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Essential viewing: 5 outstanding youtube channels for airplane videos.

These channels are a must watch for any aviation enthusiast.

• Jeb Brooks, a professional and passionate aviation enthusiast, shares detailed flight reviews and other aviation-related videos on his YouTube channel, which has over 650K subscribers and 120 million views.
• Casey Neistat, although not specifically targeting aviation enthusiasts, captivates millions of viewers with his impressive storytelling and travel vlogs that often feature airline reviews and experiences.
• Simple Flying offers a one-stop hub for aviation-related information and stories through their YouTube channels, providing concise and accessible videos on a wide range of topics within the aviation industry, catering to both casual viewers and aviation enthusiasts.

Everyone has a time when they are interested in learning more about their favorite subject but don't know where to find it. With the internet having an immense amount of information, it is easy to get lost. If you are fascinated by the world of aviation like us at Simple Flying, you will be interested in checking out these great YouTube channels for airplane videos. There will be something of interest for everyone, from trip reports to aviation news to education and cockpit videos.

5 Jeb Brooks

679k subscribers.

Jeb Brooks hails from Gressnbugh, North Carolina, and anyone watching his videos can attest to his professionalism and love for aviation. He has expanded his videos since he began sharing his travel experiences on YouTube in July 2017 with a review of Air France's First Class "La Premiere" cabin on the Airbus A380 between Washington Dulles and Paris Charles De Gaulle. Like many of us, Jeb is an aviation enthusiast and traveled the world for his job, so becoming a YouTuber was never part of his plan. But after watching other YouTuber creators, he began uploading.

After his first video, he began uploading regular videos garnering hundreds and thousands of views. By the fall of 2019, Jeb reached 100K subscribers; by the end of 2022, he had exceeded 300K. Today, he has over 650K subscribers and over 120 million views across his 240-plus videos.

His videos range from airline reviews from the famous Singapore Airlines First Class Suit to the 'transcon throwdown' where he rated the most premium products available on the heavily competitive routes between the Northeast of the United States and the West Coast. The staple of his channel is his 'JebScore,' which rates five factors on each flight on a five-point scale. These factors include the lounge, seat, in-flight internet (IFE), food, and service. He has also done airport reviews from Frankfurt to Cincinnati and tried to fly back-to-back to every hub: American, United, and Delta. Jeb offers viewers unbiased and effective flight reviews and other aviation-related videos.

4 Casey Nesitat

12.6 million subscribers.

Casey Neistat is an outlier on the list, as his YouTube content is not explicitly targeted at aviation enthusiasts. Nevertheless, through his daily vlogs, Neistat showcases his travels worldwide, from South Africa to London to Finland, all aboard different airlines. Although he has now stopped vlogging as frequently as he used to, his recent travel vlogs included reviewing the Emirates First Class Suite on the Boeing 777 and the Etihad A380 Residence.

His storytelling style and impressive video editing skills have entertained millions of viewers. Casey has over 12.5 million subscribers on his channel, and was ahead of the curve as he began sharing his experience using points of flights starting in 2013 when he made a video about the frequent flyer tiers on American Airlines .

Although he is not a full-time travel vlogger, he is passionate about travel. This love of traveling goes hand in hand with his impressive storytelling skills to provide viewers with some of, if not the most, entertaining travel videos. One piece that differentiates Casey from others is that his filming style makes great trip report videos. Instead of trying to make great trip reports detailing everything, he films the process of traveling and edits it with a special touch only he can do, thus creating great content.

His method of sticking the camera in his face and expressing his opinions without fear of shame or backlash allows him to tell the complete story. His commitment to doing whatever it takes to get the perfect shot or angle is evident to anyone who watches his content.

3 Simple Flying

392k subscribers.

For those who may not have been following Simple Flying, we also have a YouTube channel that boasts a one-stop hub for all aviation-related stories. The channel covers various topics in the aviation industry, with videos lasting around five minutes. Each video is concise and gives viewers all the information they may be interested in learning.

The wide variety of topics separate Simple Flying from other YouTube channels as it covers everything from why US airlines do not operate the Airbus A380 to the new Boeing 747-8 Air Force One aircraft. The main Simple Flying channel has released 1,730 aviation-related videos with 160 million views.

In addition to the main Simple Flying channel, which has almost 330K subscribers, there is also a separate channel for long videos for aviation enthusiasts. This channel is called 'Long Haul by Simple Flying' and dives deeper into topics about commercial aviation. Long Haul has 136K subscribers and has released 287 videos with over 28.8 million views.

Each week, the channel releases 1-2 documentary-style videos. Some of these videos range from ranking the top ten largest airlines by revenue to the world's longest nonstop route. No matter what aviation information you want to learn, there is a good chance you will find it on one of the Simple Flying YouTube channels, as they share all the key stories in a simple and accessible manner.

2 Sam Eckholm

400k subscribers.

As the only military aviation channel on this list, Sam is an aerospace and defense content creator. Sam showcases his passion for aerospace and defense on his track, sharing his experiences and highlighting advanced aircraft and incredible technology, emphasizing the fantastic work people in the United States military do. He shares his passion with a large audience, including 400K subscribers on his YouTube channel and over 1.5 million followers on his social media accounts. To recruit the next generation of service members and engineers, he has partnered with many defense contracts and military service branches to highlight the incredible products.

This has enabled Sam to create incredible videos with the United States Navy, Air Force, and Army, as well as Lockheed Martin, Honeywell Aerospace, and Raytheon Missiles & Defense. He has taken viewers into the back of a fighter jet for a first-person view and has shared videos from military aircraft that would seldom be featured. This includes his recent video on the Lockheed C-5 Super Galaxy, the largest aircraft in the US Air Force.

In his video, Sam detailed how the Air Force utilizes the C-5 to transport tons of equipment across the globe and the immense amount of people and precision it takes to get one of these giants off the ground. Sam also revealed that the C-5 can also transport military personnel and cargo as the aircraft has a dedicated cabin for military personnel. For anyone interested in any military aviation content, Sam is worth a follow to keep up with his high-quality and fascinating content.

