This is your resource for all things flying—unique flight reviews, airport lounges, tips, food, and more!
Air Travel
What It’s Like to Go Hot Air Ballooning in Charlottesville - We went ballooning in Charlottesville, and I've got my full review!
How to Prepare for Your First Trip Since the Pandemic Started - Here's how to travel during this weird, epic pandemic life we're living!
Why Now is the Safest Time to Fly (Yes! During the Pandemic!) - Right now, in the year 2020, during this pandemic, is the safest time to fly in the history of flight. Here's why
What It’s Like to Be a WOMAN Medevac Helicopter Pilot - Who has ever wanted to fly inside a helicopter? Everyone? Sounds about right. But what about actually flying one? That's exactly what my friend Dede Murawsky does!
My In-flight Beauty Routine - I like to feel pulled together as much as the next girl. That's difficult on travel days, so for all the other low-maintenance travel girls, here's my in-flight beauty routine!
How to Find Cheap Flights - It's one of the most common questions any travel professional gets: "How can I find cheap flights?"
Tips for Flying with Gifts - I don’t know about you, but I love finding that perfect gift for my friends and family, whether it’s for a birthday, Christmas, or just because. 
Cancelled or Delayed Flights in Europe? How to Get Your EU 261 Compensation - You never want it to happen. It's that feeling when you wake up at 4:00am for your early morning flight... and you have an e-mail saying it's cancelled. 
What to Expect Flying in a Tiny Plane - Sometimes your only option is to fly, and often, the only flight available is on a tiny plane. Lots of people I know have expressed great fear for me and utter horror that I would step on such a small aircraft! "How does it fly!?"
What to Do When You Miss Your Flight - It's the thing every traveler with a layover of any size dreads: a missed connection. It's the thing every perpetually late traveler dreads: a missed flight. 
The Best (and WORST!) Airports for a Long Layover - sometimes a layover is the only option to get you where you want to be. And occasionally... a layover can actually enhance your trip! You could even enjoy two (or three!) trips in one!
Should You Watch Someone’s Luggage? - This week I'm addressing an issue that has happened to just about everyone, but you may not think much of it, even though it's kind of a big deal: "Can you watch my stuff?"
How to Handle a Layover - Recently, someone asked a question about layovers. She said she had traveled a lot before, but always on a non-stop flight. She'd never had a layover before! 
Surviving Long-haul Travel - I'm letting you in on my top tips to travel your best. If the length of a flight has ever kept you from traveling to your dream destination, this post is definitely for you! 
“SSSS” on My Boarding Pass - On our recent trip home from Venice, my husband had some trouble getting access to his boarding pass upon online check in. He received a message saying he needed to get his boarding pass at the airport. It was the dreaded SSSS of shame.- Flying for Beginners: A Guide - Human flight has been around for hundreds of years. Hundreds! Yet still, every day, there are people who fly for the first time in their lives. It can be scary, exciting, intimidating, exhilarating, and gut-wrenching all at the same time.
A Brief History of Flight - We've come a long way since the first hot air balloon took to the skies in France on November 21, 1783. There have been some blips and blimps along the way, but air travel is safer than ever, faster than ever!
What to do When Your Flight is Cancelled - I'm sitting at an adorable coffee shop in the San Francisco airport (SFO) as I type this. I didn't anticipate having time to blog today, but something happened that is giving me plenty of time and blog-worthy material... our flight was cancelled!
Airline Loyalty
Why You Should Do Your Airline a Favor - Over the last year or two, “kindness” has become the buzzword in all aspects of our lives. I think this is a great shift in our culture, and I hope the trend becomes a mainstay. So how does that translate to travel?
Tips for Flying United Airlines - Love them or hate them, United is a major player in the airline industry, and most flyers will be flying with them at some point or another! Over the years my husband and I have flown over 1.5 million miles with United, and we've learned a few things along the way.
Your Ultimate Guide to Million Miler Status with United - My sweet husband is officially a "Million Miler" with United Airlines. He crossed over the million mile mark on our recent flight from Auckland, New Zealand (AKL), to San Francisco, USA. and I could not be more proud of him. What is that and what does it mean for us?
Hidden Benefits of Business Class - Because I had booked into business class, I discovered there are a great many advantages beyond just the better food and a lay-flat seat (which is plenty enough for me, so the rest was all just icing on the cake!).
What are the Benefits of Airline Loyalty? - Are you loyal to a specific airline or airline alliance? Is it always best to go with the cheapest ticket on the cheapest flight? I think it depends, but here are some reasons airline loyalty may be worth looking into!
Airports
United Polaris Lounge LAX Review - We had a rare and wonderful opportunity on our way to Australia for my birthday this year. We unexpectedly had a 7-hour layover at LAX, but the fun part is that we got to spend most of that time at the newest United Polaris Lounge! 
Marchese Lounge, Verona Airport - Is there a lounge at the Verona Airport (VRN)? Yes there is! However, there are a few things to know about it before you make your way through security. This lounge is small, but clean and accommodating, and the seats are comfortable!
SFO United Polaris Lounge - New United Polaris Lounges are popping up all over the United States, with one now available in San Francisco, and my husband Steve and I were fortunate enough to pass through on our layovers to and from New Zealand recently.
