Zach Griff’s 2022 journey highlights, journey stats and what’s coming subsequent 12 months

Another 12 months is within the books, and with it comes some reflection on accomplishments in 2022 and pleasure for what lies forward in 2023.

From a journey perspective, this 12 months began feeling “normal” once more. The masks mandate ended in March, and lots of extra nations started reopening their borders to vacationers.

While I personally didn’t high my 2019 journey stats, I used to be nonetheless lucky to go to some locations that had been beforehand off-limits in the course of the pandemic, together with Bali and Singapore.

There had been a ton of different travel-focused highlights this 12 months, so I’ll recap a few of them under and share what’s on the horizon for 2023.

2022 journey stats

Total miles flown: 185,780 (2021: 152,033; 2020: 133,796 miles; 2019: 205,985 miles)

Longest flight: New York — Singapore (9,527 miles)

Shortest flight: Boston — New York (184 miles)

Unique airways: 18

Unique airports: 47

Elite standing earned: 7 (American AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Delta SkyMiles Gold Medallion, United Premier 1K, JetBlue Mosaic, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, World of Hyatt Globalist). Read extra about my elite standing plans for 2023 in my devoted story.

Earlier this 12 months, I obtained to take a look at one of many coolest planes I’ve ever seen — a Boeing 757-200 that is been transformed into an opulent VIP configuration for tour clothing store Abercrombie and Kent.

The 757 options 48 seats, unfold throughout 34 rows in a 2-2 configuration. While the seats largely resemble one thing you’d discover in worldwide enterprise class, the Abercrombie and Kent personal jet expertise consists of cooked-to-order meals, top-shelf Champagnes and liquors and extremely personalised service.

Better but, the airplane flies from personal terminals at a few of the world’s hardest-to-reach airports, bringing you nearer to the motion — whether or not that is to a safari or to a distant metropolis.

With a sticker value of $160,000 per individual, I do not assume that flying this jet can be within the playing cards for 2023, however at the least I obtained a peek inside.

The world’s longest flight, take 2

During the pandemic, Singapore Airlines made headlines for launching the brand new longest flight on the earth: from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Singapore.

The flight clocks in at 9,527 miles, simply two miles longer than the earlier longest flight on the earth, from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Singapore.

While I flew the Newark route in 2019, I used to be desperate to expertise the JFK flight — not only for the novelty of being on the world’s longest flight, but in addition to examine the expertise with that of the Newark route.

Suffice it to say, it was a blast for this aviation fanatic, and I even caught a really uncommon glimpse of the northern lights.

New routes and lots of dropped cities

As a reporter, I spend most of my time protecting the aviation business, and no storyline captured as many headlines this 12 months because the one about pandemic-era community changes.

All the key U.S. airways have added a slew of recent routes and locations this 12 months, although my two favorites are United’s summer time transatlantic growth and Delta’s new service to Cape Town and Tahiti.

I used to be lucky to fly United’s inaugural from Newark to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, in June, and it was a blast getting to affix in on the enjoyable, which included a pre-departure gate occasion, commemorative pajamas and a welcome reception upon arrival.

That mentioned, it hasn’t all been about growth this 12 months. The Big 3 U.S. airways proceed to drop small U.S. cities from their route map.

Since the pandemic started, American, Delta and United have collectively pulled out of a whopping 64 U.S. cities, in line with Cirium information and community evaluation carried out by aviation consulting agency Ailevon Pacific.

A significant tech improve

Each 12 months, I stay up for trying out new travel-focused expertise, and 2022 was probably the greatest but.

Headlining the upgrades is Apple’s new MacBook Air, which launched again in July and has rapidly change into my go-to laptop computer. The laptop is powered by the tech big’s newest M2 processor, which delivers unimaginable efficiency and all-day battery life. In reality, I used the pc throughout the world’s longest flight, and I landed with 85% cost left.

Apple hit it out of the park with different new gadgets and devices this 12 months, together with the second-generation AirPods Pro, iPhone 14 lineup and the Apple Watch Series 8.

I’ve additionally been a fan of GoPro’s newest Hero11 digicam, and I’ve had a blast placing DJI’s new Mini 3 Pro drone to the check on my outdoor-focused journeys. Be positive to catch all my journey gear suggestions in my annual reward information.

Used planes are new once more

Delta took a really attention-grabbing method to its fleet technique this 12 months.

The Atlanta-based provider acquired second-hand Airbus A350s and Boeing 737s from varied airways, and it rapidly inducted these planes into its fleet because of the quickly rising demand for journey.

While the planes now fly in Delta’s livery and shade scheme, the cabins themselves have not been up to date.

That mentioned, the “inferior” A350s aren’t necessarily as outdated as you’d count on, particularly for {couples} touring collectively. In reality, I used to be pleasantly shocked after I flew Delta’s first used A350 in June.

Domestic top quality will get a serious transformation

Delta did not simply add used planes to its fleet this 12 months — it additionally took supply of a brand-new home workhorse, the Airbus A321neo, or “new engine possibility.”

While the airplane itself could appear like the basic Airbus A321, the inside sports activities maybe the largest improve but to the home first-class expertise.

Delta put in a customized recliner that options further privateness, extra storage and loads of different enhancements.

In reality, I’d say that this was the largest innovation to occur to the home onboard expertise this 12 months.

Lounges obtained nicer… and busier

Now that journey is sort of again to 2019 ranges, airports are actually busy as soon as once more. Perhaps nowhere is that extra obvious than on the lounge.

After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, lounge overcrowding got here again with a vengeance. But, whenever you do make it into the lounge, at the least you will possible take pleasure in a much-upgraded expertise.

Delta opened three gorgeous new Sky Clubs this 12 months in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. My private favourite is the one in L.A., which includes a year-round outside deck that is nice for airplane recognizing.

American and United additionally opened new outposts this 12 months, together with the large United Club in Newark and a first-of-its-kind Admirals Club within the nation’s capital.

Premium financial system is all the trend

If you are on the lookout for a bit extra consolation in your subsequent worldwide flight, you may wish to take into account splurging for premium financial system.

This intermediate providing between enterprise class and financial system has change into extra standard than ever, with increasingly more airways including this cabin to their long-haul fleets.

This 12 months noticed the introduction of KLM’s new premium financial system, which I flew on the inaugural flight. The expertise, particularly the eating element, regarded extra like enterprise class than financial system.

In reality, it was so good that it gained TPG’s award for the very best premium financial system cabin.

A US airport renaissance

One of the silver linings of the pandemic has been the acceleration of airport infrastructure tasks. Perhaps nowhere is that extra obvious than within the Northeast, the place new terminals sprung up in LaGuardia and Newark Airports.

American and British Airways co-located in JFK’s Terminal 8, which now options three new lounges and an upgraded premium check-in expertise.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) additionally obtained a giant improve with the opening of Delta’s new Sky Way in Terminals 2 and three.

Memphis additionally reinvented itself as a post-Delta hub with a new 23-gate terminal, which opened in February.

I haven’t got that a lot booked but, however I’m trying ahead to flying United’s inaugural service to Dubai in March, returning to Japan and flying the brand new Qantas flight from Sydney to New York by way of Auckland.

I’m positive many extra plans will pop up all year long, so keep tuned to TPG for heaps extra thrilling protection in 2023 and past.