3.36 million subscribers

Sam is a pioneer in aviation vlogging. In addition to his massive YouTube success, he is an avid blogger, author, and photographer. Any aviation enthusiast intrigued to watch trip reports has come across Sam's channel at some point and has been hooked. His YouTube videos are exceptional and include entertaining commentary to footage from cockpits, crew rests, and other inaccessible places to the average aviation enthusiast.

Sam's impressive vlogging skills, coupled with his enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of the aviation industry, set his work apart. He was one of the first proper aviation channels to post videos on YouTube, starting in November 2007. Since then, he has uploaded almost 500 videos and has garnered nearly 850 million views. While he began uploading in 2007, it was only in 2015 that he started to upload on a frequent basis as he documented his trips and opinions on the product.

On his channel, he shares videos of him flying in all different aircraft throughout the aviation industry, including on rare, unusual, and special flights. As airlines began retiring planes such as the 727 , DC-10 , and older 747s , Sam made it his mission to fly on these rare planes before they were retired.

As he continued to make trip reports on these flights, his audience began to grow, and he has now been able to fly on delivery flights, cargo flights delivering humanitarian aid during the pandemic, and flying an IL-76 Cargo Transporter to Iraq. In April 2018, he gave up his day job for his YouTube career and has not looked back. Today, Sam's channel covers various topics, from airports to first-class products, private aviation, and airshows.

Read more: Does Sam Chui get paid to fly?

What other aviation channels should be on our list? Let us know in the comments!

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Video: A Landing (and Takeoff) Like You’ve Never Seen

Super cub lands on windy mountain..

Here’s a video that’s just too good not to share. An intrepid aviator in his Super Cub lands atop a mountain in central Nevada, the oddly named Bunker Hill, at an altitude of around 11,000 feet.

The approach and landing are worth a watch, but the subsequent takeoff is absolutely spectacular. After stopping for a while on the chilly mountain (we know it must be cold because of the snow and the pilot’s chuckle-worthy comment), our hero fires up his engine and does exactly what you’d expect.

We won’t ruin the video for you by giving too much away, but trust us, it’s well worth the 3 minutes and 22 seconds it takes to watch.

We welcome your comments on flyingmag.com. In order to maintain a respectful environment, we ask that all comments be on-topic, respectful and spam-free. All comments made here are public and may be republished by Flying.

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10 Great Aviation Documentaries to Watch on YouTube

AvGeeks love to surf around YouTube. There, you can find audio of JFK ATC reprimanding an Air China pilot , incredible landings in crosswinds and plane-spotting at airports around the world . But Youtube also features longer-format documentaries to whet your appetite for all things airplane.

Here are 10 aviation documentaries available on YouTube.

(You'll note that many of the best documentaries come from across the pond. The Brits seem to herald their aviation industry and aeronautical history more than we do here in the US.)

1. How to Build A Jumbo-Jet Engine

The biggest advances in aviation have always come from the engine makers, who innovate to reduce fuel costs with every turn of their fan blades. Rolls-Royce is one such innovator; the longtime plane engine maker has the Spitfire's Merlin piston engine and the Trent 1000 (which powers some of the Boeing 787 Dreamliners) to its credit. Just consider that a Trent engine moves 1.2 tons of air per second, with 90 tons of force on each fan blade at full thrust. Jet engines are an engineering marvel and you can learn more about them with this BBC documentary.

2. The Making of the Boeing 747

It's an oldie but a goodie: A 1990 documentary that features how the Queen of the Skies was designed and built, including footage of its first flight. The video quality is poor and the soundtrack is downright 1990, but it's a fascinating story, especially as passenger 747s become more and more scarce .

3. The Battle of Britain and Bomber Boys, with Colin and Ewan McGregor

Colin McGregor is a former Typhoon fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force. He's also the older brother of actor Ewan McGregor. Together the brothers paired up to create two documentaries with British producer Timeline . The first is The Battle of Britain (where Colin McGregor learns to fly a Spitfire) and the second is Bomber Boys, released in June 2018 (where the McGregors climb aboard one of the last Lancaster bombers flying today.) Timeline has created a number of excellent historical aviation documentaries. The Battle of Britain features the Spitfire, possibly the most beautiful aircraft ever made.

4. A Very British Airline: British Airways Behind the Scenes

"It sells Britishness as a mark of quality," the narrator intones. A very British airline and a very British documentary to boot—a series of three one-hour documentaries about British Airways. It's a fascinating look into the day-to-day of the 45,000 staff of the airline—from training recruits to maintaining planes, from night operations to how they brought online their then-new A380 aircraft .

5. Flight and Fights: Inside The Low-Cost Airline

Quite distinct from BA are Ryanair and Easyjet, who compete head to head for low-cost travel in Europe. This deep-dive documentary shows just how Ryanair pioneered the low-cost carrier concept, doing it better than Southwest Airlines, the granddaddy of them all. There's also an interesting contrast between Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary and Easyjet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou. I've flown on each airline just for the hell of it and to observe. This documentary allows you to do the same without experiencing very tight legroom.

6. Concorde: A Supersonic Story "This is the story of an aeroplane that went beyond pure mechanics to become a dream in the sky," the narrator says, and she's not wrong. Go behind the scenes of Concorde—how it was conceived, designed, and ultimately failed—including an in-depth discussion of what went wrong on the fatal Air France flight in 2000.

7. Speed Machines: Breaking the Sound Barrier

Another great documentary from Timeline , this is a very British-influenced story of how the sound barrier was shattered in 1947 by Chuck Yeager (who is, in fact, American.) The feat required much bravery, as the Bell X-1 (and any aircraft of the day, for that matter) had poor handling characteristics as it approached the speed of sound. Couple this with the book The Right Stuff and you'll have a good sense of how breaking the sound barrier opened the gates to space travel.

8. Dreamliner: Inside the World's Most Anticipated Airliner

A CNBC documentary showing off the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Made mostly of composite materials, the fuel-efficient aircraft is a dream to fly. The documentary follows along the finishing touches of the 41st airliner off the line, delivered to Japan's ANA. If you've never had the chance to visit the Boeing Museum in Seattle , this documentary might make you want to book a flight. If you search YouTube, you can also find documentaries about the Airbus A380 as well as how it's made, but that seems less relevant these days .

