Fun Facts, Aviation Edition

In 2008 this blog inaugurated one of my longest-running and completely pointless blog post series, fun facts. This is the latest instalment none of you asked for, dedicated to aviation.

In no particular order:

• Western Global has to repaint their planes when flying east.

• Tulla-marine airport in Melbourne is located inland.

• Jetstar once held the record for best something, but nobody can remember what that was.

• Aircraft sporting wing fences can only take off after their gates are closed.

• The irregular shape of the 737’s later engine nacelles was designed to tell the aircraft apart from the 757 in Boeing promotional material.

• Changi Airport and Chek Lap Kok have been consistently rated the best airports in Singapore and Hong Kong respectively (though not interchangeably).

• In a cost cutting move, later versions of the Harrier Jump Jet were made from recycled commercial thrust reversers.

• Planes operated by SkyTeam alliance members often sit on the ground. Likewise, oneworld members can’t fly on the moon.

• Newark Liberty Airport was so named because they took liberty with the pronunciation of “New York”.

• Emirates can also be written as —irates.

With thanks to Alec Wilson for the photo.