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This is a unique episode because it doesn’t follow the normal episode format. Andrew spends the entire episode chatting with flight attendant Jennel Senior about cabin safety. Topics discussed in this episode include: Passengers often don’t pay attention to the safety demonstration. How much of it do we actually need to know? Why do we have to store bags under the seat in front of us or put our own mask before helping our child? Learn all about it in this episode. What do flight attendants do if passengers get violent or there’s a bomb threat? What if someone is about to give birth on a flight? Andrew asks Jennel about some bad scenarios that passengers might worry about. Why do cabin lights get dimmed for takeoff and landing? What happens if you get stuck in the lavatory? Hear the answers to these and much more.  Jennel Senior is a flight attendant with a major North American airline. You can find her blog at www.jaayfearless.com and follow her on Instagram at @jaayfearless.Follow us on social media!Connect with Flying Smarter:Facebook: Flying Smarter PodcastInstagram: @flyingsmarterTwitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com 

This episode starts by covering why airliners don’t have parachutes for passengers. Then, learn about how airports make money, who owns them, and why it matters to travelers. Why don’t airlines carry parachutes for their passengers? Parachutes are expensive and heavy, but the reasons go way beyond that. Find out why air travelers don’t get parachutes and what would happen if you parachuted from an airliner. Did you know that UPS once operated a passenger air service? For a few years, UPS converted cargo planes to passenger jets every weekend. Learn more in this episode.   When we’re flying, we don’t really care about who owns or runs an airport. However, these are factors that can have a major impact on your airport experience. Andrew discusses airport money-making, ownership, and what it means for you. Follow us on social media!Connect with Flying Smarter:Facebook: Flying Smarter PodcastInstagram: @flyingsmarterTwitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com 

In this episode, Andrew answers the question of which airline in the world is the safest. He then chats with Gary Arndt, an award-winning travel blogger and writer who has travelled to over 130 countries. What is the safest airline in the world? Some airlines have better safety reputations than others, but does this really matter? Find out more in this episode.   What’s it like flying around small Pacific islands? Or taking a small plane up to a fly-in only area in northern Canada? Andrew talks to world traveler Gary Arndt about some of his most unique air travel stories.  Air travel is what connects the globe. Gary Arndt has flown all around the world, visiting over 130 countries. In this episode, he shares his wisdom, experiences, and insights on air travel.  Gary Arndt is an award-winning travel blogger and photographer. He has flown all over the world and has travelled to over 130 countries. His blog, Everything Everywhere, features stories about travel, history and much more. He also writes and produces a daily podcast called Everything Everywhere Daily which covers stories about people, places, and things from around the world. Plus, he is the co-host of This Week in Travel, an award-winning weekly podcast that covers travel industry news. You can also find him on social media on Instagram and Twitter.Enjoying the podcast? We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to leave us a rating and review, if you’re listening on a platform that lets you do so (like Apple Podcasts). Connect with Flying Smarter:Facebook: Flying Smarter PodcastInstagram: @flyingsmarterTwitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com 

In this episode, Andrew starts off by answering questions about how planes avoid mid-air collisions and why airlines overbook flights. Then he talks about how you can get upgraded on your next flight. How do planes avoid colliding in the air? Mid-air collisions do happen, but there are a bunch of different safeguards put in place to prevent these unfortunate incidents. Learn more in this episode. Why do airlines overbook flights? It might seem like an unethical and nonsensical practice, but there may be a good reason why airlines do it. This episode explores why overbooking happens. For this episode’s main segment, we explore how you can increase your chances of getting upgraded on your next flight. While it’s harder to get a free upgrade than it was in the past, there are still things you can do to help your chances.  Follow us on social media! Connect with Flying Smarter:Facebook: Flying Smarter PodcastInstagram: @flyingsmarterTwitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com 