9. The SR-71 Blackbird

The US Air Force's SR-71 Blackbird flew faster than a speeding bullet. This documentary starts with the super-secret Lockheed Skunk Works project and interviews a number of SR-71 pilots, including Major Brian Shul. The documentary features plenty of surface-to-air missile evasion and incredible footage—the plane flew at 80,000 feet and could go above Mach 3, or 2,300 mph. For true AvGeeks wanting more, here's Shul describing the famed "Speed Check " anecdote, possibly the coolest pilot story since the Wright brothers.

10. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a Cessna

A series of YouTube videos document an epic journey by pilot Matt Guthmiller just as interesting as any in this list. Guthmiller is the youngest person to fly solo around the world, and here you can join him as he departs the US bound for Europe via Iqaluit in Canada's far north, and then even farther — White Walker territory , north of the Wall. The crew needs to wear survival suits as they make the crossing. Fun times: learn how they go to the bathroom up in the air in a small plane.

Mike Arnot is the founder of Boarding Pass NYC , a travel brand, and a private pilot.

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Watch a plane get put together in a few minutes in our favorite time-lapse videos

Which is why we love these plane and air travel-related videos. We would never actually want to watch a plane being repainted or someone’s journey from Singapore to New York, but ramp up the process from hours and days to a minute, and we’ll gladly tune in. Here are some of our favorites.

Building a Boeing 787

The 787 is Boeing’s most high-tech airplane, built with composite materials. In this 3-minute time-lapse video from Air Canada and Boeing, you can watch the entire construction of one of Air Canada’s 787s, from delivery to final assembly and delivery.

Also, check out the videos for United (below) and Virgin Atlantic’s 787s (at the top).

Putting together the Airbus A380

Like the 787, there is a time-lapse for the Airbus A380 as well. As the world’s largest passenger plane, the video, which combines time-lapse images with regular video, shows what it takes to assemble this giant aircraft. The plane shown in the 50th A380 ever made, which went to the aircraft’s largest operator, Emirates. Check out the installation of lavatory showers at the 1:27-minute mark.

Fresh coat of paint

When Virgin Atlantic updated its livery, it shot a time-lapse video documenting the repainting one of its 747 jumbos. The video is show from various angles, and while it’s less than four minutes, the process took 15 days to shoot.

As U.S. Airways transitions into the American Airlines brand, that means repainting more than 300 aircrafts. Watch this Airbus A319 get a new look.

Turning plane landings into light show

Unless you’re an avid plane spotter , you may find plane takeoffs and landings to be fairly mundane. Photographer Milton Tan was given special clearance to restricted areas of Singapore’s Changi Airport to photograph plane activity at night. What resulted is this incredibly colorful time-lapse video of planes leaving and arriving – and just how busy a major airport can get.

Reconfiguring a plane

To get that new-plane smell, sometimes all you need is a reconfigured interior. When Qantas updated a 747 with its latest seats, it created this time-lapse that shows how an airline goes about in removing and installing them.

Flying from San Francisco to Paris

You can find plenty of in-flight videos on YouTube, where passengers record their journey from departure to arrival. What we love about Vimeo user Nate Bolt’s two-minute time-lapse of his flight from San Francisco to Paris are the moments where he freezes on interesting points along the way, and the Northern Lights and the starry night sky he was able to capture. During the 5,576-mile flight, he shot 2,459 photos on his Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

Another awesome time-lapse view is this flight from San Francisco to Tokyo, shot on a GoPro. While the entire video is less than 1.5-minutes long, jump to the 40-second mark to see the planet Venus appear as the sun rises.

Nothing but Airbus

Airbus has a collection of time-lapse videos, ranging from painting and ramp check to final assembly. Check out this video of not a plane, but the construction of a massive assembly hall that builds Airbus’ A350 next-gen aircraft.

What air traffic control sees

This cool time-lapse from air traffic controller NATS doesn’t show any freshly painted planes. Instead, it shows just how crowded the skies are over the U.K. during a 24-hour period. NATS turned the 6,000 daily flights it monitors around U.K. airspace – 3,500 of them in and out of London-area airports – into a spectacular visual experience.

NATS also has a video showing the air traffic across Europe.

Shoot your own in-flight time-lapse

Photographer Peter West Carey provides instructions and tips on how to shoot a time-lapse video while on an airplane, using an iPhone. While the iPhone’s time-lapse function is simple to operate, Carey provides tips on where to sit, what to look for, and what to avoid. Watch this time-lapse he recorded during a flight from Seattle to Los Angeles.

Space shuttle Endeavour’s last ride

The space shuttle may no longer be in service, but its allure will be talked about for generations. After its final space mission, space shuttle Endeavour made its last trip, to the California Science Center museum in Los Angeles – piggybacking off a modified 747. This time-lapse shows how NASA lifted the shuttle onto the plane, which still seems like an impossible feat today. (The Los Angeles Times has a great time-lapse video showing how Endeavour traveled the streets of L.A. to its new home.)

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World's largest plane spotted over south-central pennsylvania.

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The world's largest production transport airplane was spotted over South-Central Pennsylvania again.

The Antonov AN-124 is one of the world’s largest civil cargo aircraft that has been designed to carry super-heavy and oversized cargo. It periodically flies into Harrisburg International Airport. Usually, the plane stops over for around 24 hours before departing.

A WGAL viewer in Manheim, Lancaster County, spotted the massive Anotonov flying overhead near the Pennsylvania Turnpike Monday evening.

You can see two pictures that were captured in the video player above.

Antonov AN-124 Facts

• Length: 228 feet
• Height: 69.5 feet
• Wing span: 241.8 feet
• Wing area: 8,672.4 square feet
• Cruising speed: 498 mph to 528 mph
• Range: 9,755 miles
• Operational ceiling: 38,280 feet
• Cargo capacity: 150 tons

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Torrential rain wreaked havoc at Dubai's airport, with video showing a plane battling across a flooded runway

• Torrential rain and flash floods brought Dubai airport to a standstill on Tuesday.
• Dozens of cancellations left some passengers stranded with no way out of the airport. 
• Videos posted online showed dreamlike scenes of planes battling through flood waters.

Dubai Airport, the world's second busiest , was brought to a standstill on Tuesday after torrential rains and heavy flooding created chaos on the runways, and across the city.

All operations were suspended for 25 minutes in the afternoon, and inbound flights were diverted due to the intense storm, an airport spokesperson said.

