Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained

In this episode, points and miles expert Ben Komenkul joins Andrew to share expert tips and insights to help you maximize your points and miles. But first, Andrew talks about USO lounges and airline charter divisions.  You may have seen or heard about USO Lounges when travelling across the United States. What are these spaces? Learn more in this episode.  This episode’s guest is Ben Komenkul, the...

This episode contains the third and final part of our series on airport lounges. Plus, Andrew takes a look at why airlines skip seat letters.  We’ve previously covered why airlines sometimes skip row numbers, but why do they also do the same with seat letters? Find out in this episode.  Did you know that Uber once offered a helicopter service called Uber Copter? Learn more about how this special s...

In this episode, Andrew starts by looking at airline status and the US government’s airline for transporting prisoners. Then he continues our airport lounge series by looking at how to access lounges.  What is alliance status? Flying Smarter has covered airline status before but this episode will look at how that translates to alliance-wide benefits. The United States government has its own airlin...

In this episode, Andrew starts off by talking about why some airplanes skip row numbers and what airlines do to recognize “million milers.” Then for the main segment, he starts the first of a two-part series on airport lounges.  Why do some airlines choose to skip row numbers? The rows on an airplane could be numbered from one to six and then jump to nine. Learn more in this episode.  Airport loun...

We have to take a week off unfortunately, but we’re revisiting Episode 8 instead of skipping this week altogether! Flying Smarter will be back with an all-new Episode on September 9th.  --- This episode is special because it doesn’t follow the normal episode format. Andrew spends the entire episode chatting with airline pilot Owen Zupp about turbulence and what you need to know about it. Topics di...

Andrew starts this episode by talking about aircraft painting and secret crew rest areas. The main segment for this episode features Michael Taylor from data analytics and consumer insights firm J.D. Power.  How often do aircraft get repainted? And why is the process so important? Find out more in this episode. Plus, did you know that some airliners have hidden crew rest areas?   Michael Taylor is...

In this episode, Andrew starts by looking at why airlines and aircraft sometimes struggle in hot temperatures. Then he explores five unique air travel experiences.  Why do planes have trouble taking off in hot temperatures? The answer has to do with science. Learn more about why this happens and what airlines and travelers can do about it.   From a “milk run” through the rugged Alaska wilderness t...

This episode contains the second part of our conversation with Joelle Cuvelier from global travel technology company Amadeus. Plus, Andrew takes a look at whether a plane can fly with only one engine.  Can a plane fly with only one engine? Most commercial aircraft today have two engines, but what happens if there is an engine failure? Find out in this episode.  We continue our interview with Joell...

In this episode, Andrew starts off by talking about mileage runs. Then for the main segment, he looks at tools that you can use to find flight deals and cheap flights.   What is a mileage run and should you consider doing one for airline status or for points and miles? Learn more about this tactic in this episode.  Finding an inexpensive flight is often a goal for travelers. And there are lots of...

Andrew starts this episode by talking about some exciting innovations in the onboard experience. The main segment for this episode features Joelle Cuvelier from travel technology company Amadeus.  Last week was the 2024 edition of the annual Aircraft Interiors Expo, and there were some exciting announcements at the event. From a high-tech business class suite to an all-business class turboprop, An...

In this episode, Andrew starts by looking at how you can get your Global Entry or NEXUS membership revoked. Then he explores Tokyo’s two international airports, looking at what you need to know about each of the facilities.  A listener sent in a question asking how your Global Entry can be revoked. Learn about the different ways that this can end up happening.  Japan is a hot travel destination, a...

In this episode, former flight attendant Ally Murphy joins Andrew to share fascinating stories and lessons from the skies. But first, Andrew talks about requalifying for elite status.  How does requalifying for elite status in an airline’s loyalty program work? Different airlines have different requirements, with some making it easier for existing status holders to requalify. Learn more in this ep...

