Tips

When I was a kid, my kindergarten teacher called my mom and said, “We think Kim might have a problem. She’s convinced she went to Paris last weekend.” My mom laughed and said, “Oh no, we did go to Paris.” 

See, my dad worked for United Airlines, so I grew up in the air. Flying standby, getting bumped off flights, running through terminals like other kids ran through playgrounds. So yeah, I’ve been flying my whole life, and I’ve seen how much it’s changed.

If you’ve ever sat on a 12-hour flight and thought, “How in the world do these giant birds even stay in the sky?” you’re not alone. And if you’ve staggered off a plane feeling like a dried-up raisin with jet lag that lasted for days, you’ll love what I’m about to tell you.

💺 Flying has quietly become way better

Jets like the Boeing Dreamliner (787) and Airbus A350 are game changers. They’re built with super light carbon composites instead of heavy metal, meaning they burn less fuel and fly more efficiently. 

Here’s the part you’ll actually notice: The air is more humid, the pressure is more natural, and the oxygen level is higher. Translation? You don’t land feeling like you’ve been vacuum-sealed in a giant Pringles can.

And the engines? They’re quieter now. Those carbon-fiber fan blades hum along without rattling your brain, so you might actually get some sleep.

📶 Yes, the Wi-Fi finally works

Not perfect everywhere, but on these new planes, it’s a huge step up. You can stream shows, send emails, even browse without waiting a million years for a page to load. 

Add in larger windows that dim electronically (no more slamming that plastic shade) and wings that flex midair to smooth out turbulence, it’s like the plane is working with the sky, not against it.

Next time you’re choosing a flight, look at the plane model. If it’s a Dreamliner or an A350, book it. Even if it costs a little more, your body, your sleep and your sanity will thank you when you land.

✈️ I recently wrote a sitcom about airplanes. It never took off. The pilot was terrible. (lol)