For aviation enthusiasts like us, this is the most eagerly awaited issue of the year. Browsing stunning images of business and first-class cabins feels like stepping into a confectionery—each image is a delight.
I’ve spent nearly every summer for the past 15 years on the beaches of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, so I’m pleased to see the area featured from an aviation perspective. It’s a good reminder to visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial next time I’m in town. A useful detail: the memorial is actually located in Kill Devil Hills, the town immediately south of Kitty Hawk. When the Wright brothers announced their first flight in 1903, news was sent by telegraph from the Kitty Hawk Lifesaving Station. At that time there was no town called Kill Devil Hills—the town itself wasn’t established until the 1950s.
If you travel to Kitty Hawk to visit the memorial and museum, be sure to enjoy the local beaches, which remain dog-friendly. For dinner, I recommend Ocean Boulevard Bistro—its cuisine is impressive. From the Wright brothers’ first heavier-than-air flight (not to be confused with lighter-than-air balloons) to milestones like the Boeing 707, 747 and Dreamliner, and the recent reappearance of the Airbus A380 on many routes, the history of human flight has been a rapid, exhilarating journey.
What compares to sleeping in a comfortable bed at altitude while being served excellent cuisine and fine wines? That thought provides a smooth transition to some news: in 2024, Global Traveler will resume its Wines on the Wing premium-class wine survey, which was paused during the pandemic. Airlines such as American, United, Brussels and Singapore, among others, look forward to the annual judging by some of the world’s most qualified wine experts.
Please join me in raising a glass to the Aviation Issue.
Francis X. Gallagher
Publisher and CEO