Things Most People Don't Know About International Flights

Things Most People Don't Know About International Flights


November 20, 2024 | Peter Kinney

Things Most People Don't Know About International Flights


Catching Flights, Not Feelings

The first successful airplane ever built was in 1903. Centuries later, look how far aviation has come. While we're busy catching flights and not feelings, check out these interesting facts surrounding international flights and travel.

Wright Brothers - Airlines

Advertisement

First International Flight

The first regular international passenger flight kicked off in August 1919, flying between London and Paris. It was set up by a company called Air Transport & Travel Ltd. (AT&T), founded in 1916, which eventually became a precursor to British Airways (BA).

First International FlightBritish Airways: Then and Now by Craig Chambers

Advertisement

The Flight Also Carried Courier

In addition to taking passengers, the daily flights also carried mail and packages. The De Havilland DH4A planes were originally built for combat during WWI. However, they ended up being used for a lot more afterward.

Carried CourierUS Post Office and Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Longest Non-Stop Flight

As of 2024, the longest non-stop international flight is run by Singapore Airlines, and it covers about 9,537 miles from Singapore (SIN) all the way to New York's JFK. The flight usually takes around 18 hours and 40 minutes to wrap up.

Singapore AirlinesDamien Aiello, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Biggest International Airport

Saudi's King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) is known as the biggest airport in the world when it comes to size. It is about 780 square kilometers. KFIA started with commercial flights in 1999. And even before that, it was a military airbase during the Gulf War.

King Fahd International AirportKing Fahd International Airport: World Largest Airport 2024 by World of Explosive Facts

Advertisement

First International Flight Pilot

The first pilot to ever fly an international passenger flight was Lieutenant E. H. "Bill" Lawford. He took on the first scheduled international passenger route from England to Paris in 1919. There was just one passenger on board, a journalist named George Stevenson-Reece.

British AirwaysBritish Airways: Then and Now by Craig Chambers

Advertisement

First-Ever Transatlantic Flight 

English pilots John Alcock and Arthur Brown made history in 1919 by completing the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic. The pair flew a modified version of Vickers Vimy (used in WWI) all the way from Newfoundland in Canada to Ireland's Galway. They were also rewarded by the King back then.

Transatlantic Flight Holloway and Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Flight Classes

When it comes to international flights, there are generally four types of service classes. Each one is aimed at different passenger needs and wants. They are Economy Class, Premium Economy, Business Class, and First Class. Economy starts at around $300, and First Class hits (approx.) $10,000.

Business ClassYo12525, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Border Control And Customs Inspections 

These two are essential components of international travel. International airports have facilities for immigration control, where passengers must present their passports and visas (if required) upon arrival and departure. Customs inspections are also conducted, unlike domestic travel.

Wright Brothers - AirlinesRakoon, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Busiest Airline Route

The busiest international flight route right now is between Hong Kong (HKG) and Taipei (TPE), with 571,726 seats up for grabs. The average flight time between the two is about 1 hour and 45 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 500 miles.

Airline RouteAndy Mitchell, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Flight Fuel

International flights mainly make use of jet fuel. It is a type of refined kerosene that is specially made for airplanes with gas turbine engines. Jet A-1 is the most common type of jet fuel. It has a low freezing point of -47°C (-53°F).

Flight FuelKristoferb/Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Difference Between Jet-A And Jet-B

This makes it perfect for long international flights, especially those over the poles. However, in the United States, Jet-A is more commonly used with a freezing point of -40°C (-40°F). There's also Jet-B, which is used in extremely cold conditions.

Jet-ARoland Berger, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

More and more airlines are hopping on board with using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in their operations. This could help cut down emissions by as much as 80% compared to regular jet fuels. SAF production is expected to reach 1.9 billion liters this year.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Curimedia and Ubahnverleih, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Record Revenue

The global airline industry is expected to earn around $996 billion this year, a 9.7% jump from the previous year. This boost is due to more people flying (obviously) but also because of better operational efficiency. Passenger revenues alone are set to reach $744 billion.

Revenuexlibber, Wikimedia Commons and Pixabay/Pexels

Advertisement

Environmental Impact

There are a couple of airlines that are putting money into carbon offset programs to lessen the environmental impact of flying, mainly greenhouse gasses. For example, if you're flying with British Airways, you can buy verified carbon offsets when you book your ticket. 

British AirwaysSteve Lynes, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Mission To Hit Net-Zero Emissions

The program is all about helping out with environmental projects, like the Blue Carbon Mangrove Project and other biochar initiatives. British Airways is on a mission to hit net-zero emissions by 2050. Another such company is Singapore Airlines.

Singapore AirlinesKentaro Iemoto/Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Electric Aircraft

Electric aircraft have one aim and that is to lessen dependency on fossil fuels and carbon emissions. An exciting development in this field is Eviation Alice—an all-electric aircraft set to fly in 2027, hopefully. This one is designed for regional travel and more than 600 Alice planes have been ordered around the globe.

