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

One other yr 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 yr began feeling “regular” once more. The masks mandate resulted in March, and plenty of extra international locations started reopening their borders to vacationers.

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

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

2022 journey stats

Complete 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)

Distinctive airways: 18

Distinctive airports: 47

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

2022 highlights

A swanky non-public airplane

Earlier this yr, I received 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. Whereas the seats largely resemble one thing you’d discover in worldwide enterprise class, the Abercrombie and Kent non-public jet expertise contains cooked-to-order meals, top-shelf Champagnes and liquors and extremely customized service.

Higher but, the airplane flies from non-public terminals at among 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 worth of $160,000 per particular person, I do not suppose that flying this jet will probably be within the playing cards for 2023, however no less than I received a peek inside.

The world’s longest flight, take 2

In the course of the pandemic, Singapore Airways made headlines for launching the brand new longest flight on this planet: from New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) to Singapore.

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

Whereas I flew the Newark route in 2019, I used to be wanting to expertise the JFK flight — not only for the novelty of being on the world’s longest flight, but in addition to check 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 plenty of dropped cities

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

All the foremost U.S. airways have added a slew of recent routes and locations this yr, although my two favorites are United’s summer time transatlantic growth and Delta’s new service to Cape City 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 hitch in on the enjoyable, which included a pre-departure gate social gathering, commemorative pajamas and a welcome reception upon arrival.

That stated, it hasn’t all been about growth this yr. The Large 3 U.S. airways proceed to drop small U.S. cities from their route map.

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

A serious tech improve

Every year, I stay up for testing new travel-focused know-how, and 2022 was among the best but.

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

Apple hit it out of the park with different new units and devices this yr, together with the second-generation AirPods Professional, iPhone 14 lineup and the Apple Watch Collection 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 Professional drone to the check on my outdoor-focused journeys. You’ll want to catch all my journey gear suggestions in my annual present information.

Used planes are new once more

Delta took a really fascinating method to its fleet technique this yr.

The Atlanta-based service acquired second-hand Airbus A350s and Boeing 737s from numerous airways, and it rapidly inducted these planes into its fleet as a result of quickly rising demand for journey.

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

That stated, the “inferior” A350s aren’t essentially as outdated as you’d anticipate, particularly for {couples} touring collectively. In actual fact, I used to be pleasantly stunned once I flew Delta’s first used A350 in June.

Home top quality will get a serious transformation

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

Whereas the airplane itself could appear to be the traditional Airbus A321, the inside sports activities maybe the most important 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 actual fact, I would say that this was the most important innovation to occur to the home onboard expertise this yr.

Lounges received nicer… and busier

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

After a two-year hiatus as a result of pandemic, lounge overcrowding got here again with a vengeance. However, if you do make it into the lounge, no less than you will doubtless take pleasure in a much-upgraded expertise.

Delta opened three gorgeous new Sky Golf equipment this yr in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. My private favourite is the one in L.A., which incorporates a year-round out of doors deck that is nice for airplane recognizing.

American and United additionally opened new outposts this yr, together with the huge United Membership in Newark and a first-of-its-kind Admirals Membership within the nation’s capital.

Premium economic system is all the fashion

Should you’re in search of a bit extra consolation in your subsequent worldwide flight, you may need to contemplate splurging for premium economic system.

This intermediate providing between enterprise class and economic system has grow to be extra fashionable than ever, with an increasing number of airways including this cabin to their long-haul fleets.

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

In actual fact, it was so good that it gained TPG’s award for the perfect premium economic system cabin.

A US airport renaissance

One of many silver linings of the pandemic has been the acceleration of airport infrastructure initiatives. Maybe 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 Worldwide Airport (LAX) additionally received a giant improve with the opening of Delta’s new Sky Approach in Terminals 2 and three.

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

What’s on faucet for 2023

2022 turned out to be a giant yr for me, and there is heaps extra coming in 2023.

I haven’t got that a lot booked but, however I am wanting 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 am certain many extra plans will pop up all year long, so keep tuned to TPG for heaps extra thrilling protection in 2023 and past.