Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained

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 this episode, you will find unaired clips from some of our amazing 2023 guests. In celebration of Episode 50 of the podcast and the holiday season, we are holding a giveaway for a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card for the airline of the winner’s choice! Enter on our Instagram page throughout the month of December. Plus, check out the Insights section of the Flying Smarter for stories from Andrew’s travels, articles about air travel, and more.  Thank you to all our listeners and friends for your ongoing support. Flying Smarter has grown tremendously over the past 50 episodes and it’s all thanks to our wonderful listeners.  Our 2023 guests featured in this episode:Andy Watson – air traffic controller and author of The Pilot’s Guide to Air Traffic Control (Episode 39): www.atcandy.com  Joey Gerardi – aviation writer, photographer, video producer (Episode 42): AirlineGeeks | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTubeCarrie Bradley – family travel expert, founder/editor of Flying with a Baby, former flight attendant (Episode 45): www.flyingwithababy.com | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter). Ganesh Sitaraman – law professor and author of Why Flying is Miserable and How to Fix It (Episode 49): www.ganeshsitaraman.com | X (Twitter) The next episode of Flying Smarter will be the second part of our 2023 year-in-review. It will feature travel tips from the rest of our guests from this year, so stay tuned! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterLinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com

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 always board and disembark on the left side. Learn more in this episode. Did you know that there are some airlines that don’t fly on Christmas Day? The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for the air travel industry, but some airlines don’t fly on December 25th itself. In the main segment of this episode, law professor Ganesh Sitaraman shares his insights about airline regulation and deregulation in the United States. From delays and cancellations to poor service, there’s no shortage of reasons why flying isn’t always fun. Ganesh brings a regulatory perspective to the podcast, looking at the impacts of deregulation on the travel experience today, what potential changes in the regulatory regime could look like, and much more. Ganesh Sitaraman is a law professor at Vanderbilt University and the director of the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator for Political Economy and Regulation. He teaches and writes about constitutional law, the regulatory state, economic policy, democracy, and foreign affairs and is the author of numerous books. In addition, he is a member of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee. His latest book, Why Flying is Miserable and How to Fix It, offers insight into the state of air travel in the United States from a regulatory perspective. You can learn more about Ganesh and his work and books on his website and find him on X (Twitter) .The next episode of Flying Smarter is Episode 50 and we have some things announcements planned, including a giveaway. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and follow Flying Smarter on social media so that you don’t miss anything! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterLinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

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 this episode.  Some airlines allow you to bring skiing and snowboarding equipment on the plane for free, above your regular checked baggage allowance. As winter approaches, Andrew takes a look at airlines that are particularly friendly towards winter sports. What is the most efficient way of boarding an aircraft? Airlines have a lot of different options. This main segment delves into the different options for boarding, comparing their efficiency and talking about why they are or aren’t used. Plus, Andrew looks at the physical methods that we use for getting on and off aircraft. Jetways are the most common, but there are some other ones out there as well.  Other material mentioned in this episode:Sleeping in Airports – A website with tips, advice and guides for sleeping in airports around the world. Optimal Boarding Method for Airline Passengers – Jason Steffen’s 2008 study on boarding methods.Comparative Study of Aircraft Boarding Strategies Using Cellular Discrete Event Simulation – Shafagh Jafer and Wei Mi’s 2021 boarding methods study.The Better Boarding Method Airlines Won’t Use – CGP Grey’s video on boarding methods. Episode 50 of Flying Smarter is coming up soon and we have some exciting announcements planned. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and follow Flying Smarter on social media so that you don’t miss anything! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterLinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

This episode starts by looking at how to ensure that you are within your baggage allowances so that you avoid surprise fees at the airport. Andrew then talks to ramp agent Tyler Crook to get a look at what goes on outside your plane on the airport ramp.Have you ever been surprised by extra bags fees at the airport? Or have you had a carry on that is allowed on one airline but doesn’t fit in the bag sizer for another airline? Learn about baggage allowances and how to find them in this episode. Tyler Crook talks about life on the airport ramp in this episode of Flying Smarter. He chats with Andrew about different parts of the job, interesting cargo that he has handled, how ramp agents ensure that aircraft don’t hit each other, and much more. There’s always a small risk of your checked bag getting lost or damaged. However, there are some simple things that you can do to help avoid damage to your bag and to help the airline reunite you with your bag if it gets lost. In this episode, Tyler shares insider tips and advice about your baggage. Tyler Crook has worked as a ramp agent for a major airline in the United States for over a decade and a half. He is one of the co-hosts of Non-Rev Lounge, a travel and aviation podcast. In addition to being a ramp worker, he is an avid traveler and aviation photographer. You can find Tyler on Instagram and X (Twitter). Non-Rev Lounge is also on Instagram and X (Twitter) and you can find the show wherever you listen to podcasts.Episode 50 of Flying Smarter is coming up soon and we have some fun surprises planned. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and follow Flying Smarter on social media so that you don’t miss anything! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarter LinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

