Cockpit Confidential cover art

Cockpit Confidential

Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel: Questions, Answers, and Reflections

 Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

£5.99/mo after trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options

Cockpit Confidential

By: Patrick Smith
Narrated by: Charlie Thurston
Try for £0.00

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £12.84

Buy Now for £12.84

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Your ultimate guide to unlocking the secrets of aviation!

For millions of people, travel by air is a confounding, uncomfortable, and even frightening experience. When you go behind the scenes, however, you can see that the grand theater of air travel is actually fascinating. From the intricate design of airport architecture to the logistics of inflight service, here is everything you need to know about flying. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a curious novice, this captivating book dives deep into the world of air travel, providing invaluable insights and expert advice to enhance your journey.

Commercial airlines like to hide the truth from customers and do nothing to comfort nervous fliers. And what's scarier than the unknown? In this aviation book, pilot Patrick Smith breaks down that barrier and tells you everything you need to know about flying, including:
  • How planes fly, and a revealing look at the men and women who fly them
  • Straight talk on turbulence, pilot training, and safety
  • The real story on delays, congestion, and the dysfunction of the modern airport
  • The myths and misconceptions of cabin air and cockpit automation
  • Terrorism in perspective, and a provocative look at security
  • Airfare, seating woes, and the pitfalls of airline customer service
  • The true colors and cultures of the airlines we love to hate
Cockpit Confidential is a thoughtful, funny, and at times deeply personal look into the strange and misunderstood world of commercial flying. If you liked other books about airplanes for adults, including Soar by Tom Bunn or Skyfaring, you'll find reassurance, humor, and guidance in Cockpit Confidential.

Get ready to demystify the wonders of air travel, armed with the knowledge and insights necessary to make your next flight an exceptional one. Whether you're an aviation aficionado or simply seeking a deeper understanding of the industry, this book is your gateway to an exhilarating world above the clouds.

"Anyone remotely afraid of flying should read this book, as should anyone who appreciates good writing and great information." —The New York Times, on ASK THE PILOT

"Patrick Smith is extraordinarily knowledgeable about modern aviation…the ideal seatmate, a companion, writer and explorer." —Boston Globe Engineering Aviation Funny Witty
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
All stars
Most relevant
Amazing listen for those curious about the finer details of what goes on behind the scenes in passenger air transport, from the lens of a pilot

Brilliant listen for the curious air traveller

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Super duper dooo! I love airplanes and I can also tell the difference between the 727-100 and the 727-200. One problem: the A380 is not ugly.

It's good. like Really Good

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I was learning so much helpful stuff until I got to the chapter where he lists all the plane crashes. I’m not sure what the point is of this, he certainly doesn’t follow it up with a reassuring payoff. A future chapter does cover the stats of flying but I was left with more anxiety of things I’d never considered. As if this wasn’t enough there was a chapter with “The worst plane disasters ever” which was described as “tastefully edited” But I’ll never know, because I put the book down then, never to return.
I think the early chapters have some interesting information and I’m fine with the performance, but I’ve left the book feeling anxious about new things now.

It was all going so well…

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I chose this title after enjoying;

"Skyfaring: A Journey with a Pilot" by Mark Vanhoenacker (highly recommended!).

Cockpit Confidential has so much information packed into it.
I can't think of anything the author hasn't covered.
For anyone interested in commercial aviation, this book is for them.

Patrick Smith is clearly a Boeing fan.
This is clear when he compares the 747 with the Airbus A380.
Having flown several times on both aircraft types, I much prefer the A380!
They are both wonders of engineering however.

The narrator, Charlie Thurston does a great job too, making this a very enjoyable audio book.

Excellent, fact-packed book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
As someone who both loves and loathes flying, (always a slightly nervous passenger) I really enjoyed Patrick Smiths explanations and stories that run the whole gamut of aviation, from a commercial pilot’s perspective. Also Charlie Thurston’s narration had me wondering was his the voice on Baz Luhrmann’s hit ‘Sunscreen? Would recommend.

Loved it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews