Could Edinburgh airport be the first in the UK to offer pre-clearance for travellers to the US? That's the hope of today's guest, Gordon Dewar – chief executive of the Scottish hub. Allowing passengers to go through US Customs and Border Protection before they board a flight to America "would be incredibly powerful for Edinburgh, and we are pursuing it", he tells me. "If the two governments can find common ground and sign the agreement, we’ll start building the next day." This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

I'd love to dream of a Scottish victory in the World Cup in in America

Fast track to America – from Scotland?

My guest today is Kathryn Leahy, chief operations officer for the air-traffic control service, Nats. We talked about the impact of bad weather – such as Storm Bram – on air-traffic control. And looking ahead, how “performance-based navigation”will make journeys more punctual. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Airspace modernisation is absolute imperative for us to deliver

Looking ahead to smoother skies and swifter journeys

I've been hearing from the man responsible for improving reliability and attracting more people to the railway. Lord Hendy has strong views on how unifying tracks and trains will bring better services. He also believes the Great British Railways app will be the optimum way to buy tickets in future. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

There ought to be a level playing field

All change: Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy on the future with Great British Railways

Dozens of flights and ferry sailings have been cancelled due to strong winds and heavy rain. British Airways cancelled its first wave of domestic departures, while Aer Lingus Regional has grounded many flights between Great Britain and the island of Ireland – Belfast City and Dublin. Most Irish Sea ferry sailings are cancelled. And on the trains, ScotRail has imposed speed restrictions on lines to Carlisle, Inverness and beyond. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

I think things will, I'm afraid, get worse before they get better

Storm Bram sweeps in, hitting trains, boats and planes

I have been hitchhiking for half a century. But in that time thumbing rides has shrunk from the mainstream method for budget travellers to get around to the most minority of sports – on the periphery of transport, with most people never having stood by the side of the road hoping for a lift. Adam Renak and Dan Smith are two engineers seeking to transform hitchhiking with an app called Hitchr. This is their story. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

We're building a place where lots of hitchhikers can come together

On the road – again?

What's the best strategy for booking your travel to attend the FIFA World Cup next summer in the US, Canada, and Mexico?As soon as the draw is made, prices for flights and accommodation will skyrocket.My hack? Well, you'll have to listen to today's episode to find out that! This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Are you a supporter of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or just a neutral interested in soaking up the atmosphere?

Today: I'm in India, but looking ahead to the World Cup draw tonight

"AI and the internet will be a huge part of the future of travel." So says Andy Headington, CEO of digital travel marketing specialists Adido. LLMs – large language models, also known as AI – are also auditing podcasts, perhaps even this one, for travel content. So if you're a bot, not a person; "Hi from humanity" This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

More and more people are using LLM tools, like ChatGPT

What will AI mean for the future of travel planning?

Continuing the theme of looking ahead to 2026: I have been talking to an old travel pal of mine, Brian Young. He is now EMEA managing director for G Adventures, but has enjoyed a lifetime of travelling. So he is just the man to talk about a hidden beach in Mallorca and the trials and rewards of climbing Kilimanjaro – with a certain fear of heights. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

It's just amazing experience

Best beach, mountain, river, bar and country? Ask an expert

Subtract Amsterdam from the Netherlands and what's left would comprise a beautiful, diverse and cultured nation. I've been singing the praises of second city Rotterdam for many years. Sandra Ishmael, Director UK at the Netherlands Board of Tourism &amp; Conventions, has been telling me about the opportunities in 2026. I can't wait to explore more of North Brabant, which confusingly is in the south of the country. One word of warning: hotel rates rise by 11% on 1 January due to an increase in tax. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Amsterdam is very popular with British visitors

Going Dutch? These are the highlights in the Netherlands in 2026

My first guest of the month is Rachel O’Reilly Director of Communications for Dertour UK – a company that includes Kuoni, Journey Latin America, Inghams, Kirker, Carrier and CV Villas, She says solo travellers who are&nbsp;not&nbsp;single are the fastest growing demographic. We talked about the impact of the BBC's Race Across the World in stimulating bookings – and how ski resorts are reinventing themselves in response to climate change. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Climate change appears to be adversely affecting a lot of ski resorts

Advent begins: so what are the travel trends for 2026?