In this episode, Andrew starts off by talking about where airliners are assembled. Then he looks at schedule changes and how to deal with them. The planes that we fly are on are huge and aircraft manufacturers therefore have massive facilities to produce them. Find out where these aircraft assembly facilities are located around the world.  Did you know that Lufthansa has a series of collectible rubber ducks? You don’t have to take a bath to get one, but you do have to be part of a very exclusive group of travelers. Learn more in this episode.   Schedule changes can be annoying and stressful. Whether they happen in advance of your travels or on the day of your flight, they can create problems for your travel plans. In this episode, we explore what you can do about them. Join us as Andrew looks at various tips and tricks to handling changes to your flights. Do you have a particularly nasty schedule change story? Or have you encountered a delay or cancellation that ended up working out in your favor? Andrew would love to hear your story. Reach out on social media or on our website! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterLinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com

Andrew starts this episode by talking about airline seat map websites. The main segment for this episode features family travel expert and former flight attendant Carrie Bradley. Where can you find airline seat maps? The ones provided by the airlines often don’t have much information. Learn about third-party websites that provide valuable details about the plane that you’re flying on.Some airports allow visitors to access their post-security areas without a boarding pass? Find about airports that allow airside access to non-passengers, allowing them to spend more time with family and friends, enjoy airport shops and restaurants or surprise an arriving passenger.Carrie Bradley joins Andrew as this episode’s guest. She is the owner and editor of Flying With a Baby, a website dedicated to helping parents fly with young children. Carrie talks about everything from booking considerations to packing and special baggage allowances to how to handle crying babies (both as a parent and fellow passenger).   Carrie Bradley is a family travel expert and former flight attendant who runs the family travel site Flying With a Baby. The website covers all aspects of family travel, including family holiday destination guides, hotel and airline reviews and comparisons, as well as attractions and trip plans. There are also tons of resources and tips for family vacations, flying and travel in general. She previously worked as a flight attendant and her and her work with family travel has been featured in media outlets like USA Today and the BBC. You can find Carrie and Flying with a Baby at www.flyingwithababy.com as well as on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or X. Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on social media for additional content, updates, sneak peeks, and more!Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterLinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

In this episode, Andrew starts off by talking about why airplane cabins are so dry and what you can do about it. Then he looks at the lasting impacts of the 9/11 attacks on air travel today. Why do aircraft cabins feel so dry? If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not wrong. Find out why this is the case and what you can do about it in this episode. This episode has been released on September 11 and it is fitting to talk about the 9/11 attacks and its impacts on aviation. Andrew starts off by recapping the event and its immediate aftermath, before looking at longer term effects on air travel.   There once was a time where family and friends could accompany passengers to the gate and children could visit the cockpit in flight. This episode looks at how the September 11 attacks changed aviation forever. We also explore some of the subsequent developments in airport security that weren’t directly the result of the attack but were implemented in a post-9/11 context. Other materials mentioned in this episode:Zero Hour: A History of 9/11 – This is a narrative nonfiction limited podcast series that looks back on the people and events that led to the September 11 terror attacks and their consequences. (Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts) 9/11 Memorial & Museum – Located at the World Trade Center site in New York City, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum remembers and honors the 2,983 people killed in the horrific attacks of September 11 and those who risked their lives to save others. Come from Away – This heartwarming musical tells the story of the 7,000 passengers who ended up stranded in a small town of Newfoundland, Canada as a result of the 9/11 attacks. Talking About Trusted Traveler Programs – Episode 41 of Flying Smarter covers TSA PreCheck, including what it is, what the benefits are and how you can get it. Learn more about how to skip the line at airport security and get expedited screening.Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on social media for additional content, updates, sneak peeks, and more! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterLinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

