Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained
Air Travel Andrew
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Top 10 Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
49 - Why Flying is Miserable with Ganesh Sitaraman
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained
11/20/23 • 25 min
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_smarter
LinkedIn: Flying Smarter
Website: www.flyingsmarter.com
A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
44 - The Lasting Impacts of the September 11 Terrorist Attacks
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained
09/11/23 • 25 min
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_smarter
LinkedIn: Flying Smarter
Website: www.flyingsmarter.com
A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
57 - Behind the Scenes of Airline Maintenance with Brian Bermudez Part 2
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained
03/11/24 • 27 min
This 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 this question. With some loyalty programs, the points never expire, but others have expiration policies and ways to prevent your points from expiring. Find out more in this episode.
- Andrew continues his discussion with Brian Bermudez, an aircraft maintenance technician and professor of aviation maintenance. In this episode, Brian talks about how maintenance operations keep track of parts and ensure the rights ones are used, what it takes to be an “A&P” and much more.
- Did you know that an aircraft can fly with multiple items that don’t work? Andrew and Brian discuss the concept of deferred items, the minimum equipment list, and the redundancies and technological improvements in aircraft design and maintenance.
Brian Bermudez is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and a Professor of Aviation Maintenance. Having worked for two major US airlines as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician, he now teaches aviation maintenance and runs CraftoftheAir, an aviation maintenance initiative involving multiple aspects like consulting and tutoring. Brian also hosts the CotACasT, an aviation podcast where he explores various facets of maintenance and brings his experiences and knowledge to listeners who share his enthusiasm for this field. You can learn more about Brian, his work, and his podcast at www.craftoftheair.com and on social media: Instagram | LinkedIn | X (Twitter)
Looking for the post about where you can find airline snacks? Check it out on the Insights section of the Flying Smarter website by clicking here.
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 or Spotify. 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
X (Twitter): @flying_smarter
LinkedIn: Flying Smarter
Website: www.flyingsmarter.com
A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
54 - All About Aviation Weather with Doug Morris
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained
01/29/24 • 24 min
This 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 to a worse seat. Why might this happen and what should you do if it does? Find out more in this episode.
- Doug Morris joins Andrew to talk about aviation weather, drawing from his experiences and expertise as an airline captain and as a meteorologist. He talks about the most common misconception about weather, the differences between aviation products worldwide, and much more.
- Extreme and unusual weather phenomenon undoubtedly make passengers nervous. Doug and Andrew talk about some different ones, ranging from thunderstorms to low visibility and winds. Plus, Andrew asks Doug what weather phenomena make pilots nervous.
Doug Morris is a Boeing 787 Dreamliner captain for Air Canada. He is also a certified meteorologist and worked as a weather forecaster for four years during his early pilot days. He is a longtime teacher of aviation weather to new and aspiring pilots and is the author of four books and a blog. His latest book, titled This is Your Captain Speaking, draws from his extensive experiences and goes through the A to Z of airline travel with a bit of humor, covering things ranging from whether airliners have keys to what aircrew get up to on layovers to how to become a pilot. Longtime Air Canada flyers will also recognize him as the author of the aviation page in Air Canada’s enRoute magazine for over two decades. You can find Doug on his blog and on LinkedIn and Instagram.
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
X (Twitter): @flying_smarter
LinkedIn: Flying Smarter
Website: www.flyingsmarter.com
A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
4 - Getting Started with Points and Miles with Alyssa Cerchiai
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained
09/14/20 • 27 min
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_smarter
Website: www.flyingsmarter.com
A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
30 - Behind the Scenes of Long-Haul Flying with Lara Ketterman
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained
02/27/23 • 29 min
This episode of Flying Smarter starts off by looking at why some window seats are missing a window. Flight attendant Lara Ketterman then joins Andrew to provide a behind-the-scenes look at long-haul flying.
- Why are some window seats missing the window? This can be frustrating for those who choose a window seat to look outside. Learn more in this episode.
- Lara Ketterman is a flight attendant with a major US airline. In this episode, she talks about long-haul flying from a flight attendant’s perspective, covering things from crew scheduling to what flight attendants get up to during long flights.
- Have you ever wondered about people getting frisky in the aircraft lavatory? Or are you curious about what pilots and flight attendants eat on board? Lara talks about all this and more in this episode.
Lara Ketterman is a Phoenix-based flight attendant with a major US airline. She is one of the co-hosts of Non-Rev Lounge, an airline employee travel and aviation podcast. She has flown all over the world and has a wealth of airline and travel experience. She also writes for an online travel magazine called Travel Awaits. You can find Lara on Twitter and Instagram. Non-Rev Lounge is also on Twitter and Instagram and you can find the show wherever you listen to podcasts.
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_smarter
Website: www.flyingsmarter.com
A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
31 - Five Unique Air Travel Experiences
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained
03/13/23 • 23 min
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_smarter
Website: www.flyingsmarter.com
A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
50 - Celebrating 50 Episodes & 2023 Year-in-Review Part 1
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained
12/04/23 • 20 min
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 | YouTube
- Carrie 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_smarter
LinkedIn: Flying Smarter
Website: www.flyingsmarter.com
48 - Boarding and Deplaning: How We Get On and Off the Plane
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained
11/06/23 • 23 min
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_smarter
LinkedIn: Flying Smarter
Website: www.flyingsmarter.com
A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
34 - Medical Emergencies, Travel Tips & More: Insights from Our 2022 Guests
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained
04/24/23 • 23 min
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_smarter
LinkedIn: Flying Smarter
Website: www.flyingsmarter.com
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FAQ
How many episodes does Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained have?
Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained currently has 73 episodes available.
What topics does Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained cover?
The podcast is about Flying, Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Knowledge, Plane, How To, Airline, Podcasts, Education and Travel.
What is the most popular episode on Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained?
The episode title '18 - How Pilots are Trained with Greg Krino' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained?
The average episode length on Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained is 24 minutes.
How often are episodes of Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained released?
Episodes of Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained?
The first episode of Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained was released on Aug 31, 2020.
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