JL Johnson
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I quit Twitter. Now a Mastodon Evangelist. Sign up at vmst.io or avgeek.social. Requested Twitter acct deletion Sept, 2023. How are you still reading this?
Articles by JL Johnson
Southwest Adds a Premium Non-Alcoholic Beverage Option, Finally!
Southwest flyers, rejoice! The airline has finally added a non-alcoholic option to their premium beverage menu. This is something I’ve wanted for over a decade. I even included it in my 2019 A-List wish list. During the opening day of MCI’s new airport terminal, the fine folks at the LUV airline were handing their new Community Coffee Espresso + Cream beverage. It’s good. If you are familiar with the store-bought bottles of Starbucks Frappuccino, it’s a lot like that.
Kansas City Opens Its New Unified Terminal Tomorrow. We Had a Sneak Peek and it is AWESOME.
They say that good things come to those who wait. And it seems in the case of the Kansas City (KC) area getting a much-needed unified MCI airport terminal, it finally came! Plans for a single terminal to correctly accommodate passengers have been in the works since the 1990s. But here in the Show-Me state, folks are reluctant to accept change without clear benefits. To be honest, many of us are just stubborn. Alas, this isn’t a story about the past.
Last Minute AvGeek Gift Ideas (Spoiler: It’s All Travel)
Every year I’m told that folks like me are hard to shop for. This is surprising since a big part of the whole “AvGeek thing” is travel. So if you’re in a rush, or you’ve been sent this article by the plane nerd in your family, it’s quite simple: Travel. Travel is the best gift you can give an AvGeek. That’s it. But don’t take it just from me. Numerous studies conclude that money spent on experiences has a bigger impact on happiness than money spent on physical things.
COME INAUGURATE AN 85-MILE 737 ROUTE WITH US - AirlineReporter
Inaugurals, brand new airlines, airline sunsets, new planes, unique planes. What do these all have in common? They’re a magnet for AvGeeks. And any time you get a group of enthusiasts in a room together they all start telling their “AvGeek experience” stories. You know how it goes – “the shortest flight I ever flew was…” and then someone chimes in with theirs. It’s good fun.
Avelo Airlines Review: 737-800 Burbank to Boise - AirlineReporter
Long-time readers know we here at AirlineReporter LOVE an opportunity to try out new airlines and AvGeek experiences. Given that, we regret it has taken us so long to try new(ish) airline Avelo which launched in April of 2021. On the West Coast, this airline operates primarily out BURbank airport, just a hop, skip, and a $60 ride-share north from LAX.
Exclusive: PlaneSpotting in Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc - AirlineReporter
Three Royal Air Maroc Boeings caught while PlaneSpotting in Casablanca. Note the Mohammed V Airport sign atop the terminal in the background. Last month I found myself with a full-day layover in Casablanca, Morocco. I was on my way to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to cover Royal Air Maroc’s oneworld celebration. My flight from JFK arrived mid-morning and the ABJ flight wouldn’t depart until late evening.
Royal Air Maroc Celebrates oneworld Anniversary, Eyes Brighter Future - AirlineReporter
Royal Air Maroc’s oneworld special liveried 737-800 Like many of us, Moroccan flag carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has had a rough few years due to the global pandemic. COVID’s first wave came just weeks after the airline’s ascension to membership in the oneworld alliance, and lockdowns have imposed significant disruptions to operations. Present-day RAM is smaller in terms of routes and fleet than when it entered the pandemic.
Southwest's Latest A-List Perk is a Double-Edged Sword - AirlineReporter
N8733M, a Southwest MAX departs LAX in September, 2021 Did you hear Southwest somewhat recently enriched their A-List perks by adding a long-desired feature? You might not have. I reached out to our friends at Southwest PR and it turns out there was no big announcement or PR campaign. They just sort of rolled it out and let folks discover it on their own.
Celebrate World Postcard Day with Us - AirlineReporter
World Postcard Day is this Friday- October 1. To celebrate we thought it would be fun to share some aviation-themed postcards and talk about Postcrossing, our newest travel activity turned obsession. Stick through to the end because we’re also offering to share a piece of our postcard collection with commenters. Postcards are overdue for a resurgence As a so-called millennial (though, admittedly, an early one) I grew up right in the middle of the digital revolution.
We Tried America's Newest Airline and It Was a Breeze - AirlineReporter
We recently flew Breeze Airways from Tampa (TPA) to Tulsa (TUL). Don’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of the airline, as it launched barely four months ago. Two Breeze planes and Southwest’s Missouri One at TPA Our flight was on a random Monday morning after all of the new airline buzz had died down and the inauguration fanfare had passed. No AvGeeks, no suits, no tchotchkes. Just a new airline, new crew, and lots of bargain hunters looking to excise their pent-up travel demand.