Andrew starts by talking about why fares are so cheap in Europe when compared to North America. Then, the main segment for this episode looks at how you can avoid getting bumped from your flight. Why are fares in Europe cheaper than those in North America? It comes down to a bunch of factors, including geography and government legislation. Learn more in this episode.   Flying Smarter’s 50th episode is coming up in December! We have some exciting things planned so be sure to tune in and follow us on social media so you don’t miss anything. Getting bumped, also known as being involuntarily denied boarding, can be incredibly frustrating. But there are some things that you can do to help you avoid this fate. Andrew lays out some tips and looks at how airlines determine which passengers are the most and least likely to get bumped. If you’re enjoying Flying Smarter, please take a minute to leave a five-star review for the podcast if you’re listening on a platform that allows you to do so like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods. It helps the grow the podcast and convince guests to come on the show and we would greatly appreciate it! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterLinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

This episode of Flying Smarter starts off by talking about Real ID and which plane has lavatories on the cargo hold level. Aviation writer and video producer Joey Gerardi then joins Andrew to talk about the United States Essential Air Service. In the last episode of Flying Smarter, we covered trusted traveler programs including Global Entry. A listener brought up a great point about another use for Global Entry cards, and we explore this more in this episode. Joey Gerardi is an aviation writer, photographer and video producer with an expertise in the Essential Air Service (EAS) and regional flying. He joins Andrew to discuss the EAS, covering what it is, how it works, how it keeps small communities connected and much more.There are some interesting EAS routes and experiences out there, from planes with six feet of legroom to flying straight to the doorstep of Yellowstone National Park. Joey talks about all this and more in this episode. Joey Gerardi is an aviation writer, photographer and videographer. He is a writer at AirlineGeeks, an aviation news site, and has a special interest in the Essential Air Service and regional flying in the United States. Joey documents and shares his travels through photography and video production. He is also an airline employee and holds a degree in aviation operations and management. You can find him at AirlineGeeks and on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on social media for additional content, updates, sneak peeks, and more! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarter LinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

In this episode, Andrew starts off by talking about the future of jumbo jets. Then he looks at trusted traveler programs that can help you save time at the airport. The Airbus A380 and Boeing 747 are both out of production, so what is the future of jumbo jets? Listen to what Andrew has to say in response to this listener question.  Want to save time when going through airport security? This episode looks at two programs that can help you expedite your security screening process. Learn more about TSA PreCheck and CLEAR in this episode, including how they work, how to apply and the differences between the two.  Another stressful part of the airport experience that can take up lots of time is customs and immigration processing. This episode also covers some programs that can make your border control experience smoother.  Follow Flying Smarter on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and more! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterLinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

Andrew starts by talking about whether or not you should build your own connection. Then, the main segment for this episode looks at the airports of New York City. Should you book connecting flights on two separate tickets? This is a practice that could save you money when booking your flight but also comes with substantial risks. This episode takes a look at why building your own connection might not be a good idea and how you can do it safely and effectively. Some airline pilots in the United States board each flight with a loaded firearm. They’re federally trained law enforcement agents that are armed to protect against terrorism. Find out more in this episode.New York City is a massive metropolis that is home to three major airports. In the main segment of this episode, Andrew explores the three airports, looking at airlines and destinations, ground transportation and the facilities and amenities available at each airport. If you’re enjoying Flying Smarter, please take a minute to leave a five-star review for the podcast if you’re listening on a platform that allows you to do so like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods. It helps the grow the podcast and convince guests to come on the show and we would greatly appreciate it! Connect with Flying Smarter:Facebook: Flying Smarter PodcastInstagram: @flyingsmarterTwitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.comWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

This episode starts by looking at which planes have an upper deck. Andrew then talks with air traffic controller Andy Watson to get an inside look at what goes on inside the world of air traffic control.Have you ever seen a double-decker aircraft? Or have you ever been on one? Find out how to tell what they are in this episode.   Andy Watson shares insights from his experiences as an air traffic controller in this episode of Flying Smarter. He talks about who your pilots talk to throughout your flight, where air traffic controllers work, and much more.    What happens from the perspective of air traffic control during an emergency? Why is bad weather so challenging for air traffic controllers? Andy provides a look behind the scenes of this important aspect of the global aviation system. Andy Watson is an air traffic controller, pilot, author, and public speaker. He has worked as an Air Traffic Control Specialist and Front-Line Manager at several Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facilities in places such as Cleveland, Chicago, Charleston, and Washington D.C. He has also served as a subject matter expert for the FAA’s Air Traffic Safety Oversight branch at FAA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He is the author of the book The Pilot’s Guide to Air Traffic Control, which helps pilots and passengers gain a better understanding of all that ATC does to keep the flying public safe. You can learn more about Andy and his book at www.atcandy.com.Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and more! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarter LinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

