Aaron Spray
Journalist
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1746articles
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231News
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633Features
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303Lists
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579Guides
About Aaron Spray
Aaron has a burning passion for flying and traveling around the world. He has flown around the world numerous times while making a point of visiting aviation museums around the world. He hails from New Zealand and is well-versed in aviation and other fields.
Why do you love aviation?
Few things boggle the mind as much as the insane idea of straping wings onto a massive metal tube and flying it around the world loaded with hundreds of people. Aviation is one of the great marvels of our time - how couldn't everyone be fascinated?
What is your industry focus?
My industry focus is past and future. It is always fascinating as understanding the history of aviation and how it developed into the massive well-oiled machine it is today. At the same time, it is awe-inspiring to peak into the future and see what is to come and what will be the next chapter of aviation history.
What is your favourite aircraft and why?
My favorite aircraft is either the 787 Dreamliner or the B-314 Clipper. The Dreamliner is the widebody aircraft sitting at the cutting edge of modern commercial aviation that out-competed the A380. The B-314, on the other hand, ushered in the age of long-distance passenger transportation.
Latest
Why Do Airlines Still Use 3-3 Seating On Narrowbody Jets?
Narrowbody aircraft are limited by regulations to max out at 3-3 seating, while changing their fundamental design means they are not narrowbodies.
Why In The World Did Emirates Buy Another Airbus A380 Last Year?
The airline remains committed to the type for the next decade or so.
The Main Reason Why The F-35 So Expensive
The F-35 is expensive because it is a one-of-a-kind high end stealth fighter that also performs EV, command center, sensing, and other roles.
How Rolls-Royce Engines Differ From General Electric Engines
Both engine manufacturers power some of the world's largest commercial jets.
At Top Speed, This Is How Fighter Jets Like The F-35 Perform
Fighter jets perform poorly at their theoretical max speeds which is why they almost never fly at those speeds.
How The Mass Production Of This Fighter Jet Keeps Its Price Down
With over a thousand F-35s built and thousands more on order, the F-35's flyaway costs can be lower than some fourth-generation fighter jets.
The 5 Airlines With The World’s Most Advanced In-Flight Entertainment Systems
A look at why some airlines are considered to have the best in-flight entertainment and how they are rushing to roll out in-flight internet access.
Inside The Airbus A321XLR's Fuel Tank System
By adding the Rear Centre Tank, Airbus was able to increase the XLR's range to 4,700 nautical miles allowing it to fill the Boeing 757's shoes.
The 12 Airlines That Still Operate 4-Engine Passenger Jets
Only three families of passenger quadjets remain in service around the world with a contracting number of commercial airlines.
5 Military Aircraft With The Longest Range In Service
Some military aircraft are built for range and endurance, while others only have a long range when they are in ferry configurations.
7 Reasons Why The F-22 Still Outperforms Newer Jets
While the F-35 now outperforms F-22 as a balanced advanced fighter, the F-22 still wins in its air dominance role and some flying characteristics.
Tight Space: Inside The B-2 Spirit Cockpit
The B-2 Spirit has to perform extra-long missions, while providing less space and comfort for its pilots than transport aircraft like the C-17.
Why Do Some Airlines Still Operate 4-Engine Jets?
Airlines mostly operate legacy quadjets because they are affordable or they have no other choice. Emirates is unusual for just loving its A380s.
6 Reasons Why The F-35 Is So Expensive To Operate
The F-35 is expensive to operate because it is the most capable fighter jet that requires a specialized ecosystem greater than other fighter jets.
Booking Last-Minute Business Class Award Tickets: Everything You Need To Know
Last-minute business class award tickets can offer significant savings relative to purchasing the fares in cash, although this is not guaranteed.
The Top 5 Highest Paid US Air Force Pilot Ranks & Their Average 2026 Salaries
Air Force pilots are paid based on their rank and years of service, although even the highest ranks typically earn less than commercial pilots.
Why The World’s Most-Produced Fighter Jet May Finally Disappear In 2026
Why the last combat-worthy MiG-21s likely disappeared in 2025, with only on-paper rusting hulks in service in 2026.
Why Did Antonov Construct The An-225 With 6 Engines?
A closer look at one of the coolest quirks of a legendary aircraft.
How Much Does It Cost To Fly A Boeing 747-400 For 1 Hour?
The Boeing 747-400 is both more expensive and less expensive to operate than modern aircraft with fuel spikes adding to the cost range.
A Look At The Salaries Of Commercial Widebody Captains At Major US Airlines
For many, becoming a widebody captain is a the final stage of a pilot's aviation career and when they earn the highest salary.