This special episode of Flying Smarter looks at the top five non-pandemic air travel stories of 2020. There’s no doubt that it has been a rough year for the aviation industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on air travel, and news headlines have been filled with how the pandemic has impacted aviation. But it hasn’t all been bad news and there have been some other exciting things going on in the industry. In this year-end episode of the podcast, Andrew discusses five interesting and significant pieces of air travel news from 2020. From a new airline with huge potential to a policy change that could save travelers hundreds of dollars, these stories could have impacts for travelers for years to come. Connect with Flying Smarter:Facebook: Flying Smarter PodcastInstagram: @flyingsmarterTwitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com

This episode of Flying Smarter starts off by looking at whether or not airplane doors can be opened inflight. Travel writers Felice and Peter Hardy then come onto the podcast talk about flying and skiing. Is it possible to open an airplane door during your flight? We’ve seen scary scenes of this happening in movies, but the reality is quite different. Learn more in this episode. What’s the largest airline in the world? There’s a different ways to measure airline size, but this episode answers this question based on the number of passengers carried.  As winter arrives and the ski season in the norther part of the world draws near, avid skiers and travel writers Felice and Peter Hardy come to the show to talk about flying and skiing. Andrew chats with them about everything from flying with ski equipment, to some of their more memorable winter flying experiences. Peter and Felice Hardy are travel writers and avid skiers based in the United Kingdom. They host their own travel podcast called ActionPacked Travel and are co-editors of the ski website Welove2ski. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Some of the ski resorts mentioned in this episode are Val d'Isere in France, Kitzbuhel in Austria, Champoluc in Italy, Zermatt in Switzerland, Baqueira Beret in Spain, Whistler in British Columbia, Canada, and Jackson Hole in Wyoming, USA.  Follow the podcast on social media! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com 

This episode starts by answering questions about soft versus hard shell luggage and the difference between pilots, co-pilots, first officers, and captains. Andrew then takes a look at why the Boeing 787, also known as the Dreamliner, has won the hearts of airlines and passengers alike. Should I use hard shell or soft shell luggage? There are advantages and drawbacks to both and this episode begins by comparing the two types to help you decide.  What is the difference between a pilot, copilot, first officer, and captain? These terms get thrown around a lot in air travel. Learn what the difference is between the different types of people flying your plane. Long-haul flying can be rough. It can be tiring: you’re stuck on a cramped plane with dry, stale air, and you might have a lot of connections. There’s a revolutionary plane out there that tries to change all this though, and that is the Boeing 787, also known as the Dreamliner. For this episode’s main segment, Andrew explores what makes this aircraft so special. As you know, the first part of each episode of the podcast is based on questions submitted by listeners or that I’ve had in the past. If you have a question that you want to be answered on the show, get in touch with us on social media (see below) or at www.flyingsmarter.com/contact. You can send us a message from there, or even record your question. Connect with Flying Smarter:Facebook: Flying Smarter PodcastInstagram: @flyingsmarterTwitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com 

This episode is special because it doesn’t follow the normal episode format. Andrew spends the entire episode chatting with airline pilot Owen Zupp about turbulence and what you need to know about it. Topics discussed in this episode include: Turbulence makes some passengers a bit nervous and there can be some discomfort in the cabin when a plane hits some rough air. But what happens in the flight deck when a flight encounters turbulence? Learn all about it in this episode. Should passengers be worried about turbulence breaking the wings off a plane or sending the aircraft into a dive? Andrew asks Owen about some worst-case scenarios that passengers might consider. There are lots of ways that pilots can anticipate, avoid, and remove planes from turbulence, but we sometimes hear of incidents of severe turbulence causing injuries. Owen explains how these types of scenarios usually happen and how you can keep yourself safe onboard.  Owen Zupp is an airline pilot an awarding-winning author. You can check out his work on his website at www.owenzupp.com. There you can find various articles that he’s written, as well as details on his books and how you can get them. You can also find him on his YouTube channel and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.Follow us on social media for the latest updates and sneak peeks! Or visit www.flyingsmarter.com/contact to join the podcast’s mailing list. Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com 

