Meet the author - Alan Joyce

Former Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce will be in will be in conversation with Phil Coorey on his new book Alan Joyce: Riding the Jet Stream, a compelling, factual and gripping memoir from one of Australia’s most consequential chief executives. With a network spanning seven prime ministers and countless captains of industry, Alan Joyce provides a no-holds-barred account of some of the most important decisions taken during his career leading one of aviation's most respected brands. 

Few chief executives have been tested as relentlessly: the Global Financial Crisis, bitter industrial battles, unrelenting public scrutiny, and the near collapse of aviation during COVID. In a role where every decision is hugely consequential, Alan sets the record straight and tells his story as it happens – in real time, under pressure – in this candid memoir. From grounding the Qantas fleet, to steering through a pandemic that brought global travel to a standstill, Alan’s tenure is woven into some of the nation’s most significant moments.

Alan Joyce AC, born in Dublin, Ireland, studied Applied Science at Trinity College Dublin before beginning his aviation career at Aer Lingus. After moving to Australia in 1996, he joined Ansett and later Qantas, where his rapid rise saw him appointed CEO of Jetstar in 2003, and ultimately CEO of Qantas (2008–2023), positioning Qantas as one of the world’s most profitable and respected airlines. He was as a director of the Business Council of Australia for nearly a decade and is a vocal champion for gender equality, Indigenous rights and LGBTQ+ inclusion in business.

Phil Coorey, a two-time winner of the Paul Lyneham Award for press gallery excellence is a prominent Australian political journalist, best known as the Political Editor for The Australian Financial Review (AFR). Based in Canberra, he has covered federal politics since 1998 and is widely recognised for his weekly column, "Canberra Observed," and frequent appearances on ABC TV's Insiders program

The vote of thanks will be given by Allan Behm, Senior Advisor International & Security Affairs Program at the Australia Institute.

Books will be available for signing from 5.30pm and again after the event. 

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A podcast will be made available after the event.

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