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Braniff, Eastern, Pan Am, TWA: Which US Airline We've Lost Would You Want To Fly With Today?
After the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, the industry changed dramatically, opening up to greater competition. While this helped make air travel more affordable, it also ultimately led to the loss of airlines that were pioneers of flight in the US. As the fight to survive a new market and adjust the airline business model intensified, a spike in fuel prices, bad management decisions and tragedies resulted in these well-established airlines failing.Established in 1928, Braniff brought a distinct style to the skies with its "End of the Plain Plane" brand campaign which introduced rich liveries and interiors and donned flight attendants with space-age Pucci uniforms. Following a pilot strike and overwhelmed by the rising costs of a route expansion response to deregulation, Braniff last flew in 1982. Former Braniff employees founded Sun Country Airlines.Eastern Airlines was established in 1926 and was a dominant carrier in the US for decades.From its Miami International Airport
By SF Staff
General Aviation
Which Larger Airports Have You Flown Into?
For many student pilots or new pilots, they operate from a local airport. Many of these airports are smaller and local, and some are even completely centered around the flight school itself. However, once student pilots or new pilots begin feeling more comfortable operating their aircraft, many will attempt longer flights. Sometimes, these flights will bring the aircraft into more populated areas, and the pilot will be required to land at an airport that is much more crowded than the one they are used to.Sometimes, pilots choose to fly through larger airports, especially near bigger cities. Many of these airports operate commercial flights as well, which may make it difficult to efficiently land, refuel, and take off. Which large airports or commercial-focused airports have you landed in?
By Justin Foster
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What Is Your Favorite Ultra-Long-Range Business Jet?
Private jets help passengers travel with the ultimate flexibility. Because they are a bit smaller than commercial airliners, they can fly out of a wide range of airports and land on shorter runways. Private jet users can also depart from their airport whenever they please and fly directly towards their destination without stopping.The only reason private jets would need to stop is to refuel. However, they have recently entered a new class of aircraft called the ultra-long-range private jet. These aircraft can fly over 7,000 miles, allowing travelers to reach an unprecedented range. This includes aircraft like the newly certified Gulfstream G700, the Bombardier Global 7500, and the soon-to-be-certified Dassault Falcon 10X. Which of these ultra-long-range business jets are your favorite?
Justin Foster
What Is Your Favourite Aviation Game?
There are plenty of aviation games out there covering all different angles from managing ATC, to running and airline and even building an airport from scratch. Throughout the years my personal tastes have changed, but I wanted to list some of the games I've loved, and also see which our readers would suggest.I started out with a love of Flight Simulator X, having a laptop full of add-ons, and spending every free minute playing. Now I have MFS 2020, and I loved it when it came out, but I rarely find the time to play today. Every time I open the program, it spends an hour downloading updates!In the airport sphere, two games have attracted my attention over the past years. On my PC,, I was an early buyer of the game Airport Sim while it was still in development. Think Zoo/Rollercoaster Tycoon meets airports. On my iPhone, I loved World of Airports, which shows you earning points and money from each airplane you handle on time, which is used to improve your airport. The only downside I
Tom Boon
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Have You Ever Witnessed An Aircraft Flyover At A Sporting Event?
The worlds of sport and aviation are more closely intertwined than you might first think. All over the world, sports teams will often choose to fly long (and sometimes controversially short) distances to away fixtures, and, away from the demands of their professional life, various sportspeople have also taken up flying as a hobby that has blossomed into a career after their days as an athlete are over.However, another more visually impressive relationship between aviation and sports comes in the form of stadium flyovers, whereby an aircraft will pass over a stadium, racetrack, or other sporting venue at a low altitude before the action commences. As pictured below, US flyovers typically use military aircraft, but, as seen with an Emirates Airbus A380 in South Africa over the weekend, commercial planes are sometimes used as well.Personally, I have only experienced one such flypast, involving an RAF helicopter at a Sky Bet League Two football match between Oxford United and Cambridge
Jake Hardiman
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Have You Ever Traveled On A Daytime Eastbound Transatlantic Flight?
Generally speaking, transatlantic flights from North America to Europe operate overnight, taking advantage of the fact that they travel against the rotation of the earth to depart on one day and arrive at their destination the following morning. Owing to the longer flight times and greater number of time zones traversed, this is always the case for flights from the west coasts of Canada and the US to Europe.However, for flights traveling from the eastern sides of these countries, it is possible to operate daytime transatlantic flights when traveling eastbound. For example, a seven-hour flight from New York to London that leaves at 08:00 will arrive in the British capital, accounting for the five-hour time difference, at 20:00 on the same day. Given that there isn't really enough time for a proper night's sleep on these flights when traveling overnight, you might argue that doing so in the daytime is better for passengers.That being said, such rotations are relatively rare, particul
Jake Hardiman
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Virgin Atlantic Adds 2 More London Heathrow Routes—Thoughts?