In this episode, Andrew starts off by answering questions about how far in advance you should buy a plane ticket and why Singapore Changi Airport is considered the world’s best airport. Then he talks about airline alliances, looking at why they exist and what the benefits for travelers are. How far in advance should you buy a plane ticket? The answer to this isn’t as clear as you may think it is. Learn more in this episode.  Why is Singapore Changi Airport considered the world’s best? Singapore Changi Airport has won tons awards for being an exceptional airport and providing an amazing experience. We take a look at what makes this airport revered around the world.  Airline alliances are strategic partnerships between groups of airlines. Airlines join these alliances for a number of reasons, including an expanded network and opportunities to cooperate and find operational efficiencies. They also provide many benefits for passengers, particularly when it comes to frequent flyer programs. This episode’s main segment is all about these alliances.  Follow us on social media! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com 

This episode of Flying Smarter starts off by answering questions about how high planes fly and how to get into airport lounges. Airline industry expert Dr. Kerry Tan then chats with Andrew about COVID-19’s impact on airlines and what the future holds for passengers. How high do planes fly? Commercial jets fly within a certain altitude range. Find out why this is the case and how it compares with other things in the sky.  How do I get into an airport lounge? Airport lounges allow you to wait for your flight in a more comfortable environment. Learn about the different ways you can gain access to one of these fancy spaces. COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the airline industry. Airline industry expert Dr. Kerry Tan is here to talk share his insights on airlines, the pandemic, and the future. He talks about how airlines have dealt with the challenges of COVID-19, how air travel might have been changed forever, what this all means for passengers, and much more. He also shares his advice to people who are itching to travel.  Dr. Kerry Tan is an Associate Professor of Economics and an airline industry expert at Loyola University Maryland’s Sellinger School of Business. You can learn more about him and his work here.  Follow the podcast on social media!Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com 

This episode starts by answering questions about why there are carry-on liquid restrictions and why airlines fly empty planes around. Then, learn about duty-free shopping, what happened to SkyMall, and why things are so expensive at airports. Why are there restrictions on bringing liquids through airport security? Restrictions on liquids at airport security are just a regular part of flying these days. Find out why and how these rules came to be. Why do airlines sometimes fly empty planes around? We look at why an airline would operate a flight even if it only has one or two passengers on it. Plus, airlines fly empty planes around for many operational reasons. Learn more in this episode.   When we’re flying, we’re presented with a many opportunities to make some purchases. Some of these opportunities are better than others and this episode looks at shopping throughout the air travel experience. Andrew discusses what you need to know about duty-free shopping, what happened to SkyMall, and why food and other necessities are so expensive at airports.  If you’re enjoying Flying Smarter, please take a minute to write a quick review for the podcast if you’re listening on a platform that allows you to do so like Apple Podcasts. We would greatly appreciate it! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com 

In this episode, Andrew answers questions about airplane sewage and finding the best seat. He then chats with Alyssa Cerchiai about the world of points and miles. Where does airplane sewage go? You may have heard stories of frozen toilet waste landing in people’s yards but do we really jettison human waste into the sky? We take a look at what actually happens to airplane sewage once it’s flushed down the toilet. What is the best seat on a plane? The answer depends on what your priorities are. If you really don’t like turbulence for example, a seat over the wings or towards the front of the plane will likely give you a smoother ride. Find out what you need to know about selecting a seat on your next flight. Using points and miles is a great way to reduce the cost of your next trip. However, earning reward travel can seem like a daunting task if you aren’t a frequent flyer or big spender. For this episode’s main segment, writer and podcast host Alyssa Cerchiai is here to cover the basics of the world of points and miles and talk about how to get started.  If you want to hear more from Alyssa or learn more about the world of points and miles, check out her podcast, She Made Points. You can also find her on Instagram at @shemadepoints and @alycerchiai, on Twitter at @shemadepoints and @alycerchaiai, and on the She Made Points Facebook Page.  For a breakdown of the flight redemption example from this episode, click here. Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on social media! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com 

