For over a decade, I’ve been keeping note of which airlines go out of business each year. Do you recognise any of these? Air BelgiumBelgium. Founded: 2016. Commenced: 2018. Passenger operations ceased: 2024 (bankruptcy). Passenger flying had already stopped following the 2024 insolvency. After that, it was limited to wet‑lease and cargo work. In 2025, it finally vanished. Aerolínea Lanhsa Honduras. Founded: 2009. Commenced: 2010. Ceased: 7 April 2025. Aimed to connect the Hondouran capital, Tegucigalpa, with coastal and island destinations such as Roatán and La Ceiba using three turboprops. On 17 March 2025, Flight…
My Musings (Sundays)
Category Archives for My Musings (Sundays).
Come on lets do better! Watching terrible passenger behaviour
Some things drive me quietly mad. In 2025, I’ve watched travellers with the fascination usually reserved for wildlife documentaries. This includes territorial battles, questionable public grooming and aggression. Travel is back in business, but it feels like basic manners clearly missed the memo. Passenger behaviour is objectively worse than pre‑pandemic, and slightly worse than 2022, but there is also more enforcement and more media shining a light on it. IATA’s own data shows that unruly incidents have jumped in a very short period, from about one incident every 835 flights in 2021 to roughly one…
“Where are you?” Ten Amazing and Two Terrible Travel Moments of 2025
Once the travel bug bites, there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life Michael Palin I know I have a reputation when people message me and ask not “how are you?” but “where are you?” This year’s answer included going to 27 countries around the globe: from Brazil and South Africa in the south, to Finland and Norway in the north, Japan in the east, and Colombia in the west. This wasn’t an easy year, but what a journey it has been. Ranked…
After 300 Airports, Here Are the Best and Worst
After many decades of flying, I’ve now passed through 300 airports. It’s a slightly ridiculous milestone, but it does give me a bit of authority when I say what makes a great airport and what makes a terrible one. There are seven things that win me over with airports: 1. Effortless passenger movement I have a visceral reaction to moving through Terminal 3 at Heathrow. Hell, for me, would be walking its long, narrow corridors, passing under its yellow signs and climbing the same stairs to security again and again. The whole terminal makes me…
A Personal Message in light of the Bondi massacre
Today’s post is a very personal one and I have wondered whether to post at all, but this is my blog, so here goes. I have written previously here about my experience four months ago when I was caught in a mass shooting at a local market in Bangkok. The news from Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, of course, took me straight there. Add to that a few other traumas in my travel through war or conflict zones (Nigeria, El Salvador and the Middle East!), and it all lands heavily. I ve been to Bondi…
Fire Over Kentucky: What People Miss in Plane Crash Fears
Last week, a UPS MD-11 crashed at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport, Kentucky, USA, shortly after takeoff. The jet, carrying an estimated 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel, erupted into a massive fireball as it crashed into an industrial area about two kilometres from the airport, striking multiple buildings and causing extensive damage. The cause is believed to be a catastrophic engine separation. The accident, shockingly killed at least 12 people and injured nearly 20 more. My deepest condolences to all affected. Social media feeds exploded with concern about air travel safety. In 2025, many…
Round the world in 72 days
After one of the busiest and and stressful years of my life, I’m taking off on a true bucket-list journey that will see me crossing four continents: Asia, Europe, the Americas, and (my home base in Australia), completing the set! This trip will take me back to some familiar favourites — Malaysia, Thailand, Finland, Switzerland, Turkey, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil — while also adding two exciting new countries: South Africa and Botswana. I am working in a couple of spots and then vacationing but what I am most excited about are the “pinch myself” moments ahead: As always, I’d love to…
I have now flown into Airport #293: Outback Town -Which Airport will be 300th?
I just flew into and out of my 293rd airport: ISA which serves the remote Australian outback town of Mt Isa. I travelled from Brisbane about two hours on Qantas) and back with Virgin Australia. The landing and take off gave excellent views of the town! There are also hops from Mt Isa to Cairns, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, and Longreach—some flights so short that by the time you fasten your seatbelt, you’re already preparing to land (16 minutes to Cloncurry). Classic outback flying! When Qantas, the Australian flag carrier flew its first passenger, it was from Longreach…
Surviving the Gunfire: How Tragedy Changed My Bangkok Life
Today’s post contains images and descriptions about extreme violence. Reader caution is advised Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, home to around 14 million people is known for its canals, food, parties, temples, culture, and massage. I know the city well. I have spent five years here over the last 12 years. I have many favourite spots. One of them is a fruit and produce market called OrTorkor, voted by CNN as one of the ten best markets in the world. The market is opposite our condo in Bangkok. It’s gate is a short walk from…
A Very Modern Map of Britain’s Ancient Roman Roads – Atlas Obscura
Let’s take the VII from Londinium to Letocetum. Source: A Very Modern Map of Britain’s Ancient Roman Roads – Atlas Obscura
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