While many of us just want a peaceful, no-talk flight, there are others curious about the people sitting next to them. Whether it’s the chatty storyteller, the nervous first-time flyer, or the surprise celebrity, sharing space with unique individuals can make air travel more memorable. People in an online travel forum recently talked about the most fascinating airplane seatmates that you may never have suspected. Have you ever been sat next to an incredible seatmate?
1. The Michael Johnsons
It’s so unusual to encounter a person who shares your exact name anywhere. But what if it was with someone on the same flight as yours? As for one commenter, during check-in, the airline clerk did a double take on the screen, something that made the user say, “Is there another Michael Johnson on this flight?” Just imagine his surprise when she confirmed, “No need to ask around; he’s sitting right next to you.” However, despite his excitement, his name twin was unimpressed upon meeting.
2. Combat Fatigue? No, Just Marriage
One contributor recalls a trip his father took where he sat next to a Navy SEAL on a flight. The combatant shared incredible stories during the journey, including “being dropped into Grenada during the fiasco in the ’80s.” However, his father noticed the vet had been nervous the entire time, knocking back Scotch and sweating. When quizzed about why such a tough guy was so nervous on a plane, his reply was hilarious: “I’m on my way to my wedding.”
3. Two Hobbits on a Plane
A Tolkien fan reading her Lord of The Rings trilogy shared a flight with a solo traveler: a ten-year-old girl who remarked on how much she loved the commenter’s bookmark. The girl revealed her edition of The Hobbit before the Tolkienistas enjoyed a rare flight together. “As I was about to stand up and head down the aisle, she suddenly leaned over and enveloped me in the biggest of hugs,” says the passenger, “and said, ‘I’m an odd, different girl, but I think that’s okay; different means special. Thanks for being my friend!'”
4. A Chance Encounter
The following story involves a Swedish traveler who enjoyed trips to Chicago as a child “to visit her father’s family.” After getting her novel out for the flight, a young boy beside his father asked what she was reading. “I went on and on, retelling the plot, pointing out my favorite passages, commenting on the characters, etc.,” explains the observer. When she had finished her “soliloquy,” the old man turned and thanked her. “It turned out it was the author, traveling with his son. I spent the entire visit living high on this experience, telling my father about it.”
5. A Walking Angel
An Irish American citizen speaks of one flight where he was lucky enough to be upgraded to business class and sat next to a lady with a “pleasant housewife vibe.” After chatting, he discovered she was a Harvard-educated doctor who had volunteered and raised funds to save a Chinese orphan’s eyesight. After discovering the young girl would return to squalid orphanage conditions after the operation, the Irishman reveals what she did next. “The doctor adopted her,” says the commenter.
6. Hand in Hand
A plucky young man asked flight attendants to sit him beside a cute lady sharing his flight. Once seated, he discovered she feared flying and offered the nervous woman his hand during takeoff. “She never let go through all of our little small talk about everything and nothing during our six-hour flight,” says the gentleman. However, it didn’t end there: “She has been my best friend, co-worker, and wife for almost eight years now.”
7. Oh, Canada
A Torontonian lady who had booked a 25th birthday weekend in Vegas found herself beside a gentle elderly man. “He was one of the friendliest humans I ever met. We started chatting,” she recalls. “He told me about serving in the army and about his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and what they were all doing in life.” They became email friends, and he would send her daily riddles and jokes. Sadly, they just stopped one day. “It’s been a while now; I don’t know how he’s doing, but I hope wherever he is, he is lighting up a room,” she concludes.
8. Designer Laptop or Laptop Designer?
Another thread describes a passenger sitting by a man working on a laptop inches from his face. “I soon learned that I was sitting next to Glenn Edens, who designed the first laptop computer while at GRiD Systems, a company he co-founded in 1979,” explains the commenter. “I don’t recall the name of the condition Glenn had, but what struck me was the efficiency and speed with which Glenn was able to use his machine nonetheless.”