This episode starts by answering questions about birds and planes as well as in-seat power. Andrew then takes a deep dive into low-cost airlines, explaining how they work and what you need to know about flying with one. How dangerous are birds to planes? When a bird hits a plane, it is known as a bird strike. Our episode begins by talking about the dangers that birds pose to planes and what aircraft manufacturers and airports are doing about it. Do all airlines seats have in-seat power these days? As people travel with more devices, airlines have installed power plugs on their planes. However, not all planes are equipped with in-seat power. Learn how to find out if your seat will have a power plug or not. Low-cost carriers can be a great way to travel cheaply if you are travelling on a budget or just looking to save a bit of money. They do a bunch of things to keep their costs low, which leads to cheap flights for passengers. For our main segment, we talk about what low cost carriers are, how they work, whether or not they are safe, and what should know before flying with them. Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on social media! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com   

Andrew starts this episode off by answering questions about runway numbers and where planes go when they are retired. He then chats with Flying Smarter’s very first guest, Flight Attendant Joe Thomas, who shares valuable insights from his time as a flight attendant and gives some tips to make your flying experience a bit better.  How do runway numbers work? Each runway has a giant number painted on it at either end. Find out what these numbers mean and how the numbering system works.  What happens to planes once they are retired? When an airline removes a plane form a service, a number of things can happen to it, from being sold to another airline to being sent to an aircraft boneyard. Learn more about the fate of retired aircraft in this episode.  Did you know that your flight attendants aren’t getting paid during boarding? Or that you might not be great at ordering beverages when flying? Flight Attendant Joe Thomas is here to talk everything from how to treat your flight attendants to how you can increase your chances of getting a free drink on your next flight. Joe draws from his experience to share some hilarious but valuable insights.   If you want to hear more from Joe, you can find his podcast, Grounded with Joe Thomas, on your favorite podcast app. You can also follow him on Instagram at @groundedwithjoethomas, Like his Facebook Page, or check out his books and blog at www.flightattendantjoe.com.    Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a review if you’re using a platform that allows you to do so, like Apple Podcasts. We would greatly appreciate it! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarterTwitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com 

In this very first episode, Andrew introduces himself and the podcast, and then talks about ash trays and the best day of the week to buy a plane ticket. He then takes you through the journey of your checked luggage and talks about how your bag gets lost. Why do brand-new planes still have ash trays? Airlines in the United States are even required by regulation to have them on their planes. We talk about why you will still find ash trays on planes, despite the fact that smoking has been banned on planes for a long time.   What is the best day of the week to buy a plane ticket? Traditionally, Tuesday has been the best day to get a deal, but this may no longer be the case. Learn more about how the day of the week affects your ticket price.  Your checked baggage goes on a marvelous and complex journey, often more complicated than that of its owner. Sometimes though, bags end up delayed or lost, creating an inconvenient and frustrating situation for passengers. For this episode’s main segment, Andrew explores the fascinating journey of your checked bag and looks at how bags end up getting lost.  Have a question about air travel that you want answered on the Flying Smarter podcast? Get in touch with us! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarterWebsite: www.flyingsmarter.com   

Welcome to Flying Smarter! In each episode, we will delve into the fascinating world of air travel, answering your questions and exploring different topics. By sharing our knowledge and our guests’ wisdom, Flying Smarter will expand your horizons and make you a smarter and savvier air traveler. Whether you are looking to make the most of your next flying experience or are a naturally curious learner who wants to know more about how air travel works, this is the podcast for you.Visit our website: www.flyingsmarter.comConnect with us on social media:Facebook: Flying Smarter PodcastInstagram: @flyingsmarterTwitter: @flying_smarter