Onboard Breeze Airways First Flight From Louisville - NYCAviation
Back in June, 2018, the aviation community first heard of a possible new airline, to be partly founded by David Neeleman. The founder of JetBlue Airways, Azul Brazilian Airlines, WestJet, and Morris Air, Neeleman announced that he would form a new airline named “Moxy Airways.” While that name was changed to “Breeze Airways” due to trademark concerns, the “Moxy” (MXY) call sign remains.
I am Glad I Waited to be Vaccinated Before Flying - AirlineReporter
A Southwest Air 737-700 seen at BDL – Photo: JL Johnson A few weeks ago I posted about how I was ready to fly. This is a follow-up to that story. You can start there (link opens in a new tab), or this story can also stand on its own. I recently completed my first COVID-era trip. My AvGeek wife and I flew to Connecticut on Southwest with the following routing: MCI-MDW-BDL-BWI-MCI. Two years ago our trip wouldn’t have been noteworthy nor deserving of an AirlineReporter piece. But here we are.
I'm ready to fly - AirlineReporter
An early morning departure from Kansas City International – Photo: JL Johnson It has been three-hundred and ninety days since I last flew. That flight was as routine as possible: Southwest Airlines from Chicago Midway back to Kansas City, concluding a standard trip to visit with business partners. At the time, there was some concern over risks of a pandemic but the topic wasn’t a worry for most.
Air Mail Arrows and Beacons Across America Link to the Industry's Infancy - AirlineReporter
Seen in 2019 – an air mail arrow outside Salt Lake City, Utah points to SLC on the San Francisco-Salt Lake route We aren’t ready to fly. Which is a bummer because travel is a large part of our identity. What are sidelined AvGeeks to do to remain connected to our passion? We are all coping with this disaster A 1920s advertisement bringing awareness to the TAS. – Image: Public Domain in different ways.
Executive Dysfunction: A Clinical Evaluation of Joe Biden’s Cognitive-Linguistic Deficits.
“The patient is a 78 year and 11-month-old male, who presents with moderate to severe cognitive-linguistic deficits typically associated with a progressive neurological disease.” As America’s day of decision draws near, the only person who believes Joe Biden’s cognitive-linguistic skills are within normal limits seems to be Joe Biden.
What is the Best Airline Credit Card? - Unsolicited Travel Advice - AirlineReporter
What do you get when you combine writing about airline travel since 2008, with a few decades of being a sarcastic chap?
Heartbreaking...Kansas City International Uses Runway for Airplane Storage - AirlineReporter
Delta planes line Kansas City International’s 1R/19L and taxiway. When I learned that Kansas City International (MCI) would become the site of a mass airplane storage site, I ignored it. COVID-19 has brought unprecedented and rapid change upon us all. And we are all coping with it differently. For me, rather than accept the fact that my passion has ground to a halt, I have done my best to ignore the bad news while focusing internally on my family and friends.
With New York Sidelined, Now is the Time to Renew (or Apply For) Global Entry - AirlineReporter
Global Entry kiosks seen at HOU’s international terminal unveiling in 2014 The State of New York has recently reminded all of us that it is time to either get or renew your Global Entry… and a bit at their expense. No, this isn’t a call to be opportunistic. Well, maybe a little. Hear me out… Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that New York residents are being cut off from Global Entry (both applications and renewals).
Aviation History: What PlaneSpotting Yielded Just a Decade Ago - AirlineReporter
N755NW, a 42-year old NWA DC-9-41 Blasts Out of STL Happy New Year! Heck, happy new decade while we’re at it. With the closing of each year I invest a considerable amount of time in reflection before setting my goals and aspirations for the future. A perennial resolution I have set (and then catastrophically failed to meet) has been to make sense of the ~150K+ PlaneSpotting photos I have amassed since diving into the hobby over the summer of 2009.
Going For Gold: A Southwest Loyalist Tests American Airlines Elite Status - AirlineReporter
Regular AirlineReporter readers likely know by now that I am a Southwest Airlines loyalist. No, not every flight I take is with Southwest, but indeed, most are. There are many reasons for my loyalty which I think I have done well to document over the years. But with each piece discussing my loyalty to the LUV airline, I get comments, tweets, and emails urging me to take my loyalty elsewhere.
