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Welcome to episode 115 of The Journey Is the Reward!We're getting right to the main event today. There's no listener feedback on the flight plan for this episode, and for a good reason. We’ve got an extended interview with our guest, Captain Armando, and his First Officer that you won’t want to miss. But as always, we want to hear from you, so keep those questions coming to: brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.org.We did, however, manage to squeeze in a quick flight-deck discussion. Our listener Lu wants to know about passengers bringing smelly foods onto planes. As you'll soon hear, Armando and his co-pilot have a lot of relevant experience with this topic.For our main segment, we're talking with Captain Armando and his First Officer about an absolutely wild journey: Mr. Beast’s 100 Day Challenge. The mission was simple, but the execution was not. Armando had to stay on Mr. Beast's plane for 100 days straight. If he could manage to stay on board, he would win the plane—a prize worth a cool $2.5 million. That's a daily rate of $25,000 for staying put! Listen in as Micah and Brian break down the challenge and find out if he was cleared for landing with the prize.And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.

Welcome to episode 114 of The Journey Is the Reward.We're cleared for a jam-packed flight today. First, we've got some listener feedback from Mike, who's got the scoop on a new bus service for getting into Manhattan from the three NYC airports. He’s giving us a new approach to ground transportation. Our listeners are the real experts on this crew.Next, Listener Jessie is asking about the real-world situation with the fire recovery in SoCal—it’s a topic the news has been ignoring. Brian is on the ground and will give you an honest update…and it’s mostly not great. Our listeners are truly the best part of the show, so please send in your questions to: ⁠brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.org.  After that, Listener Lu wants to know a topic that has us fired up: the Airline Reporting Corporation selling our data to the US Customs and Border Protection. You can probably guess how Micah and Brian feel about that one.For the main segment, Micah will interview Captain Dana from Acme Airlines again. Captain Dana was back up in Maine so Micah took the time out of his busy schedule to interview Captain Dana after they finished a wonderful meal at Becky’s Diner.  We are sure it was much better than airline food! And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.

Welcome to Episode 113 of The Journey Is the Reward! While our inbox might be empty, that's probably because we don't constantly remind you that you are the most vital part of this show! But hey, if you've got burning questions, insights, or just want to tell us how much you adore our dulcet tones, send them to ⁠brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.org⁠. Micah and Brian are standing by, ready to answer all your queries. And if we've managed to ruffle your feathers, feel free to air your grievances at ⁠IAmReallyOffended@yahoo.com⁠. Yes, that's a real email address, and yes, we do read every single one – consider it our in-flight suggestion box, with slightly more turbulence.This week, Listener Lu sent in a fascinating query about the audacious individual who reportedly impersonated flight attendants and pilots on over 120 flights. It’s a story so wild, it practically wrote itself into a sequel of Catch Me If You Can – though this particular aviator wannabe certainly didn't stick the landing and, sadly, his career has been grounded indefinitely. Listener Lu also wanted to dive into the world of travel passes, specifically how those coveted travel agent and airline "buddy passes" actually work. As always, Micah and Brian have the inside scoop for Listener Lu.Adding to our high-flying adventures, you might have caught Micah as a guest host on WBZ Radio in Boston, chatting with Bradley Jay about travel tips and the latest news. Micah, ever the opinionated traveler, truly soared through the segment!Our main event this episode? Brian’s recent trip to New Jersey to visit the Queen, his mom. What started as a smooth taxiing experience on public transportation quickly veered off course, thanks to the notorious summer weather patterns in Newark. While United's 787s might be operating with a minimum crew of seven flight attendants – leaving some of us to wonder if they’re playing a game of musical chairs with the galley carts – Brian was still in awe of their exceptional service. Though, we must lament Brian's un-cleared upgrades; having to sit in the back of the plane can feel like a direct descent into coach class purgatory for a seasoned traveler. Thankfully, the incredible flight attendants ensured his journey, both to and from New Jersey, was as comfortable as possible, even with the inevitable weather delays. Because, let’s be honest, flying into Newark in the summertime without a delay is about as rare as finding an empty overhead bin on a fully booked flight!And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.

