The Pilot Who ExploresMaximize short European layovers with efficient airport transfers, lounge reviews, and sightseeing routes — written by a pilot who’s done them all.
As an international airline pilot with frequent layovers here, London Heathrow (LHR) has become one of my favorite layover and transit airports in the world. Heathrow features numerous lounges, excellent public transportation, delicious food and coffee, and convenient nearby hotels. Some of Heathrow’s hidden gems include a little-known observation deck, a 15-minute direct train to […]
Face it – your chances to fly in business class on the iconic 747-400 are pretty limited, and they’re only getting slimmer. So when I had the choice of flying in a brand new 787, A350, or a nearly-30 year old 747 from Europe to India… well, I think the title gives it away. Lufthansa […]
When you hear Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), what do you think of? Dutch pancakes, windmills, lost suitcases, and tall locals may come to mind. But Schiphol is so much more than that. Beside being the world’s third busiest airport, made recently famous for staffing issues and nightmarish delays, Schiphol is actually a phenomenal airport to […]
As a SkyTeam pilot, Paris CDG is my second home. And it might be the BEST layover airport. Here’s what to do – and why.
Just because you only have a 5 to 9 hour layover at Athens International Airport (ATH) doesn’t mean you can’t get an amazing taste of Greece. Last July, I found myself with a nine-hour layover here. Nine hours! But in the end, it was the best layover I could have asked for. In fact, I […]
I’ve noticed something strange about travel to the Balkans – people seem to flock to Croatia, Montenegro, or even head to Greece, but they often skip Albania. Naturally, this made me curious – is there a reason for this? Should I be visiting Albania at all? After being absolute enthralled by Croatia’s beauty on a […]
Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) is a massive hub spread across 2 massive, convoluted terminals. If you’re flying transiting FRA on a 4-7 hour layover, you might be wondering: what even is there to do in Frankfurt Airport? As an international airline pilot, Frankfurt has (surprisingly!) become one of my favorite layovers, and an airport I […]
Bucharest, both the heart and soul of Romania, is caught in a whirlwind of unique and differing cultures. Throughout the city, you can witness Romania’s rich history of clashing mega-empires combined with a fascinating Transylvanian touch, altogether making Bucharest one of Europe’s true hidden gems. As you make your way around Bucharest, you’ll find the […]
Last summer, my partner and I embarked on a surprisingly awesome journey to the Baltics. We had heard nice things about these far away, isolated Northern European countries – but nothing we heard captured just how fascinating they would end up being. From Lithhuania northbound to Finland, we embarked on a journey we will never […]