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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.
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 fro
Latest episode
June 30th - Don't worry, travel happy: the message from top industry leader
05:33|On the eve of the peak summer months of July and August, Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, looks ahead to the main holiday season at a time of uncertainty.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.
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June 27th - When global geo-politics and your holiday converge ...
08:46|What a week it has been, as conflict surged and then waned in the Middle East – with dozens of flights cancelled and tens of thousands of people stranded by the sudden closure of Qatari airspace. To put current events in perspective, I'm talking to Jane Kinninmont, chief executive of UNA-UK – the United Nations Association. This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.June 26th - Celebrating Everest pioneer Howard Somervell
06:53|I'm at the Alpine Club in Charlotte Road, Shoreditch, London – where, between 11am to 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays to 18 July 2025, you can find a fascinating exhibition of the work of Everest pioneer Howard Somervell.He was one of the world's best climbers – and an artist of high repute. And Graham Hoyland, who is writing a biography of Howard Somervell, provides a fascinating insight into his life and work.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.June 25th - Careful with the free wifi – and not so fast plugging into that USB socket to recharge
06:32|Just ahead of the summer peak, a warning from Lloyd Figgins, CEO of the Trip Group, about cybersecurity while on the road. Are you sure that is the coffee shop's wifi, and doesn't belong to that chap sitting in the corner with a laptop?This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.June 24th - Doors to automatic and cross-check: understanding the role of cabin crew
05:17|Young, gifted and cabin crew. No, not me – my excellent colleague Natalie Wilson, who reports in from an experience day at British Airways' global training academy, where she was drilled in some of the skills required to work on commercial aircraft.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.June 23rd - Heightened tension in the Middle East, with British Airways diverting a Dubai flight to ... Zurich
06:14|I am at Gatwick airport, busy as always, but keeping tabs on the unfolding disruption in the Middle East. British Airways has cancelled a series of flights to and from Dubai and Doha.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.June 20th - Flyaway Friday – but how early will you arrive at the airport?
06:36|I am talking to my excellent colleague, Natalie Wilson, about how much time people should allow to reach and get through the airport. It follows a social media trend about "airport theory" in the US.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.