flying tips

United offers several categories of seats on its planes, but it’s not always clear what you’re actually getting. The names can be vague, and the differences aren’t always obvious at …

Good intentions don’t always translate to good behavior—especially on a plane. Call me a Pollyanna, but I’ve always held the belief that most adults, deep down inside, are decent people. …

That pre-flight announcement isn’t arbitrary. Here’s why seat backs must be upright for takeoff and landing. You’ve boarded your plane and gotten yourself settled. Your carry-on bag is in the …

From body language to what you’re wearing, TSA officers are trained to spot certain behaviors at security. A while back, we wrote a piece about what flight attendants are really doing …

Through the years, travel has changed by leaps and bounds. Reservations that used to be made by talking to someone on the phone are now done on your computer or …

A joke policy struck a nerve—and revealed something surprising about airline rules. For a few hours, airline passengers thought one carrier had finally done it—they’d banned bare feet on planes. …

When we wash our windows at home, we usually have a cleaner of choice. It might be a commercial product like Windex, or a homemade concoction that includes white vinegar …

We’ve all been there…you board your plane, headed somewhere nice and warm, so you’re dressed for where you’re landing. Probably in shorts and a T-shirt. As you get all settled …

Airplane etiquette isn’t complicated. Don’t take up more space than you need, don’t be obnoxiously loud—and maybe don’t ruin an entire cabin’s flight experience. Unfortunately, not everyone got that memo. …

A TSA policy change made airport security a little easier for travelers—but a new report suggests it may have come with unintended risks. In July 2025, the Department of Homeland …