When the pilot greets you on board, they’ll talk about the weather and flight duration
When the pilot greets you on board, they’ll talk about the weather and flight duration

after introducing themselves and the crew.
after introducing themselves and the crew.

But have you ever been on a flight where the Captain introduced the plane itself?
But have you ever been on a flight where the Captain introduced the plane itself?

I don’t mean “Boeing 737,” but something like “Miss Moneypenny” – really!
I don’t mean “Boeing 737,” but something like “Miss Moneypenny” – really!

You can’t make this stuff up!
You can’t make this stuff up!

Planes are a relatively recent invention.
Planes are a relatively recent invention.

Before them, there was another popular means of mass transportation – ships.
Before them, there was another popular means of mass transportation – ships.

Well, it might come as no surprise that aviation inherited a lot of things from seafaring.
Well, it might come as no surprise that aviation inherited a lot of things from seafaring.

Distances are measured in nautical miles, aircraft can also be called ships, and the
Distances are measured in nautical miles, aircraft can also be called ships, and the

pilot is no less than the captain himself.
pilot is no less than the captain himself.

Plus, he’s got a trusted crew to help him on board.
Plus, he’s got a trusted crew to help him on board.

Each major ship in history had its name: the Santa Maria, USS Constitution, HMS Victory,
Each major ship in history had its name: the Santa Maria, USS Constitution, HMS Victory,

the Titanic.
the Titanic.

You’ve heard of the Titanic?
You’ve heard of the Titanic?

A lot of them were named after places they came from, historical figures, or just some
A lot of them were named after places they came from, historical figures, or just some

noble-sounding words.
noble-sounding words.

So if you’re wondering where the practice comes from, the aviation industry took this
So if you’re wondering where the practice comes from, the aviation industry took this

old maritime tradition and flew with it!
old maritime tradition and flew with it!

The first major airline to do it was Pan American Airways, once the largest international air
The first major airline to do it was Pan American Airways, once the largest international air

carrier in the United States.
carrier in the United States.

In 1929, they invited Amelia Earhart (you know, the first female pilot to fly solo across
In 1929, they invited Amelia Earhart (you know, the first female pilot to fly solo across

the Atlantic Ocean) to wish good luck to their first aircraft flying from Miami to Havana.
the Atlantic Ocean) to wish good luck to their first aircraft flying from Miami to Havana.

It was a Ford Trimotor fittingly dubbed Cuba.
It was a Ford Trimotor fittingly dubbed Cuba.

They continued naming their aircraft, many of them with maritime monikers, until Delta
They continued naming their aircraft, many of them with maritime monikers, until Delta

bought the historic airline in 1991.
bought the historic airline in 1991.

Fortunately, the naming tradition grew strong and lived on.
Fortunately, the naming tradition grew strong and lived on.

Around that same time in the1920s, similar things were happening across the pond.
Around that same time in the1920s, similar things were happening across the pond.

KLM, the official Dutch airline, gave its first aircraft the name Dikke Dirk, which
KLM, the official Dutch airline, gave its first aircraft the name Dikke Dirk, which

translates as Fat Dirk.
translates as Fat Dirk.

They picked this name after the last two letters in its registration – DD.
They picked this name after the last two letters in its registration – DD.

The “fat” part was a joke about its unusually chubby fuselage.
The “fat” part was a joke about its unusually chubby fuselage.

The airline still gives names to its planes, but mostly chooses cities, heritage sites,
The airline still gives names to its planes, but mostly chooses cities, heritage sites,

and sometimes even local bird and insect species for inspiration.
and sometimes even local bird and insect species for inspiration.

Today, a lot of major airlines like Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, Icelandair,
Today, a lot of major airlines like Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, Icelandair,

and JetBlue spend a good amount of time and money coming up with the perfect name for
and JetBlue spend a good amount of time and money coming up with the perfect name for

their aircraft before sending it off.
their aircraft before sending it off.

Now, it seems logical to name a plane after a famous explorer or the city it was built
Now, it seems logical to name a plane after a famous explorer or the city it was built

in, but sometimes the names written below the pilot's cockpit window on the nose of
in, but sometimes the names written below the pilot's cockpit window on the nose of

the aircraft are way more eccentric than that.
the aircraft are way more eccentric than that.

Get ready to meet Pepper, Scootalicious, Ladybird, and the Big Yella Fella!
Get ready to meet Pepper, Scootalicious, Ladybird, and the Big Yella Fella!

Sounds like members of some rock band…
Sounds like members of some rock band…

Many airlines name their planes after something that means a lot for their national culture,
Many airlines name their planes after something that means a lot for their national culture,

traditions, or sights.
traditions, or sights.

In Australia, for example, Qantas aircraft proudly bear the name of local cities, Aboriginal
In Australia, for example, Qantas aircraft proudly bear the name of local cities, Aboriginal

art, and the continent’s first pilots.
art, and the continent’s first pilots.

One plane, for example, is named Nancy-Bird Walton, after the woman who founded the local
One plane, for example, is named Nancy-Bird Walton, after the woman who founded the local

female pilot association.
female pilot association.

