Welcome to Episode 74 of the #PaxEx Podcast, which tracks the evolution of the airline passenger experience.

In this episode, available on Apple and Google Podcasts, co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby consider whether the aviation industry is poised for a faster-than-expected recovery given the extraordinary pent-up demand for air travel. They discuss IATA’s latest survey, which suggests that people will fly once they receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

But has the pandemic reset our passenger experience expectations?

Next, Cathay Pacific’s decision to let first and business passengers remove their masks when sleeping in the lie-flat position has generated a mixed response from readers. Some reckon that it makes common sense, others see it as classist and unfair. Mary and Max explore both sides of the argument.

Finally, aviation seems to be largely in agreement that, in a post-COVID world, its eco-credentials must improve. Myriad new ideas have been tabled to date including new turboprops, blended wing body aircraft, hybrid electric aircraft, plus new turbofans and synthetic fuel, not to mention exploratory studies into hydrogen-powered aircraft. A former executive for Pratt & Whitney, Max shares some insight into the challenges of going green, and some of his favorite ideas.