Year-end is the time to look back to all the stuff what happened to you. Ideally you rather remind the good moments. This posting is about some of the best three to five minutes I spend during 2021 – the best songs of the year, from my very personal perspective. Enjoy my thoughts – and of course, if you like, discuss with me via the comment function or on my social media channels. There is also a posting about my Favorite Albums and EPs of 2021.
My Favorite Non-Country Songs in 2021
Out of all my Best of categories, this is typically the one, which gives me the biggest headaches. A lot of songs are – and not all of them have been part of Flyctory.com reviews. Also as non-country genres played a bigger role in my reviews this year, I decided to go for ten songs in here instead of the seven I did in 2020.
10. Raphael by Paule
Paule’s album Wunderschon Unperfekt was an absolutely stunning listen to me. While the album will just barely miss the top non-country albums, this melodic masterpiece just deserves to be in my Top 10 songs of the year, non-country. Hope you like it, too.
9. Believe Me by Lordi
The seven album Lordiversity project by my favorite Finnish monsters is definitely one of the most remarkable releases of the year to me. The album SuperFlyTrap, in which Lordi are recording disco pop, is just outstanding. The leading single just makes me smile whenever I listen to it.
8. Wellerman by Nathan Evans
Okay, this one somehow has to be on a German best of songs 2021 list. Nathan Evans dominated German radio stations with the shanty Wellerman. The right song at the right time.
7. Zeit Heilt keine Wunden by Nino de Angelo
Nino de Angelo released a lovely album Gesegnet und Verflucht early in 2021. “Time does not heal wounds” is the title in German. Such a direct and grand song.
6. Mother Earth by Ray Wilson
I love Ray Wilson. The former Genesis singer released The Weight Of Man, a fabulous album, in August 2021. My favorite song is Mother Earth – but you will find plenty of really good recordings on this one.
5. Zahltag by Hämatom
With Berlin and Die Liebe ist Tot, Hämatom released two very different albums in 2021. Zahltag, which is a song on the latter album is so deep and describing the thoughts of an abused child. A breathtaking song.
4. Weaker by Heart Healer feat. Adrienne Cowan
Adrienne Cowan is one of my favorite female metal voices. I was so glad when I read that she will join Magnus Karlsson in his Heart Healer metal opera project. In Weaker, Cowan illustrates her extraordinary vocal skills. An amazing metal track.
3. Wounded Knee by Peter Maffay
With So weit, Peter Maffay released a great new album this year, which even touches country music here and there. This sound reminds of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, in which 300 native Americans have been slaughtered by the US cavalry. Breathtaking.
2. Cold Heart by Elton John & Dua Lipa
I really not at all an Elton John fan, but his The Lockdown Sessions just blew me away. Even weeks after the single has been released, I still love Cold Heart with Dua Lipa.
My Favorite Non-Country Song 2021:
Cabriolet Panorama by The Kolors
I just happened to run into this Italian retro-pop song during a trip to the country, as I described in my The Hits of The Trips – My Summer 2021 in Music posting. The Kolors did an amazing ear catcher there. If you like 1980’s pop, be alert: you might not get this one out of your head.
My Favorite Song during 2021, which has been recorded in previous years
Un’Estate Italiana by Gianna Nannini & Edoardo Bennato
Also due to their very reliable Covid-19 regulations, I made it rather frequently to Italy the last 18 month. This song, which was so big in 1990, is simply my song about Italy. Whenever I think of the country, this is the song I have in my ear. Even when I just went to the Italian-speaking Ticino in Switzerland, these tunes accompany me. I dedicated this classic also one of my Songs of my Life postings this year.
My Favorite Country Songs in 2021
Despite being more active on the non-country side, country is still my main genre. Not too surprisingly, my list of candidates for this Favorite Songs list was really long. These ten tracks finally made it.
10. Can’t Do Without Me by Chayce Beckham & Lindsay Ell
Especially towards the end of the year, Canadian Lindsay Ell was part of multiple really good duets. This one of Chayce Beckham is a simply amazing one. Great collaboration
9. I Only Date Cowboys by Kylie Morgan
I loved Kylie Morgan and her songs in 2021. Her EP Love, Kylie including this track. Great listen.
