Travel
Jet lag is a reality for anyone who crosses multiple time zones, but for airline pilots, it’s a persistent challenge. They crisscross continents in a matter of hours, constantly switching between time zones and schedules. But they’ve developed effective methods for handling jet lag, and their strategies can
Travel
When people consider flying, they often think about commercial airlines — the packed cabins, the rigid schedules, and the standardized service. However, private flying presents an entirely different experience. Both private and commercial flying serve to get travelers from point A to point B, but the journey differs drastically. In this
Airlines
Delta Air Lines, one of the largest and most well-established airlines in the world, has a rich history steeped in customer service innovation. Among its lesser-known yet significant contributions to airline travel is the “Flying Orchid” program, which was introduced in the 1960s as part of Delta's efforts
Hotel Reviews
Wisconsin, home of cheese and the world's largest general aviation fly-in every year. I was in town for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, and while hotels in Oshkosh, Wisconsin were outrageously expensive, I managed to score a deal in Appleton, Wisconsin about 20 minutes north of Oshkosh. Booking While I
Airlines
Operating a commercial airplane is an expensive undertaking, with numerous variables that impact the cost per hour. Airlines must consider everything from fuel and crew salaries to maintenance and airport fees, making it a complex calculation. Understanding how much it costs to operate a commercial airplane per hour sheds light
Insights
When people think of careers in aviation, their minds often jump to piloting—an iconic and thrilling profession. However, the aviation industry offers a wide range of career opportunities beyond being a pilot, from technical roles to administrative and customer service positions, all of which are vital to keeping the
Insights
Aviation is one of the safest modes of transportation, and this is largely due to stringent safety regulations and meticulous standards followed by airlines and aviation authorities. One of the critical components that ensures the airworthiness of an aircraft is the Minimum Equipment List (MEL). The MEL is an essential
Airline bankruptcies have become a significant topic of discussion, particularly as the aviation industry faces cyclical downturns, rising fuel costs, and unforeseen disruptions like global pandemics. When an airline files for bankruptcy, it doesn't always mean the end of the airline, but it does have far-reaching consequences for
When it comes to staying at a hotel, I expect to pay for a good night’s rest, convenience, and maybe even a little luxury. What I don’t expect? Being slapped with hidden costs—namely, “destination fees.” These fees have quietly crept into the hospitality industry and become a
A METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) is a standardized format for reporting weather observations, crucial for aviation operations. These reports provide a snapshot of weather conditions at an airport or aerodrome, typically updated every hour. Decoding a METAR might seem daunting due to its concise and coded format, but with practice,
Despite significant advancements in aviation technology, a surprising relic from the past continues to linger in the skies: leaded fuel. Specifically, 100LL aviation gasoline, commonly known as avgas, remains the standard fuel for many general aviation aircraft. This raises significant environmental and health concerns, prompting a call for the industry
Join #avgeek nation
The life of an airline pilot is both exciting and demanding, filled with responsibility, precision, and a deep sense of adventure. While passengers may only glimpse the polished uniform and calm demeanor of the pilot as they board the plane, behind the scenes lies a carefully orchestrated routine built on
In recent years, the aviation industry has increasingly recognized the profound effects that space weather can have on aircraft operations and navigation systems. Space weather refers to the environmental conditions in space, driven primarily by solar activity, such as solar flares, geomagnetic storms, and cosmic radiation. While space weather is
Chicago is high on my list of incredible cities, and any time that I get to visit is a treat. I recently had the pleasure of spending a weekend in the windy city and ended up staying near the airport for a night. Booking I was surprised at how expensive
Air travel is one of the safest modes of transportation, but for many people, the thought of flying is anxiety-inducing or even terrifying. This fear, known as aviophobia, affects millions of people worldwide. But what causes this fear, and how can those who experience it find relief? Causes of Fear
Flying through turbulent weather is a common experience for air travelers, but when it comes to hurricanes, the situation is dramatically different. Hurricanes are among the most powerful and destructive weather phenomena on Earth, posing significant challenges and dangers to any type of aircraft. But can a commercial airplane, designed
Airline bankruptcies have become a significant topic of discussion, particularly as the aviation industry faces cyclical downturns, rising fuel costs, and unforeseen disruptions like global pandemics. When an airline files for bankruptcy, it doesn't always mean the end of the airline, but it does have far-reaching consequences for
Bird strikes are a significant safety concern in aviation. These events usually happen at low altitude when aircraft are on approach or departure to airports. While modern aircraft are designed to handle these situations, bird strikes can still pose a serious risk to both the plane and its passengers. Impact
Airlines operate a fleet of airplanes to serve passengers and cargo needs, but there comes a point when even the most reliable aircraft reach the end of their operational life. Retiring an airplane is a significant process that involves detailed planning, regulatory compliance, and cost considerations. While some retired aircraft
If anyone knows me, I find it a struggle to find a decent LAX airport hotel. I've gotten close with both the Hyatt Regency and the Marriott, however for the true AvGeek, there is only one hotel you should be staying at. The H Hotel, which is a
The idea of a passenger replacing a suddenly incapacitated pilot is a scenario that has fascinated and concerned people for years. With the increasing accessibility of air travel, many have wondered whether, in a dire situation, an ordinary passenger could step into the cockpit and land the plane. Hollywood movies
Chase, known for having one of the best travel credit cards around, is lacking in actual airport amenities. While their competition has a whole network of lounges, Chase just as of recently have slowly been opening up their own lounges. One of their first lounges was in Boston. However instead
Airports play a critical role in global transportation, serving as gateways for passengers and cargo. But while they are essential infrastructure, operating an airport is a complex and costly endeavor. Airports require vast amounts of capital for construction, expansion, daily operations, and maintenance. Understanding how airports get funding and generate