AliceMatti Blume, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Supersonic Travel

Boom Supersonic is leading the charge for supersonic travel with its flagship aircraft, Overture. This one aims to fly at Mach 1.7 (approximately 1,300 mph or 2,100 km/h). It is basically designed to massively reduce transatlantic flight times.

Boom SupersonicUnited goes supersonic | Boom Supersonic by Boom Supersonic

Advertisement

Best International Airline

Qatar Airways snagged the "World's Best Airline" title in 2024 for World Airline Awards. The winner was picked based on safety checks, passenger reviews, and the airline's innovations. It also won awards for Best Business Class and Best Catering for the fifth consecutive year.

Qatar AirwaysJuke Schweizer, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Shortest Commercial Flight

The quickest international flight is from Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It covers a distance of about 24 kilometers, or about 15 miles. The flight duration reported is only around 31 minutes.

Shortest Commercial FlightUnsonique, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Airline Filtration

Did you know the air you breathe on airplanes is filtered? This is done through a sophisticated system that includes High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. The air in the cabin primarily comes from Engine Bleed Air. That is, fresh air is drawn from outside the aircraft through the engines or electric compressors.

Airline FiltrationAmerican Minute: HEPA Filters by American Airlines

Advertisement

Worst International Airline

Viva Aerobus (Mexico) was ranked the worst airline in the world by The Travel Bible in its 2024 list. Many frequent travelers have reportedly complained about the tight seats, all those sneaky extra charges, and the lack of transparency and valuable customer service.

Viva AerobusPedro Aragao, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Different Pilot Meals?

In earlier times, pilots were advised to eat different meals for long flights to reduce the likelihood that both pilots would suffer from food poisoning at the same time. Funny thinking about the first time this might've happened, which led to the fruition of this rule.

Pilot MealsWHAT and HOW Pilots Eat in the A320 Cockpit at 39000 feet in a Day - FlyJV by FlyJV

Advertisement

Waste Disposal

International planes eliminate their trash on the ground, following strict rules and regulations. Once the aircraft lands, ground handling crews remove the collected and segregated waste and transport it to designated disposal facilities. The waste generated includes catering, cleaning, and biohazardous waste.

Waste DisposalAIRCRAFT | A320 Waste Servicing by SUPER CHARGE

Advertisement

Change In Taste

When you're cruising at about 35,000 feet, the cabin pressure and dry air can affect your sense of taste, making it drop by 20-30%. That's why airlines tend to season the food more than they would on the ground. Even tomato juice tastes better.

Airplane FoodJunK, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

"Flying Chef" Concept

Turkish Airlines has rolled out a "Flying Chef" program, where chefs are actually onboard whipping up and serving gourmet meals. They team up with the cabin crew to make sure the food is top-notch and looks great, too. The meals are inspired by Turkish cuisine.

Flying ChefTurkish Airlines’ Flying Chefs: A Look at Elite Airplane Food by The Points Guy | Departures

Advertisement

READ MORE

sunken plane diving, plane crash, incident, search under water, crash, divers

Oceanographers have uncovered new evidence that completely changes our understanding of the Bermuda Triangle.

The story of the Bermuda Triangle is no secret—but there’s so much that people don’t know. Could there really be some kind of unknown force behind the rash of disturbing incidents and disappearances in that patch of the Atlantic Ocean, or is it all just a bizarre coincidence? The truth is much stranger than you’d expect.
July 10, 2025 Samantha Henman

The Ojibwe: North America’s Most Authentic Tribe

The Ojibwe are one of the largest tribal populations in North America. Their history is rich in tradition, with many cultural aspects still thriving today—despite brutal and devastating attempts by federal governments to colonize them. After a nearly continuous fight for survival, their story is one of tragedy and conflict—but also triumph, perseverance, and incredible accomplishments.
July 8, 2025 Jane O'Shea
Officers and crew of the 'Endurance'

The Impossible Survival Story Of The Endurance Crew

There have been many incredible expeditions throughout history—but perhaps, above all, there is one that truly showcases the strength of the human spirit and the fight to survive no matter how hard the circumstances may be.
July 4, 2025 Samantha Henman
Monolith

The Largest Monoliths Uncovered From Our Ancient Past

Long before cranes, engines, or even the wheel, ancient builders were moving stone blocks that modern construction crews would struggle to lift. From buried giants in Lebanon to perfectly balanced pillars in India, these massive monoliths push the limits of what we thought was possible in the ancient world.
July 3, 2025 Ella Mason

Researchers found a 6th-century BCE observatory at Buto Temple in Kafr El Sheikh that may have helped Egyptian priests map the stars.

At Buto Temple, archaeologists found a structure with sun-aligned walls and carved tools. Its design suggests it supported star mapping by offering new insight into how ancient Egyptians measured time and ritual.
July 3, 2025 Miles Brucker
Untitled Design (8)

Free Disneyland Perks You’re Probably Walking Right Past

There’s the Disneyland everyone talks about, and then there’s the version you stumble into—if you’re paying attention. It's the one with quiet kindness, free comforts, and little things you didn’t know you needed.
July 3, 2025 Peter Kinney