The 737 MAX: One Refreshed Version Too Far
Here’s the big problem with the Boeing 737 MAX: Both Boeing and the airlines are forcing a past-its-prime design to be a flying Swiss Army … Read the rest
airlines
Flying to Costa Rica Kind of Stinks
Flying to Costa Rica kind of stinks right now, at least from Phoenix. I love a good long flight. Put me in an economy class … Read the rest
How I Fly with Craft Beer Without Spilling a Drop
Whenever I travel, I’m on the lookout for craft beer that I can’t find at home. Often, I want to take some home with me. … Read the rest
The Population is Growing – Why So Many Smaller Airliners?
The last time I saw both my grandparents alive and together, I was 12 years old. I took an American Airlines 767 from Phoenix to … Read the rest
Could the Boeing 757 Mean Fewer Delayed Flights?
I expected to get on my American Airlines flight at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and land in Phoenix. That happened eventually, but nowhere near … Read the rest
Review: Lufthansa 747-8i
Right now, the Boeing 747-8i is one of the coolest, newest airliners flying. People who are into air travel should put this on their “must … Read the rest
“Mad Men” Meets Airlines – Book Covers Airline Branding and Ads
If you read enough about the airline industry, you can bet that someone – on any given day of the week – will harrumph about … Read the rest
Random Cool Stuff – May Edition
I can’t believe May is almost over already. But the good part of a month flying by is getting to share a some random cool … Read the rest
Cool Airline Callsigns – And One That Just Retired.
One of my favorite blogs, Flying With Fish, just published a post about the final US Airways flight using the “Cactus†callsign. US Airways … Read the rest
How I Make My Airline Choices
I’m not one to tell an airline “I’ll never fly you again.†But I definitely have a pecking order for my airline choices. And I … Read the rest
Best Passenger Planes Flying Today
Some people will tell you that an airliner is an airliner. Don’t believe them. When I book an intercontinental flight, I base my purchase on … Read the rest
Hearing Impaired Fliers – How Can Airlines Help?
On a recent flight, I wound up sitting next to a passenger who was on the quiet side. It only took me a few moments … Read the rest
IcelandAir – Random Travel Photo
IcelandAir has a cool practice: It names its aircraft after Icelandic volcanoes. I took two flights on Hekla, to and from JFK airport in … Read the rest
Air Miles, Student Travelers and More: Ideas for Airlines
It’s time for a smart airline to cultivate tomorrow’s frequent fliers: teenagers and students.
My niece, Emily, recently turned 16. My wife and I want … Read the rest
End of the “Ask the Pilot” Bad for Travel Industry and Readers
[Editor’s Note 06/11/12: It appears that a hacker busted into Patrick Smith’s “AskthePilot.com” site. I will keep an eye on the situation. For now, it … Read the rest
Travel in Japan – Tips and Ideas
A five-day visit to Japan just isn’t enough. While I managed to squeeze a lot into my short visit, I didn’t even scratch the surface.… Read the rest
Random Photo Fun – This is Air Travel!
Air travel sucks, and you know it. There’s the bad service. Nickle-and-diming passengers for every item of checked luggage, every in-flight beverage. The Transportation Security … Read the rest
Airport Needs to Cut Specialty Lines, Improve Signs
During a recent flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, I had a reminder that the security screening processes are concocted by people who are … Read the rest