In total, 21 outbound and 24 inbound flights were cancelled, and 3 flights were diverted, according to the latest update published around 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday.

Videos posted on social media showed lapping waters covering the tarmac and transforming the runway at Dubai Airport into more of a river than a safe airstrip.

In one post, a Boeing 737 operated by Flydubai can be seen battling through the high waters,

All arrivals at the airport were paused on Tuesday night

Passengers affected by the travel chaos were left stranded at the airport as sections of the surrounding roads remained impassable due to high floodwaters.

"It's challenging for departing guests to reach the airport and arrival guests to leave the terminals due to the significant flooding and road blockages have left limited transport options for arriving and departing guests," the airport said in a statement issued on Tuesday morning.

A couple at the airport said that the situation was "absolute carnage."

"You cannot get a taxi. There's people sleeping in the Metro station. There's people sleeping in the airport," they told an AP reporter.

Dubai International Airport, which was recently named the second busiest in the world , was still advising passengers to stay away on Wednesday morning.

"We advise you NOT to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary. Flights continue to be delayed and diverted," the airport posted on X .

Dubai, the Middle East's financial hub, was brought to a standstill by the rainfall with schools closing and many people abandoning their vehicles in the streets as flash floods soaked the city.

Dubai's media office said the flooding was caused by the heaviest downpour the United Arab Emirates has experienced since records began in 1949.

Flooding also hit the neighboring countries of Bahrain and Oman over the weekend. In Oman, nine schoolchildren and their driver died on Sunday when their vehicle was washed away by floodwaters, Al Jazeera reported.

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on Microsoft Start.

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I Can't Believe I'm Saying This, But These 29 Travel Products Will Make You Actually Look Forward To That Long Plane Ride

Spoiler alert: It's made possible by this game-changing foot hammock, infinity neck pillow, moldable ear plugs, and more.

BuzzFeed Staff

1. A practical  tray table cover  so you don't have to cram all your in-flight essentials (like your iPad, Twizzlers, and book) into the tiny built-in seat pocket, only to find a used napkin with *what I hope is* broccoli cheddar soup on it. Plus, it's super easy to install and won't take up any extra legroom.

Promising review: "I love this thing! I always hated putting things in the seat pocket on planes. It was easy for things to get lost in there or sometimes the pockets were pretty tight. This thing was amazing. I was able to get everything out of my bag that I might need during the flight and had easy access to it all . It was so much better than having to pull my bag out constantly to get stuff I needed. It also folds up nicely so it doesn’t take up much space in your bag." — Corey

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 .

2. An inflatable wedge pillow  you can pump up and rest your head against, saving yourself from neck cramps and drool stains. There's a hole in the middle for your face so you can breathe comfortably. 

Can't sleep while traveling? No worries, because this gem also doubles up as a back rest *and* seat cushion for optimal comfort.

Promising reviews:  "Just received this and so far so good! Inflates within mere seconds and the same to deflate. Seems really supportive and comfortable. I was influenced by a TikTok review so I’m assuming it’ll be a gem on flights! " — Katelyn

"Used this on four international flights last month, and it made all the difference in the world. It's compact, quick and easy to inflate/deflate, very versatile in how you can position it, and it doesn't rely on the tray table. I can very comfortably lean forward in my seat and sleep almost like I can in a bed. " — Still Chilly in Colorado

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 .

3. Along with an  inflatable footrest  ready to whisk you away to a realm of comfort previously thought impossible in the sardine can we affectionately call "economy class." This baby adjusts to three different heights, letting you find that sweet spot where back pain becomes a distant memory, and relaxation is your only reality.

Promising review: "I didn't buy this for the longest time thinking inflation would be annoying or it'd be too bulky —  I finally ordered it and love it. It's very easy to inflate since it has the two inflation methods. Folds up smaller than our travel pillows. It's great for travel in car and planes, and our kid likes sitting on it at home too. Recommended." — D

Get it from Amazon for $22.49 (available in four colors).

4. Or an in-flight  foot hammock  you can hang on the arms of your tray table and rest your feet on the cushion, giving you a chance to sit back and relax. 🤤 But please , y'all, wear some clean socks. We don't want to be that person on the plane with stinky feet, do we?

Promising review: " I will never fly again without this. I've recommended it to everyone. East coast USA to South East Asia, 24 hours in long haul flights each way with serious low back pain condition to start. But being able to hang my legs, even in a sideways position, saved me from hours of pain that I have endured previously flying with economy leg room. So easy to loop over tray table brackets in both the stowed and open position. This is a must have for any flight." — DL Flin

Get it from Amazon for $14.99  (also available in multipacks). 

5. A set of  wireless Bluetooth earbuds  (with a whopping 239,000+ 5-star ratings) so you can block out all the unwanted noise around you and get the much-needed sleep you deserve. You'll be dozing off to the soothing sounds of Miles Davis or Beethoven instead of being jolted awake by a screaming infant. One reviewer even said they get a clearer sound from these than their Bose headphones!

With the charging case, you'll get 45 total hours of playtime! The earbuds are also sweatproof and waterproof so you can use them during workouts or runs, and have a built-in mic so you can chat on the phone. 

Promising review: "These are the fourth pair of these I have purchased because my teenagers end up loving them and I give mine to them. The quality is better than those coveted AirPods . Every person who I have try them ends up buying a pair. I HIGHLY recommend." — Aprile Wood

Get it from Amazon for  $24.99+  (available in five colors and two models). 

6. And for your little traveler, this comfy pair of  kids' headphones  perfect for keeping them happily entertained, giving you that much-needed moment to yourself. They’re equipped with pillowy soft cushions that hug their little ears in comfort, and an adjustable headband that's ready to grow right alongside them. And! They fold up so compactly, you can squeeze them into even the most jam-packed bags.

Promising review: "These headphones are great! They have a nice shape and comfort and sound isolation that serves my kid well on a 10-hour flight with other screaming kids. These headphones have great sound isolation that make it still possible for my kid to listen during plane rides despite volume limitation, and also able to ignore four other screaming, tantruming toddlers in our cabin. I was just about to dig deeper in my pockets to buy much more expensive headphones for my kids, but these worker great with a nice budget! They fold compactly, so they were easy to pack. The cord had a nice fabric soft feel. Highly recommend for travel." — Elizabert

Get them from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in five colors).