Welcome to Episode 112 of The Journey Is the Reward! This week, we're cleared for an eventful flight, featuring everything from passenger triumphs to professional pilot insights.First up, fasten your seatbelts for a trip report from listener Mark VanRamm. Despite hitting a bit of turbulence, Mark proves that a positive attitude is the best carry-on, navigating his travel woes with grace. We've all been there – sometimes the only thing we can control is our squawk code!Then, listener Lu sends us a distress signal about the ever-dreaded flight cancellation, specifically pondering the hypothetical (or perhaps, not-so-hypothetical) scenario of Silver Airlines going belly-up. Micah and Brian, ever the voice of reason (and experience), offers some navigational guidance through these turbulent skies.Before we land on our main interview, Micah shares a couple of pre-flight checks. He gives us an update on his friends who recently experienced the "breezy" side of travel, and recounts a chuckle-worthy tale of a family member in an exit row who, let's just say, might have been better suited for a window seat with a view of the snack cart. Remember folks, in an emergency, those doors aren't just for dramatic exits!Finally, for our main event, we're thrilled to feature Micah's captivating interview with our favorite European aviator, Captain Al. While vacationing stateside, Captain Al, in his capacity as Chief Pilot, offers a fascinating look into his airline's acquisition of their first Airbus A321XLR. He also provides some insightful commentary on the broader airline industry – perfect for anyone who's ever wondered what goes on behind the cockpit door besides just selecting the in-flight movie.And as always, our show is perfectly bookended by the truly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded live from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.So, buckle up, relax, and enjoy the flight! Let's make some memories and genuinely enjoy the Journey, because, well, it truly is the Reward!

Welcome to Episode 111 of The Journey Is the Reward! On this week's show, we're absolutely thrilled to welcome a true titan of the skies, soon-to-be Lifetime Global Services member, Fozz Mahmud of the Dots, Lines, and Destinations podcast. This man has more air miles than a commercial airline, and we can't wait to pick his brain.But before we ascend to that altitude, we've got some essential pre-flight checks. First up, we're answering a question from Listener Francis, who's curious about navigating the complexities of flying around and within closed airspace. And because we never shy away from a little turbulence, Micah and I will also be discussing the geopolitical intricacies of flying into regions like Israel and Iran. It's a topic that demands a professional pilot's precision and a diplomat's tact.Then, Listener Lu sends in a fantastic query about converted aircraft. She wants to know if we've ever landed ourselves in a plane that's been repurposed into a house or, perhaps, dined in a fuselage-turned-restaurant. We're ready to share our airborne architectural adventures!And, as always, we've got a few shout-outs and detours to cover. The Journey Is the Reward recently received a wonderful mention on the Plane Crazy Downunder podcast– a true feather in our cap! We'll also be touching down on the important topic of fish tacos at Rubio's in San Diego (because even aviators need good fuel!) and Brian's masterful use of the $200 Hilton resort credit from his Hilton Aspire credit card. Sometimes, even when you're not in the air, you're still strategically navigating the travel landscape.After all that vital housekeeping, Brian and Micah are absolutely delighted to share a recorded conversation with our esteemed guest, Fozz Mahmud, fellow co-host of the truly exceptional travel industry podcast, Dots, Lines, and Destinations. Fozz is on the cusp of achieving the legendary status of Lifetime 4 Million Mile status with United Airlines – a feat that makes most frequent flyers feel like they're still in the holding pattern. Brian's certainly been working towards it, though he's not sure he'll ever reach that altitude now that his full-time business travel days are somewhat grounded.It's a truly engaging conversation with Fozz, where we explore his preferred flying experiences, aircraft, and destinations, as well as the ever-evolving, sometimes turbulent, world of points and miles.And as always, our show is perfectly bookended by the truly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded live from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic – they'll have you feeling like you're floating on cloud nine.So, buckle up, relax, and enjoy the flight! Let's make some memories and genuinely enjoy the Journey, because, well, it truly is the Reward!