8. To Us It Did by Mitchell Tenpenny
Mitchell Tenpenny is indeed a great singer-songwriter. To Us It Did is a beautiful anthem about country life.
7. When I Say I Do Today by Carolyn Miller
This song was even featured in a wedding in Malta – Carolyn Miller’s wedding song is indeed a global success. She is a great artist and proofs that in her wonderful track.
6. Identity by Sylvia Aimee
The Dutch Sylvia Aimee is such a great songwriter. Identity is such a deep and wonderful track. I even had a dedicated Spotlight interview episode about it.
5. County Roads by Elvie Shane
Elvie Shane did an awesome track with County Roads. Lovely, energetic listen.
4. What Christmas Means To Me by Stephanie Ryann
Not only due to the Country Christmas 2021 Playlist, I invested quite a lot of time into festive country music. What Christmas Means To Me combines holiday spirit with deep lyrics. Love it.
3. You’ll Always Be My Baby by Alan Jackson
Wedding song, part 2: in contrast to Carolyn Miller, Alan Jackson is not writing this one to a beloved one, but to his daughter for her very special day. The song is a very special song, for sure.
2. Wine at the Church, Beer at The Bar by Logan Mize
Logan Mize‘s 2021 album Welcome To Prairieville was on my long list for my “Album of the Year” selection. This song about the fictive small town is just a great song – and there are quite some more on the album.
My Favorite Country Song 2021:
29 by Carly Pearce
Great EP, great title track: 29 by Carly Peace is dealing with so many things happening to Pearce at that age. A very personal song and a lovely listen in 2021.
All “classic” blog posts
No reviews – just debating and certain topics – these are my “traditional” blog posts in the categories Just blogging, Just blogging on music and Sports Blogging:

Five Years of Flyctory.com – My 20 Most Popular Travel Posts (so far…)
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Jim “Kimo” West is playing the very first German Weird Al Show tonight – he is back with “Nacht der Gitarren in Fall
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Food I Had Onboard VI (December 2022 til mid-February 2023)
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Davis Cup Qualifiers – A Bad Day For (Men’s) Doubles Tennis
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Flyctory.com Best Ones 2022
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Flyctory.com – My Favorite Albums / EPs 2022
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Flyctory.com – My Favorite Songs 2022
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How I would love European Flight Compensation Regulation to Change
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Covid-19, Strikes and more – My Flight Rebooking Experience
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Some 2022 new Christmas Song Releases – Good Ones and Weird Ones
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Food I Had Onboard V (September 2022 til November 2022)
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Loyalty Programs – Are We Too Committed To Stay Rational?
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Weird Al Yankovic is touring Europe 2023 – Tour Dates and Travel Hints
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Visiting the Lillehammer 1994 Olympic Sites in 2022
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Steel Guitar Santa is Back – The Flyctory.com Country Christmas Playlist 2022
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Rock of Ages – International Dates of the Musical in 2023
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Food I Had Onboard IV (May 2022 til August 2022)
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NHL Schedule 2022-23 released – Some suggested Icehopping Itineraries
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The Bergisch Coffee Table (Bergische Kaffeetafel) – A Sweet and Savory Tradition
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European Airports Go Mad – a Morning at Dusseldorf Airport
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Food I Had Onboard III (Mar 2022 til April 2022)
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Currently my favorite animal: Leon The Lobster
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Food I Had Onboard II (Nov 21 til Mar 2022)
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No Business as Usual – but I felt it is right to continue to share the World with you…
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Beijing 2022 – No Flyctory.com Medal Count, Just Thoughts…
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Riding the Swan Adventure Pedal Boat in Dubai – A Special Ride and Posting
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Rock of Ages – Central European Shows of my Favorite Musical in 2022
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Flyctory.com Best Ones 2021
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Flyctory.com – My Favorite Albums / EPs 2021
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Some Non-Country Christmas Songs 2021
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My Top 15 Airports Flown – With Some Brief Thoughts
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Ho Ho Ho – The Flyctory.com Country Christmas Playlist 2021
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Food I Had Onboard (Oct 2021 til Nov 2021)
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The Hits of the Trips – My Summer 2021 in Music
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My Hotel Checklist – Some Services Too Many Overnights are still failing at
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Tokyo 2020 – My Thoughts By Sports (… and some more)
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The Flyctory.com-Style Medal Count of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics
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Some weird sports I discovered during Covid-19
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The Twelve Best Flights Of My Life (… so far)
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Music Publications – Does Nowadays The Length Still Matter?
