Travel

Total Posts : 41 posts

Travel

What is Cloud Seeding?

Ever wished you could control nature just a little bit? Maybe turn a cloud into a rain cloud at your will, and induce rain. There's actually a science behind it, and it's called cloud seeding. Cloud seeding is a type of weather modification that aims to

April 18th 3 min read
Travel

What Happens When Lightning Strikes an Airplane?

Have you ever been on a plane and seen a flash of light followed by a loud bang? While certainly startling, a lightning strike on an airplane is actually a fairly common occurrence. Modern airplanes are built to handle these jolts with minimal fuss. You might be surprised to learn

April 10th 3 min read
Travel

What is a Federal Air Marshal?

Have you ever wondered about the unseen officers who help keep our skies safe? While Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers play a crucial role in airport security, another group of highly trained professionals operates in the air itself: Federal Air Marshals (sometimes called FAM). Who are Federal Air Marshals? Federal

April 9th 3 min read
Travel

Can You Fly Without Identification?

Ever reached the airport, boarding pass in hand, only to discover your identification is missing? It happens to the best of us. But can you actually fly on a domestic flight in the US without photo identification? The answer is maybe, but it's a path with extra steps,

March 25th 2 min read
Travel

Top 10 Biggest Airplanes Ever Built

Have you ever looked up at a jet soaring through the clouds and thought, "Wow, that thing is massive!"? Well, get ready to have your mind blown because we're about to explore the behemoths of the skies, the airplanes that dwarf anything you've ever

March 20th 4 min read
Travel

When to Snag the Cheapest Plane Tickets

Planning a trip is exciting, but airfare costs can cast a shadow. While it may seem like buying tickets as soon as possible might be the best way to secure the seat you want, it may not be the cheapest. While there's no magic bullet, understanding buying windows

March 4th 3 min read
Travel

Lost and Found: The Fate of Unclaimed Luggage at Airports

The sight of an empty baggage carousel can send shivers down any traveler's spine. While the vast majority of checked luggage finds its way to its rightful owner, a small percentage embarks on an unexpected odyssey, leaving passengers scrambling and airlines working diligently behind the scenes. The Global

February 29th 3 min read
Travel

Common Sense Airport Hacks

Traveling can be stressful, as an avid traveler I'm always looking for tips and tricks to improve my experience. As I was browsing around yesterday, I came across an infographic that I felt like I had to share. Mart Virkus created quite the cool infographic with some simple

February 28th 3 min read
Travel

Apple Vision Pro: Redefining Inflight Entertainment?

For many, inflight entertainment is a saving grace, a portal to escape the confines of the cabin. But is Apple's Vision Pro, the tech giant's foray into augmented reality, poised to revolutionize the way we experience entertainment on board? For some I believe that Apple'

February 20th 3 min read
Travel

What Does a “Weight Restricted” Flight Actually Mean?

Have you ever heard the gate agent come over the loudspeaker and say the flight is payload or weight restricted? What does that actually mean? While there are a variety of factors that go into planning a flight, and it's impossible to know exactly why a flight is

February 15th 4 min read
Travel

Catching Some ZZZs: Where to Sleep at an Airport

If you've ever been stranded at an airport like I have on multiple occasions, but the stay isn't long enough to consider a hotel, let's talk about where to sleep. Sometimes things happen that are outside our control, it could be that a flight

February 14th 2 min read
Travel

What to Do if You Lose Your Passport

Misplacing your passport can transform pre-trip excitement into cold sweats and frantic searches. But fear not, while losing your passport is undoubtedly stressful, it's a situation with clear solutions and resources at your disposal. Here's your roadmap to navigating this unexpected detour. Retrace Your Steps Before

February 9th 3 min read
Travel

Why the "Dirty Sock" Smell on a Plane is No Laughing Matter

Imagine you're comfortably mid-flight, enjoying the smooth journey, when suddenly, a pungent odor assaults your senses. It's unmistakable - the infamous "dirty sock" smell. While it might seem like a smelly annoyance at first, this smell is no laughing matter. In fact, it could

