These days, air travel is a commonplace and habitual way to travel. So much so that some people think they know everything there is to know about this mode of transport. But there's a good chance you don't know all the following.
1. Don't like turbulence? Opt for an early morning flight: morning flights are much less turbulent than later flights. The reason for this? Air masses and temperatures are much more stable at night and at dawn.
2. A landing will be more eventful in the rain. By putting the aircraft down more firmly, the pilot avoids any risk of aquaplaning.
3. The meals served in the cockpit are different for each pilot. This reduces the risk of two or three pilots falling ill with food poisoning at the same time.
4. A flight lasting 1 hour 45 minutes, for example, will be advertised as lasting two hours. A practical way for airlines to ensure better punctuality scores.
5. At altitude, taste is altered. This is why food served on board sometimes seems strange to the palate. Cooks also have to add more salt and condiments to compensate for this loss of taste.
6. The seats near the windows are always the coldest, because of their proximity to the outside world. A nice touch on a summer flight. In winter, bring a sweater!
7. Want to be pampered by the cabin crew? Opt for a seat in the back, close to the galley and out of sight of other passengers.
8. The portholes are always round to better resist pressure. The small hole at the bottom redirects pressure from the inside to the outside, preventing cracks.
9. Passengers are often frightened when a plane passes through turbulence. However, no aircraft has ever crashed due to turbulence.
10. Travelling with your pet is not always easy, but you should be aware that some airlines do not accept dogs, even in the hold, with the exception of guide dogs.
11. The world's shortest flight lasts less than a minute. It's the link between Westray and Papa Westray, two Scottish islands located to the north of the Orkney archipelago and less than 3 kilometers apart.
12. The world's longest commercial flight, operated by Singapore Airlines, links New York to Singapore in just under 18 hours, covering a distance of 15350 km.