Explaining Southwest's Recent Rapid Rewards Updates - AirlineReporter
With the Rapid Rewards updates, earning free seats is easier for some but harder for others. – Photo: Southwest Airlines Last month Southwest Airlines announced three updates to their Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program. Typically when travel and hospitality rewards programs are updated, it results in a net-negative for consumers. These changes, however, are more of a mixed bag. The updates have also resulted in some confusion.
How Airlines Use Big Data to Augment Security & Fight Fraud - AirlineReporter
A Delta A350 departs DTW – Photo: Andrew Poure “Delta Air Lines was recently bombarded with 20,000 emails over just a few hours. Two bad actors had directly targeted airline employees with malicious content in a brazen attempt to circumvent the airline’s security infrastructure.” Shocking, right? Don McCoy, Cyber Security Manager for Delta openly shared this with a room of over 200 security professionals. To those not in the industry (that’s me) this sounds sensational.
An Updated Look at the Southwest Airlines BYOD In-Flight Entertainment
Southwest Airlines’ BYOD IFE is powered by the bump magnified above (A B738 at HNL following the airline’s first Hawaii validation flight in early 2019). – Photo: SWA Media. Edits: JL Johnson We last looked at the Southwest Airlines BYOD in-flight entertainment (IFE) package back in 2014. At the time, the offering deserved every bit of praise given. But over the past nearly six years, the IFE space has changed a great deal.
#StopAirTaxNow: Who's Behind Airlines for America? What's a PFC & Why Should You Care? - AirlineReporter
American 777-200ER departing from LAX with the iconic Theme Building and control tower, as seen from the Imperial Hill viewpoint – Photo: Jason Rabinowitz Airlines are AWESOME! They enable travel at a rate faster and cheaper than at any point in human history, and at an uncompromising level of safety. They enable business and connect us with the world in ways which, just a few generations ago, would have been considered impossible. For some of us, airlines sustain our relationships.
American Airline's MD-80s Retire Soon. Fly One While You Still Can! - AirlineReporter
N557AN, an MD-82 spotted on the ramp at MCI in 2013. Love them or hate them, American’s MD-80s are on the way out. This should not come as a shock as we’ve known for years the day was eventually coming. But late last month American Airlines announced details for the MadDog’s final day of operations. Mark your calendars, folks. September 4 is the day the “Super 80s” carry passengers off into the sunset one last time.
STLavDay: St. Louis Airport Marks a New Beginning with Aviation Day - AirlineReporter
Long Exposure of STL Airport from across the highway the evening before STLavDay Airports across the U.S. are recognizing the value in opening up and partnering with local aviation enthusiasts (AvGeeks.) We have been delighted to recognize, encourage, and report on this trend. To that end, AirlineReporter recently featured two airports looking to forge relationships in their own unique ways. How can we tell that this is indeed a trend rather than a few random events?
Exploring the Newly Renovated Delta Flight Museum - AirlineReporter
Current and retired Delta employees line up in their native uniform A crowd gathered before a beautifully restored 767 inside a climate-controlled hangar on the outskirts of Delta’s corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Attendees included executives, local and regional politicians, select employees, media and various VIPs. There was a marked excitement in the air.
I Flunked out of Ground School. But I Learned a Lot, and You Can Too. - AirlineReporter
A Continental 737 (N13716) lands into the sunset at IAH in late 2010 – Photo: JL Johnson A few months ago, we brought you the story about how I was excited to begin attending ground school in pursuit of unlocking my life-long dream of learning to fly. I was excited, ambitious, and, in retrospect, naive. If you haven’t read that piece, it’s a quick read and contrasts nicely against this one. Life’s path is littered with success and failure.
Louisville and Tampa: Paragons in Airport Community Engagement
TPA Airport’s CEO Joe Lopano, an AvGeek!. – Photo: Ashley Iaccarino for Tampa Airport How AvGeek-friendly is your airport? In many areas, it seems a lot more than in prior years. All across the U.S., the trend of airports opening up, being more engaging, and accommodating aviation fans continues in favor of the enthusiasts. This airport community engagement behavior is most deserving of praise, as there still remain some airports clinging to draconian, misguided harshness.
AirlineReporter Goes to Ground School - Join Us! - AirlineReporter
Unlocking a childhood dream. – Photo: Aleksander Markin / CC-BY-SA “When were you bit by the aviation bug?” This question or some derivative of it comes up frequently when aviation-inclined folks find themselves engaged in chit-chat. It’s a question I have answered many times but never with much regularity in my response. The truth is, it is hard to nail down any particular moment. After years of pondering the question, I now have my final answer.