In this episode, Andrew starts off by talking about the longest domestic flights in the world. Then for the main segment, he looks at airline loyalty program status.  There are domestic flights out there that are over ten hours long. And the longest regularly scheduled flight ever was a domestic route. Learn more in this episode.  What is airline status and how does it work? How have frequent flye...

This episode starts by looking at why you shouldn’t inflate your life jacket until you are about to leave the aircraft. Andrew then talks with Edmond Huot about airline design and branding. Why are we told not to inflate our life jackets until we are about to exit the plane? There are some important reasons that could mean the difference between life or death. Learn more in this episode.   An airl...

In this episode, Andrew starts by looking at whether you can get your expired points and miles back. Then he talks about aviation safety, looking at recent incidents and news as well as the bigger historical picture.  If your points and miles are expired, can you get them back? Learn more about reinstating your points in this episode.  There has been a lot of negative press around commercial aviat...

This episode features the second part of Andrew’s chat with aircraft maintenance engineer and professor Brian Bermudez. Plus, he looks at whether your points and miles will expire.  Do your points and miles expire? If you’re collecting airline loyalty points, you will want to know the answer to this question. With some loyalty programs, the points never expire, but others have expiration policies...

Andrew starts this episode by talking about airline flight numbers. The main segment for this episode features aircraft maintenance technician and professor Brian Bermudez.  How do flight numbers get assigned? It depends, but there are some common practices and conventions. Learn more about how airlines choose their flight numbers in this episode.  Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Brian Bermudez join...

In this episode, Andrew starts off by talking about what the different cabin class names mean. Then he looks at round-the-world tickets and how you can take a trip around the globe.  Club World, Delta One, Signature Class, and Mint. These are all names of airlines’ lie-flat business class products. What’s with all the different names? What does the term first class really mean? Andrew unpacks it a...

This episode starts by looking at why involuntary downgrades happen and what to do if you get involuntary downgraded. Andrew then talks to airline captain Doug Morris about aviation weather and how it affects your flight. Nobody likes purchasing a premium cabin ticket and then being downgraded to a worse seat. Why might this happen and what should you do if it does? Find out more in this episode. ...

Andrew starts this episode by talking about how much airliners weigh and important takeaways from recent aviation incidents. Then he looks at the international organizations that exist to keep the world of air travel functioning seamlessly.  It’s no secret that the aircraft that we fly on are massive, but how much do they actually weigh? Andrew delves into aircraft weights to give you an idea of h...

In this episode, Andrew starts by looking at how you can fly on the world’s largest airliner – the Airbus A380 – these days. The main segment features Expedia travel expert Christie Hudson who is here to share data-driven air hacks and travel trends. Have you ever wanted to fly on the Airbus A380? Nicknamed the superjumbo, it’s the largest passenger aircraft ever built. Find out more about where t...

This is the second part of our 2023 year-in-review. Our guests from throughout the year are sharing their travel tips and insights in a series of previously unaired clips.   What are some essential items to pack according to a flight attendant? Episode 30 guest Lara Ketterman shares her thoughts. What is the Southwest Companion Pass? Episode 36/37 guest Kendyl Grender talks about this great budget...

Flying Smarter is celebrating 50 episodes! This episode contains some special announcements as well as the first part of our 2023 year-in-review.  What training do flight attendants get for dealing with panicked passengers? Former flight attendant and Episode 45 guest Carrie Bradley answers this question in this episode. Air traffic controller Andy Watson shares a story about Air Force Two. In thi...

Andrew starts this episode by talking about why we board and deplane from the left side of the aircraft. Afterwards, the main segment of this episode features law professor Ganesh Sitaraman, who joins Andrew to talk about why flying is miserable and what we can do about it from a regulatory perspective.   In the last episode, we talked a lot about boarding. One question that came up is why we alwa...

In this episode, Andrew starts off by talking about whether you can sleep overnight in an airport terminal. Then he looks at the different ways we board and deplane our flights.  Can you sleep overnight in an airport terminal? The answer depends on where you are and there are a lot of factors at play. Some airports have facilities to help travelers nap, while others close overnight. Learn more in...