In this episode, Andrew talks about why flights often don’t divert to the nearest airport. For the main segment, he looks at the story of the infamous Boeing 737 MAX.Why do flights sometimes divert to an airport that hours away? Doesn’t make it the most sense to land at the nearest airport? There are lots of considerations that go into diversions. Learn more in this episode.Did you know some airline seats have a massage function? Andrew talks about this unique feature found on some airlines. The Boeing 737 MAX is loved by airlines for its increased fuel efficiency, but the general public tends to know the name because of two tragic crashes and a subsequent worldwide grounding. This episode looks at the story of the Boeing 737 MAX, covering what happened, what’s changed since and what it means for travelers. Subscribe to Flying Smarter wherever you get podcasts so that you get new episodes right when they’re released!Connect with Flying Smarter:Facebook: Flying Smarter PodcastInstagram: @flyingsmarterTwitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.comWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

This episode has the second part of a two-part discussion about travel hacking and budget travel with Kendyl Grender. In this episode, Andrew continues his talk with her, covering points and miles, how budget travel can include luxury experiences, and more. Plus, he looks at airplane age. How old is the plane that you’re flying on? How do you find out? And does it even matter? Learn all about it in this episode.  Wouldn’t it be cool to use your wireless Bluetooth headphones with your seatback entertainment? You actually can on some airlines! Find out more in this episode. Andrew continues his conversation with Kendyl Grender, a budget traveler and travel hacker who has saved tens of thousands of dollars in travel over the years. Kendyl talks about her approach to collecting points and miles, how budget travel can involve high end and luxury experiences, and how you can make your airport experience more pleasant and enjoyable.Kendyl Grender is a full-time travel blogger, travel hacker and content creator. She has saved tens of thousands of dollars on travel over the years and spent a month in Europe last year for a third of what it should have cost. She offers tons of resources to help travelers save money, from guides to coaching sessions. Kendyl recently launched Stacking Academy, a course focused on helping you use stacking to make sure you don’t miss out on earning points and miles. You can find Kendyl on Instagram and at www.kendyltravels.com. If you’re enjoying Flying Smarter, please take a minute to leave a five-star review for the podcast if you’re listening on a platform that allows you to do so like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods. It helps the grow the podcast and convince guests to come on the show and we would greatly appreciate it! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com Website: www.flyingsmarter.com ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

Andrew starts this episode by talking about birds in airport terminals. The main segment for this episode is the first part of a conversation with Kendyl Grender, a budget traveler and creator of Kendyl Travels. Have you ever seen a bird flying around the interior of an airport terminal? Learn about why this is fairly common and what airports do about it.Andrew talks with Kendyl Grender, a budget traveler and travel hacker who has saved tens of thousands of dollars in travel over the years. In this episode, they talk about finding cheap fares, tools and resources for finding and booking flights, and much more.Should you book with points or cash for a particular flight? What does it mean to use a positioning flight? Kendyl talks about all this and much more in this episode.  Kendyl Grender is a full-time travel blogger, travel hacker and content creator. She has saved tens of thousands of dollars on travel over the years and spent a month in Europe last year for a third of what it should have cost. She offers tons of resources to help travelers save money, from guides to coaching sessions. Kendyl recently launched Stacking Academy, a course focused on helping you use stacking to make sure you don’t miss out on earning points and miles. You can find Kendyl on Instagram and at www.kendyltravels.com. Subscribe to or follow Flying Smarter on your podcast platform so that you get new episodes right when they’re released!Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterLinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com

In this episode, Andrew talks about an essential piece of airport infrastructure: runways. Plus, he looks at airline codes. In Episode 33, we covered airline codes. But what about airline codes? Learn more in this episode.Did you know that there’s a secretive US government airline that flies people to places like Area 51? Find out about this airline in this episode.Runways play a critical role in your air travel experience. Without them, your plane isn’t going anywhere. This episode takes a look at runways, helping you better understand this key piece of aviation infrastructure.Follow Flying Smarter on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and more! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterLinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com  ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