Welcome to Episode 110 of The Journey Is the Reward! This week, Brian and Micah have a great show lined up for you, featuring an insightful interview Micah recorded with our good friend, Steven Ivey, a corporate pilot, plus a few other interesting tidbits.First up, Listener Sarah wrote in asking about the show’s updated introduction where Brian mentions flying over 6 million miles. She wants to know how that's possible when he is still just a bit over 3 million with United. And Brian is excited to finally pull back the curtain and share the full story behind that!Then, listener Lu wants our take on United's new check-in cutoff times. You might be surprised to hear that Micah and Brian have slightly different opinions on this one, so get ready for a lively discussion.After that, the guys dive into some fascinating statistics about you, our amazing listeners!  Brian shares details on how many of you there are, your age brackets, geographic locations, and the platforms you use to tune in and he’ll also reveal the most popular episodes. It's awesome to see that Chef Kathy's episode is still in the top 10, though she's got some ground to cover to catch up with Captain Jeff!And as always, our show is bookended by the truly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded live from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.Want to experience that magic in person? Join Brian on an epic group adventure to Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa in late September 2025! Seriously, it's going to be an incredible experience. Reach out to him at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG for all the details. Let's make some memories and genuinely enjoy the Journey, because, well, it is the Reward!

Welcome to Episode 109 of The Journey Is The Reward!  We are generally much less offended than our email inbox suggests! This week are thrilled to welcome back the cartographic genius himself, Eric the Mapmaker.But before we dive into Eric's latest adventures, we had to address a burning question from the email account – emphatically named Imreallyoffended@yahoo.com.Then, Listener Mike hit us up with a real puzzler about gifting flight crews, because apparently, Reddit has decided that kindness gets you fired. Who knew?! And speaking of flight decks, Listener Lu drops a fantastic question about single pilot operations and whether we really need two humans up front at all times. We've got thoughts, and we're not afraid to share them.Our main event today is a truly special chat with Eric The Mapmaker. He embarked on a domestic airline odyssey, hitting up a bunch of different cities, and proving that sometimes, the best laid travel plans are the ones you throw out the window halfway through. And as always, our ears are blessed by the utterly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.Want to experience that magic in person? Join Brian on an epic group adventure to Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa in late September 2025! Seriously, it's going to be incredible. Reach out to him at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG for all the details. Let's make some memories and genuinely enjoy the Journey, because, well, it really is the Reward!

Welcome to Episode 108 of The Journey Is The Reward! This week, we're navigating some significant changes at United, shooting the Breeze with Micah, and as always, hearing from our incredible listeners.First up, Listener Melissa is asking for a much-anticipated health update from Micah – and yes, she might have playfully accused Brian of being a pain in Micah's butt! Plus, Micah continues to unpack the ever-popular packing segment with some invaluable additional advice.Listener Lu returns with another intriguing question about spotting famous people on planes. Then, buckle up as Brian gives us the lowdown on several recent changes at United Airlines. We'll cover the good (think exciting new global destinations), and the not-so-good (specifically, how frequent flyer miles for upgrades have shifted, and updates to Club and Lounge access). Brian also shares the exciting news that Starlink will be installed on United's entire fleet by the end of 2026!After sorting through the United updates, Micah shares the experiences of his friends who recently flew on Breeze Airways. They encountered some issues, and we discuss how Breeze handled the situation – good on resolution, but with room for improvement in communication.As always, our journey is serenaded by the soul-stirring sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their "Welcome" and "Goodbye" songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.Ready to experience this musical magic in person and create your own unforgettable memories? Join Brian on an epic group adventure to Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa in late September 2025! Reach out to him at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG for all the details. Let's make some memories and truly enjoy the Journey as it is the Reward!

On Episode 107 of The Journey Is The Reward, we once again get to talk with Momma Coleman, thanks to the limo services provided by Chef Kathy.   Sure, it doesn’t sound right at this point but it will make sense as you listen to the episode.   But before we get to the main event, Listener Matt has a follow-on question to my packing skills.Listener Lu wants to know about the $100 hamburger, as it relates to flight.  Although calling it a $300 hamburger is probably more accurate these days.Then it’s time for the main segment, Brian’s trip to NJ to surprise Momma Coleman on her 90th birthday and Mother’s Day.Yes, Momma Coleman had done a reverse commute from living in Florida and returned to her birth state to be closer to her oldest son.  Brian decided he couldn’t stay away and had to help her unpack.Chef Kathy was there to help… and provide an incredible 90th Birthday carrot cake.We then get to learn all about Brian’s 9 hour delay getting back home to Los Angeles.   However, as far as delays go, this one worked out OK for our intrepid traveler.As always, we're serenaded by the soul-stirring sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs were recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia and are pure magic. Experience this musical magic in person and join Brian on an epic group adventure to Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa in late September 2025! Reach out to him at ⁠Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG⁠ for all the details. Let's make some memories and enjoy the Journey as it is the Reward!

