Flights

This video is incredible.  Not because of what happens, but because of what doesn’t happen. When you watch it through the first time, it doesn’t look remarkable.  Because the pilot did such a good job. But the right outer landing gear never deployed.  That means the right wing wasn’t supported at …

I’ve been downgraded from First to coach before, but on a coach ticket that was upgraded to first.  This was back on US Airways, and I was in the front row. When I boarded, there were two people already in that entire front row.  It was clear one of the …

I’ve written about an app that will help you figure out if you can get compensation for a flight delay/cancellation. However, with this app, you need to proactively ask about your flights (and remember to do it). There’s a new app in town that will automatically check whether or not …

Well, ew. In my last post, I wrote a little bit about lavatory malfunctions and how they can delay flights.  But this takes “lavatory malfunction” to a new level. A Long Island couple saw a strange substance coming down while they were enjoying some cocktails and plane spotting in their …

I was seating on the tarmac on a plane that was delayed because of a lavatory that was out of order.  I have no idea what put it out of order, but the airline was getting it back in order. We were sitting on the tarmac for at least an …

Lately, I’ve heard more and more stories about parents handing out goodie bags before flights begin.  Usually, these bags have a note pre-apologizing for their child crying, candy, and ear plugs. The argument against goodie bags There was an article in Slate a few days ago that suggests parents should …

Want to go to Europe?  How about going to Europe for less than $400?  If it sounds too good to be true, snap out of it.  This is the travel deal world, and sometimes unicorns show up. Ed of Pizza in Motion provided the scoop slice on this unicorn. CHEAP …

You’re at the end of one business trip and headed to another one immediately after.  You calculate you can get five hours of sleep on the airplane in your business class seat.  You lean back, close your eyes, and then are startled by the crying of a toddler. Should that …

A Qantas pilot made all of his in-flight announcements on the air traffic control line by mistake.  Since he went through all the announcements without taking a break, he clogged up the entire ATC line. In addition to interrupting the conversation on the ATC line, he didn’t take enough of a …

One time I got caught in a crosswind while landing.  We ended up landing so hard, we needed a tow to the gate. Even the most seasoned pilot can struggle in a crosswind.  They can suddenly happen and make landing a lot more difficult. From the Wikipedia article on it: …