Patrick Smith is a hero. Well, we like to think so anyway. Whether you're obsessed with all matters aviation or you're a slightly nervous flier, his book, Cockpit Confidential, has all the answers to the questions that have preyed on your mind during a flight. Is turbulence normal? Does autopilot f... Read more
Preparing for a holiday can be exciting, but it’s also vital that you focus on the task at hand and make sure you’re totally prepared for your trip. Here’s a useful guide to tying up and loose ends before you go - from holiday insurance to packing like a pro, here are ten things you need to know. 1... Read more
What happens if someone passes away on a flight? Why do planes really have ashtrays? What happens to bags pompously labelled with 'FRAGILE' stickers, and will tipping get you any freebies? Despite the fact flying is commonplace these days and people tend to use planes as glorified coaches, there's ... Read more
What kind of events would cause a pilot to turn a plane around? We've had a trawl though the murky depths of the internet, and we've uncovered the strangest reasons flights have been forced to turn around. Top tip - if you're related to someone important, you can pretty much rule the skies. Mind t... Read more
We're big fans of flying. It's fast, it's exciting, and there's always an opportunity to purchase something frivolous and expensive from the trolley if you're bored. However, there's one aspect of flying that always leaves us cold, and that's the food. Here's our rundown of the worst offenders. Th... Read more
From urinating on fellow passengers (nice) to showing displeasure at being denied a drink, here are ten people who should probably think very carefully before booking their next flight. Very carefully indeed. Mark Hodson, editor of 101 Holidays, spoke to Skyscanner about the ten worst episodes of i... Read more
Please note: If you've got any questions about your travel insurance and how Ebola might affect your journey, tweet us @Columbus_Direct with your questions.Passengers arriving in the UK from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea will have their temperatures tested for suspected Ebola at Heathrow terminal... Read more
Even though we love seeing cabin crew take us through in-flight safety instructions (the part with the red toggles on the lifejacket is a particular favourite), we have a lot of time for in-flight safety videos. Especially when they're done well. Airlines have recently become wise to the fact that ... Read more
A while ago, we asked you about your most embarrassing experiences on a plane. From baby-feeding disasters to drunken mishaps, we've compiled a list of the best we were sent - and if yours has been featured, relax. We didn't use your names. "I was on a flight from South Africa to Heathrow and I'd s... Read more
We're only going to say this the once, so listen up - age doesn't matter. Well, unless you're a cheese or a wine, and we're going to take a wild guess and assume that you're neither of those. People are retiring earlier, saving harder and travelling further than ever before. 'Grey gappers' (older b... Read more