On Episode 106 of The Journey Is The Reward, our favorite aviation aficionados, Micah and Brian, are back, ready to pack for a trip and navigate the turbulent skies of memory lane. First up, we've got a burning question from Listener, Lu! Did Qatar handle the unfortunate dead passenger situation with the grace and dignity they should have or were there areas for improvement.Then, it's time for some serious travel talk! Micah, clearly envious of Brian's ninja-like packing skills, grills him on how he manages to jet-set for weeks without the dreaded checked baggage. Prepare for the reveal of Brian's mysterious suitcase (ooh, the suspense!) and his coveted tips and tricks. Spoiler alert: apparently, most packing gadgets are dead weight for our seasoned traveler, but he does have some secret weapons in his arsenal for staying fresh as a daisy on those long hauls. But wait, there's more turbulence! Our dynamic duo then throws it back to a classic segment from the legendary Airplane Geeks Podcast, Episode 269. The one and only Max Flight wanted to hear how listeners first caught the aviation bug. Brian, ever the enthusiast, penned his story, but a written word wasn't enough for Max! He wanted audio. And who did Brian tap for this crucial mission while under the weather? Our very own Micah, of course! Apparently, Brian's been enjoying Micah's dulcet tones on his previous submissions. High praise indeed!So, prepare your ears for a heartwarming tale as Micah channels his inner Brian and recounts the pivotal moment his father ignited his passion for all things aviation. But hold on tight, because the journey takes a detour when a certain "pinhead" at the Civil Air Patrol clipped Brian's wings before he even took flight! This leads to a powerful message from Brian himself: don't let anyone ground your dreams!So, grab your beverage of choice, settle into your favorite ejection seat (just kidding… mostly!), and get ready for another episode packed with listener love, packing prowess, nostalgic narratives, and a healthy dose of "don't let the naysayers win!" It's Episode 106 of The Journey Is The Reward – you won't want to miss it!As always, we're serenaded by the soul-stirring sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs were recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia and are pure magic. Experience this musical magic in person and join Brian on an epic group adventure to Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa in late September 2025! Reach out to him at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG for all the details. Let's make some memories and enjoy the Journey as it is the Reward!

On Episode 105 of The Journey Is The Reward, Prepare for liftoff!  Your intrepid co-pilots, Brian and Micah, chart a course from the tarmac of Burbank to the stratosphere of Seattle. The mission of Brian? To attend the Seattle Aviation and Aerospace Bash, orchestrated by the stellar Isaac Alexander!But before achieving orbit, our flight crew tackles a query beamed in by Listener Lu. She wondered about a passenger who was confused about why airlines don’t fly in a straight line. Brian and Micah address some decidedly off-course information about the flight, transmitted by none other than Elon Musk. Both Brian and Micah feel he should stick to navigating his own launch vehicles!Next, Brian asks a question to the listeners: Should purchase a confirmed First-Class ticket on Spirit Airlines, or take a calculated risk on a United flight, hoping for an upgrade to First? For the main stage of our journey, Micah and Brian recount the epic trek to Burbank airport – a long walk from a new parking lot without shuttle busses! Then they detail the ascent to Seattle, with a strategic refueling stop in Sacramento. Once again, the flight crews of Southwest provided top-notch service.Upon landing at the Seattle Bash, Brian engaged in some interviews. In one daring encounter, he gently confronted organizer Isaac Alexander about a slight deviation from the promised mission parameters – a BBQ promised, but Mediterranean seafood deployed!Despite this minor anomaly, Isaac's event was a great evening for Pacific Northwest Aviation and Space aficionados. Featuring captivating speakers, a treasure trove of aviation SWAG at the freebie table, and a lucky draw where every participant was a winner, it was a truly stellar evening.The show opens and closes with the breathtaking sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their vibrant Welcome and Goodbye songs were recorded live at the majestic Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.Want to experience their magic in person? Join us on an unforgettable group trip to Zambia, Botswana and South Africa in late September 2025! Contact Brian at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG for all the details.