Retro Flight Review: OneJet Plus Kansas City to Pittsburgh Aboard An ERJ
Glamour Shot of a OneJet Plus ERJ – Photo: OneJet Note: We flew OneJet Plus and wrote this piece right before the airline abruptly went belly up. Their “indefinite operational hold” provided no warning to customers, on-ground employees, or airports. The airline’s end stranded travelers across their network, including at least one flyer in Kansas City who had to make last-minute, costly alternate arrangements via a different airline.
Checking in with Honeywell Aerospace at their Phoenix HQ - AirlineReporter
N580HW, Honeywell Aero’s CV-580 – Photo: JL Johnson | AirlineReporter Late last month I had the opportunity to attend Honeywell Aero’s International Media Event in Phoenix, AZ. The symposium focused on all things Honeywell and AvGeek, with a small and diverse audience of mainstream media and bloggers from all across the world. Prior to the event, I understood that Honeywell was, like many other conglomerates, well-established in the aviation industry.
What's Next for Southwest Airlines? An Elite Flyer's Wishlist - AirlineReporter
What’s next for Southwest Airlines? – Original Photo: Stephen M. Keller for Southwest Airlines In 2016, I wrote a piece titled Nine Reasons Why I Think Southwest is the Best. For me, those nine reasons stand, even today. I still fly Southwest enough to renew my A-List elite flyer status annually. They are still my first choice when booking travel.
Thoughts and Observations From a Self-Described "Fat Flyer"
JL, a self-described “fat flyer” at an AvGeek event in 2012 when he was near his peak weight This is a piece I’ve written, trashed, and rewritten multiple times over the years. In fact, my notes on the topic date back as far as 2012, shortly after joining AirlineReporter. This is a tough subject to discuss, and it is indeed not easy to put one’s self “out there” for commentary by the general (sometimes harsh) public. Twice in prior pieces, I have dipped my toes into discussing weight issues.
Flyover Country App Elevates Your Out-The-Window PaxEx
How many times have you looked out the airplane window and wondered what it was you were viewing? What’s that curious rock formation? Is that a volcano?! Why is the water in that lake differently colored than in surrounding bodies? These are the sorts of questions the perpetually-inquisitive flyer might briefly ask themselves. Sadly, these are often fleeting inquiries which never get the attention they are due. Even the best in-flight entertainment systems provide limited detail, if any.
JL Johnson, Author at NYCAviation
Flight Review: Experiencing Spirit’s “Bare Fare” Model Firsthand This article originally appeared on AirlineReporter.com. It’s true, people vehemently despise Spirit Airlines. Just the mention of the company elicits emotion-filled horror stories. Indeed they have a solid 1 out of 5 star ra...
Friendly Reminder: Photography is NOT a Crime! - AirlineReporter
Aviation enthusiasts pose with a Virgin Atlantic A340 – Photo: Daniel Palen As an avid plane spotter, I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with the curious/uninformed public, skeptic law enforcement officers (LEOs), airport staff, and even airline employees. Typically these exchanges go positively and, with luck, without missing out on any good shots: “Who are you? What are you doing?
Sweet Photos: Plane Spotting (and more) in Aruba - AirlineReporter
Aruba Airlines A319 A4-AAE lands at Oranjestad Queen Beatrix International Airport – Click photo to enlarge Greetings from Aruba! Visiting the “one happy island” (as they market it) has been on my to-do list since Southwest started service here a few years back via integration of AirTran’s ops into their own. As luck would have it, my newly minted AvGeek wife was amenable to a honeymoon visit.
Rolling the Dice with Southwest Air's A-List Same-Day Standby Perk
In late 2016, Southwest Airlines announced an additional perk for preferred elite A-List and A-List flyers in their Rapid Rewards program. While other airlines were busy devaluing their own programs, Southwest was, in what has become very “Southwest” bucked the trend and enriched their own. At the time the stipulations were that A-List members could fly standby on any same-day flight between the same city pair. The perk came with a major limitation, however.
Come Fly With Me, on The Delta A350, Domestically! - AirlineReporter
If you’re like me, you’ve been biding your time waiting for the perfect opportunity to fly the Airbus A350. AirlineReporter is written for AvGeeks, by AvGeeks, after all. With United continually deferring deliveries, and American’s recent Dreamliner-over-A350 switcheroo, I must confess, I didn’t have high hopes for checking this long-sought line item off of my increasingly more lengthy to-do list anytime soon.