7. A set of  Earplanes  that can help reduce ear pain due to the changes in pressure from taking off and landing during a flight. These earplugs slow the shift in air pressure that enters your ear, reducing overall discomfort. No wonder reviewers are calling these a game changer.

BuzzFeed Shopping writer  Gabriela Manjarrez  loves this for her long flights:  "Before I started using these a couple of years ago, my ears would *always* start to hurt when the plane started to descend. I'd have to press my fingers on me ears and be chewing on gum just to try to dissuade some of the discomfort. Now, as soon as the captain announces they are starting the descent, I put these in my ears (BTW, they're surprisingly comfortable!), put my headphones on over them, and can actually enjoy the last half hour of my flight."

Promising review: "I am very sensitive to the change in pressure on airplanes, to the point where I am in tears on takeoff and landing. I finally had to do something about it or I would fear flying again. I wish I had known about these years ago. They alleviated ALL sensitivity to the pressure change and made for a very comfortable and anxiety-free flight. I can't recommend them enough." — Nancy Cardella

Get a pair from Amazon for $8.84 (also available in multipacks and in kids' sizes ).

8. A super sturdy  hands-free (rotating!) phone mount  ideal for watching a movie or listening to your music without it falling off your lap or between the seats when you doze off. It also swivels 360 degrees, allowing you to position the phone in either portrait or landscape orientation.

See it in action on TikTok . 

Perilogics  is a small business creating hyper-functional tool holsters and bags for carrying your stuff on the go.

Promising review : "I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multi-leg, ultra-long-haul trip, and it more than held up the entire duration . I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes, and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table . It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers. However, I find myself using it a lot outside of travel too! Work-wise, I've clamped it onto my office desk shelving to hold my phone at eye level beside my computer . At home, I simply clamped it to a deck of cards, and it turns into a versatile stand that I can place on any flat surface. Heck, I've been using it to hold my phone comfortably at eye level while watching videos in bed. It's extremely well built, and I find myself fidgeting with it all the time. Thus far it still feels solid, and I don't anticipate breaking it any time soon. Even if it does break, I'll be happy to buy another one or two of it!" — Earendil

Get it from Amazon for $12.97+  (available in three colors). 

9. Along with an  AirFly Pro wireless transmitter  allowing you to use your own high-quality Bluetooth earbuds or headphones to tune in to in-flight entertainment. With the ability to connect up to two pairs at once, you can even watch a movie with your travel buddy. And don't worry about running out of juice on those long-haul flights — this device has a battery life of 25+ hours.

It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual. 

See one TikTok user using it with their AirPod Pros  here . 

Twelve South  is a husband and wife-owned biz based in Charleston, South Carolina! They've been designing accessories inspired by and made for Apple products since 2009.

Promising review: "Ever since I purchased my wireless Bose earbuds, I always hated having to use another set when I was on an airplane with the seat-back entertainment system. I tried many different models to connect the system to my Bluetooth headsets until I came across this one, and it is amazing! It seamlessly connects to my headset, very clear and reliable audio, and it takes the stress away from having to carry more than one headset! Thank you!!!" — Ryan Malloy

Get it from Amazon for $54.99  (available in four styles and two colors).

10. A BevLedge  — your new best friend on the plane! No more constantly juggling your drink, phone, and other essentials while also accidentally knocking over your neighbor's coffee in the process. And the best part? You'll have a little extra breathing room without the tray table getting in your way since this gadget fits into most window shade slots.

AND it folds down flat when not in use for easy packing. 

Promising reviews: "A friend recommended this to me as a vital travel companion, now that I've returned to frequent flying. I initially thought of it as a novelty, but now that I've used it, it's a necessity. It keeps the workspace clear for my laptop, but it also organizes all the little pieces that can become so annoying to keep up with — glasses, earphones, etc. It got my seat mate's immediate attention, as well as a few other folks nearby. I suspect they'll have one soon. Watch for one soon in a window near you!" — Timothy G. Wolfe

"This is a very useful product and I take it with me on all my flights. Almost every time, the person next to me asks about it. It's especially useful on long-haul flights and international flights when you want that space the tray table takes up . It's light and thin, so takes up little room in my carry-on. Great accessory overall!" — Trung L.

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 .

11. A super comfortable  Trtl neck pillow  in case you find yourself in the middle seat on a 14-hour flight to Japan. This neck pillow is designed to help keep your posture upright and reduce the risk of neck aches. It'll also help you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and relaxed. No more nodding off on your neighbor — everyone can enjoy their flight in peace! 😌

Unlike the regular U-shaped pillows, Trtl Pillows are machine-washable and fast-drying.

Check it out on TikTok . 

Promising review:  "Used it for a 14-hour flight to Japan last week, and it helped tremendously. This was the first time I was able to sleep on the plane so this helped tremendously. Definitely a must-have for travel. It is very light so I was able to easily pack it in my under-the-seat wheeled trolley. I want to emphasize how much the light warmth of the fleece (and I don't like being hot) was just right to help me nod off to sleep. Since this is primarily for sitting upright in the seat or someone in the middle or the aisle seat, this was ideal for me. I just got back yesterday. Again I used it — this time for a 12-hour flight." — Ambience

Get it from Amazon for  $64.99  (available in four colors and another style).

12. Or an adjustable  infinity pillow  designed to cradle your noggin from every angle so you can finally say goodbye to those mid-sleep head flops. And with its cushiony texture, you'll feel like you're snoozing on a cloud.

The pillow is made with a breathable, super soft bamboo fabric, and fully machine washable. 

Promising review: " We got a few different types of travel pillows for a red-eye to Europe and this was overall our favorite due to its versatility. The loop actually allows you to have various self supporting positions, and this will contort all sorts of ways to be a pillow, neck rest, arm rest… anything. It’s actually just good for any type of travel in general and got a lot of use on the whole trip. The material is soft and comfortable." — Tom Shaw

Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in 10 colors). 

13. A  Kindle Paperwhite  letting you carry a wide range of books without the weight or bulk, perfect for when your flight home gets delayed for the third time today. The adjustable warm light feature makes it easy to fine-tune the screen’s warmth and brightness to match the dim airplane lighting.