Episode 104 of The Journey Is The Reward it’s time for a wild ride from pizza critiques to “Paradise” found! So buckle up, adventure junkies!First up, we're diving headfirst into the delicious drama of Listener Mark's pizza review. Turns out, Momma Coleman's taste buds were NOT impressed… for a second time.  Ouch! Guess not all pies are created equal. Then, Micah drops a tech bombshell: the mythical 10-year AirTag battery! Will it survive the test of time? Brian's ready to put on his scientist hat and report back in a decade. We're holding you to that, Brian! For the main event, get ready for some travel tales! Brian braved the wilds of Burbank airport, where the power went on a little adventure of its own, and TSA decided to join the reboot party. We're talking United flights, car rental wizardry (learn how to snag those deals!), and a reunion with old pals in Paradise and Ukiah. And guess what? Brian finally conquered the Alexander Valley wine tasting quest.  Plus, there was beer. Sierra Nevada beer. Oh, and let's not forget the flight home where Brian became the "invisible trash guy" and the "tray table rebel." As always, we're serenaded by the soul-stirring sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs were recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia and are pure magic. Feeling the FOMO? Experience this musical magic in person and join Brian on an epic group adventure to Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa in late September 2025! Reach out to him at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG for all the details. Let's make some memories and enjoy the Journey as it is the Reward!

The cash back vs points rollercoaster ride is coming to an end on Episode 103!  Micah and Brian are joined again by the incredible Angie from the Award Travel 101 podcast for a deep dive into Brian's wallet!  Angie is in agreement with Brian that points are much more valuable for people who travel over cash back. However, there are several places where Brian can improve his earning potential.In addition, Angie also goes over some tools that will help people find these incredible redemptions.The show opens and closes with the breathtaking sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their vibrant Welcome and Goodbye songs were recorded live at the majestic Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.Want to experience their magic in person? Join us on an unforgettable group trip to Zambia, Botswana and South Africa in late September 2025! Contact Brian at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG for all the details.Prepare yourself for an episode packed with passion, debate, and some professional moderation. 

The rollercoaster ride on Episode 102 continues! Micah and Brian are joined again by the incredible Angie from the Award Travel 101 podcast for a deep dive into Micah’s wallet!  No, she is not going to pick pocket him but go over his credit card strategy and make recommendations on how he can improve his walletSadly, this is no question from Listener Lu this week because we have so much to discuss with Micah’s walletFor the main segment of the show, Angie tries to get Micah to give up his cash back and come over to the dark side of the points and miles game… or is it a hobby?  She goes over the features and benefits of his 11, mostly, cash back credit cards.  Angie shows Micah how a bit of change in attitude will enable him to change his altitude and fly internationally in business class for nearly free!The show opens and closes with the breathtaking sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their vibrant Welcome and Goodbye songs were recorded live at the majestic Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.Want to experience their magic in person? Join us on an unforgettable group trip to Zambia, Botswana and South Africa in late September 2025! Contact Brian at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG for all the details.Prepare yourself for an episode packed with passion, debate, and some professional moderation. 

Get ready for a rollercoaster ride on Episode 101! Micah and Brian are joined by the incredible Angie from the Award Travel 101 podcast for a deep dive into the travel hacking trenches!But hold on! Listener Lu’s epic question, demanding a look back at 100 shows – the biggest surprises, Brian's legendary journeys, the highs, the lows, and what they'd change – was just TOO juicy to rush! Consider it a cliffhanger, folks, because we're promising a dedicated, in-depth answer in a future episode. Trust us, it’ll be worth the wait!This week, the battle lines are drawn! It's Brian, the points-wielding maestro, versus Micah, the cash-hoarding strategist! Who's right? Who's wrong? Angie steps into the arena to referee this epic showdown, and let’s just say, the debate gets heated! (Spoiler alert: one episode wasn’t enough! You'll HAVE to tune in to Episode 102 to witness the ultimate verdict!)And to set the perfect global tone, we're thrilled to feature the breathtaking sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their vibrant Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded live at the majestic Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.Want to experience their magic in person? Join us on an unforgettable group trip to Zambia, Botswana and South Africa in late September 2025! Contact Brian at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG for all the details.Prepare yourself for an episode packed with passion, debate, and some professional moderation. 