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Smooth McGroove – A Very Special Kind of Gaming Music
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Jan-Marten Block is the German Idol – Some Thoughts After a Strange Season
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Bricky Trouble over Germany
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Cologne – My Ten Favorite Songs About My Home Town
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(Over) 400 Media Reviews on Flyctory.com – your most popular ones
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The Dutch Museumkaart – One Year of Culture and History (almost) for free in the Netherlands
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Understanding Train Station – A Podcast on Living Abroad and Cultural Differences
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Dubai – A December 2020 Pandemic Disappointment
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Flyctory.com Best Ones 2020
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Flyctory.com – My Favorite Albums / EPs 2020
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Flyctory.com – My Favorite Songs 2020
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“Zärtliche Chaoten II” – exploring Gran Canaria 32 years later
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My Ten Favorite Weird Al Yankovic Songs
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My First PCR Test (Centogene Dusseldorf Airport)
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Seven Things I look forward to do in the United States again
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Some Christmas Present Ideas for Flyctory.com Music Lovers
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Hawk-Eye Live – the End of the Tennis Line Judges?
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The Country Music Week turns Digital
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One Year of Flyctory.com Country Music Playlists
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The Big Three of Tennis Men Singles – Unique Dominance?
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German Girl in America – YouTube Videos about US-German Differences
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Nashville, Let the Girls Play – Some Thoughts on Women Country Music
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Olivia Lane – “Living Instead” Podcast about Artists’ Life and More
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“Lady Antebellum” becomes “Lady A” – My Thoughts
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Lake Constance after the touristic Lockdown – My Experience
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Women Soccer Bundesliga is back – But some Girls score in a different Way
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Mrs. Greenbird: Strong Crowdfunding Start for New Album
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Back To Soccer-Country: Germany
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Kenny Foster – His Stories behind “Deep Cuts”
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Flyctory.com vs. Covid-19 – An unequal battle
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Two new Flyctory.com-managed Playlists on Amazon Music and Spotify
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Made in Bolka – About the Rise of a Floorball Club
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My Favorite C2C: Country To Country 2020 Songs
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Why I feel it makes sense to continue Flyctory.com during the Corona crisis
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C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 3 (08.03.2020) – Splitter
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C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 2 (07.03.2020) – Splitter
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C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 1 (06.03.2020) – Splitter
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Flyctory.com Best Ones 2019
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Christmas Songs – Why not Hawaiian Style?
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My Favorite Music Albums 2019
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Flyctory.com – My Favorite Songs 2019
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No Women WFC 2019 Coverage on Flyctory.com?
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Flyctory.com – My Postings on a Map
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Luke Combs – This One’s For You – The Record-Breaking Album
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Frog Leap – An Amazing Project Back On Tour 2020
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The Flyctory.com Country Music Playlists – The First Ten Weeks
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Country 2 Country 2020 Lineup – My View
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Sound of Nashville Press Event & Logan Mize Concert (11th Sep 2019, Cologne)
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Flyctory.com on Spotify and Amazon Music Unlimited
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A Preview to Country Music Concerts (European Tours)
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Very Important Postings – January to June 2019
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CMA Fest 2019 – My Meet & Greets
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Visiting CMA Fest 2019
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My Favorite CMA Fest Songs 2019
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Christina Taylor & Carolyn Miller – Two Upcoming Country Artists
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CMA Fest 2019 – Fan Events with Cassadee Pope and Jana Kramer
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Country Music Concert Summer 2019 in Germany – a small Boom?
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Shallow-ism – One Song in countless Versions
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My Favorite Country 2 Country Songs 2019
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European World Floorball Championship Qualification – A Preview
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Entertaining or not? An Inflight Magazine Comparison
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Floorball Champions Cup 2019 – A Preview to Gävle
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Very Important Postings – July to December 2018
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My Favorite Songs 2018
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How to buy a Hotel Group Status
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Davis Cup World Group Playoff 2018 – More complex than ever!
