Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained

In this episode, former flight attendant Ally Murphy joins Andrew to share fascinating stories and lessons from the skies. But first, Andrew talks about requalifying for elite status. Ally Murphy is a podcast host and former flight attendant who worked in the industry for fourteen years. Ally started as a cabin crew member with Virgin Atlantic in 2002 and worked her way up to the position of Cabin Supervisor. She is now a voice actor and the host of The Red Eye, a storytelling podcast that came about when she realized that cabin crew have a lifetime of stories from their days of flying around the world. The Red Eye tells stories from the sky, covering everything from life-changing stories of love to unbelievable stories of passenger interactions. You can learn more about Ally on her website and on social media (Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter) | LinkedIn). You can find The Red Eye on all major podcast platforms, on the podcast website, and on social media (Instagram | X (Twitter)). 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

In 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. For more air travel content, check out the Insights section of the Flying Smarter website! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter X (Twitter): @flying_smarter LinkedIn: Flying Smarter Website: www.flyingsmarter.com

This 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. Edmond Huot is the Chief Creative Officer and founding partner at digital marketing agency Forward Media and their airline branding and public relations agency, Forward Studio. The company’s clients have included airlines like Canada Jetlines and New Pacific Airlines, as well as other transportation companies, insurance businesses, and professional and financial services. Edmond has more than 25 years of progressive experience in the advertising and digital media space and also harbors a lifelong passion for aviation. You can learn more about Forward Studio and their airline branding and public relations agency Forward Studio on their website and social media pages: Forward Media | Forward Studio | LinkedIn (Forward Media) | LinkedIn (Forward Studio) | Instagram | X (Twitter) | Vimeo 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

In 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. Here are the Andrew’s two appearances on other podcasts mentioned in this episode: Apple PodcastsSpotifyApple PodcastsSpotifyBe sure to follow or subscribe to 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 X (Twitter): @flying_smarter LinkedIn: Flying Smarter Website: www.flyingsmarter.com

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. 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

Andrew starts this episode by talking about airline flight numbers. The main segment for this episode features aircraft maintenance technician and professor Brian Bermudez. Brian Bermudez is an Aircraft Maintenance Technician 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) 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

In 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. For more air travel content, check out the Insights section of the Flying Smarter website! Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter X (Twitter): @flying_smarter LinkedIn: Flying Smarter Website: www.flyingsmarter.com

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. 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

Andrew 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. Be sure to follow or subscribe to 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_smarter LinkedIn: Flying Smarter Website: www.flyingsmarter.com

In 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. Christie Hudson is a travel expert, data correspondent and Head of PR for Expedia US. She is a pro at turning travel data into tips and advice to help travelers get the most out of their travels. You can find Expedia’s latest Air Travel Hacks and Travel Trends reports online (links provided to the United States versions). 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

This 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. Enter on our Instagram pageInsights section Our 2023 guests featured in this episode: Dave GrossmanMilesTalkYour Best Credit CardsgrouppageInstagram(X) (Twitter)Lara KettermanX (Twitter)InstagramX (Twitter)InstagramMark Ross-SmithLoyalty Status CoLinkedInKendyl GrenderInstagramwww.kendyltravels.comSouthwest Companion Pass Trick: Earn it Quickly!How I’m Earning the Southwest Companion Pass Tyler CrookInstagramX (Twitter)X (Twitter)InstagramThank you for a fantastic year! Flying Smarter will be back with an episode on travel hacks and trends on January 1, 2024. Connect with Flying Smarter: Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast Instagram: @flyingsmarter Twitter: @flying_smarter LinkedIn: Flying Smarter Website: www.flyingsmarter.com

Flying Smarter is celebrating 50 episodes! This episode contains some special announcements as well as the first part of our 2023 year-in-review. Enter on our Instagram pageInsights sectionOur 2023 guests featured in this episode: Andy WatsonThe Pilot’s Guide to Air Traffic Controlwww.atcandy.comJoey GerardiAirlineGeeksX (TwitterInstagramYouTubeCarrie Bradleywww.flyingwithababy.comFacebookInstagramX (Twitter)Ganesh SitaramanWhy Flying is Miserable and How to Fix Itwww.ganeshsitaraman.comX (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

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. 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

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. Other material mentioned in this episode: Sleeping in AirportsOptimal Boarding Method for Airline PassengersComparative Study of Aircraft Boarding Strategies Using Cellular Discrete Event SimulationThe Better Boarding Method Airlines Won’t UseEpisode 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

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. 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 Smarter Website: www.flyingsmarter.com

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. 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_smarter LinkedIn: Flying Smarter Website: 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. 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_smarter LinkedIn: Flying Smarter Website: www.flyingsmarter.com

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. Other materials mentioned in this episode: Zero Hour: A History of 9/11Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts9/11 Memorial & MuseumCome from AwayTalking About Trusted Traveler ProgramsEnjoying 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

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. 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 LinkedIn: Flying Smarter Website: www.flyingsmarter.com

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. 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 Smarter Website: www.flyingsmarter.com