Every year, billions of people take to the skies. From security lines to boarding gates, most travelers experience the same routine—double-checking their passport, hoping their slightly oversized carry-on goes unnoticed, and settling in for the flight ahead.

But beyond the familiar rituals of air travel lies a world most passengers never see. Luckily, across several Reddit threads, airline staff, pilots, and crew members have spilled some fascinating behind-the-scenes secrets about what really happens when we fly. So, if you’ve ever been curious about the hidden side of aviation, keep reading, there’s plenty of tea to go around.

The tail rotor diameter of a Robinson R22 helicopter is 3' 6". This is because that was as wide as Frank Robinson's kitchen oven would go, where he had to bake t

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