People are glued on YouTube, watching planes land at LAX

Move over, cat videos and cooking hacks, there’s a new YouTube obsession, and it’s planes landing at LAX. No, really.

I thought you’d find it interesting that a channel called Airline Videos Live is racking up millions of views pointing a camera at the runway at Los Angeles International Airport. 

It’s exactly what it sounds like: hours of live footage showing planes taking off, landing and taxiing. 

This isn’t grainy security cam footage either. We’re talking HD video, a real-time radar display and a fabulous, engaging host who knows everything from aircraft models to what brand of shoes pilots wear (OK, maybe not that last part yet). 

💡 Why are people so obsessed?

There’s something hypnotic about the precision, the power, and yes, the sheer size of these metal beasts touching down with ballet-like grace. But the real draw? The community.

The live chat is a global party. You’ll see aviation buffs from Tokyo, retirees from Kansas and night owls from Berlin all geeking out over a Qatar A350 floating in from the Pacific. People cheer when their favorite airline shows up. So fun!

The energy is part Twitch stream, part group therapy, part Sesame Street for adults obsessed with planes. 

🌍 It’s more than just plane spotting

What started as a pandemic hobby has morphed into a worldwide phenomenon. The guy behind the camera, Kevin Ray, is a former TV news cameraman. He set up shop on a hotel rooftop near LAX and turned this into a full-blown business.

He’s now pulling in advertising revenue, getting free hotel stays and partnering with huge travel brands. Go take a peek, you might get hooked.

 👉 Live at LAX on YouTube

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Hackers want you to make this mistake

If you’re about to take a flight, pause for one hot second before you slide your phone into that shiny airport USB port. Both the FBI and FTC are waving red flags: Public charging stations can be straight-up hacker bait. 

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Around $500 a night

What some travelers are paying to stay at luxury hotels inside airports (paywall link). No Ubers needed here, just walk off the plane and into your room. Added perks? Fancy food, upscale bars, blackout curtains and spa-like bathrooms. Hey, jet lag with lobster sounds pretty nice.

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