Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained
Air travel can be confusing and frustrating. At the same time, the world of commercial flying is absolutely fascinating. In each episode, this podcast will answer your questions and explore different topics to 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, Flying Smarter is the podcast for you.
- Update frequency
- every 13 days
- Average duration
- 24 minutes
- Episodes
- 74
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2024
53 - How the Global Air Travel System Works Together
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 wo…
52 - When to Book Your Flight: Travel Hacks & Trends with Christie Hudson
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 her…
51 - Travel Tips: 2023 Year-in-Review Part 2
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.
- What are some essential it…
50 - Celebrating 50 Episodes & 2023 Year-in-Review Part 1
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 wi…
49 - Why Flying is Miserable with Ganesh Sitaraman
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 join…
48 - Boarding and Deplaning: How We Get On and Off the Plane
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 overnig…
47 - On the Airport Ramp with Tyler Crook
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 a…
46 - Surviving a Schedule Change
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.
- The planes that we fly are on are huge and aircraft man…
45 - Flying with a Baby with Carrie Bradley
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.
- Where can you find a…
44 - The Lasting Impacts of the September 11 Terrorist Attacks
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 a…
43 - How to Avoid Getting Bumped from Your Flight
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.
- Why…
42 - Exploring the Essential Air Service with Joey Gerardi
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 ab…
41 - Talking About Trusted Traveler Programs
In 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…
40 - Navigating the Airports of New York City
Andrew 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 …
39 - Inside Air Traffic Control with Andy Watson
This 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 cont…
38 - The Story of the Boeing 737 MAX
In 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 t…
37 - Finding Cheap Flights & Traveling on a Budget with Kendyl Grender Part 2
This 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, h…
36 - Finding Cheap Flights & Traveling on a Budget with Kendyl Grender Part 1
Andrew 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 Ken…
35 - The Runway: A Mile of Pavement That Will Take You Anywhere
In 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? Lear…
34 - Medical Emergencies, Travel Tips & More: Insights from Our 2022 Guests
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…