Andrew starts by talking about why flight deck doors are often open during boarding. The main segment for this episode features previously unaired clips from our 2022 guests. If you board through the front door of an aircraft, you may have noticed that you can often catch a glimpse of the cockpit through the open flight deck door. Why is this door open? Find out in this episode. Our guests have a wealth of knowledge from their travel and work experiences that extend beyond the topic of each interview. We also sometimes have to edit interviews to shorten them. This episode features “deleted scenes” from 2022, in which our guests share tips, stories and insights. What happens in the flight deck when a passenger has a medical emergency inflight? How safe is it to fly with pets? Hear what our guests have to say. From Episode 18 - How Pilots are Trained: Greg Krino is a pilot with a major US airline who was previously a fighter pilot in the US Air Force. You can find Greg’s podcast, The Greg Krino Show, on your podcast app and at www.gregkrino.com. You can also find him on Facebook and Instagram.From Episode 20 – Bringing Pets to the Sky: Gayle Martz is a pet travel expert and former flight attendant who revolutionized how pets travel. If you want to learn more about Gayle’s story, the SHERPA bag and her two books visit www.gaylemartz.com. You can also find her on Facebook and on Instagram.From Episode 22 – Taking the Skies Less Traveled: Michael Hilliard is a conflict journalist whose work has taken him on flights to unique destinations all over the world. He is the founder and host of the geopolitics podcast The Red Line. You can also find Michael on Twitter and The Red Line on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.Subscribe or follow the podcast on your podcast platform so that you get new episodes right when they’re released!Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterLinkedIn: Flying Smarter Website: www.flyingsmarter.com

Andrew starts by talking about one of the aspects of flying that causes the most nervousness: turbulence. Then, the main segment for this episode looks at airport codes. Should we be afraid of turbulence? While turbulence can be nerve-wracking even for frequent flyers, there isn’t all that much to be worried about. Learn more in this episode and check out Andrew’s chat with airline pilot Owen Zupp about turbulence in Episode 8 for more.  JFK, LHR, SYD – these airport codes clearly represent New York’s JFK Airport, London Heathrow, and Sydney Airport. But these airports also have the codes of KJFK, EGLL, and YSSY. Why is this, what are these codes used for, and what do they mean? Find out more in this episode. Did you know that there’s a single airport with three airport codes? Andrew talks about where this unique airport is located and why it has so many codes.If you’re enjoying Flying Smarter, please take a minute to leave a five-star review for the podcast if you’re listening on a platform that allows you to do so like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods. It helps the grow the podcast and convince guests to come on the show and we would greatly appreciate it! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterLinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com  ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

This episode starts by looking at why you have to put your seat back and tray table up before landing. Andrew then talks with StatusMatch CEO and former airline loyalty program head Mark Ross-Smith about airline loyalty programs.Why do you have to put your seat back and tray table up before landing? It’s all about safety. Learn more in this episode.  Mark Ross-Smith brings his wealth of knowledge and experience with airline loyalty programs to this episode of Flying Smarter. He talks with Andrew about how the airline loyalty business works, why airline loyalty programs can be worth more than the airlines themselves, and much more.  What are the trends and challenges with loyalty programs these days? What are some of the top programs out there? Mark shares valuable insights, tips, and advice for travelers when it comes to airline loyalty. Mark Ross-Smith is the CEO of StatusMatch, which creates customer acquisition technology for airlines while helping travellers enjoy the full potential of their loyalty and status. He is also the Editor of Travel Data Daily, a resource for loyalty program owners including airlines, hotels and other industry professionals. He was previously the head of Malaysia Airlines’ Enrich Loyalty Program, where he managed the program to the most successful point in the history of the airline. You can find Mark on LinkedIn.Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and more! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarter LinkedIn: Flying SmarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.

In this episode, Andrew starts off by talking about the dirtiest parts of a plane. Then he explores five unique air travel experiences, sharing some of the most interesting offerings out there. What are the dirtiest parts of a plane? Is it the lavatory or is it closer to where you’re sitting? Find out more in this episode.  Did you know that there’s an airline that allows you to shower in flight? What’s it like and how does it work? Andrew explores onboard showers in this episode. How does Southwest Airlines’ open seating policy work? What is the Island Hopper route? There are so many fascinating experiences in the world of air travel and this episode takes a close look at a few of them.Follow Flying Smarter on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and more! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com  ---Throughout the month of December 2023, we're holding a giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes of Flying Smarter and the holiday season! The prize is a Flying Smarter luggage tag and a $100 gift card to the airline of the winner's choice. Learn more and enter on our Instagram page.