The mountains surrounding Reykjavik offer a dramatic backdrop to that city's skyline. Visiting Iceland was a long time “bucket list” item for me. Iceland's booming appeal comes down to its dramatic, alien landscapes and its reputation as one of the world's safest, most progressive countries. Travelers love Reykjavik because it acts as a cozy, culturally vibrant basecamp that puts otherworldly natural wonders within easy reach. The city is located in Southwest Iceland on the v

Riding in the open biplanes of the 1920s with the noise and the wind was not for the feint of heart. Most people today have access to relatively easy and economical air travel, thanks to modern and efficient airliners. Whether for a relatively short domestic flight or a long haul between continents, modern aircraft have expanded the horizons of air travel. It was only a little over a century ago that international air travel began. The first regular international passenger fl

The United Club at RDU features snacks and hot food items as well as a bar and comfy seating. It was with a great deal of love and pride that Diane and I traveled to the Rocky Mountains in late May to attend our eldest granddaughter’s high school graduation. That our son Nicholas and daughter-in-law Jessica could themselves have a child who reached such a milestone was hard to fathom, but time flies by quickly without regard to our sensibilities. Starting out from the Raleigh

The CAB flag and seal alongside a flight attendant uniform at the National Air and Space Museum. Prior to 1978, air travel in the United States was tightly managed by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). Established in 1940, the CAB was an independent agency of the US Federal Government and controlled which airlines could fly specific routes. It also dictated ticket pricing and effectively prevented new competitors from entering the market. This regulatory system was intended t

Situated on the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto enjoys a booming and extensive waterfront culture. Our neighbor to the north holds great allure. Sharing the longest stretch of relatively undefended border in the world, the proximity of Canada to the United Sates fosters deep familial, cultural, and travel connections with both nations enjoying a similar standard of living. Most of that nation's southern strip stretches along the US border, which fostered early settlement. In

There are many unique hotels worldwide that push the boundaries of traditional architectural styles. Why settle for a routine hotel stay when you could, perhaps, spend the night in a giant hollowed-out potato? Or maybe you’d like to sleep in a former jail cell or even bundle up in a room made entirely out of ice? While keeping within their preferred guest program, most frequent travelers choose their hotels to maximize rest and relaxation after a day of business or sightseein

Doing business in India requires patience, building trust and navigating many layers of bureaucracy. After a good night’s sleep at the Rambagh Palace Hotel upon arrival in Jaipur, I faced a few days of a professional conferences and any number of meetings. Doing business in India has often been described as a high-reward, high-complexity endeavor, frequently likened to a "surprising marathon" due to its mix of massive opportunities and unique logistical, regulatory, and cult

Utilitarian military transport aircraft lack the interior aesthetics often found on commercial airplanes. Military transport aircraft are often based on civilian counterparts. Others are custom-built in response to bids or tenders issued by governments for aircraft to meet specific needs. Military aircraft are designed to withstand more extreme conditions and are built or modified to fly at higher altitudes than civilian aircraft. One of the key differences between commercial

Jaipur, India's first planned city, was painted pink in 1876 to welcome Albert, the UK's Prince of Wales. I had occasion to visit India on an annual basis every January and normally went to larger cities like Delhi or Mumbai. One such trip to the subcontinent, however, took me to Jaipur, the capital and largest city of the north western Indian state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is affectionally known as the Pink City and is a captivating destination that blends rich history, stunning

Airport confusion is a common phenomena caused by unfamiliar terminology and sensory overload. For an aviation enthusiast or frequent flyer, navigating through any airport feels like a routine visit to school, where you know where all the classrooms, labs, and facilities are located. But, for those who don’t travel frequently, finding their way around an airport can often feel like getting lost in a maze. Even if airports have the clearest signage and the friendliest custome

The impressive Manor House of the Graylyn Estate features 85 guest rooms and elegant dining rooms. For some time, we’ve wanted to visit the Graylyn Estate in close-by Winston Salem, NC and selected Easter Weekend as the time to make this trip with two other couples. The estate is set on a 55-acre historic property. It includes a boutique hotel designed by Luther Snow Lashmit built in 1932 for Bowman Gray, Sr., the former president of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and his

The busiest airport in the world handles an average of over 2,100 to 2,500 daily arrivals and departures. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport on the planet. Last year, the airport processed more than 106.3 million passengers, eclipsing the second and third-busiest airports; Dubai International Airport (DXB), through which 95.2 million passengers were processed, and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) which welcomed 91.7 million. With so mu

ANA dominates Haneda operations, utilizing it as a primary hub for domestic and international routes. After several days in Tokyo, it was time to say goodby to the city and the lovely Mandarin Oriental Hotel. I had booked another flight with All Nippon Airways and, as this was a domestic flight to Hiroshima, it departed from close-in Haneda Airport. That airport is only a short, nine-mile distance from the hotel and it didn’t take long for my taxi to navigate the Tokyo traffi

The FAA's ETOPS-180 regulations revolutionized aviation by extending range for 2-engine aircraft. By the 1980s, Boeing had served the commercial aviation market with its twin-engine 767s and the iconic four-engine 747s. There was a strong need to fill the gap between these two already-successful types. Around the same time, the new ETOPS-180 regulations were set by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The ETOPS-180 (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance

With Japan's deeply rooted traditions, there exists a profound sense of both harmony and discipline. Japan is an alluring nation and a fascinating mix of old and new, from Tokyo’s bustling neon streets juxtaposed with its serene temples and traditional tea houses. This nation is also a paradise for food lovers offering sushi, ramen, tempura and street food that emphasizes precision and quality. Japanese cities are world renowned for being safe, clean, and quiet, with incredib

Every commercial flight begins with the highly choreographed pushback from the terminal gate. When you think about it, the commercial aircraft pushback is a necessary yet surprising aspect of flight. An aircraft capable of flying anywhere between 500 and 600 hundred miles per hour requires assistance to move backward from a gate at an almost immeasurably slow speed. Nearly every flight starts the same way. The captain releases the parking brake and the aircraft is pushed back

Portland is a vibrant Pacific Northwest city known for its eco-friendly culture and lush green spaces. Portland, Oregon, known as the "City of Roses," is the state's largest city and is located in the Pacific Northwest at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Although I had never traveled there, I was anxious to make my first visit for two days in springtime time some time ago. Famed for its eco-friendly culture, craft breweries, diverse food cart scene, and

The Imperial Japanese Navy's surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor fleet caused massive destruction. After the December 7, 1941 surprise Japanese attack on the US Naval Fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, things went from bad to worse. In the early months of 1942, gloom was descending over America like a bad winter storm. On all fronts, the US and its allies were reeling from the blows of the Axis Powers. By the beginning of that year, Nazi Germany had conquered or occupie

Considered one of the safest large US cities, San Diego also enjoys mild, sunny and dry weather. It was on a Friday in May several years ago when I had the pleasure of traveling to San Diego for a weekend business meeting. San Diego is a premier travel destination due to its near-perfect year-round weather, 70 miles of stunning coastline (including La Jolla and Coronado), and world-class attractions like the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park . The city boasts a unique blend of la

Instrument flight enables precise navigation in most weather conditions and assists in landings. Instrument flight is now routine. It’s the ability to operate an aircraft using only the instruments in the cockpit for navigation and control, rather than relying on visual clues from outside. This method is governed by a set of regulations known as Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), which are essential for flying safely in low-visibility conditions such as clouds, fog, or heavy rai