If you’ve ever sat in an airport terminal watching a ground delay stretch into hours, or if you’ve gripped your armrests during a bit of mid-air turbulence, you probably know the face. Tom Costello NBC news correspondent and arguably the network's most specialized "brain" on anything that flies—has been the steady voice in our ears for decades.
He’s not just a guy reading a teleprompter. Honestly, he’s become the person the industry watches when things go sideways. From the "Miracle on the Hudson" to the high-stakes drama of the Boeing 737 MAX investigations, Costello has built a career on explaining complex physics and messy corporate politics in a way that doesn't feel like a lecture.
From the Nasdaq Floor to the Tarmac
Most people don't realize that Tom Costello didn't start out as an aviation geek. He was actually a money guy. Back in the late 90s, he was anchoring for CNBC in London and later serving as the Nasdaq correspondent in New York. He was actually on duty at the Nasdaq when the towers fell on 9/11. That kind of trial by fire changes a journalist. It gives you a sense of gravity that stays with you.
In 2005, the legendary Tim Russert—then the NBC Washington Bureau Chief—called Costello to D.C. Russert had a knack for spotting talent, and he saw something in Costello's ability to handle high-pressure, technical beats.
Since then, he has basically owned the aviation, space, and transportation beats. He’s covered the final eleven space shuttle missions and lived through the transition from government-led space flight to the billionaire "space race" involving SpaceX and Blue Origin.
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Why the Industry Trusts Him
It is one thing for viewers to like you; it’s another for the pros to respect you. In 2019, Costello became the first journalist ever to receive the Sentinel of Safety Award from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).
Think about that. These are the people who manage the most crowded skies in the world. They aren't exactly known for loving the media. But they respected his "balanced reporting." He doesn't go for the cheap "scare" headline. He actually tries to understand the why behind a mechanical failure or a near-miss.
He’s also got some serious academic weight behind him.
- B.S. in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Colorado Boulder.
- Master’s in International Commerce from Boston University.
- A Cybersecurity Risk Management certificate from HarvardX.
That last one is kind of a big deal. In 2026, aviation safety isn't just about bolts and engines; it’s about software. When a system glitches or a "door plug" blows out, Costello can actually talk about the code and the engineering, not just the drama.
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Covering the High-Stakes World of Space
Recently, Tom Costello's work has shifted significantly toward the stars. He’s been the lead on NASA’s Artemis moon program and the ongoing saga of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams’ extended stay on the ISS.
He’s not just reporting on the launches. He’s investigating the "new geo-strategic imperative" between the Earth and the Moon. Basically, he’s explaining why the Moon matters for national security, not just for "science."
If you’ve seen his documentaries, you know he goes deep. He’s been inside Space Command and Space Force, showing viewers the literal "high ground" of modern warfare. It’s a long way from the Nasdaq floor, but that background in economics helps him explain why companies like SpaceX are winning and why traditional aerospace giants are struggling to keep up.
What Tom Costello NBC Reporting Tells Us About the Future
A lot of people ask: why does one reporter matter so much?
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In an era of "fake news" and 15-second TikTok clips, Costello represents the "old school" of deep-beat reporting. He lives in Washington D.C. with his wife, Astrid Boon (who he met while studying in Belgium), and stays grounded despite a schedule that takes him from the Korean DMZ to the North Atlantic.
He’s also a "Living Legend of Aviation." In 2025, he was actually inducted into that prestigious group, with the award presented by John Travolta. It’s a rare nod to a journalist from a group that usually honors pilots and astronauts.
How to Follow Aviation Safety Like an Expert
If you want to stay informed the way Costello does, you need to look past the scary headlines.
- Check the NTSB Reports: Don't just trust a "breaking news" tweet. The National Transportation Safety Board is the final word on what actually happened in an incident.
- Look for Systems, Not Just Scapes: As Costello often points out, most aviation issues are "systemic." It’s rarely just one person’s fault; it’s a chain of events.
- Watch the "Why": Pay attention to the economic pressures on airlines. Often, the story is in the budget, not just the cockpit.
Tom Costello's career reminds us that expertise matters. Whether he is explaining a Boeing investigation or a NASA mission to deflect an asteroid, he brings a level of nuance that is rare today. He has turned "transportation reporting" into a masterclass on how our world—and our universe—actually functions.
The next time you see him on NBC Nightly News or TODAY, listen for the details. He’s usually giving you the "inside baseball" of the sky that most people miss.