IAH United Polaris Lounge Review - United's new Polaris lounges are opening up, and they are quite an improvement over previous Business Class lounge iterations. Steve and I got to enjoy some time in the new Houston lounge on the way to and from Sydney back in August, and I'm here to reveal the goods to you!
Qatar Airways Lounge, DOH - My trip to Doha on Qatar Airways was definitely one to remember, and the experience was only enhanced by their world-class lounge at Hammad International Airport (DOH)! So I decided to give you a sneak peek---even in the shower!
Airlines
Flybe Airline Review: EDI-BHD - When researching flight options for my brother's birthday trip to Belfast, I found out there were surprisingly few options from Edinburgh (EDI) into Belfast City Airport (BHD). Flybe was the best choice, so while I'd never heard of the airline before, I decided to give them a try! Here's the tale. 
TAP Air Portugal Business Class IAD-LIS - Our Airline Loyalty with United gives us Gold status with the whole Star Alliance, which includes TAP. And we actually got an incredible deal to fly in business class using our United miles! 
Flying Royal Air Maroc within Morocco - We flew from Casablanca (CMN) to Marrakech (RAK) and from Ouarzazate (OZZ) to Fes (FEZ) during our two-week trip, both times with Royal Air Maroc, so here's our review!
Flying JetStar MEL-AYQ - One of the only ways to get to Uluru is on JetStar, an Australian airline. If you're considering a trip to Australia's "Red Centre," here's our experience to help you plan!- Inter-island Flights on ‘Ohana by Hawaiian - Aloha! If you're reading this, you're probably planning a trip to Hawaii---woohoo! You'll love it! And whether you're exploring more than one island or connecting to Molokai, you may be flying Hawaiian Airlines or their affiliate, 'Ohana Airlines.
Surviving the Flight: IAD-HNL on United - We thought it would be great! A non-stop flight from our home airport (IAD) all the way to beautiful, exotic Hawaii (HNL). No worries over missed connections, short layovers, or bad weather in our connecting city to add any stress to our travels. And since it's so long, we'd definitely get a meal, maybe even two! Wrong!
Flying United’s Basic Economy - So you want to travel on the cheap. Don't we all! It's no secret that airline's are shrinking seats and increasing fares, but for the truly cheap and adventurous, the major U.S.-based airlines have started offering "basic" fares. 
Lufthansa 747 Business Class: IAD-FRA - Why is a 747's Business Class so cool? Because it has an upper deck! So we chose seats up there and had tons of fun on our first leg from D.C. to Frankfurt. Here's what it was like!
Air Dolomiti Review: My New Favorite Airline - While most airlines' service and amenities are deteriorating, my husband and I were over-the-moon delighted with our quick flight from Frankfurt to Verona (FRA-VRN) on our new favorite airline: Air Dolomiti!- United Polaris Review: AKL-SFO - I recently had the opportunity to fly Polaris from Auckland (AKL) to San Francisco (SFO), so here's the whole scoop for you, complete with pictures and descriptions---and maybe a few pro tips!
- Air New Zealand Business Class SFO-AKL - While missing out on an entire day of our trip was not at all in the plan, neither was flying Air New Zealand's incredible Business Class---but we are thankful for the opportunity! Check it out and put "fly Air New Zealand Business" on your shortest "to do" list!
- Emirates Economy Class Review - Most of what I've seen online about Emirates is about their Business and First classes. Since Steve and I recently had the opportunity to experience Emirates for the first time, and since we flew Economy class, I decided to give you a sneak peek at how we commonfolk fly Emirates!
Qatar Airways Business Class - I am so excited to share this experience with you! I've heard over and over again that the Middle Eastern airlines are the best in the world, and I have finally experienced the excitement for myself. 
Flying Avianca Business Class - I had to do a little bit of scrambling to get home from Santiago, Chile, on our way back from our big trip to Easter Island! Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on Texas, but his reach didn't stop there. We were supposed to fly home via Houston but obviously our flights were cancelled.- United Domestic First Class - On a recent flight from Dulles, VA, to Austin, TX, I received an e-mail a couple of days prior to my flight that brought a smile to my face. It's not a super long flight--just under 3 hours and 20 minutes--but having a larger seat and an in-flight meal were welcome amenities that morning.
Airline Food
Best Snacks to Pack for the Flight - I've come up with the ultimate list of the best foods to take with you in-flight. These foods can pass through TSA without issue, will save you money over airport food, and won't offend your fellow travelers.
What to Eat in Lufthansa Business IAD-FRA - My husband Steve and I recently got to experience Lufthansa's Business Class from IAD to FRA and back again. Stay tuned for a full review of their Business Class, but for now, here are some foodie pics to whet your whistle!
What to Eat in Polaris: Houston to Sydney and Back Again - one of the best benefits of these upgrades is the food. It's true. United does have remarkable airline food in Business Class. This is your sneak peek at some of the meal options from Houston to Sydney and back again!
What to Eat: Qatar Airways Business Class - This What I Ate Wednesday is coming at you from the skies! My experience on Qatar Airways was definitely one to remember, and one reason why is the food.
What to Eat on the Plane: Avianca Business Class - If you read yesterday's post, you got the low-down on our unexpected journey (in Business Class!) on Avianca Airlines to get home from Chile. Today, I'm giving you the details on the food! It's What I Ate Wednesday after all!