Even though she was almost a century old by the time her big metal namesake first took
Even though she was almost a century old by the time her big metal namesake first took

to the skies, she was on that flight!
to the skies, she was on that flight!

Another interesting naming example from Down Under is Nullarbor, which is the Latin for
Another interesting naming example from Down Under is Nullarbor, which is the Latin for

“no trees.”
“no trees.”

It's also a flat and arid region in Australia with basically nothing in it… certainly
It's also a flat and arid region in Australia with basically nothing in it… certainly

no trees!
no trees!

Virgin Australia likes naming their planes after the country-continent’s endless beaches
Virgin Australia likes naming their planes after the country-continent’s endless beaches

– there are so many of them that they can keep buying planes and never run out of names!
– there are so many of them that they can keep buying planes and never run out of names!

The national airline of Israel called El Al names its aircraft after local cities.
The national airline of Israel called El Al names its aircraft after local cities.

So there might be a Jerusalem and Tel Aviv flying somewhere above the clouds right now!
So there might be a Jerusalem and Tel Aviv flying somewhere above the clouds right now!

They always celebrate the naming of a new plane with a whole ceremony in that city.
They always celebrate the naming of a new plane with a whole ceremony in that city.

In Hawaiian culture, giving a name to a person or even an object is a revered practice.
In Hawaiian culture, giving a name to a person or even an object is a revered practice.

They say it can make or break a person’s (or object’s) prosperity and spirit.
They say it can make or break a person’s (or object’s) prosperity and spirit.

So, it’s no wonder Hawaiian Airlines always name their planes, and they mostly take inspiration
So, it’s no wonder Hawaiian Airlines always name their planes, and they mostly take inspiration

from constellations, flowers, and birds.
from constellations, flowers, and birds.

Makali'i, for example, is a constellation that’s so important in Hawaiian mythology
Makali'i, for example, is a constellation that’s so important in Hawaiian mythology

that there’s an Airbus 330 in the local air fleet bearing its name.
that there’s an Airbus 330 in the local air fleet bearing its name.

There’s also an aircraft named after the famous Maui-born sumo wrestler Jesse Takamiyama.
There’s also an aircraft named after the famous Maui-born sumo wrestler Jesse Takamiyama.

Iceland is the place to be if you want to see some striking landscapes and powerful
Iceland is the place to be if you want to see some striking landscapes and powerful

nature, what with all its volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and glaciers.
nature, what with all its volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and glaciers.

When one volcano with a name I’m not even going to try to pronounce [Eyjafjallajökull]—see?--
When one volcano with a name I’m not even going to try to pronounce [Eyjafjallajökull]—see?--

erupted back in 2010, the whole world learned about it since flights across the globe were
erupted back in 2010, the whole world learned about it since flights across the globe were

severely delayed.
severely delayed.

Well, Icelandair decided to name a Boeing 757 after the thing!
Well, Icelandair decided to name a Boeing 757 after the thing!

In the Land of Spices, airline marketing agents used that ginormous flavorful variety for
In the Land of Spices, airline marketing agents used that ginormous flavorful variety for

inspiration when naming their aircraft.
inspiration when naming their aircraft.

So, head to India, and you just might fly on a plane called Red Chili, Coriander, Pepper,
So, head to India, and you just might fly on a plane called Red Chili, Coriander, Pepper,

or Turmeric!
or Turmeric!

All those spicy planes are the fleet of Spicejet airlines.
All those spicy planes are the fleet of Spicejet airlines.

By the way, if you were to name a plane after your favorite food or spice, what would it
By the way, if you were to name a plane after your favorite food or spice, what would it

be?
be?

“Flaming Hot Cheetos requesting permission to land…”
“Flaming Hot Cheetos requesting permission to land…”

Let me know your pick down in the comments!
Let me know your pick down in the comments!

It's also quite popular to name planes after prominent people.
It's also quite popular to name planes after prominent people.

Russian national air carrier Aeroflot looks to the country’s great writers, scientists,
Russian national air carrier Aeroflot looks to the country’s great writers, scientists,

and composers for inspo.
and composers for inspo.

So if you’re ever flying with the carrier, don’t be surprised to hear the plane introduced
So if you’re ever flying with the carrier, don’t be surprised to hear the plane introduced

as Dostoevsky, Brodsky, or .
as Dostoevsky, Brodsky, or .

Virgin Atlantic airlines give their planes mostly female names, such as Pretty Woman,
Virgin Atlantic airlines give their planes mostly female names, such as Pretty Woman,

Queen of the Skies, Ladybird, and Indian Princess.
Queen of the Skies, Ladybird, and Indian Princess.

These names are accompanied by a painting of Lady Luck on the side of the craft.
These names are accompanied by a painting of Lady Luck on the side of the craft.

She’s painted in the Pinup Girl style of Peruvian artist Alberto Vargas.
She’s painted in the Pinup Girl style of Peruvian artist Alberto Vargas.

The airline also has a plane named after him called Varga Girl.
The airline also has a plane named after him called Varga Girl.

Nice way to pay tribute!
Nice way to pay tribute!

