Flipboard 2025 Trending

Air travel has gotten tighter in every possible way—smaller seats, stricter rules, higher fees. For larger passengers, that pressure can turn into a real fear: can an airline legally make you buy two tickets? It’s a question that comes up constantly as planes—and wallets—feel more cramped than ever.

Santa won’t admit it publicly, but he has favorite states—and a few he quietly complains about to the reindeer before every landing. Based on real data and Santa’s notes, here’s how the states rank on the big man's nice and naughty list.

Based on national survey data, these are the states where people vent the most—about…well, about pretty much everything. It’s part science, part sass, and totally relatable.

California’s reputation might be all palm trees and perfect weather—but the data tells a different story. According to the latest 2025 Quality of Life Index, California only ranks 29th in the nation. That means there are 28 states where people statistically live better.

You step away for a few minutes to double-check something simple. You come back ready to book… and suddenly it’s hundreds of dollars more. Same flight, same seat, totally different price. It feels instant, almost targeted, like something changed the second you left. Because something did.

Well, at least some of them are. While some of them sure aren't. And AirHelp has gone and ranked 239 of them across 69 countries—and these are the 35 best and the 35 worst.

Sure, every city has its charm—but not all are equally beloved by their residents. In fact, some U.S. cities consistently rank poorly when locals are asked about quality of life, safety, infrastructure, and overall satisfaction.

If we asked you what state has been ranked best in the country for the last three years—would you have said Utah? Well, if you answered anything other than Utah you would've been wrong. Because, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best States ranking, the Beehive State is the best of the best in 2025 (a title it also wore in 2023 and 2024).

Think your state takes too much of your paycheck? Or maybe you brag about living in a “low-tax” paradise? Not all taxes are created equal. Some states lean heavily on income taxes, others on sales or property, and a few don’t tax certain things at all.

You come back from dinner, and something feels off. A bag has been moved, your toiletries are lined up differently, or a drawer you never opened is suddenly ajar. It is the kind of discovery that turns a relaxing stay into a trust problem in seconds.

You pick a seat, maybe even pay extra for it, and then the airline quietly moves you before takeoff. It is frustrating, and it happens more often than many travelers expect. The key question is whether that original seat was ever truly guaranteed.