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Very Important Postings – Flyctory.com’s 1st Half 2018
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Flyctory.com’s Introduction on Mileage Pooling
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Atlanta 1996 – 22 Years later
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Ode to my Superhero – Leander Paes
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My favourite Country 2 Country 2018 songs
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My Medal Count Winner 2018: Canada
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Why WordPress?
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Aviation on Flyctory.com
Here are all postings about Airports & Airlines:


American Airlines / British Airways Soho Lounge New York JFK Terminal 8
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Oasis Lounge Royal Air Maroc Marrakech (RAK)
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Food I Had Onboard VI (December 2022 til mid-February 2023)
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Iberia Regional / Air Nostrum ATR 72 Business Class
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Aegean Lounge Larnaca Airport (LCA)
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Singapore Airlines A380 Premium Economy
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Frankfurt Airport (Fraport) Visitors’ Center
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VIP Business Lounge Tirana Airport (TIA)
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Andorra La Seu d’Urgell (LEU) Airport
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Food I Had Onboard V (September 2022 til November 2022)
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SAS Gold Lounge Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL, International Flights)
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Lufthansa Bistro Lounge Frankfurt (FRA) C14/C15
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Aspire Lounge Inverness Airport (INV)
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Flying Cape Air from Marion (MWA) to St. Louis (STL)
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Austrian Senator Lounge Vienna Airport (VIE) Non-Schengen (D/G)
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Flying with OFD (Ostfriesischer Flugdienst)
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Food I Had Onboard IV (May 2022 til August 2022)
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Malta Airport (MLA)
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Inverness Airport (INV)
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Tupelo Airport (TUP)
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Aspire Lounge Amsterdam-Schiphol (AMS) Non-Schengen (Lounge 41)
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Flying with Icelandair Domestic (Flygfelag Islands / Air Iceland Connect)
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American Airlines Admirals Club New York LaGuardia (LGA)
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The Lounge Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN)
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Helgoland Airport (HGL)
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Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion (MWA)
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La Valette Club Lounge Malta Airport (MLA)
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Graz Airport (GRZ)
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Marhaba Lounge Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 1
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Finnair Business Lounge Non-Schengen Helsinki Vantaa (HEL)
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Keflavik Airport (KEF)
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Menzies Norrsken Lounge Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN) T5
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Gdansk Airport (GDN)
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Egilsstadir Airport (EGS)
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LOT Business Lounge Mazurek (Warsaw WAW Non-Schengen)
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Flying With Porter Airlines from Toronto (YTZ) to Ottawa (YOW)
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Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV)
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Flying Norlandair from Akureyri (AEY) (not) to Grimsey (GRY)
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Salzburg Airport (SZG) Business Lounge
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Salzburg Airport (SZG)
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Lufthansa Senator Lounge at Dubai (DXB) Terminal 1
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My Top 15 Airports Flown – With Some Brief Thoughts
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Lufthansa Senator Lounge Munich Airport (near G28)
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Air France / KLM Lounge Toronto Pearson (YYZ) Terminal 3
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Bolzano Airport (BZO)
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Flying With Lübeck Air
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Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
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Condor Boeing 767 Business Class from Toronto (YYZ) to Frankfurt (FRA)
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Boeing 757-200 Icelandair Saga Premium Class
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Saga Lounge Kefklavik (KEF)
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Flying With SkyAlps
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Akureyri Airport (AEY)
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Lübeck Airport (LBC)
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Flying with DAT (Danish Air Transport) from Saarbruecken to Hamburg
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The Twelve Best Flights Of My Life (… so far)
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VIP Lounge Graz Airport (GRZ)
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Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI)
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Saarbruecken Airport (SCN)
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Flying from Paderborn / Lippstadt Airport (PAD)
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Las Palmas / Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) – Airport Review
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Alaska Airlines A320 Domestic First Flight Experience
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Sylt / Westerland Airport (GWT)
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Berlin Brandenburg Airport Terminal 1 (BER) – My First Review
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Flying the PAD Aviation Embraer Phenom 300
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A Walk Through Cologne / Bonn Airport Terminal at Covid-19 Times (Pictured Story)
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Lufthansa Business Lounge Berlin/Brandenburg (BER) during Covid-19
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MeerExpress – Flying the Air Shuttle to Norderney & Juist
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Flying Dortmund Airport (DTM)
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Long Beach Airport (LGB)
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Singapore Airlines SilverKris Business Lounge London-Heathrow
