From the outside, reviewing airlines looks like a dream job where you fly somewhere interesting, eat the food and sleep in the bed before writing about it. I know, nobody’s feeling sorry for someone who reviews business class for a living, and I do love it. But a lot of the work happens in a few frantic minutes that most readers never picture. I’ve taken more than 130 flights this year, and nearly every review depends on getting a handful of things right.
Boarding First
Getting on the plane first matters more to my reviews than almost anything else. The first few minutes after boarding are the only time the cabin looks the way the airline designed it, with every seat empty and every pillow in place. Once other passengers settle in, I can't photograph their seats without photographing them, so that window closes fast.
Preflight Photos
Most readers don't realize that almost every photo in a review is taken before the plane pushes back. In that short window, I'm racing to capture the seat in every position along with the storage and the screen. Then I grab the amenity kit and the view down the aisle, usually while the crew are busy with their own preparations.
If I miss a shot then, there's often no second chance. The cabin gets busier and darker from there, and a bag in the aisle or a sleeping neighbor can ruin the angle for the rest of the flight.
Staying Awake for Meals
Overnight flights add another challenge. I want to sleep as much as anyone, but the meal service and the bed are both central to a review, so I have to stay awake through dinner and photograph every course. Then I still need the bed shots before I can finally turn in, which can push lights-out well into what my body thinks is the middle of the night.
When a Review Doesn't Work Out
Not every flight becomes a review. A while back I flew Premium Plus, United's premium economy cabin, from Paris to Newark on a flight I planned to review. I ended up shelving it because the lighting was poor and the photo opportunities just weren't there. Without good photos, I couldn't show readers what the cabin was really like, and a review that can't do that isn't worth publishing.
So the next time you read a flight review, picture someone hurrying down the jet bridge to beat the crowd, then eating dinner at what feels like 3 a.m. It's more work than it looks, and it's why nearly every photo in a Contrail review comes from those first few minutes on board.