HuffPost Shopping writer Haley Zovickian  adores her Kindle: "It has, no exaggeration, revolutionized my life. I love mine for so many reasons — it's truly helped me incorporate my love of reading into my often hectic life, and all my titles literally live inside of this half-pound wonder gadget, so I can switch between books super easily. For traveling, this is a literal dream. I don't have to pick between titles and then regret the entire trip that I didn't bring the one I left at home — and, as any book lover knows, traveling with books is heavy as hell, and the Kindle literally completely eliminates that weight. Traveling will never be the same for me. BTW, I am also obsessed with the  Libby app , which allows you to check out e-books from your local library on your Kindle!! My inner child is *screaming* with joy."

Promising review: "I LOVE reading and being able to access a book anywhere with this thing. It is easy to navigate, very easy to read and adjust the brightness or how warm the light is. I've read in bright sunlight to dark rooms, and it's always been so clear. You can adjust the font and use the library to search whatever books you want. Makes packing books for traveling very easy. Battery life lasts me two weeks if I'm reading every day for a few hours ." — R@L0

Get it from Amazon for $149.99  (available in three colors).

14. A pair of compression socks  made to prevent you from looking like you swapped feet with Violet from  Charlie And The Chocolate Factory . These socks offer much-needed support for when you're not able to get up and move around for a few hours and can reduce the discomfort of swelling.

Read more about compression socks and long flights at  Cleveland Clinic .

Promising review: "My ankles got really swollen after a 14-hour plane ride last year so I thought I would give these a try. I recently completed another 14-hour plane ride and these socks really did their job! I had them on for a good 24 hours straight and they remained comfortable the whole time. My ankles were not swollen after the long plane ride. My legs and feet felt really good after the plane ride and the day after . The sock can be stretched over the knee but I did not stretch it that much and left the socks right below the knee. The socks stayed in place the whole time." — MYamo

Get them from Amazon for   $14.32+  (available in 18 colors and sizes S–2XL). 

15. A cooling, memory foam contoured sleep mask  that doesn't apply pressure to your eyelids (unlike flat eye masks), helping you drift off into dreamland faster than you can say, "Jet lag who?" This light-blocking mask will help you rest so that by the time you land at your destination, you won't be a puffy-eyed zombie.

Promising reviews : " The BEST BEST BEST and most comfortable sleep mask I’ve found.  Night shifter for years, and have tried everything. Many other sleep masks have some qualities but not all. This one is AMAZINGLY SOFT, VERY THICK, plush, high quality material, quality stitching that won’t come apart like so many others that are cheaply made, and it’s EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE even though it’s a good price. Very impressed and pleasantly surprised." — Amazon Customer

"I loved it so much, I bought a second for my boyfriend! We both travel so much that sometimes you end up in a hotel room where the blinds still let in light, and this blocks it out without compressing your eyelids where it feels like you’re being forced to keep them shut. I love that the compression contours around your eye so that you can open your eyes without feeling like you’re restricted. I love it so much I sleep with it at home now and I never travel without it! " — Jordann

Get it from Amazon for $21.99+  (available in seven colors).

16. A 2-in-1  travel-friendly blanket-slash-pillow  so you can stay warm and cozy on those chilly flights, and when you aren't using it, you can fold it up into a cute plushy pillow. Plus, it has a handle pass-through that slips right onto your carry-on to keep your hands free.

Promising review: "I ordered two of these and my daughter and I both use them numerous times while flying recently. They compact nicely, have a loop that can go through the handle of a carry-on, and are the perfect size for snuggling up and sleeping on the airplane. It is lightweight and I will not fly again without it!" — SweetMama

Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in six colors).

17. Or if you're hot-natured, a super convenient  handheld mini fan  to be your personal breeze machine for those stuffy long flights. You can either hold it right in your hand or perch it on the tray table to send waves of cool air your way. 

This mini fan is also a flashlight and a portable charger. 

Gabby  never travels with this: “You know how everyone has those little items that are permanently in their carry-on bag? This is one of them for me. Being able to get some nice airflow wherever I go has been so amazing , I can never go back. And not even just for travel! I also take it to amusement parks, on hikes, and even use it throughout my makeup routine to help set products in place. Plus, the battery life is top-tier."

Promising review: "This thing was a godsend while I was in Florida in the summertime. Love that it has a flashlight and you can use it as a backup power bank in a pinch. For me this fit all my needs, it kept me cool in Florida, fit perfectly in my purse/backpack and on my wrist. I pretty much took this wherever I went and even used it on the plane during boarding when it was super hot in there. I’m giving this 5 stars, it worked perfect for me." — Erica

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five colors).

18. A bestselling and super affordable pair of  flexible ballet flats  that are easy to take on and off so you can avoid the awkward feeling of holding up the security line — because otherwise, you'd have to crouch over, unlace your tennis shoes, take off off your tennis shoes, put them in the bucket...you get the point.

Promising review: " I normally cannot wear flats because they give me terrible blisters on the back of my feet. These didn't! Bought these in nude for a city vacation with a lot of walking, but where sandals aren't necessarily worn, and these were perfect! They obviously don't have the support of sneakers, but I am so happy to finally have a cheap pair of flats that don't give me blisters. I did break them in with thin socks on around my house before wearing them out and when possible, I wear them with little sock liners. Also — I was able to fold these in half and fit them in a semi-small purse to change into to dance at a wedding! Score!" — Kate

Get them from Amazon for $9.90+  (available in sizes 5–15, including wide sizes, and 20 colors). 

19. A pack of Purell hand sanitizing gels , because it's like every surface you touch, from your plane seat's armrest to the bathroom handle, gives you the ICK. 🤧 These little guys attach right to your bag so you can have a squirt of germ-killing goodness every 5–10 minutes to ease the germaphobe side of you. 

Promising review: "I was traveling with my grandchildren and wanted hand sanitizers that I could attach to my bag or backpack. This did the trick! We all got very used to reaching for the handy hand sanitizer!" — Diane

Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $14.89 . 

20. A bottle of 100% drug-free, fast-dissolving  melatonin pills  for those flights where it seems impossible to catch some Z's between the cramped seats, noisy passengers, and turbulence. Over 63,000 5-star ratings rave about how well it works for knocking them out into dreamland without that groggy feeling afterward.

