I know it's weird, but hear me out: flying is my favorite part of traveling.
I know, I know, "but it's the worst part!" Not for me. I've been traveling by plane since I was 20 days old (I have the passport to prove it) and I love it! I've learned which airlines to avoid, which ones treat their passengers the best, and which ones have the best perks. I've spent the past 23 years on planes at least twice a year and I've learned that the perfect airline doesn't exist, but there is one that comes close.
The place I go to the most often is Colombia they have 2 major airlines that travel to and from the United States and they are Copa and Avianca.
Copa is my go-to airline for Colombia. They have a layover in Panama and it's usually about 45 mins to 3 hours (one time I took the 14 hour layover, it gave me enough time to go the Panama Canal), which is enough time to get to the other side of the airport and hang out for a bit. The seats need updating, but the legroom is still great! They have full entertainment systems installed in the headrests along with a charging station. The employees are so nice and patient. If there is a delay, they are very transparent about the issues and usually give an estimate on how much longer it'll be. In flight, the attendants are at your seat less than 30 seconds after you press the button, they know how to handle a rowdy passenger quietly, and they always keep their calm, no matter what.
Now, until very recently, I've avoided Avianca like the plague. They have layovers in Miami, El Salvador, and Bogotá (Miami because they have an alliance with American Airlines). The WORST layover was in Bogotá, no doubt. It was either an hour or 12, no in between, then the connecting flight was always late to leave and arrive. The employees were rude, very unhelpful and full of themselves. Last year, I had to fly with Avianca by necessity (definitely not a choice) due to a family emergency, and I was pleasantly surprised. The staff were very understanding and patient with us (my mother and I were a tad hysterical and in a hurry to get on a plane), they helped us find a flight that had two seats together, and they called the gate telling them to hold the flight for us in case we didn't make it through security in time to make it (we made it in time, they didn't need to hold it). Once on the plane, the seats had gone through some MAJOR upgrades: they have cup-holders and USB charging ports built into the seat in front of you and each seat is dedicated to a passed member of either the alliance group or a previous employee, the seats have a lot of leg room, and they even have footrests for when you recline! And this is all in economy! Even the food was good. They even gave us a snack on the connecting flight Medellín...it was a 20 minute flight. The flights had a touch of turbulence and rain when landing and the plane felt like it was about to run off the runway, and those pilots pretty much did a power-slide for the save.
My all-time favorite airline was Continental. It merged with United, (which, at the time, was the worst airline imaginable) and no longer exists, but the nostalgia is real. I remember the attendants handing out coloring books and crayons when I was upset for whatever reason. Ever since the merge, United has been my go-to airline for domestic flights, even if I'm flying internationally, if I have a layover in the US, I make sure it's with United or an affiliate (I really like my points).
From the moment I get on the plane until the second I step off, I am straight relaxing. I have a system for when I fly to make sure I am as relaxed as humanly possible. I make sure I check my bag. It doesn't matter if it's a 50lb bag or a carry-on, it's gonsta get checked. I do not want to deal with having to deal with the lack of overhead space or having to bring it down (I'm weak). Now, for the flight itself, I have a full kit in my backpack. I have an inflatable neck pillow (it saves space, I cannot recommend it enough), my laptop/tablet loaded with movies and books along with the airline's app for added entertainment, a toothbrush with mouthwash kit, extra feminine hygiene products (just in case a fellow passenger is in need), make up, a change of clothes (because you never know), an eye mask, noise cancelling headphones, and chargers (at least 4 different kinds). The second I sit down, the headphones are on, the pillow is inflated and I am listening to dramatic music to feel like I'm in a music video. The rest of the flight is just movies and naps.
Happy trails, everyone!