TriStar Experience Uses L-1011 to Advance STEM Education Initiatives - AirlineReporter
8:30 AM, it’s a frigid spring morning. Three yellow school buses pull up to the curb of Kansas City International Airport’s Terminal A. This isn’t a rare sight; local schools often send sport and academic teams on trips to compete. But this day is different. The buses, filled to capacity with girls age 10-13, come to a stop outside a shuttered airport terminal which for years has not seen passenger traffic.
Kansas City International: First U.S. Airport with a Fleet of Electric Buses - AirlineReporter
One of KCI’s new electric buses – Photo: Kansas City Aviation Department Today, countries all around the world are celebrating Earth Day. We recognize that transportation accounts for the vast majority of climate-changing emissions, and for what it’s worth, the industry and its supporting partners are starting to as well. Some could argue that the change is coming too slowly and that’s hardly contestable.
Plane Spotting at Midway - Chicago's Other Airport - AirlineReporter
Midway Airport just doesn’t get the love it deserves. Whenever there’s discussion of plane spotting in Chicago, it’s always assumed that O’Hare is the venue, and that’s just not right. Sure, as a dedicated Southwest Airlines A-Lister, Midway is the one-and-only Chicago airport that’s deserving of my regular (and frequent) business.
#LUVisInTheAir: How My Passion for Aviation Led to AvGeek Love
In most standard relationships, AvGeeks are hard to love. Consider the effects of our passion: we are either always gone, pining to be gone, or perhaps spending hours on end stalking planes at the nearest airport. My friends and I often joke about how “mixed” relationships (that is, relationships with just one AvGeek partnered with a “muggle” – an outsider) are difficult in that there is a lot of compromise and time apart.
AR Rewind: Visiting King Nut - Snack Provider to the World's Airlines - AirlineReporter
AR Rewind: This story originally published in March 2015 and is being re-shared. King Nut and Summer Harvest: If you’ve ever enjoyed an airline snack at 35,000 feet and inspected the wrapper, chances are you are familiar with one, or both, of these name brands. They, alongside Peterson Nut Co., make up the King Nut Companies family. As a fan of the airline industry, and the companies that support it, I’ve long been familiar with King Nut, and have spotted their products on numerous airlines.
Urban Exploration: Kansas City International's Shuttered Terminal A
Kansas City International’s Terminal A Has Been Closed since January 8, 2014 Airline consolidation, the move to bigger planes, and trimming of under-performing flights has resulted in less need for gate space in all but a few privileged focus cities and hubs across the United States. Kansas City International Airport (MCI) or as we locals call it, “KCI,” is the 39th-busiest airport in the country and has seen the effects of this first-hand.
Review: Flying Upstairs on the Lufthansa 747-8 to and from Frankfurt
A Lufthansa 747-8 departing Frankfurt for LAX – Photo: Brandon Farris I recently flew aboard two Lufthansa Boeing 747-8s. In doing so I was able to cross off a longstanding item on my AvGeek to-do list. Like most (all?) AvGeeks, I have long had a passion for the 747. Sure, there are plenty of great planes flying today, but there’s something about the Queen of the Skies that is inexplicably special.
The Rare Lockheed L-1011 TriStar Returns to the Skies Once More
The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar was a plane with a tragically short lifespan. It was expected to be a real contender against the Boeing 747, Douglas DC-10, and Airbus A300. It entered the market late, in large part due to delays resulting from difficulty at Rolls-Royce, the only engine producer for the TriStar. Despite this, it is one of just a few airliners that elicits strong emotion from people of all ages and walks of life. It was received with much fanfare.
The Henry Ford Museum: It's Surprisingly AvGeek Friendly - AirlineReporter
I recently found myself in Detroit for three days thanks to one of Spirit Airlines’ ridiculous airfare sales combined with my favorite Spirit tip: Actually going to the airport to buy tickets. At $38.41 round trip, how could we resist? While I can honestly say DTW was not anywhere near the top of my to-do list, I go where the sales are. All literature regarding tourism in Detroit pointed to one definite venue: The Henry Ford.
Innovation and Efficiency: Lufthansa's New In-Flight Connectivity is Taking Off - AirlineReporter
Here in the U.S., we have been spoiled by the ubiquity of in-flight connectivity (IFC). A few years ago the IFC saturation rate reached a level affording passengers the opportunity to adjust expectations from being a nice-to-have feature to a downright entitlement. Delta, our on-again, off-again largest domestic carrier, has long been an in-flight WiFi leader, having reached just shy of a 100% IFC-equipped fleet years ago.
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