Is NBAA-BACE still an airplane-buying show, or has it become a B2B convention with a static display? And is charter demand really growing, or are bots just getting better at requesting quotes?

Ahead of NBAA-BACE 2026 in Las Vegas, Jessie and Preston trace the show’s roots from a small group of corporate aircraft operators to business aviation’s biggest annual gathering. We discuss how the event has evolved, why OEM participation keeps shifting, and whether manufacturers are overlooking the people who actually influence aircraft purchases: brokers, management companies, pilots and maintenance professionals.

Then we unpack Avinode’s reported 27% increase in U.S. charter demand and why more requests don’t necessarily mean more flights. From AI-powered sourcing to quote-to-booking ratios, we discuss what operators should watch before celebrating a busier inbox.

Plus, the FAA is seeking an ownership stake in Air Space Intelligence, a contractor supplying AI-powered traffic-management technology. Should taxpayers share in the upside, or should the government stick to being the customer? We debate the proposal and lawmakers’ push to pause the SMART rollout.

In Mile High Madness: Bombardier’s influencer strategy gets our attention, and a corporate flight attendant’s viral post offers a lesson in the difference between engagement and employability.

In this episode:

  • NBAA’s founding and the evolution of NBAA-BACE
  • Static aircraft displays, OEM economics and the value of industry access
  • Why charter quote requests aren’t the same as booked trips
  • AI bots, charter sourcing automation and protecting your sales team’s time
  • The FAA’s proposed stake in Air Space Intelligence
  • Aviation influencer marketing: what works and what really doesn’t

Find us at NBAA-BACE and come say hello.

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Thank you to AB Jetsand RealJetfor sponsoring this week’s episode.

#BusinessAviation #NBAABACE #PrivateJets #AirTrafficControl #AviationPodcast

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