In 1999, I flew a Swissair MD11 from Singapore to Zurich. I was in the middle seat of the emergency exit row with two passengers from Switzerland. In the aisle seat was an Italian Swiss guy who presented himself as a humorous, jovial warm guy. To my left, by the exit door, was a more serious French-Swiss woman. The Italian guy beneath his laughs and bravado confided in us that he was terrified of flying on the MD11. The fatal fiery crash of Swissair 111, an MD11 flying between New York and Zurich, just a…
Who Went Where? 2023 Busiest Cities, Routes, Airports
For all of us who travelled, we have seen the crowds of people in airports, train stations and in cities. Reportedly, air travel reached 99% of 2019 figures in November 2023. It sure feels like it! Most Visited Cities, 2023 The Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023, published by market research company Euromonitor International looks at the world’s key cities and evaluates them based on a range of characteristics. In terms of international arrivals in 2023, Istanbul had the most arrivals, followed by London and Dubai. The cities with the highest year-on-year rise were Bangkok…
Don’t Waste that Safety Briefing-Save a Life
The aviation year has started with a bang — literally. We saw the first Airbus 350 destroyed in a ball of fire. The pictures of the burnt-out shell are chilling. Then the USA grounded all Boeing 737 Max 9s after a brand-new Alaska airlines plane had part of its fuselage ripped out violently. Tragically, Japan saw five lives lost in the smaller plane on the runway that was hit by the JAL A350. People going to start others impacted by the recent Japanese quake. After 1580 flights with just one scary landing (plus three memorably…
Mistakes, Poor Ideas, Terrible Execution – the Airline Collapses of 2023
The year 2023 witnessed fewer collapses of airlines across the globe, than we may have seen previously. The industry is, on the whole, doing very well financially with record numbers of passengers paying higher fares than in the past. From the heart of Mexico to the landscapes of Gangwon State in South Korea or Tahiti in the Pacific, each collapse tells a unique story of challenges and financial woes. This one is interesting because the airline shut down before it even started flying! It was our last closure for 2023! Airlines that merged Buta Airways…
Ten Opportunities for Better Travel in 2024
Happy New Year! I travel more than anyone else I know!! This gives me lots of opportunities to encounter fellow travellers and observe their behaviour and mine. Sometimes it’s exemplary, and sometimes it’s been appalling. As we usher in 2024, here are some suggestions to shape a more considerate and enjoyable travel environment for everyone involved. 1. Respect each Other Can we just treat others with some level of care, interest, awareness, and concern? We don’t have to be best buddies, but let’s not ignore each other, scream at each other, and trample each other…
Skies Explored: A Year in Flight, Rating 15 Aircraft
Last week, I shared insights into the 83 flights that defined my 2023 travel adventures. I offered my candid ratings for the airlines I flew. That aerial odyssey meant i travelled on 15 distinct aircraft types. Now, join me in ranking those planes, gauged by my personal impressions of these flying machines… The List-Ranked from my most favourite aircraft # Aircraft 2023 Km Flown 2023 Flights My rating 1 Airbus 380 6,301 1 100% 2 Embraer 175 1,433 2 100% 3 Airbus 350 23,364 5 96% 4 Boeing 787 12,646 3 94% 5 Boeing 717…
Decoding the Airline Alliances in 2024
I shared last week, that in 2023, I have been around the world five times on 83 flights bringing me to 1580 flights in my lifetime. Over half (46) of my 2023 lights were with one of the airline alliances: These Airline alliances weave an interesting web across the airline industry globe. They allow airlines to expand their local reach and more easily funnel passengers between each other. As a passenger, they allow me to earn points more easily for my “home” airline which make flying easier by allowing me to enjoy the same rewards…
To the Authorities: Five Steps to Better Travel, Please
I shared last week about my 2023 travel experiences. As we look forward to 2024, there are five things that “those in charge” need to do to make travel markedly better. Treat Your Customers with Respect Too often, passengers are herded bewildered into long lines and then alternately shouted at or ignored. I believe this stress and the points above are helping to contribute to a lack of civility from passengers who push back at staff and each other. Can we send all staff globally to Tokyo Haneda or Singapore Changi Airport (pictured) to watch…
One Amazing Travel Year: Countless Stories across 23 Countries, 60 Cities
Two main themes explain my 2023 travel adventures. The first was a massively serious checking-off bucket list of places and activities including a first visit to the Isle of Man and Malta, the White Cliffs of Dover, Canterbury Cathedral, Michalenegos’ Last Supper, and multiple museums. riding several heritage railways, seeing my Irish ancestors’ hometowns, watching several amazing shows across the world and visiting Concordes on display in three countries! I have now visited 87 countries (out of an ultimate goal of 99 )and reached 578 cities! The second theme was revisiting favourite haunts including Abu…
Jetting Through 2023: My Summary and Global Airline Review
I thoroughly review every aspect of travel, including reservations, check-in, meals, entertainment, and in-flight services. This allows me to give every flight, and airline, a score. Yes, I am the nerd who is “wild about travel”! 90%: A Great year for my air travel Using the rating system I give for every flight, I ended up with an overall average of 90% rating for the year. This was despite the disruptions and complaints many others experienced with the airline industry. By comparison: My worst year for air travel was 2002, the first year after September…
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