Paul Hartley
Journalist
-
432articles
-
211News
-
99Features
-
30Lists
-
92Guides
-
160Other
About Paul Hartley
Paul has had a career of 25+ years focused on the international technology sector, which has taken him to over 100 countries. Along the way, he developed a deep love for aviation, with a travel bucket list measured by aircraft types flown rather than destinations reached. Now he is bringing that avgeek passion, along with the journalism experience he accumulated early in his career, to write insightful pieces for Simple Flying.
Why do you love aviation?
Like many of us, my love of aviation began as a little kid, watching a B747-SP roar down the runway and claw its way into the air. It was a breathtaking moment, and I wanted to know all about it - the planes, how they worked, all the exotic airlines. Over the next few decades, I've got to fly on thousands of them to hundreds of countries, each time building my love of aviation a little bit more.
What is your favourite aircraft and why?
The Vickers VC10. It's an aircraft that is almost forgotten now, but after seeing it in magazines as a child and then experiencing one take off over me at the end of a runway, the roar of those Rolls-Royce Conway engines in a rear-mounted quad layout is unforgettable. I also love that it held the record for the fastest Atlantic crossing by a sub-sonic jetliner for 41 years, and served both commercial and military aviation.
What is your industry focus?
I'm focused primarily on commercial aviation, with a particular passion for anything historical.
Latest
United Airlines Slashes 26% Of Domestic Widebody Flights: Here's Why
An increasing number of 777-200s are being sent to the desert.
Exclusive: Canadians Are Skipping The US – And This Airline Is Cashing In
CEO Adam Scott sat down with Simple Flying to discuss how the flag carrier of Bermuda is preparing for its third summer season.
The 49.9% Question: Inside Air France-KLM’s Strategic Play for TAP Air Portugal
Air France-KLM has moved first in the TAP battle, and that could prove decisive.
Gone After Just 1 Year: Virgin Atlantic Axes This Long-Haul Route From London
Virgin Atlantic’s Riyadh exit looks abrupt, but the bigger story is where the aircraft goes next.
Blue Airbus A330: SAS Unveils Special Livery To Commemorate 80 Years Of Flying
SAS marks 80 years with a bold blue A330 and a symbolic New York debut.
London Gatwick Confirms 9th New Airline In Massive 2026 Shakeup
Pegasus gives Gatwick a fresh Istanbul link as its surprising 2026 growth surges.
Why Pilots Sometimes Land Hard On Purpose
A harder landing often feels dramatic, but it is frequently the safer landing.
Deaf Woman Says Disability Caused Flight Removal, But Frontier Airlines Says She Had Alcohol
Viral Frontier removal dispute pits disability-accommodation claims against the airline’s alcohol accusation.
Surprise! The US Airport With The World's Rarest Airbus A380 Service
The major US hub will have just 89 A380 departures this year.
New Route & 9 More Boosted: JetBlue Keeps Turning Up The Heat In Fort Lauderdale
JetBlue adds Cleveland and boosts nine routes as Fort Lauderdale growth accelerates again.
Delta Air Lines Continues Los Angeles Lead, Schedules More Flights To Florida This Winter
Delta is adding more Florida flying from LAX as its battle with United intensifies.
No Transponder, No Warning: NTSB Details LaGuardia Alert Failure
NTSB says LaGuardia’s surface warning system was "unable to alert."
This Tiny Airline Just Launched London's New Longest-Ever Airbus A220 Route
Gatwick has launched its longest-ever Airbus A220 route with a new Bucharest service.
Is LaGuardia More Dangerous Than Other US Airports?
LaGuardia’s hazards are real, but its reputation may be bigger than its actual danger.
Burbank & Fort Lauderdale: 2 Hollywood Airports, But 2 Very Different Futures
As the US low-cost model comes under pressure, Fort Lauderdale and Burbank reveal two very different futures for secondary airports.
Widebody Safe Haven? Airlines Forced To Ground & Store Aircraft As Iran Conflict Continues
Teruel is once again filling with grounded widebodies as Middle East disruption deepens.
UK Aviation Explodes: 31 Flight Routes Hit 1 Million Passengers In 2025
The UK's three largest airports had 31 routes with 1 million+ passengers, and 2026 will add a fourth airport to the list.
Airbus Poised To Sue Pratt & Whitney As Engine Delays Plague Aircraft Production
Airbus’ clash with Pratt & Whitney shows the engine crisis is now hitting production too.