February 6th 3 min read
Travel

Why Airplanes Need to Be Deiced Before Takeoff

As snowflakes swirl and temperatures plummet, the sight of an airplane getting drenched in a mysterious liquid becomes commonplace at winter airports. But this isn't just a pre-flight car wash – it's a critical safety procedure known as deicing, ensuring that every journey takes off on the

February 5th 3 min read
Travel

Why HF Radios are Still Vital in Aviation

Even as sleek jets slice through the clouds and sophisticated navigation systems chart their course, a humble hero from the dawn of aviation continues to hum in the background: the High Frequency (HF) radio. While satellite technology and digital marvels grab headlines, HF remains the unsung champion of global air

February 2nd 3 min read
Travel

How Does The Anti-Ice System Work on Airplanes?

Imagine gliding through the clouds, a majestic bird of steel slicing through the crisp air. But beneath this serene spectacle lies a hidden battle, a constant war against an invisible enemy – ice. Even a thin layer of ice on an airplane's critical surfaces can disrupt the delicate balance

January 24th 5 min read
Travel

When the Fog Rolls In: Why Planes Take a Rain Check

Imagine the scene: a sleek metal bird hurtling towards the earth, its landing gear poised to kiss the tarmac. But instead of a welcoming runway, a veil of swirling mist obscures the path. This, my friends, is the dilemma of airplanes and fog. While these modern marvels conquer vast distances

December 28th 2 min read
Travel

What Does SSSS Mean on My Boarding Pass?

Ever scanned your boarding pass and seen a cryptic string of letters that sent a shiver down your spine? SSSS, the mysterious acronym, stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection, and it's not exactly a welcome sight for any traveler. But don't panic just yet! Let'

December 26th 4 min read
Travel

How Do Pilots Land in Low Visibility?

For pilots and passengers alike, landing in bad weather can be a nerve-wracking experience. But thanks to advanced technology and precision approaches, planes can safely touch down even when visibility is limited. This is where Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and their different categories, CAT I, CAT II, and CAT III,

December 21st 3 min read
Travel

Direct vs Non-Stop Flights

A complaint I hear a lot from inexperienced travelers is that their airplane made a stop before getting to their final destination. And not because there was something wrong with the aircraft, but because they booked a flight with an intermediate stop before their final destination. When they complain that

December 13th 3 min read
Travel

What is the LaGuardia Perimeter Rule?

LaGuardia Airport (LGA), squeezed between New York's JFK Airport and New Jersey's Newark Airport has a unique quality that neither of its neighbors has. Unlike JFK and Newark which has international flights all over the world, LaGuardia is restricted to destinations up to 1,500 miles

December 12th 3 min read
Travel

Humor: Typical Airliner Seating Chart

I have been a long time fan of the xkcd comics, the author Randall Munroe has been posting since 2005 a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language. Occasionally I come across one of his comics that comments on aviation and somehow I always have a good chuckle. His comic

December 6th 3 min read
Travel

Delta Pilot Trading Cards: The Next Big Thing

Did you know that you can ask your Delta pilot for a secret trading card. Most Delta pilots will have a small stack of trading cards on them for the type of airplane they fly. And you can collect them all! Delta has had these trading cards for a long

December 1st 2 min read
Travel

10 Essential Flying Tips for a Smooth Thanksgiving Journey

As the leaves change their hues and the crisp autumn air fills our lungs, Thanksgiving, a time for family gatherings, delectable feasts, and cherished traditions, draws near. This holiday season, many of us will embark on journeys to reunite with loved ones, and for many, that journey will involve the

November 22nd 2 min read
Travel

The Superiority of 24-Hour Time

When you're traveling around the world, timing is everything. Whether it's catching a flight or meeting a deadline, time management plays a significant role in our daily lives. However, the long-standing debate between the 24-hour and 12-hour time systems continues to persist. Especially in the United

October 27th 3 min read
Travel

Should I Renew My CLEAR Plus Membership?

