The days of flying with bulky oxygen tanks are largely gone. These days, passengers bring their own battery-operated portable oxygen concentrators.
Author: John Cox, Special to USA TODAY
Ask the Captain: How fast can a plane descend if cabin pressure is lost?
This week, retired US Airways Captain John Cox discusses what is done in the event a cabin loses pressure and recalls his scariest flying experience.
Ask the Captain: Does taking off or landing near wildfires damage aircraft engines?
This week, retired US Airways pilot John Cox sets a reader’s mind at ease about flying near wildfires.
Ask the Captain: How is air filtered in airplane lavatories to prevent spreading coronavirus?
How is air filtered in plane lavatories? How much information is given to the passengers if an aircraft is having serious mechanical issues?
Ask the Captain: Can you fly over hurricanes? If not, how do you fly around them?
Pilots can – and do – fly over hurricanes but but it’s thunderstorm activity and wind speed that can ground flights and close airports.
Ask the Captain: What is the hardest airport to navigate? Are foreign airlines less safe?
Capt. John Cox shares the most challenging airports to fly into and explains why you shouldn’t assume foreign airlines are less safe than U.S. ones.
My Global Entry interview keeps getting canceled: Will I have to reapply? Ask the Captain
John Cox addresses the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Global Entry enrollment and explains why a domestic U.S. flight would enter Mexican airspace.
Ask the Captain: How can airline pilots tell if the plane is level?
This week, Captain John Cox explains which tools pilots use to check to make sure they are flying level.
Ask The Captain: Why have flying altitudes changed during the pandemic?
Retired airline captain John Cox answers your questions, from flying altitudes to the easiest airport to operatie in and out of in Washington, D.C.
Coronavirus + ✈️
Wear this to be safe