Do you keep your seatbelt fastened even when the sign is off?

While flying can be stressful for some, for many members of the Simple Flying community, it’s something they look forward to. There’s nothing better than buckling up, sipping on an ice-cold beverage, and enjoying the view from above. One of my favorite parts of the experience is having a moment to myself and switching off from all the everyday demands on the ground. I like to use the time in the air to regroup my thoughts and plans while listening to calming music. What are you most looking forward to?

Over the last few decades, direct aisle access has become an increasingly important part of premium travel in long-haul aviation – in other words, seats that allow passengers to get to the aisle without having to walk past others. More and more wide-body aircraft operators are abandoning denser 2-2-2 layouts in favor of 1-2-1 or even 1-1-1 configurations to achieve this, with passengers getting the benefits of access plus more privacy and a more personalized experience. However, this also benefits the airlines, who can probably charge more money due to the better product, thus increasing yield in their premium cabins despite their lower capacities. As a result, I am now someone who has not only come to appreciate but also expect direct aisle access in business class on long-haul routes, but what do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Although the aviation industry is only responsible for about 3% of global carbon emissions, it is working tirelessly to become more sustainable. Many governments, airlines and aviation organizations have pledged their support for carbon reduction targets, and most major airlines and manufacturers have already released roadmaps for how they plan to meet those goals. But are these activities under threat as Trump once again vie for the office of US president? It’s no secret that the Trump campaign opposes clean energy and green subsidies, and some insiders even outright deny climate change. As Simpliflying’s Sustainability In The Air blog recently reported, a Trump environmental adviser called clean energy measures “apocalyptic green fantasies” that will “bankrupt us all.” A Trump victory could mean several things, for example: the abandonment of the idea of ​​a federal mandate for sustainable aviation fuel; increased emissions overall as the US withdraws from the Paris Agreement

Boarding a plane is always an exciting moment, but can sometimes be stressful, with passengers jostling for seats to grab space for their hand luggage. For this reason, some airlines play music during boarding, with different operators opting for different types. In the UK, national carrier British Airways prefers classical music, while budget airline Jet2 welcomes passengers on board with Jess Glynne’s pop hit ‘Hold My Hand’. I personally prefer the former approach and would welcome the wider use of slower classical music on airlines around the world, while blaring pop tunes can be a little overstimulating at a time when there is already a lot going on around you. Would you welcome more boarding music being played, and if so, what type? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Whether a particular passenger prefers the aisle or window seat is an age-old debate, with both options offering various benefits. The window gives you the best view of the changing world below and lets you rest your head against a wall when you’re tired. However, some travelers, like me, prefer the freedom of the aisle seat, where passengers don’t feel so cramped and can stand up to stretch their legs without having to pass their seat neighbors. But which seat do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!

Today it was announced that British Airways will be suspending its London to Beijing flights in October. This is the latest move in a series of market withdrawals by international airlines, with Virgin Atlantic and Qantas also cutting Chinese routes recently. In fact, the Chinese market as a whole seems to have become rather unattractive to foreign airlines in the post-pandemic era, with Air Serbia being the only non-Chinese airline to have increased its international offering to the country since the global health crisis. Many factors are at play in this market decline, such as the inability to overfly Russia and reclaim VAT, low demand and even overcapacity. In addition, the Chinese market in general has been one of the slowest to recover from the pandemic due to the longer-term coronavirus restrictions. This ultimately raises the question of whether or not there is a way back for the Chinese international market in the world of aviation, but