It's that time of the year again, my CLEAR Plus Membership is coming due and I'm not sure if I want to renew it. Over the past year we've seen price hikes, security breaches, and lines that are longer than PreCheck. So let'

October 19th 3 min read
Travel

Why It Hurts to Rent With Hertz

Over the past few years I have had significant struggles with Hertz to the point where they are now permanently on my blacklist to ever deal with the company or any of their affiliates ever again. Let me start by saying that Hertz used to be the only rent-a-car company

October 15th 4 min read
Travel

How to Combat Jet Lag

When you're in a new time zone, your body isn't used to the changes in light and temperature. This can cause problems with sleeping and eating, which can lead to fatigue and even illness (especially if your immune system is already compromised). But there are things

October 4th 5 min read
Travel

Flighty: My Favorite Travel App

I don't normally write about my phone apps, simply because everyone has their favorite ones and it can be highly dependent on if you're an iPhone or Android user. However, I just had such a great experience with the app and I've been using

September 27th 5 min read
Travel

Can Airplane Doors Be Opened in Flight?

Over the last few months I've been getting more and more questions from friends about emergency exits on airplanes. There have been a few viral posts about passengers becoming disoriented or claustrophobic while in the air and making a lunge for the door to try to open it.

September 13th 4 min read
Travel

How ExpertFlyer Saved Me on a 12 Hour Flight

I have to admit I've never really been a fan of ExpertFlyer, probably only due to the fact that I haven't had much use for it, or all the situations I have tried to use it I managed to catch an opening before they did. However

September 12th 4 min read
Travel

What is Non-Rev Travel?

Did you know that not everyone on your flight pays (or redeems miles) for their flight? These people are most likely airline employees who travel under a space available policy with their own airline, this is a perk most major airlines give to their employees as a privilege of working

September 1st 5 min read
Travel

What is Skiplagging?

In the world of travel, cost-saving strategies are always in high demand. One such practice that has gained attention is skiplagging, a controversial airfare hack. However, while it might seem like an ingenious way to save money, skiplagging carries significant risks and potential consequences. We will delve into what skiplagging

July 14th 4 min read
Travel

Experiencing London: My Top 10 Must-See Attractions

On my recent journey to England's capital city, I had the pleasure of flying Upper Class with Virgin Atlantic. This was the perfect start to what would become an unforgettable trip. Below, I present to you a guide to the top 10 attractions I discovered in London and

June 21st 4 min read
Travel

My Bucket List: Paris Air Show

As an aviation enthusiast, I've always had an insatiable appetite for all things related to the sky. There's just something about the roar of the engines, the sleek designs of aircraft, and the intricate technology behind them that mesmerizes me. Over the years, I've

June 19th 3 min read
Travel

Soft-Sided vs Hard-Sided Luggage: Which One is Best?

Traveling can be a thrilling and life-changing experience, but it can also be a logistical nightmare if you don't have the right luggage to meet your needs. With so many options on the market, it's crucial to choose the right luggage style to ensure a smooth

June 7th 3 min read
Travel

The Art of the Long Haul Flight

Did you know that over 30% of travelers experience jet lag after a long haul flight? It's no surprise that jet lag can be a major issue for those who frequently travel across time zones. If you don't want to feel fatigued it's important

June 5th 3 min read
Travel

10 Things to Always Take With You on a Trip

Every time I pack for a trip I always ask myself what do I really need to take with me. After years of only traveling with a carry-on and not checking my bags I worked out my strategic guide to packing for a trip. If you're traveling out

June 2nd 6 min read
Travel

Why Do Airlines Kick Off Passengers For Weight Restrictions?

Most people think that if an airplane has a seat open on a plane, that it can be filled and occupied by someone all the time. While this is the case for the majority of flying, there are some interesting reasons that the seat next to you isn’t filled

September 23rd 4 min read

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