For more info on melatonin, visit The Mayo Clinic .

Promising review: "I travel internationally frequently and constantly struggle with jet lag. I've tried many different melatonin sleep aid pills. And while many of them do help somewhat, the these melatonin tablets have consistently worked the best. They work fast and give me a full nights sleep. I highly recommend them." — Joseph S.

Get a pack of 180 tablets from Amazon for $8.29 .

21. Plus, a pack of super-comfy  wax earplugs  allowing you to zone out and *stay* asleep despite the relentless engine roar, chatty neighbors, and crying baby noise that's going on around you. These earplugs perfectly mold to your inner ear’s unique shape, ensuring you can dive into peaceful slumber amidst the chaos.

Check them out on TikTok .

BuzzFeed Shopping writer  Emma Lord swears by these and raves: "The moldable silicone of  Mack's Earplugs  contours easily to the shape of your ear to block out noise much more effectively than other foam or plastic varieties, and the noise reduction is so good that if I pair them with a  white noise machine  (or just like a white noise loop on Spotify) I genuinely don't hear noises from outside my room. Not only that, but once they're in place, they stay locked there until you decide to pull them out.  I've also *loved* these for traveling — if you put these babies in on a plane not only does it help reduce some of the YIKES factor when the plane takes off (it's loud!!), but it cancels out the murmuring noises of passengers on the flight and makes it easier to get some shuteye. "

Get a pack of two pairs from Amazon for $6.73 .

22. A super cozy  oversized pullover sweatshirt  that's perfect for layering, which means you can slip it on or off as your adventure unfolds. It's light as a feather, it won't weigh you down as you navigate through the airport, and it'll keep you snug and toasty against the notoriously chilly plane air.

Gabby  wears this as an airport staple: “I recently bought this for a trip to Seattle and let me tell you, it was sooo comfy. I wore it on the plane, and it was warm enough to keep me from shivering (the way I always do on planes, because they insist on being super cold) but breathable enough so that it wouldn't feel too stuffy. I have it in both the cream and dark green colors — both are so cute and perfect to pair with leggings for a comfy airport outfit.”

Promising review: "I was in need of a jacket that was light enough to pack for a trip but warm enough for the environment that I was traveling to. This pullover delivered! I was able to roll it down in my carry-on without being overweight. The quality is top-tier. It’s very soft on the outside and warm on the inside . I did size up for that oversized fit so I got an XL. Very good decision. I want to get them in every color." — Thee Glamologist

Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in women's sizes S–XXL and in 27 colors).

23. A  mini belt bag  to keep your phone, wallet, passport, and other essentials close by so you won't have to keep getting up to get your things from the overhead bin. Reviewers love that the versatile strap can be worn crossbody or around the waist, keeping their hands free while on the go.

Promising reviews: "I bought this as a purse for traveling to populated European cities as there are heaps of pickpockets. It worked perfectly! It is the perfect size to fit everything I need and was super comfortable . Highly recommend." — Jessie Anela

"I bought this fanny pack to take on our trip to San Francisco and it worked out better than I thought it would! We hiked through Muir Woods and I loved that my hands were free from holding a purse! Then we walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, went to Chinatown, the wharf, etc. and again it was great not having to hold anything. This is by far the best bag I've ever traveled with. It is almost the same exact size a (name brand) bag but a lot less. Best purchase for the vacation :)" — Pat

Get it from Amazon for $12.98+ (available in 40 colors).

24. A super handy  digital luggage scale  so you can avoid that awful stomach-drop feeling when you're hit with an oversized suitcase fee at check-in. This trusty scale can help you gauge how overboard you can go with the souvenirs you plan on bringing back without the risk of your luggage being 20 pounds overweight.

Promising reviews: "I would absolutely recommend this for anyone who travels, especially internationally, because of all the extra costs for going over in weight. We were among the few people in line who didn’t need to rearrange our luggage at the airport to meet the weight requirements in Milan . So easy to pack and take with you." — Addison

"This little device was well worth the money spent. It saved us a lot of money on our flight home since we knew the weight was over and could pre-purchase the overage in the app instead of paying double at the airport. I’ll never travel without it!! Very easy to use." — Michael Ellis

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+  (available in four colors). 

25. A  luggage drink caddy  here to ensure your pre-flight pick-me-up is secured to your wheeled luggage as you dash to your gate. The caddy also features two extra pockets to hold your snacks, hand sanitizer, phone charger, and anything else you might want to keep within arm's reach while on the go.

Reviewers say it's ideal for a suitcase that can roll on four wheels! If you have a suitcase that has to tilt while it rolls, just be careful if the drinks are open at the top.

Check it out on TikTok .

Promising review : "This cup holder is perfect! It helps me a lot! Last time I took a plane with a suitcase and a cup of coffee, I dropped and spilled my drink everywhere when it was my turn to check my passport and ticket. It was a nightmare! This time, I bought this cup holder to do me a favor! I don't have to worry about where my cup and phone are! I can free my hands to do other things. I love it so much! Hope you love it too." — Philip

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+  (available in 25 colors and patterns). 

26. A large Béis suitcase  giving you all the space you could wish for and then some. This roomy 29-inch suitcase has pockets galore and generously expands to accommodate all your essentials, plus those souvenirs and gifts. And here’s the best part: It comes with a nifty weight limit indicator, so you can pack without the panic, knowing it'll give you a heads-up if you're about to tip the scales.

Reviewers also love this suitcase because it's easy to wheel around if you're walking through a terminal or hotel!

Béis  is a woman-owned travel accessories brand founded by actress and entrepreneur Shay Mitchell. You'll find carry-on rollers, weekender bags, packing cubes, and more practical goods for your next trip!

Promising review: "Flawless! I am obsessed with this luggage. I ordered the three-piece set and the weekender bag ! The zipper slot to slip the bag over the luggage handle makes loading and trekking through the airport so much easier. The interior of all pieces are great quality and I love the small touches (pockets, laundry bags, etc.) Zippers are all sturdy and the locks are very easy to use. A++!" — Lisa B. 

Get it from Béis for $328 (available in eight colors and also in two smaller sizes). 