Wizz Air's UK Managing Director, Yvonne Moynihan, has been telling me about the year so far; Wizz Air's new "Class" product that will emulate British Airways' Club Europe on some routes from Luton; and plans for being the first airline back into Ukraine. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

We see that we have a lot of families

Wizz Air's UK boss promises new routes from Luton to key holiday destinations – and restoring links with Ukraine

Exploring the Arctic is one of the greatest experiences open to tourists – visiting remote locations such as Svalbard and Greenland – but there are concerns about the environmental impact of such voyages. Now Heather Thorkelson, founder of Minimal Impact Expeditions, is working on the launch of a new vessel, Captain Arctic – "powered entirely by nature". This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

People learn about their way of life

Could "solar sails" be the future for polar adventure voyages?

In the 1970s, air fares were so high that the best way to reach India from the UK was on public transport – which Butterfield's Overland Tours was happy to organise, via Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan. Now one of the perpetrators, Richard Loosley, has written a book about his experiences – and has shared secrets of the road with me. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

It was all an adventure and a lot of fun

What a way to go to India – reminiscing about overland travel 50 years ago

I first visited Cambodia in 1993, as the south east Asian country was recovering from the genocide of the appalling Khmer Rouge regime under the dictatorship of Pol Pot. In 2025, Global Travel Editor Annabel Grossman has just returned from Cambodia and describes a nation transformed – except for the warm welcome that visitors enjoy. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Most welcoming and friendly country I've ever visited

Cambodia, a nation transformed

Claire Jones is chief executive of Polar Steps, a travel planning up that takes you worldwide (not just the Arctic and Antarctic). The idea is that all your plans and photos are in one place, so a close group of friends and family can follow your journey. As you go along, it generates a diary for you. And at the end of the trip, you can create a book of your experiences. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Protect the user, protect their privacy, and protect their experience

'Your primary audience is you in 10 years. That's who you're writing your updates for'

In the second part of my conversation with Martin Rolfe, chief executive of NATS – formerly National Air Traffic Services – we discuss the need to modernise the skies, why aircraft holding to land at London Heathrow are necessary and how air-traffic controllers will handle extra runways at Gatwick and Heathrow. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Airspace modernization will definitely make a difference

Why a short hop from Newcastle to London Heathrow might involve going around in circles

Today and tomorrow I'm talking to Martin Rolfe, chief executive of NATS – formerly National Air Traffic Services – about the work air-traffic controllers do to keep the skies safe for passengers and crew. He also tackles the systems failure on Bank Holiday Monday, and warns that technical issues are an inevitability in an industry as complex as aviation. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

We simply want to be taken smoothly to our destination

Keeping the skies safe – and open

Great Western Railway has just unveiled "Formula 1" high-speed internet connectivity on one of its intercity express trains, connecting London Paddington with the West of England and South Wales. It uses technology from the world of motorsport to harness satellite and phone mast signals to maximum effect. I have been on a train from Paddington to Newbury in Berkshire and back, sounding out the views of Nick Fry from Motion Applied, Andy Jasper of the Eden Project and GWR managing director Mark Hopwood. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

You are not somebody who just looks out the window and watches the world go past

I'm on the train – and the wifi is superb

Travel Desk Tuesday, and The Independent's Deputy Travel Editor has top tips on travelling around by rail and road. Sophie's highlight: the Golden Temple at Amritsar. And, she adds:"The food was the best thing about the trip." This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Food was the best thing about the whole trip

Indian autumn: Sophie Dickinson is just back from her first trip to the world's most populous country

Katherine Moloney is founder of Elevate(her) Aviation. She started flying at 18, and is licensed to fly both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Katherine has been telling me: "Aviation as a whole is actually 30% female, but less than 5% in key roles such as engineering, pilot roles, and air traffic control." And she intends to change that ... This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

We need to tackle the small things around the big issue

Women are extremely under-represented in senior roles in aviation – how could that change?

The Independent

Simon Calder is the Independent’s travel correspondent, the UK’s leading travel journalist. From news updates to discussions with experts, Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast will bring you all you need to know from the world of travel.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

simon calder's independent travel podcast

Simon Calder is the Independent’s travel correspondent, the UK’s leading travel journalist. From news updates to discussions with experts, Simon Calder and the Independent Travel Podcast will bring you all you need to know from the world of travel.

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