Fact #01 - Sky Babies
Apart from a crash, the worst nightmare of every flight attendant is childbirth on board. Although extremely rare, nearly 60 babies were born in the sky!
https://www.cntraveller.in/story/explained-happens-baby-born-airplane/
Fact #02 - A long flight
The longest commercial flight you can book is a flight from Singapore to New York that lasts 18 hours 50 minutes... better get comfortable!
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines/longest-nonstop-flights-in-the-world/
Fact #03 - 47 Seconds
Not a fan of airtime? The shortest flight available takes place in Scotland. It connects Westray to Papa Westray and takes 47 seconds!
https://www.amusingplanet.com/2013/08/worlds-shortest-commercial-flight-is.html
Fact #04 - Forbidden Number
Since the number 13 is considered an unlucky number in Western culture, most airlines don't have a row 13 on their planes!
Fact #05 - Nowhere to go
As a result of the pandemic, some companies started offering ‘flights to nowhere’. Although the destination was the same as the departure, it seemed to have been a commercial success!
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/19/travel/airlines-pandemic-flights-to-nowhere.html
Fact #06 - Flight to HEL
In 2017, on a Friday the 13th, Flight 666 to HEL took off for the last time, before being renumbered.
Fact #07 - Dried Out
The pressurised air in the flight cabin is kept below 20% humidity, which is about the average humidity of the Sahara desert!
https://blueskypit.com/2019/05/24/drier-than-the-desert-tips-to-stay-hydrated-on-your-flight/
Fact #08 - Pilots' meals
In most airlines, pilots and co-pilots are required to eat different meals in case of food poisoning!
Fact #09 - Lucky Few
It is estimated that only around 5% of the world’s population gets boards on a plane each year.
Fact #10 - Taste Buds
Your taste buds become 30% less sensitive while flying. But not every flavor is affected equally!
Fact #11 - Mayday, Mayday
"MAYDAY" was made official as an international distress call in 1948. It is derived from the French word "m’aidez", which means "help me"!
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/mayday-meaning-origin
Fact #12 - Old Bones
The average age of commercial aircraft is 20 years. They are usually retired at around 30 years of age.
Fact #13 - Fast as lightning
From 1976 to 2003, the Concorde flew at twice the speed of sound, connecting NYC to London in 2 hours and 52 minutes!
https://simpleflying.com/concorde-new-york-to-london-time/
Fact #14 - In the dark
At night, lights on board are dimmed for landing and takeoff so that in the event of an emergency, passengers' eyes will already be adjusted to darkness.
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-real-reason-planes-dim-the-lights-during-takeoff-and-landing
Fact #15 - Raise your shade
On landing and take-off, attendants ask you to raise your shade so they can see outside and decide which side of the aircraft is the safest if an evacuation was needed!
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/why-do-airlines-ask-you-to-raise-window-shades-during-takeoff