27. A lightweight  anti-theft backpack  if you hate the idea that while you're on a crowded airport shuttle, you would never know if someone unzipped your bag and took something out. With this bag, the only way to open it is from underneath (thanks to the zipper being flush against your back), making it as practical as it is stylish. 

Promising review: " I have sent the link for this bag to so many loved ones because it has changed the way I’ve traveled . I have always been the over packers having to pay excess weight fees on my luggage. Since using this bag I have been able to cut down to a carry-on and personal item most trips. Come the end of this year, my husband and I will have been on eight trips. This bag has been with us for half of them. I use it as my personal item and easily pack shoes, a large cosmetic bag, hair tools, clothes, a steamer, snacks, chargers, and other small items — it holds so much. The cream color is very stylish and it is easy to clean. I cannot explain enough how much I love it. I’ll be ordering my husband one in another color for our longer trips." — Mads

Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in two sizes, two styles, and 32 colors).

28. Neutrogena portable makeup remover wipes , your trusty sidekick for refreshing your face comfortably from your seat without having to crawl over your neighbor and go into the cramped (and nasty) plane bathroom.

Promising reviews: "I have sensitive skin, so I am particular about my face products. I travel for work two to four times per year and usually once for vacation, and try to avoid bringing so much liquid due to restrictions. I can bring these and leave both my face and eye cleaner at home. They are great for use in flight on long overseas legs, in your seat. No need to disturb anyone or spend extra time in the overused, tiny bathroom. I have never broken out, and they don’t bother my eyes. I do use my normal face lotion after these, unless on the plane. They don’t leave your skin dry." — Andrea Louise

"I use these for travel and freshening up on the plane before landing or whenever I am hot and am not in a place where I can wash my face. They are wonderful. I used to buy the big packs but found them awkward to carry. With these, I throw a bunch in my travel pack and I am off. Love them! " — BrianM_NJ

Get a 20-pack from Amazon for $6.84 .

29. A  pet backpack with WHEELS  so you can roll Daisy around the airport, making it much easier to navigate crowds and long security lines. It's also designed to fit comfortably under the seat of most airlines, so your little bundle of sunshine can be right by your side through the flight.

The medium size fits pets weighing up to 10 pounds, and the large fits pets weighing up to 18 pounds — that said, some reviewers mentioned that the large size works perfectly well for their 20-plus-pound dogs. It can be wheeled using the telescoping handle, held using the strap, or worn as a backpack.

Promising reviews: "First time flying with my dog. I bought a large. He is a 21-pound Cavalier King Charles spaniel. He was able to sit and lie comfortably in the carrier. When on the plane, remove the hard-back bottom to fit beneath the seat. It is easily removable and reattached. I got a window seat, which allowed me to wedge the bottom at the edge of my seat/arm rail when detached." — Karen

"This is the best cat carrier I have ever found. I needed something for when I was flying. It fits under the seat in front of me, and it’s easy to pull because of the wheels. My cats can sit up and watch or they can lie down. I highly recommend." — Jane

Get it from Amazon for $59.95+ (available in medium and large and three colors). 

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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Airlines suspend flights due to Middle East tensions

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Compiled by Alessandro Parodi, Joao Manuel Mauricio and Tristan Veyet in Gdansk and Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Greta Rosen Fondahn and Kate Holton; Edited by Shounak Dasgupta, David Evans and Milla Nissi

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North Korean officials met with a visiting Belarusian delegation and vowed deeper cooperation, as Pyongyang criticized the U.S. for trying to increase "lawless" sanctions pressure.

Biden suggests uncle eaten by ‘cannibals’ in New Guinea — but military says his WWII plane lost at sea

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President Biden twice implied Wednesday that his uncle Ambrose Finnegan was eaten by cannibals in New Guinea after his plane crashed during World War II — even though military records show that the aircraft plunged into the Pacific.

“He got shot down in an area where there were a lot of cannibals at the time,” Biden initially told reporters after visiting a war memorial that bears his uncle’s name in Scranton, Pa.

“They never recovered his body, but the government went back when I went down there and they checked and found some parts of the plane.”

After arriving in Pittsburgh for a speech on steel tariffs , the 81-year-old president told the same story.

“He got shot down in New Guinea and they never found the body because there used to be — there were a lot of cannibals, for real, in that part of New Guinea,” Biden told United Steelworkers union members.

The Pentagon’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency says that Finnegan’s plane actually was lost over the open ocean on May 14, 1944.

“For unknown reasons, this plane was forced to ditch in the ocean off the north coast of New Guinea. Both engines failed at low altitude, and the aircraft’s nose hit the water hard,” the military’s account says.

“Three men failed to emerge from the sinking wreck and were lost in the crash. One crew member survived and was rescued by a passing barge. An aerial search the next day found no trace of the missing aircraft or the lost crew members.”

Biden told the story while attacking former President Donald Trump for allegedly skipping a 2018 visit to a military cemetery outside of Paris during his term of office after calling fallen US troops buried there “suckers” and “losers.”

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“Suckers and losers? The man doesn’t deserve to have been the commander in chief of my son,” Biden said in Pittsburgh, after saying in Scranton that Trump “refused to go up to the memorial for veterans in Paris.”

The disputed account was featured in an article by The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg that said Trump “blamed rain for the last-minute decision [not to visit the cemetery], saying that ‘the helicopter couldn’t fly’ and that the Secret Service wouldn’t drive him there. Neither claim was true.”

Documentation emerged in 2020 debunking Goldberg’s account by showing that the Navy made a bad-weather call that prevented the cemetery trip from being made by helicopter.

Before returning to the US from that trip, Trump spoke in the rain without an umbrella at a different military cemetery near Paris.

Biden frequently recounts personal anecdotes that turn out to be untrue — often in an apparent attempt to connect to his audiences.

While president, Biden has  shared at least 13 times a debunked story involving an Amtrak conductor, claimed in 2022 that his uncle Frank Biden  won the Purple Heart — even though the details of his account make it factually impossible, and has said twice that he was picked to attend the Naval Academy, though no supporting documentation exists.

Biden in 2021  told Jewish leaders  that he remembered “spending time at” and “going to” Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 after the worst anti-Semitic attack in US history, in which 11 people were murdered.

The synagogue said Biden never visited and the White House  later claimed  he was thinking about a 2019 phone call to the synagogue’s rabbi.

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