JetBlue airlines stay true to their brand when naming every new plane they get.
JetBlue airlines stay true to their brand when naming every new plane they get.

They try to include the word “blue” in that nickname.
They try to include the word “blue” in that nickname.

Their very first plane was an Airbus A320 called BlueBird that traveled from JFK to
Their very first plane was an Airbus A320 called BlueBird that traveled from JFK to

Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale.

When they purchased the first US-made Airbus, they honored the famous Alabama city it was
When they purchased the first US-made Airbus, they honored the famous Alabama city it was

built in by calling the plane BluesMobile.
built in by calling the plane BluesMobile.

Among other aircraft in their fleet are “Blue by Popular Demand” and “Hopelessly Devoted
Among other aircraft in their fleet are “Blue by Popular Demand” and “Hopelessly Devoted

to Blue.”
to Blue.”

And when airlines need some help from the public, they hold competitions among their
And when airlines need some help from the public, they hold competitions among their

social media followers to invent their own perfect plane name.
social media followers to invent their own perfect plane name.

From Irish Ryanair to Australian Qantas, airlines give their fans a chance to commemorate themselves
From Irish Ryanair to Australian Qantas, airlines give their fans a chance to commemorate themselves

or just get crazy and creative when coming up with those names.
or just get crazy and creative when coming up with those names.

Some of the funniest suggestions Virgin America got were “pineapple express” and “#nerdbird”
Some of the funniest suggestions Virgin America got were “pineapple express” and “#nerdbird”

to point out that Virgin is the first airline to have fleetwide Wi-Fi.
to point out that Virgin is the first airline to have fleetwide Wi-Fi.

Another Virgin plane was named after an Irish sheep farmer.
Another Virgin plane was named after an Irish sheep farmer.

His son won the right to designate an aircraft at a Virgin Unite auction.
His son won the right to designate an aircraft at a Virgin Unite auction.

Singaporean airline Scoot is using eccentric plane names as a way to show how cool and
Singaporean airline Scoot is using eccentric plane names as a way to show how cool and

fresh they are.
fresh they are.

Many of their flights are India-bound, and some savvy social media polling helped them
Many of their flights are India-bound, and some savvy social media polling helped them

find the perfect names the Indian youth just loves.
find the perfect names the Indian youth just loves.

According to them, they were Scootalicious, Dream Start, and Big Yella Fella.
According to them, they were Scootalicious, Dream Start, and Big Yella Fella.

After they merged with another airline TigerAir, they named an aircraft Conscious Coupling.
After they merged with another airline TigerAir, they named an aircraft Conscious Coupling.

Speaking of Scoot, it’s not only the jets that get weird names but also the airlines
Speaking of Scoot, it’s not only the jets that get weird names but also the airlines

themselves.
themselves.

There was one in Taiwan called U-Land.
There was one in Taiwan called U-Land.

(Hmm, was there a U-Fly as well?)
(Hmm, was there a U-Fly as well?)

Ransome Airlines were a regional carrier based in Pennsylvania.
Ransome Airlines were a regional carrier based in Pennsylvania.

Vegas-based Bonanza airlines used to fly between the western United States and Mexico.
Vegas-based Bonanza airlines used to fly between the western United States and Mexico.

There was also the Russian airline Touch and Go.
There was also the Russian airline Touch and Go.

It seemed to be doing just fine flying to Cyprus and Greece, but in the end, the whole
It seemed to be doing just fine flying to Cyprus and Greece, but in the end, the whole

business was, ya know, touch and go.
business was, ya know, touch and go.

How about BRA airways?
How about BRA airways?

It was a Brazilian airline, but the name doesn’t come from women’s undergarments.
It was a Brazilian airline, but the name doesn’t come from women’s undergarments.

It stood for Brasil Rodo Aéreo.
It stood for Brasil Rodo Aéreo.

Don’t be too upset that you can no longer book with BRA since they closed in 2007.
Don’t be too upset that you can no longer book with BRA since they closed in 2007.

Can we say the BRA was removed.
Can we say the BRA was removed.

No we can’t?
No we can’t?

okay.
okay.

There’s a whole new BRA airline, but it’s based in Sweden.
There’s a whole new BRA airline, but it’s based in Sweden.

The acronym stands for Braathens Regional Airways.
The acronym stands for Braathens Regional Airways.

Ah so many jokes, so little time.
Ah so many jokes, so little time.

Finally, out of the still existing and pretty successful, there’s the Hungarian budget
Finally, out of the still existing and pretty successful, there’s the Hungarian budget

airline WizzAir.
airline WizzAir.

The company is doing great, and you can get yourself an account on its official website
The company is doing great, and you can get yourself an account on its official website

in the “My Wizz” tab.
in the “My Wizz” tab.

Ah so many jokes, so little time.
Ah so many jokes, so little time.

Hey, if you learned something new today, then give the video a like and share it with a
Hey, if you learned something new today, then give the video a like and share it with a

friend!
friend!

And here are some other cool videos I think you'll enjoy.
And here are some other cool videos I think you'll enjoy.

Just click to the left or right, and stay on the Bright Side of life!
Just click to the left or right, and stay on the Bright Side of life!