The aviation podcast “The VIP Seat” has pushed the boundaries—quite literally—by recording an entire episode 43,000 feet above the ground.
The groundbreaking recording took place aboard a newly added Challenger 3500 aircraft operated by AB Jets, marking what industry insiders say could be one of the first full-length aviation podcast episodes captured at cruising altitude.
The initiative blends creative content production, aviation storytelling, and brand partnership into a single experience that could redefine how aviation companies engage audiences through modern media formats.
Hosted by Preston Holland and Jessie Naor, “The VIP Seat” has built a reputation for its deep industry insights, covering everything from private jet financing and safety to market trends and aviation technology. With this latest in-flight episode, the podcast has delivered a powerful example of experiential storytelling in the aviation sector.
Podcast creators have always experimented with unusual recording locations. Over the years, shows have been recorded:
Now, recording a full podcast episode inside a private jet cruising at 43,000 feet joins that list.
The episode of “The VIP Seat” isn’t just about the novelty of recording in the sky. It reflects a broader trend in modern media: immersive storytelling, where the environment becomes part of the narrative.
For aviation enthusiasts and industry professionals, the setting added a layer of authenticity—discussing private aviation while actually flying inside one of the newest business jets on the market.
The unique episode was born from a collaboration between AB Jets, a fast-growing private aviation company, and the podcast’s creators.
According to co-host Preston Holland, the idea was immediately appealing.
“When AB Jets approached us with the concept, our reaction was simple—we’re in. Recording an entire episode at 43,000 feet felt like the perfect way to highlight an operator celebrating an expansion of its fleet,” Holland explained.
For AB Jets, the project was more than marketing—it was a strategic brand activation designed to showcase its latest aircraft addition in a compelling and memorable way.
Rather than issuing a typical press release, the company chose to tell its story through conversation, insight, and a real in-flight experience.
The historic recording took place as Holland and Naor flew over Memphis, Tennessee, aboard AB Jets’ brand-new Bombardier Challenger 3500 aircraft.
The Challenger 3500 represents one of the most advanced super-mid-size business jets currently operating in the private aviation sector.
During the episode, the hosts discussed several topics, including:
Recording the episode while actually experiencing the aircraft in flight allowed the hosts to share first-hand observations, something rarely possible in conventional aviation reporting.
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The aircraft used for the podcast recording—the Bombardier Challenger 3500—has quickly become a standout in the business aviation market.
Introduced as an evolution of the popular Challenger 350 platform, the jet offers significant improvements in comfort, technology, and efficiency.
1. Advanced Cabin Technology
2. Premium Comfort
3. Performance
4. Sustainability Focus
For a podcast dedicated to the world of business aviation, the Challenger 3500 provided the perfect backdrop for conversation.
The company behind the unique recording, AB Jets, has been expanding rapidly within the U.S. private aviation market.
What began as a single-aircraft operation has grown into one of the largest operators of Learjet 60 aircraft in the United States.
According to the company’s leadership, the podcast recording served as a way to celebrate a major milestone in the fleet’s expansion.
For AB Jets’ communications team, the podcast activation was a deliberate effort to turn a routine announcement into something memorable.
Kelley Taylor, the company’s Director of Strategic Communications, explained the reasoning behind the project.
“This milestone in our fleet expansion deserved a big announcement. So we took aircraft N375AB into the sky and filmed what we believe is the first podcast ever recorded at cruising altitude,” Taylor said.
She emphasized that the collaboration worked because of the hosts’ expertise.
“Jessie and Preston have a unique ability to frame conversations in ways the industry can learn from. They break down complex aviation topics and make them accessible.”
By combining content creation, storytelling, and aviation expertise, the company created a piece of media that resonates far beyond a standard promotional campaign.
Podcasting has become one of the fastest-growing formats for niche industry conversations, and aviation is no exception.
Over the past decade, a new generation of shows has emerged that focus on:
Among these, “The VIP Seat” has carved out a space specifically dedicated to business aviation professionals.
Launched in 2024, “The VIP Seat” is a weekly podcast and newsletter covering the global private aviation industry.
Unlike general aviation shows, the podcast focuses on the business side of flying, offering commentary and analysis on topics such as:
The hosts bring significant experience to the conversation.
Preston Holland
Jessie Naor
Together, they deliver conversations aimed at pilots, operators, investors, and aviation enthusiasts.
One of the major discussion topics during the in-flight episode was the rise of digital charter marketplaces, often compared to ride-hailing platforms.
These platforms allow customers to search, compare, and book private jets online, often within minutes.
Modern private jet platforms typically offer:
For travelers, the result is a more accessible and flexible private aviation experience.
For operators, it creates new competition and new opportunities.
The conversation aboard the Challenger 3500 also explored how technology is reshaping the aviation industry.
Key innovations driving change include:
Making private jets easier to book globally.
Operators can monitor performance, maintenance, and fuel efficiency in real time.
Passengers can work, stream, and communicate seamlessly at altitude.
Many companies are exploring ways to reduce aviation’s environmental footprint.
These changes are gradually reshaping how the business aviation ecosystem operates.
Producing a podcast inside a flying aircraft is not as simple as bringing microphones onboard.
Several technical factors must be addressed:
Even the quietest jets produce engine and airflow sounds that can interfere with recording.
Recording devices must remain stable despite minor turbulence.
Hosts need high-quality microphones capable of filtering background noise.
Portable recording setups must be designed to operate independently during flight.
Despite these challenges, the final recording reportedly delivered clear audio and immersive atmosphere, capturing subtle sounds of the aircraft environment.
The podcast episode highlights an emerging trend in aviation marketing: experiential brand storytelling.
Instead of traditional advertising, companies are creating interactive content experiences that audiences can engage with.
Examples include:
By recording a podcast in the air, AB Jets essentially turned an aircraft delivery milestone into a global media event.
Podcasting has matured significantly since its early days.
Today, many shows operate like full-scale media productions, complete with sponsors, partnerships, and branded experiences.
The VIP Seat’s in-flight episode demonstrates how podcasts can evolve beyond studio recordings into immersive storytelling platforms.
For listeners, that means:
For brands, it opens new opportunities to connect with audiences in creative ways.
The aviation industry has always inspired storytelling—from early flight pioneers to modern space exploration.
Now, podcasts are becoming one of the most powerful ways to share those stories.
Industry experts believe the next wave of aviation media could include:
As audiences increasingly seek authentic experiences, content creators will continue experimenting with new formats.
The in-flight episode marks a major milestone for the podcast.
Since its launch in 2024, the show has steadily grown its audience among aviation professionals and enthusiasts.
By taking the conversation into the sky, the hosts demonstrated their willingness to push boundaries and innovate within the podcast format.
For fans of aviation media, it’s a moment that reflects both the creativity of modern storytelling and the evolving culture of private aviation.
The success of this episode shows how storytelling in aviation is evolving.
Rather than simply reporting news, creators are now embedding themselves directly into the environments they cover.
In this case, discussing private aviation while actually flying inside a state-of-the-art business jet created a powerful narrative moment.
As both the podcast industry and private aviation sector continue to grow, collaborations like this may become far more common.
And if that happens, the sky truly will no longer be the limit.
