Flying

I have a flight coming up from SFO to SJD and we’re a group of 4 currently near the top of the upgrade list. If there aren’t 4 upgrade seats available, will United still upgrade 1–3 of us, or do they usually treat it as all or nothing for groups? Just trying to understand how it...

Had a Southwest flight from Las Vegas to Denver last week where they made an announcement I’d never heard before. They told everyone not to put anything in the seatback pockets during takeoff or landing for safety reasons. They repeated it several times and even walked through...

Quick question about how same-day standby works with Spirit, especially with Silver status. I currently have a flight booked at 8 AM, but there’s another one leaving at 6 AM that I’d rather take if possible. Just wondering how the process actually works. Do you have to show up...

Something I’ve been wondering since flying more airlines with assigned seating. Back when I flew Southwest a lot, the whole thing was simple. Board earlier, grab bin space. Everyone understood the system even if it was a bit chaotic. But with assigned seating on most airlines...

This isn’t a complaint, just one of the stranger things I’ve seen flying. Last night DFW to SEA was delayed a bit because two passengers with basically the same name were both assigned to the exact same seat. Took the gate agent a while to untangle it. Sounded like one of them...

Sitting at the gate with my family. Tons of empty seats everywhere. An older couple walks up and sits right next to us. Annoying but fine. Then the guy starts coughing. Constantly. No mask, no attempt to move, nothing. Whole seating area is wide open and you choose to sit right...

Sitting at the gate and watched a guy fully rubbing his partner’s bare feet. Shoes off, socks off, really getting in there. At the gate. In public. Sure, I could’ve moved, but that’s not really the point. When did people stop realizing they’re in an airport and not their living...

For me it’s the window seat. Looks great in photos, but in reality you’re climbing over people every time you need the bathroom. On long flights it’s even worse when the other two are asleep and you’re just sitting there debating if it’s worth it. Another one is early morning...

On a flight to LGA this morning and the person across the aisle is absolutely miserable. Coughing nonstop, sweating, head barely up, even has a plastic bag ready in case things get worse. It’s rough to watch and honestly frustrating to be stuck next to. I get that travel plans...

Still think about this one. International flight, business seat for work. I boarded late after wandering around duty free and when I finally got to my row, there’s a woman already in my seat, blanket open, settled in, looking right at me. I told her it was my seat and she gave...

Flew Airlink in South Africa yesterday… one hour on an Embraer 135. No status, nothing. Checked four bags for free and they still did a full meal with multiple choices. One flight attendant handled the whole thing. All in economy. Then I think about Delta Connection and just...

Flying back after a long trip, I paid to check my suitcase so I could have more leg room and help boarding go smoother. Just had my backpack left, so I tossed it in the overhead. This lady who already had her own suitcase up there complained to the FA that I shouldn’t use...

I don’t fly often, but every time I do, I get super dehydrated and end up with a brutal headache that lasts for hours. On a 5-hour flight a few years back, I kept buying bottled water but still couldn’t drink enough and they stopped service the last hour, which made it worse....

I’m that person who actually has to use the puke bag, every trip from Washington to Florida turns into a struggle. Tried Bonine and Dramamine, sometimes they help, sometimes not. At this point I can’t tell if it’s nerves or motion sickness. What actually works for you guys?

Saw that meme and yeah, it nails it. Trains: stretch out, wander, real windows, actual vibes. Planes: cramped but you blink and you’re there. For me it’s simple: NEC or 6–8 hr hops = train. Cross-country or tight PTO = fly and deal with the tiny seat. Would love the day we get...