospace, Monica has become the go-to matchmaker connecting legacy aviation problems with next-gen tech solutions. She shares how her company bridges the gap between overwhelmed MRO executives and tech provide...
In this electrifying episode of The Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass sits down with Captain David Deere, a seasoned pilot with an extraordinary aviation career spanning from fighter jets to commercial airliners. Captain Deere shares his journey from flying CF-18s in the Gulf War and intercepting cruise missiles over Alaska to performing high-precision aerobatics with the Snowbirds and Northern Lights Aerobatic Team. Now a Standards Pilot at WestJet, David discusses his work in fuel effici...
In this inspiring episode of The Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass sits down with Kristina De Marzio, Hope Air’s Manager of Community Engagement, to explore the crucial role of volunteer pilots in providing life-saving travel for patients in need. Kristina shares how Hope Air works with hospitals, social workers, and medical professionals to identify patients facing insurmountable travel barriers and connects them with free flights through generous commercial airline partners and volunteer...
In part two of The Open Skies Podcast series on Hope Air, host Chris Glass sits down with Jon Collins, Chief Development Officer, to discuss the ongoing challenge of ensuring that no Canadian is left behind when it comes to accessing medical care. Jon shares his personal connection to Hope Air’s mission and how the organization’s work resonates with families across the country who face financial and logistical barriers to healthcare. With demand for Hope Air’s services continuing to rise—expe...
In this episode of The Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass sits down with Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer of Hope Air, to discuss the organization’s incredible mission: ensuring that all Canadians, regardless of financial means or geographic location, have access to essential medical care. With a network of commercial airline partners and volunteer pilots, Hope Air provides free flights, accommodations, and travel support for those who would otherwise face insurmountable barriers to rece...
In this compelling episode of The Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass sits down with aviation leader and soon-to-be bestselling author, Nate Glover, to explore his dynamic career and experiences during one of the industry’s most challenging periods—the COVID-19 pandemic. Nate shares his journey from his beginnings at Continental Airlines and JetBlue, to his time with Norwegian, and finally, his pivotal role at Menzies Aviation in Canada. Nate details the trials of managing operations during ...
In this episode of The Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass welcomes aviation veteran Sandra Pineau-Boddison to discuss her remarkable career spanning decades in airline catering, onboard services, and customer experience. From her humble beginnings managing a cafeteria at Chelsea Catering to becoming Vice President at Continental Airlines and later leading critical roles through the Continental-United merger, Sandra shares stories of iconic cheeseburgers, evolving passenger expectations, and...
In this episode of the Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass sits down with David Hailey, the founder of Countifi, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming inventory management in the airline industry. Drawing on years of experience as an auditor for major airlines like Delta, David shares how he identified inefficiencies in onboard services and turned them into opportunities for improvement. He discusses Countify's innovative approach to counting and analyzing onboard inventory ...
In this episode of the Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass sits down with James Wong, Senior Vice President at Menzies, to discuss his fascinating career in aviation. From his early days in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets to pivotal roles at WestJet and his current position leading Menzies’ operations in Southeast Asia, James shares valuable insights into the industry. They explore the evolution of big data in aviation, the challenges of managing global operations, and the growing opportunitie...
Open Skies host Chris Glass introduces the brand new Podcast " Open Skies". Join us as we share the untold and almost-lost stories from airline + aviation companies worldwide. Send us a text Support the show
In this cutting-edge episode of Open Skies, Chris Glass is joined by William Cecil from FLYHT Aerospace and Max Le Leannec from Transatel for a deep dive into the evolving world of aviation connectivity. Together, they break down how legacy communication systems like ACARS are reaching their limits—and how private 5G networks, edge computing, and IoT-driven infrastructure are set to transform everything from engine data offload to predictive maintenance and real-time baggage handling. The con...
In this episode of OpenSkies, host Chris Glass speaks with Joel Thomas, founder of Stratos Jet Charters, and Darren Engle, the company’s Chief Growth Officer, about transforming the fragmented world of private aviation. What started as a one-man brokerage has evolved into a franchise model that empowers others to own and grow their own jet charter agencies—with the full power of Stratos’ infrastructure, safety systems, and flight operations at their back. Joel and Darren unpack the challenges...
Simon Soni, a veteran in the world of airline catering, joins the Open Skies Podcast to take us on an in-depth journey behind the scenes of in-flight dining. With over 30 years of experience at iconic airlines like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad, and WestJet, Simon shares the evolution of airline meals—from basic reheated trays to premium, five-star offerings at 30,000 feet. In this episode, Simon also touches on the future of in-flight service, including the role of AI, the g...
In this insightful episode of the Jump Seat Podcast, host Chris Glass is joined by Liz Baring from Embross and Ryan Potter from WestJet to explore the rapidly evolving world of airport self-service technology. The conversation delves into WestJet’s innovative self-serve bag drop, the transition from manual check-ins to mobile-first solutions, and how technologies like AI and biometrics are shaping the future of air travel. With a focus on improving the customer experience and speeding...
Join us for a captivating journey through the skies as we welcome Charles Duncan, a seasoned veteran of the airline industry, to the Open Skies podcast. Charles's career takes off in 1996 at Continental Airlines, where his innovative approach to pricing and revenue management sets the stage for his future successes. His stories from Guam, with Continental Micronesia, offer a glimpse into the vibrant expansion of tourism and aviation in the Pacific. Charles's hands-on experiences, from observi...
In this episode of the Open Skies Podcast host Chris Glass takes listeners on location to the Abbotsford Airport, where he sits down with Parm Sidhu, the airport's General Manager. Parm shares his incredible journey from a Zamboni driver to the helm of one of Canada's fastest-growing airports. The conversation delves into the unique aspects of Abbotsford Airport, including its history, growth, and innovative approach to becoming an ultra low-cost airport. Parm discusses the airport’s early da...
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