Johnny Jet travels around 150,000 miles and visits over 20 countries each year. He and his website JohnnyJet.com have been featured over 2,000 times in major publications, including USA Today, Time, Fortune and The New York Times, and he has appeared on ABC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, FOX News Channel and PBS.
JohnnyJet.com has been named “one of the top best money-saving web sites for travel” by Budget Travel Magazine, while the L.A. Times calls it “one of the top 10 essential travel resources on the internet.” Outside Magazine touted Johnny for having one of the world’s best “dream jobs”.
Every week, Johnny hosts a “travel website of the week” for several radio stations around the country, he writes weekly for Frommers.com and he has written for USAToday, The Huffington Post, LAX Magazine and Coast Magazine.
He agreed to share his travel insight with us.
Cheapflights: What are your personal routine procedures every time you fly?
Johnny: Check weather, flight status (set alerts), print boarding pass, wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t set off security and go to gate to try and get an upgrade.
CF: What is your biggest travel pet peeve?
JJ: People who fly while sick!
CF: What kind of trip type do you prefer, and why? (Examples: beach vacations, city breaks, spa weekends)
JJ: I love warm weather destinations. I like to be outdoors but I don’t like laying on the beach, because I get bored quickly.
CF: Although it’s hard to choose, tell us what your favorite destination is, and why.
JJ: Where I live – Manhattan Beach, California. I can walk or ride my bike every where. It’s a small town so everyone knows one another and it’s only 10 minutes from a major airport.
CF: Cheapflights is all about value. What location do you think offers the best value for travelers?
JJ: Probably Mexico right now.
CF: What is your ideal airport, and what’s your advice on how to best enjoy it?
JJ: I love LAX since I live near it and never have traffic going in the back way. Besides I can pretty much go anywhere in the world in two flights. My ideal airport is Aitutaki in the Cook’s – no lines or security and it’s open air.
CF: If you had to sit in the middle seat on a plane, who would be your chosen (or most-feared) seat mates, and why?
JJ: President Obama – I have a lot of questions for him. And Charlize Theron.
CF: What would you classify as a hypothetical travel nightmare?
JJ: A crash landing.
CF: How does what you do for a living give you a unique angle on travelling?
JJ: I travel every week. Last year I flew 88 times on 31 different airlines to 20 countries. I see and learn a lot.
CF: Share with us a few insider tips on how to improve the in-flight experience, in general.
JJ: For passengers be prepared – bring ear plugs, noise cancelation headsets (for the screaming babies), bring reading material, iPod, eye mask, and snacks. For airlines – get individual entertainment systems, electrical outlets, wifi, and increase leg room.