Virgin Atlantic will begin two more London Heathrow routes next year: Riyadh and Accra. Slots appear to be from the previously announced end of Shanghai Pudong and, while unconfirmed, potentially from ending Tel Aviv flights. On March 30, a daily 787-9 service to Riyadh will begin, presumably partly funded by the Saudi Air Connectivity Program. VS242 will leave Heathrow at 14:45, while VS243 will return at 07:00 the next day. Both are well-timed for North American connections.In 2023, London-Riyadh had 440,000 roundtrip passengers. It was a heavily premium market, with the average one-way fare being $1,200.Virgin will join BA (daily) and Saudia (double daily) for four daily flights. Interestingly, Saudia is currently triple daily. Did the reduction contribute to Virgin's entry? Riyadh Air is set to enter the market next year, further changing the dynamics.On May 1, a daily A330neo to Accra will take off. VS403 will leave Heathrow at 22:30, and VS404 will return the next day at
James Pearson
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Where Else Would You Like Delta Air Lines To Fly In Europe?
Delta’s frames are flown to 27 European airports this year. Inevitably, Amsterdam, Paris CDG, and London Heathrow are crucial because of fellow SkyTeam members and transatlantic joint venture partners. They see almost one in two of Delta’s European flights.The carrier will not resume its summer seasonal Atlanta-Stuttgart service in 2025, a route partly based on the US military and car production.Since 2019, Delta has ceased flying its own metal to Dubrovnik, Düsseldorf, Glasgow, Malaga, and Ponta Delgada. Naples joined its route map for the first time in the same timeframe. Geneva returned, having last been served by Delta in 1993. Various airports have rejoined Delta's network recently, including Stockholm Arlanda (2022; last served in 2017) and London Gatwick (2023; last served in 2012).Where else would you like Delta to fly in Europe? Let us know!
James Pearson
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Etihad Airways Returns The Airbus A380 To Mumbai—What Do You Make Of It?
Etihad is by far the smallest of the so-called ‘Middle East Big Three’ airlines. On September 1, it resumed using its largest equipment—the 486-seat Airbus A380—on the relatively short hop between its Abu Dhabi hub and Mumbai.Curiously, despite last using the double-decker to the Indian city in June 2017, one reader of my colleague's article on the return said it was not news.Etihad will have three weekly double-decker flights to Mumbai until December 29. This setup is for crew training reasons before more A380s return to service. For the same reason, Etihad had scheduled Abu Dhabi-Jeddah A380 flights from September 1 to October 26, but they have been cut.What do you make of the carrier using the type to Mumbai? Let us know!
James Pearson
What's Your Favorite US WWII Fighter Plane?
Today marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War. While victory for the Allies came at a terrible cost, WWII also helped advance aviation technology. The US produced several remarkable aircraft to respond to the needs of multiple battlefronts.From the F4U Corsair, which shot down 97 enemy planes in the South Pacific, to theP-47 Thunderbolt, which helped American aces strike fear in the hearts of their enemies in Europe and the Pacific alike. Of course, the P-51 Mustangs earned a reputation as the finest long-range WW2 US fighter planes and escorted the B-29 Superfortress bombers that finally ended the war.It's hard to pick a favorite, though I lean towards theGrumman F6F Hellcat, which bested the Japanese A6MZero and established US air dominance in the Pacific theater.Do you have a favorite US WWII fighter plane? Tell us about it.
Marisa Garcia
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80 Years On: How Did World War II Impact Aviation?
With today marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, we thought we'd take a look back at how the war had an affect on aviation. After all, aerial warfare was a major factor on the battlefield. Innovations such as the monoplane, jet engines, aircraft pressurization, and radar were advanced during this period. How do you feel WWII impacted aviation? Let us know below!
Sumit Singh
What Benefits Matter Most To You In An Airline Loyalty Program?
Airlines make billions from loyalty programs through partnerships with banks that offer branded credit cards. Loyalty is a big business, and American Airlines can take credit for first making it a successful venture with the introduction of the AAdvantage mileage program in the 1980s. One of the benefits is relatively "free" travel, earning flights with miles or points. Another is elite status, which gives you VIP treatment like priority check-in and boarding, access to airline lounges, seat upgrades, and other perks.Airlines recognize that customers value these elite benefits and sometimes adjust their programs to make them more challenging and exclusive. In a surprise move, United Airlines' Star Alliance just reversed that trend by offering matching status to SAS Eurobonus members after SAS left the Star Alliance to join SkyTeam.It raises an interesting question: Does status matter more than other loyalty program benefits? Will the status match encourage higher-revenue would-be
Marisa Garcia
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Which World War II Military Aircraft Have You Seen?
