The Vertical Space

One of our more inspiring conversations on The Vertical Space comes from Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines — a leader who sees technology not as a threat, but as an enabler of human connection. 🎧 Listen: https://lnkd.in/g6S9PcJk We discuss the integrated travel experience — where seamless mobility connects ground, air, and digital journeys — and how partnerships across aviation and tech will redefine what “premium” means. From Joby’s eVTOL integration, Wheels Up, and Uber partnerships to AI as “augmented intelligence,” Ed’s vision is bold: “I don’t just want Delta to be the best airline today — I want it to be the best for the next generation.” Thanks for joining us Ed! #Aviation #AdvancedAirMobility #JobyAviation #WheelsUp #Uber #AeroMexico #AirFranceKLM

Build it all, or leave performance behind. Orqa FPV's approach to full-stack control and why real efficiency comes from owning every layer. A clip from our conversation with Srdjan Kovacevic. Full interview at https://lnkd.in/gq_YHfGv

Ever wondered what aviation looks like at Google scale? Join us as Adam Woodworth from Wing reveals the logistics revolution powered by drones and drone delivery and the exciting expansion plans on the horizon. You’ll be more confident in our industry and nearer-term realization of commercial return when you listen to an industry leader. Thanks for joining us, Adam! 🎙️ Listen: https://lnkd.in/g6S9PcJk #Wing #Alphabet #Drones #DroneDelivery #Walmart #DoorDash

The economics are what matter in drone delivery. In this episode, Bobby Healy talks (in detail!) about how Manna Air Delivery has proven the model works. Listen to the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/gTCy8uE5

On this day in 1947, Chuck Yeager flew faster than sound, taking the X-1 to Mach 1.06 and changing history. It was a statement that humans could engineer and ride something into the unknown. Here’s to the innovators at the intersection of technology and flight...the ones we celebrate on The Vertical Space!

Episode 101 is out with Ryan Gury, Co-founder and CEO of PDW. We cover: - Why “commercial is eating aerospace” - Drones as munitions - The RF fight: jamming, fiber, directional links --> “radios are dead”! - Autonomy vs. automation, swarming realities, sleeper robotics - What the DoD “marketplace” must become Thanks Ryan for the thoughtful conversation!

Episode 100 of The Vertical Space is live! Christopher Hewlett, Director of Project Ultra, makes the case why the DoD, not community-based UTM, will lead UAS integration into the airspace. We dig into Part 108, the limitations of UTM, and what operational test and evaluation of UAS for DoD looks like in North Dakota. Thanks Chris for a great conversation! https://lnkd.in/g6S9PcJk

Autonomy in aviation isn't just about the aircraft, it's about how we manage and share the airspace they fly in. In our latest episode, we welcome back Jia Xu, CEO of SkyGrid, to discuss what it takes to operationalize advanced air mobility, the regulatory frameworks shaping the industry (especially Part 146 on Automated Data Service Providers) and the push to digitize the airspace for safe and efficient autonomous flight. Jia shares a candid look at the bottlenecks shaping the future of autonomy and how SkyGrid is working to solve them. Thank you Jia for another great conversation!