9. Not Today, Kid; Not Today
Imagine being seated next to a highly competitive nine-year-old who loved beating adults at video games — this happened to an Indian passenger. “Things got interesting when I started playing games on the inflight entertainment system,” jokes the poster. “The kid would switch to whatever game I was playing, and within a few minutes, he would cross my score and then look at me scornfully.” I would take that kid down!
10. Considerate Parents
When finding their airline seat on a long-haul flight once, a traveler discovered a goody bag with a kind poem attached. The note, written by considerate parents, explained how Annabelle (the infant) was only 16 months old but didn’t always do what she was told, so she apologized in advance for any disturbance. The goody bag contained candy and earplugs for the noise. “For the rest of my life, I will never forget little Annie and her thoughtful mother and father for the way they touched my life for a few hours,” says the thankful contributor.
11. Impromptu Freebird
Just imagine meeting Lynyrd Skynyrd on a flight and not recognizing them! One London-based scientist did this when he met the band on their way home from a world tour in 1996. When this passenger revealed his lack of Skynyrd knowledge, they treated him to an impromptu gig with an acoustic guitar and drumsticks. I proceeded to get the greatest hits of songs concert including “Freebird” and “Sweet Home Alabama” — and a lot of ‘You must know this one,'” jokes the commenter. “So, I got my own dedicated concert by Lynyrd Skynyrd at 40,000ft.”
Travel Treasures and Tourist Traps: Ranking Southeast Asia’s Must-See Places
Asia is the largest continent on the planet, with an unrivaled series of coastlines, landscapes that take your breath away, and an abundance of timeless treasures reminding tourists of paradise well-preserved. But in between the lush natural estate holding must-see destinations, tourist traps abound. A member of an online travel community asks which places are a must-see in Southeast Asia and what traps to avoid, and these are the most insightful responses.
Travel Treasures and Tourist Traps: Ranking Southeast Asia’s Must-See Places
11 Reasons Solo Travelers Ditch Family Resorts for Adults-Only
Traveling solo can be a daunting option, but it doesn’t have to be. Staying in an adults-only resort can be a great way to take a vacation and relax in a stress-free environment. Someone visiting the Dominican Republic just asked people online about going alone to a resort exclusively for adults. From the luxurious amenities to the peaceful solitude, the users’ responses show that adults-only resorts can be perfect for some well-deserved alone time.
11 Reasons Solo Travelers Ditch Family Resorts for Adults-Only
Misled by Myths: The Truth About 13 Countries’ Misconceptions
It’s time to set the record straight. There are countless popular myths surrounding specific countries that, for better or worse, are taken as fact by millions of people. Recently, men and women met in an online discussion to debunk many widespread misconceptions about certain nations. Let’s let the facts speak for themselves!
Misled by Myths: The Truth About 13 Countries’ Misconceptions
Boomers Living The Dream: Visit These 11 Must-See Destinations Retirees Can’t Get Enough Of
Carving out a comfortable retirement can be difficult, but it’s worth the effort for those who want to make the most of their golden years. The freedom of being able to hop on a plane or take a road trip whenever and wherever you please is an enticing prospect for retirees to look forward to, even if it means having to save up for a while. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back beach getaway, an active outdoor adventure in the mountains, or a bustling city to explore, these 11 must-see destinations will make your retirement dreams come true.
Boomers Living The Dream: Visit These 11 Must-See Destinations Retirees Can’t Get Enough Of
Mailing Clothes Instead of Checking Bags: The Bizarre Trend That’s Catching On
Airlines tend to lose luggage, and although they issue customers with handy security checking tags, luggage handlers are human and make mistakes. My friend once waited two weeks to reunite with her lost luggage, and staying in a foreign country stranded without your clothes is not a great feeling. To combat those instances, travelers mention why they mail their bags to their destinations instead of checking their luggage.
Mailing Clothes Instead of Checking Bags: The Bizarre Trend That’s Catching On