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Flying Under Covid-19 conditions from Venice Airport (VCE)
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British Airways First Class Lounge London Gatwick Airport
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Tenerife North Airport (TFN) Review
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Überlingen Plane Collision Memorials
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Air New Zealand Boeing B777 Premium Economy from London to Los Angeles
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Traveling Through Germany at Covid-19 Times – A special Trip Review
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Frankfurt Airport during Covid-19
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Star Alliance Lounge Los Angeles Airport (LAX)
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Cologne/Bonn Airport during Covid-19 Times (Pictured Story)
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Jersey Airport (JER)
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Planespotting at In-N-Out Burger Los Angeles Airport
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Finnair Airbus A350 Business Class from Helsinki to Dubai
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Flying PSA Airlines from Washington Reagan to Chattanooga
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British Airways Lounge Jersey Airport
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SAS Lounge Stockholm Arlanda (Terminal 5)
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Airport Lounge World Munich Airport
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Eurowings Lounge Munich – The Low(est) Cost Lounge Experience?
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American Airlines Admirals Club Pittsburgh
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Sharjah Al Mahatta Historic Airport Museum
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The Christmas Market at Munich Airport
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George Best Airport Belfast (BHD)
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Newcastle International Airport (NCL)
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The New 2021 Miles & More Points – Back to FREQUENT Flying?
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Iberia Express A321 Business Class
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Dusseldorf Airport Photo Tour
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LOT 787 Business Class
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American Airlines Boeing 777 Flagship Business Class
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Loganair From Glasgow To Barra Airport (BRR)
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Stockholm Arlanda Aurora Lounge (Terminal 2)
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Flying the Aerotask A320 Simulator (in Essen)
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American Airlines Flagship Lounge New York JFK (now: Greenwich Lounge)
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Riding the Arlanda Express
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Finnair Platinum Wing Helsinki Airport
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Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Frankfurt Airport
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Singapore Kallang Airport Today
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Luxembourg Airport (LUX)
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Billund Airport (BLL) Review
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Flying Sun-Air of Scandinavia
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Concorde Technical Tour at Manchester Airport
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Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
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Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA)
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British Airways B747-400 Club World (Business Class)
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Flying Singapore Airlines First Class (B777-300ER)
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Lufthansa First Class Flight Experience
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Swiss A330-300 Business Class from Zurich to Dubai
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Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt
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Malaysia Airlines B737-800 Business Class
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Malindo Air Business Class (B737-800)
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Jewel Changi Airport (Singapore)
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Bus Transfer from Heathrow to Oxford: The Airline
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Lufthansa Panorama Lounge in Frankfurt
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London City Airport (LCY) – UK’s Capital best choice?
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Emirates Aviation Experience London
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American Airlines A330 Premium Economy
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Flying with Southern Airways Express
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Madrid Airport Terminal 4 (Review)
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Air Belgium Business Class from London to Dubai
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Seville Airport (SVQ) Review
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Entertaining or not? An Inflight Magazine Comparison
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Glasgow Airport (GLA) Review
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Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) Review
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Flying Aegean Airbus A320
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Manchester (MAN) Airport Review
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Belgrade Airport BEG (Airport Review)
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Flying Iberia A350 Business Class
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BA 1 – British Airways’ Most Exclusive Intercontinental Experience
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Flying with VLM from Cologne to Antwerp
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The new SWISS Senator Lounge Zurich A
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Flying Air Canada Premium Rouge
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LATAM 705 – Love Letter to a Flight
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Ponta Delgada PDL Airport Review
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Malaga Airport AGP – Review
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Flying with Helity
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Melilla Airport MLN (Review)
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Flyctory.com’s Introduction on Mileage Pooling
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Flying LOT Premium Class
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Airport Review: Kinmen (KNH), Taiwan
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Airport Review: Vilnius (VNO), Lithuania
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Flying the Hello Kitty Jet
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Airport Review: Taipei Songshan Airport – TSA
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