Latest Commercial flying Podcast Episodes
60 - Understanding Airline Loyalty Program Status
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - April 22, 2024 19:00 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsIn this episode, Andrew starts off by talking about the longest domestic flights in the world. Then for the main segment, he looks at airline loyalty program status. There are domestic flights out there that are over ten hours long. And the longest regularly scheduled flight ever was a domesti...
59 - Designing an Airline Brand with Edmond Huot
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - April 08, 2024 05:00 - 29 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsThis episode starts by looking at why you shouldn’t inflate your life jacket until you are about to leave the aircraft. Andrew then talks with Edmond Huot about airline design and branding. Why are we told not to inflate our life jackets until we are about to exit the plane? There are some impo...
58 - Has Flying Become More Dangerous?
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - March 25, 2024 05:00 - 27 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsIn this episode, Andrew starts by looking at whether you can get your expired points and miles back. Then he talks about aviation safety, looking at recent incidents and news as well as the bigger historical picture. If your points and miles are expired, can you get them back? Learn more about...
57 - Behind the Scenes of Airline Maintenance with Brian Bermudez Part 2
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - March 11, 2024 05:00 - 27 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsThis episode features the second part of Andrew’s chat with aircraft maintenance engineer and professor Brian Bermudez. Plus, he looks at whether your points and miles will expire. Do your points and miles expire? If you’re collecting airline loyalty points, you will want to know the answer to...
56 - Behind the Scenes of Airline Maintenance with Brian Bermudez Part 1
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - February 26, 2024 06:00 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsAndrew starts this episode by talking about airline flight numbers. The main segment for this episode features aircraft maintenance technician and professor Brian Bermudez. How do flight numbers get assigned? It depends, but there are some common practices and conventions. Learn more about how...
55 - Flying Around the Globe: Round-the-World Itineraries
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - February 12, 2024 06:00 - 27 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsIn this episode, Andrew starts off by talking about what the different cabin class names mean. Then he looks at round-the-world tickets and how you can take a trip around the globe. Club World, Delta One, Signature Class, and Mint. These are all names of airlines’ lie-flat business class produ...
Flying Around the Globe: Round-the-World Itineraries
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - February 12, 2024 06:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsIn this episode, Andrew starts off by talking about what the different cabin class names mean. Then he looks at round-the-world tickets and how you can take a trip around the globe. Club World, Delta One, Signature Class, and Mint. These are all names of airlines’ lie-flat business class produ...
54 - All About Aviation Weather with Doug Morris
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - January 29, 2024 06:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsThis episode starts by looking at why involuntary downgrades happen and what to do if you get involuntary downgraded. Andrew then talks to airline captain Doug Morris about aviation weather and how it affects your flight. Nobody likes purchasing a premium cabin ticket and then being downgraded ...
53 - How the Global Air Travel System Works Together
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - January 15, 2024 06:00 - 25 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsAndrew starts this episode by talking about how much airliners weigh and important takeaways from recent aviation incidents. Then he looks at the international organizations that exist to keep the world of air travel functioning seamlessly. It’s no secret that the aircraft that we fly on are m...
52 - When to Book Your Flight: Travel Hacks & Trends with Christie Hudson
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - January 01, 2024 06:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsIn this episode, Andrew starts by looking at how you can fly on the world’s largest airliner – the Airbus A380 – these days. The main segment features Expedia travel expert Christie Hudson who is here to share data-driven air hacks and travel trends. Have you ever wanted to fly on the Airbus A3...
51 - Travel Tips: 2023 Year-in-Review Part 2
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - December 18, 2023 06:00 - 22 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsThis is the second part of our 2023 year-in-review. Our guests from throughout the year are sharing their travel tips and insights in a series of previously unaired clips. What are some essential items to pack according to a flight attendant? Episode 30 guest Lara Ketterman shares her thought...
50 - Celebrating 50 Episodes & 2023 Year-in-Review Part 1
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - December 04, 2023 06:00 - 20 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsFlying 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 thi...
49 - Why Flying is Miserable with Ganesh Sitaraman
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - November 20, 2023 06:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsAndrew 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 pers...
48 - Boarding and Deplaning: How We Get On and Off the Plane
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - November 06, 2023 06:00 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsIn 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 a...
47 - On the Airport Ramp with Tyler Crook
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - October 23, 2023 05:00 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsThis 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 bag...
46 - Surviving a Schedule Change
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - October 10, 2023 01:00 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsIn 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 ass...
46 - Surviving Schedule Changes
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - October 10, 2023 01:00 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsIn 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 ass...
45 - Flying with a Baby with Carrie Bradley
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - September 25, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsAndrew 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 ab...
44 - The Lasting Impacts of the September 11 Terrorist Attacks
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - September 11, 2023 19:00 - 25 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsIn 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 i...
43 - How to Avoid Getting Bumped from Your Flight
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - August 28, 2023 22:00 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsAndrew 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, ...
42 - Exploring the Essential Air Service with Joey Gerardi
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - August 14, 2023 05:00 - 29 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsThis 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 ...
41 - Talking About Trusted Traveler Programs
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - July 31, 2023 05:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsIn 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 ...
40 - Navigating the Airports of New York City
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - July 18, 2023 03:00 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsAndrew 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 ...
39 - Inside Air Traffic Control with Andy Watson
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - July 03, 2023 04:00 - 29 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsThis 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 ...
38 - The Story of the Boeing 737 MAX
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - June 19, 2023 05:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsIn 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? Th...
37 - Finding Cheap Flights & Traveling on a Budget with Kendyl Grender Part 2
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - June 05, 2023 05:00 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsThis 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 ...
36 - Finding Cheap Flights & Traveling on a Budget with Kendyl Grender Part 1
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - May 22, 2023 05:00 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsAndrew 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...
35 - The Runway: A Mile of Pavement That Will Take You Anywhere
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - May 08, 2023 05:00 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsIn 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...
34 - Medical Emergencies, Travel Tips & More: Insights from Our 2022 Guests
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - April 24, 2023 05:00 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsAndrew 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 cock...
33 - Decoding Airport Codes
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained - April 11, 2023 03:00 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsAndrew 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 muc...
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