Today marks 80 years since the end of World War II. Aerial combat was a significant feature of war, changing the face of global conflict for years to come. While it’s been eight decades since the fighting ended, WWII aircraft have been preserved at museums and airfields around the world. Which planes have you spotted from this period? Let us know below!
Sumit Singh
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Which US Airport Is Easiest For Domestic Flight Transfers?
While there may be certain requirements to transit in the United States for international flights, such as needing the right visa, the country is well set up for domestic transits. From LAX to Newark, the US sees numerous transfer flights a day. Which airport is the easiest for domestic transit? Let us know below!
Sumit Singh
1
Should Space Exploration Remain A Priority?
After a period of somewhat quietness, space agencies across the globe are ramping up their exploration programs. With the world going through several short-term crises, some speculate that space exploration shouldn't be such a priority when it comes to the use of resources and expenditure. What are your thoughts? Let us know what you think below!
Sumit Singh
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Have You Ever Attended A Rocket Launch Event?
There are several space launches being prepard over the next few months. NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 event, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy Europa Clipper launch, and Blue Origin's New Glenn Escapade mission are just some examples. Have you attended any rocket launches? If so, please share the details below!
Sumit Singh
1
Do You Bring Your Own Meals On Flights?
Aside from flying with full-service carriers, it could be a little costly to purchase meals when flying across the skies. Sometimes, the cost of a ticket with a low-cost carrier is comparable to buying one or two meals with snacks on the flight. With this in mind, it makes economic sense to bring your own meals on the plane. What's your approach? Let us know below!
Sumit Singh
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Which Airlines Could Merge This Decade?
We've seen several mergers and merger attempts recently.This week, we reported that Vistara is preparing for its full transition into Air India. The carrier's final flight under its own system will be in November. This has got me thinking about which other airlines will merge this decade. Could we see more consolidation across the skies? Let us know what you think below!
Sumit Singh
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What's The Longest You've Flown On An Airbus A220?
The Airbus A220 has become a force to be reckoned with. Across the continents, the narrowbody is proving popular on short and medium-haul routes.Taking the US as an example, Delta Air Lines flies its units all the way From Washington Dulles to Seattle, which is a 2,300-mile trip. What's the longest you've flown on this twinjet? Let us know below!
Sumit Singh
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Which Aircraft Seating Configuration Is Your Favorite?
From 2-2 regional aircraft to 3-3-3 widebody plane configrations, airlines have experimented well with formations across the industry. Some settings are more dense than others, but there are certain carriers that deliver the perfect solution. Which configuration is your favorite? Let us know what you think below!
Sumit Singh
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Airplane Etiquette: What's The Most Annoying Thing A Passenger Has Done On Your Flight?
Every week, we see cases of passengers behaving badly—a recent extreme example on the ground was the passenger who pitched a fit in Chile over his fake flight ticket and hammered the airline's computer to smithereens.Recently, I've seen some complaints about passengers listening to music without earphones, assuming everyone else must have the same taste in tunes.There are strict rules of conduct on aircraft set by regulators, such as following the crew's instructions and not interfering with their duties. There are also unwritten rules of proper social behavior, like not reclining your seat during meal service and not putting your bare feet on the class divider walls or other seats in front of you.Most breaches of in-flight etiquette don't make news; they grate on our nerves, and we gnash our teeth in quiet frustration. (Well, speaking for myself in any case.)While many complain about babies crying onboard, I can manage to block them out more easily than a seat companion who won
Marisa Garcia
6
What's The Longest International Flight You've Taken?
Long flights can either be exhausting or very pleasant, depending on how you fly, but they are a sort of badge of endurance regardless.In 2004, I flew on the Singapore Airlines Newark to Singapore flight for a meeting with the airline. I hadn't expressly sought out to fly the world's longest flight at the time. It just happened that I was in New York when my meeting with Singapore Airlines came up, and I always made a point of flying with whatever airline I was due to visit. I flew in business class (paid for by my company) and remember the 18-hour flight going by faster than expected. The service was excellent, as it always is with Singapore Airlines (even when I've flown economy class). I kept busy with work, making those hours fly by. It was a very good meeting, improving the long flight back.For a personal trip, I flew from JFK to Tokyo (around 14 hours) with JAL and then connected Tokyo to Cairns, followed by a two-hour bus drive to the Great Barrier Reef. Though flying firs
Marisa Garcia
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