On episode 100, Micah and Brian play a bunch of recordings and read some listener feedback in the form of congratulations on reaching our 100th episode.But first, we hear from Listener Lu as she wants to know about our thoughts on Shake Shack being served on some Delta Airlines flights. We keep the food conversation going with feedback from Mark van Raam as he provides more pizza suggestions in Largo FL.Then the good stuff starts as we hear from Chef Kathy, Pilot Pip, Eric the Map Maker, Listener Clair and Judy, Listener Hendric and we wrap up with a great note from Listener Shreenand.Oh, there is a final discussion about Electronic Hotel tipping. As usual, Micah, Map maker Eric and I don't exactly see eye to eye on this new concept.The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.And if you would like to hear them sing live, get in touch with us at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG to learn about the group trip we are planning in late September, 2025.We hope you enjoy the show!

On episode 99, Micah and Brian take the time to answer one listener question.  Yes, it was that good of a question and it took us an entire show to answer it. But first, we hear from Listener Lu as she wants to know about our plans to visit with Steve and Grant in the Land Down Under from the podcast, Plane Crazy Down Under.  We also provide the correct date for the Sydney Marathon, August 31st. And Brian gets to correct his math and clarify his pricing threshold for international upgrades. Then we get to answer the question from Listener Paul, "What is our most favorite airplane movie?" Hint: Just like naming your favorite airplane, naming your favorite airplane movie proved to be just as difficult for Micah! The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia. And if you would like to hear them sing live, get in touch with us at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG to learn about the group trip we are planning in late September, 2025. We hope you enjoy the show!

On episode 98, Micah and Brian talk about the decision making process in booking his trip to Africa in September.  But first, we hear from Listener Hendrik. He comments on our "whining" about American's having to pay a fee to visit Europe. Then Listener Lu wants to know if we have heard about the Pan Am Experience and the extensive aviation collection of Anthony Toth.  For the main segment, Brian and Micah talk about flight planning. First Brian talks about the decisions and choices made for his trip to Africa, along with some of the tools he used. Then Micah talks about his process and decisions he had to make for the ticket he is getting for his brother Rick. The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia. And if you would like to hear them sing live, get in touch with us at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG to learn about the group trip we are planning in late September, 2025. We hope you enjoy the show!

On episode 97, Micah and Brian continue our talk with Eric the Mapmaker about his recent trip to Italy on a new airline, Neos. Well, a new airline to us even though they have been in business since 2001. As there was so much to talk about, we dive right into the continuation of episode 96 and learn more about Eric and Bella's trip to Italy. Therefore, there is no listener mail or Listener Lu question. The opening and closing songs are provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia. And if you would like to hear them sing live, get in touch with us at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG to learn about the group trip we are planning in late September or October, 2025. We hope you enjoy the show!

On episode 96, Micah and Brian talk with Eric the Mapmaker about his receint trip to Italy on a new airline, Neon. Well, a new airline to us even though they have been in business for a while. But first, we hear from Listener Mike who joins us from the Airplane Geeks podcast. Mike writes in and wants to know about Premium Economy seating and how they differ between airlines. (Check out this article for more information. ⁠https://www.businesstraveller.com/features/which-airlines-have-the-best-premium-economy/⁠)  Listener subway Mark writes in about taking public transportation to the airport. Micah and I agree that it's a good idea, just not very convenient in most US cities.  Listener Lu wants to know our thoughts on people who stand up as soon as the plane lands and the flight attendant turns off the seatbelt sign.  For the main segment, Brian and Micah talk with Mapmaker Eric about his trip on Neos to Italy.  Well, there was so much to talk about, we had to break this up into two episodes... so check out the second part of the conversation on episode 97. The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia. And if you would like to hear them sing live, get in touch with us at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG to learn about the group trip we are planning in late September or October, 2025. We hope you enjoy the show!