Welcome to episode 119 of The Journey Is the Reward!

Get ready to ascend to cruising altitude, because this episode is a first-class ticket straight into the culinary and cocktail world of the skies! Brian takes you along as he walks the Airline Passenger Experience trade show—an entire show dedicated to what fills those little metal carts... and Brian ate and drank everything he could.

We kick off with some listener correspondence from Listener Aavi who asks if we've ever requested a special meal. Did we navigate the complexities of "low-sodium" or "kosher," or are we happy with the standard "chicken or pasta" approach? Find out our preferred inflight dining strategy!

Listener Lu wants to know our take on the serious incident involving a passenger who made a direct threat to the safety of an aircraft in Seattle. It begs the question: Have we ever been on a flight where a passenger tried to open the emergency exit before the jet bridge was attached? We share our least favorite inflight passenger stories.

In the Shoutouts section, Brian delivers a truly high-altitude promotional idea for Emirates, involving a second version of The Sphere. It's so creative, it might just require a NOTAM of its own.!

Buckle up! The main event is the series of interviews Brian conducted while sampling the latest and greatest products destined for a seat tray near you. 

Undercover Snacks, Quinoa chocolate cookies, their new flavor is preparing for Gate Release!
Mission Craft Cocktails, Premixed, large-format cocktails, A high-stakes operation—their profits help those in need.
Snack Box to Go, Great bread & airplane french fries, perfect for when you need a smooth, non-spicy landing.
Just Enough Wine, Canned wine that’s actually good, A woman-owned business providing perfect altitude-friendly pours!
Brett and Cranky Dorkfest, Aviation geek gathering, Brian had a missed approach on the date. Micah, your boarding pass is waiting!
Sheps Bakery, The best stroopwaffle, This is the Superior Flight Level of stroopwaffles; United, time for a vendor change!
Gin and Juice, Great mixing gin, Brian's "Watermelon Drink" is still stuck in a holding pattern for licensing.  Rocco liked the mix but wasn’t sold on the licensing deal.
Egal Pads, Feminine hygiene on a roll, The most unique ground support equipment at the show, and Brian needed put it to use after a gear-down deployment (aka blowing out stitches)!

After all that taxiing around the show floor, Brian sadly experienced a Missed Connection—he wasn't able to land an interview with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby!

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.