AVIATION

Why Is It Called a ‘Cockpit’?

The flight deck has long been known by a peculiar term—one that probably has to do with roosters.

2023 American Women Quarter featuring pilot Bessie Coleman.

New Quarters Highlight Pioneering Aviator Bessie Coleman

The first coin in the U.S. Mint's 2023 American Women Quarters Program features Bessie Coleman, the pilot who broke barriers a century ago.

Flight delayed or canceled? Here's what to do.

12 Things To Do When Your Flight's Canceled or Delayed

The next time you're stranded at an airport because of a flight delay or cancellation, follow these expert tips—and have a better chance at maintaining your sanity.

There Are Only 25 Blimps Left on Earth—Here’s Why

There are 25 blimps left in existence as of 2022, and only half of them are in use.

Amelia Earhart is getting some overdue recognition.

A Monumental Moment: A Long-Awaited Statue of Amelia Earhart Will Be Unveiled at the U.S. Capitol This Month

The pioneering aviator who died under mysterious circumstances in 1937 will soon take a place of prominence in the National Statuary Hall Collection.

A flight attendant pouring a passenger champagne on a Pan Am flight.

Pan Am Video Highlights the Luxurious Early Days of Commercial Flight

From spacious lounge areas to high-end meals, the average air traveler could expect a luxurious experience while flying Pan American in the 1950s.

Amelia Earhart was a major influence on modern fashion.

Sky Fashion: Amelia Earhart's Clothing Line

Amelia Earhart was a pioneer in the air, but she also had a knack for progressive women's clothing in a line she designed.

The Best Airlines in the U.S. and the World

Whether you're traveling internationally or domestically, these are the best airlines to fly with in 2021.

Astronaut Alan Shepard wears his pressure suit for the Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) flight, the first American crewed spaceflight.

13 Facts about Astronaut Alan Shepard, the First American in Space

Fifty years ago, Alan Shepard became the first astronaut to hit a golf ball on the moon. Read on for more facts about trailblazing career at NASA.

United's male-only flights lasted from 1953 to 1970. In addition to women, children were also banned from boarding.

Sexism at 40,000 Feet: When United Banned Women From Boarding Their Men-Only 'Executive' Flights

From 1953 to 1970, United Airlines offered a daily flight out of New York that catered exclusively to male passengers. The National Organization for Women (NOW) was having none of it.

This metaphor doesn't mean what you think it means.

Where Does the Term 'Pushing the Envelope' Come From?

Anyone exceeding established boundaries of business, art, or safety is said to be 'pushing the envelope.' Why?

Col. Benjamin O. Davis (left), commanding officer of the 332nd Fighter Group, and Edward C. Gleed, group operations officer, stand in front of a plane in Ramitelli, Italy, in March 1945.

10 Inspiring Facts About the Tuskegee Airmen

The first African American pilots to serve in the United States military, the Tuskegee Airmen helped the Allies win World War II and put the U.S. armed forces on the road to integration.

Eugene Bullard, the World's First Black Fighter Pilot

Eugene Bullard survived some of the deadliest battles in history and became the world's first Black fighter pilot—all before the age of 30.

The Concorde is seen rolling off an assembly line in 1968.

Watch: The Concorde and Supersonic Flight Take Off in 1976

The Concorde shot through skies at 1495 mph—virtually the speed of a bullet—and could get people from San Francisco to Tokyo in six hours.

America’s Major Airlines Are Encouraging More People to Travel By Doing Away With Change Fees

In an effort to encourage people to make travel plans, United, Delta, and other airlines are making it free to change your flight date after you book.

11 Questions About Airplane Cabins, Answered

How come seat belts are so simple? Why is the food so bland? Read on for answers to these pressing airplane cabin queries.

How Much Damage Does Marine One Cause to the White House Lawn When It Lands?

You might be surprised to learn that a few bent blades of grass are about the only damage that occurs when Marine One takes off and lands at the White House. But your ego could get bruised if you don't hold onto your hat—or any other garment that could go

LZ-129 Hindenburg, a rigid airship manufactured in Germany by the Zeppelin Company, catches fire as it comes in for a landing in Lakehurst, New Jersey, on May 6, 1937.

15 Facts About the Hindenburg

Rigid zeppelins used to carry the rich and well-to-do across the Atlantic Ocean in style. But after the Hindenburg airship crashed in a fiery heap on May 6, 1937, that industry went up in smoke. Here’s the lowdown on the life and death of this ill-fated f

UFO Enthusiast Donates 30,000 Sighting-Related Documents to Canadian University

Ufologist Chris Rutkowski has donated his collection of 30,000 documents related to UFO sightings to the University of Manitoba in Canada.

Planning a Trip? These Are the 10 U.S. Airlines Most Likely to Bump You

Want to increase your chances of getting on the right flight home for the holidays? Be aware of the airlines that are notorious for bumping passengers.

Werner Doehner, the Last Survivor of the Hindenburg, Has Died at 90

At age 8, Werner Doehner was the youngest person onboard the Hindenburg when it crashed. He was the last remaining survivor of the disaster before his death earlier this month.

Photo illustration by Riccardo Zagorodnez, Mental Floss. Plane/landscape, iStock via Getty Images. Portrait, New York Public Library // Public Domain

Bessie Coleman, the Black Cherokee Female Pilot Who Made Aviation History

No aviation schools in America would teach Bessie Coleman how to fly in the 1920s. So, she sailed to France and became the first African American and the first Native American woman to earn a pilot's license.

When Should You Book Your Thanksgiving and Christmas Flights? Right Now!

It might seem like the best time to book flights for holiday travel is still to come, but you should actually nab airline tickets ASAP.

Could Gigantic Coconut Crabs Have Played a Part in Amelia Earhart’s Mysterious Disappearance? At Least One Scientist Thinks So

Thirteen human bones that may have been Amelia Earhart’s were found and promptly lost. But what happened to the other 193?

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