What is “popular” is a funny thing. As we close out the year of 2019, I’m looking at back at the 10 most popular posts of 2019 in terms of traffic on Live and Let’s Fly.
The trend is clear: people like reading bad news. I guess it is not a surprise in our clickbait, Daily Mail culture, but the results are clear even beyond the top-10 list below. You’ll notice only one positive story out of ten (#9).
And I have to admit, that leads me to question why I spend so much time writing hotel reviews when so few people bother to read them and they take more time than even my flight reports. I have to remind myself that I actually write to myself first and foremost and that it must always be that way. That, I hope, is what sets this blog apart from the pack.
But without further ado, here are the ten most popular posts from 2019:
10. Leaked: American Airlines Flight Attendant Sick Policy
9. A Model Flight Attendant For United Airlines
8. Marriott’s Loyalty Program Is So Bad, “Bonvoy” Is a Derogatory Verb
7. I Survived Lufthansa Premium Economy (2017)
6. How A Father-Son Team Exploited American Airlines To Scam Millions
5. Drake Bought a Plane But It Wasn’t $220 Million
4. A Costly Family Vacation For Delta CEO
3. Delta Employees Laugh While American And United Employees Cry
2. American Airlines Flight Attendants Are Furious
Kudos to Kyle for writing one day per week but taking four of ten spots. I always look forward to his content on Sundays and greatly appreciate both his presence and Carly’s on Live and Let’s Fly. Thanks also to 121pilot for his excellent contributions and insight over the year.
The lists are done. Tomorrow I’ll look back on 2019 a bit more, but more importantly look ahead to 2020. It’s been a tough year overall for me, but a great year of growth for the blog. Thanks to each and everyone of you for reading, even the trolls.
Here’s to more bad news in 2020, I suppose…?
Don’t think of it as an interest in “bad” news. Look at it as interest in scandalous news. And scandals have piqued people’s interest since … forever? It’s not just a modern culture thing.
I don’t have time to read all of them, but I like reading your reviews, Matthew! If I don’t comment, it’s because I really do try to limit my comments to moments when I have something substantive to contribute. Although I have perhaps just contradicted myself with this comment … 😉
Happy New Year!
That image you used. I swear is an old Swiss MD-11 first class. It’s funny!
But the uniforms look BA. God, it’s all a blur these days.
While they do look similar it isn’t the old Swiss Md-11 FIrst Class, but rather the old BA 747 First Class (I think). (https://live.staticflickr.com/7144/13985836421_1b7fbc38fe_b.jpg)
It’s a pretty great picture in my opinion.
PS: On the topic of old Swiss First Class: I made a post on flyertalk with most of the old Swiss and Swissair First Class seats that were in service:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31473630-post330.html
I must say it is quite fascinating and I don’t know why, but they do seem to have just something more glamourous about them combared to todays seats…
Correct. This is a BA 747 seat.
It’s an…awkward picture (the image Matt posted, not the one you posted).
I like it.
I’m guessing so since you posted it lol
Not saying it’s bad, just awkward, between the resting b*tch faces of the 2 women looking at you and the FA, plus you ignoring the FA and staring off at…something.
Then again, am kind of liking the expression of the woman on the right, since it does seem like the FA is really invading her personal space…
I must confess that at first I thought this picture was taken from an old commercial or magazine. Only upon closer examination did I discover what appears to be a younger Matthew. (that for some reason looks very similar to my father in his young days).
Aesthetically speaking the picture is doing several things really well (frame, color distribution and golden cut).
I must side with Matt here, the picture is pretty nice.
Maybe more accurate to say The Top 10 Most Viewed L&LF Posts of 2019?
You could also do a top 10 list like OMAAT did and list the most viewed trip reports, just for the sake of curiosity.
I never read your conclusion on the aeroplan first class Swiss debacle. Would you be able to extend on it?
You didn’t mention your pilot friend as a writer. Its a paid article then? Nice…
Not paid. But you’re right, I should have mentioned him.