My love affair with aviation began in the bustling corridors of Indian airports, shuttling between Mumbai (BOM) and Kolkata (CCU) as a wide-eyed child. I was fascinated by the cryptic airport codes, the diverse destinations on flight boards, and the distinctive airline liveries that told stories through their tail fins. Flying wasn’t a routine affair for me then – it was an event, a privilege I cherished during the golden era of Indian Airlines, Sahara Air, and Air Deccan.

Fast forward to my first international flight to Bangkok on Air India, fresh out of university with my first paycheck in hand. Looking back, I realize how dramatically my perspective on air travel has evolved. There’s a stark contrast between the occasional traveler’s wide-eyed excitement and the calculated efficiency of frequent flyers who’ve mastered the art of navigating airports.

2023 marked a transformative year in my aviation journey. Pursuing my goal of visiting 30 countries before turning 30, managing a long-distance relationship, and balancing a full-time career, I found myself on 84 flights – essentially taking to the skies every four days. Without elite status or premium perks, I navigated the familiar choreography of travel: hunting for bargain fares, maximizing miles, enduring endless queues for check-in, security, immigration, and boarding. Even hour-long flights became marathon events when factoring in pre-departure and post-arrival procedures.

Through countless mistakes and learning experiences, I discovered there’s more to flying than simply getting from point A to B. Questions began to surface: Why are airport lounges consistently packed? What’s the real value of airline status tiers? Is there a secret to securing business class upgrades? Most importantly, how can one elevate their travel experience without breaking the bank?

Today, after months of immersing myself in aviation knowledge and strategies, I’ve transformed my travel experience. Without increasing my budget, I’ve learned to navigate airports more efficiently, access premium services, and maximize every flight opportunity. Drawing from my experiences across 30+ countries and five continents, I’m excited to share these insights with you.

This blog isn’t your typical travel guide – it’s a focused exploration of aviation intelligence. Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast (avgeek) or someone seeking to enhance their travel experience, I’ll be sharing practical strategies, industry insights, and proven techniques for flying smarter, not harder.

Ready to elevate your travel game with the Jetlagged Genius? Fasten your seatbelts – we’re about to take off.