Redmond, WA — In a daring feat that has captured the attention of millions, YouTuber Airrack, also known as Eric Decker, recently embarked on an extraordinary mission: flying with every major domestic airline in the United States within just one week. With over 14 million subscribers on YouTube, Airrack has skyrocketed in popularity over the years with his viral videos where he sets off to do random things around the world. This time, he took to the skies to explore the highs and lows of air travel across the nation.
The Three Rules
Airrack gave himself three simple rules to follow, and he stuck to them with unwavering determination:
- No Leaving the Airport: Airrack couldn’t step outside the airport system or leave the airplane. His adventure unfolded entirely within the confines of terminals and aircraft cabins.
- Splurging on Seats: He purchased the “nicest” seat offered by each airline. From first-class to premium economy, Airrack experienced the full spectrum of in-flight luxury.
- Airport-Only Food and Amenities: All food, drinks, bathroom breaks, and sleep had to occur either on the plane or within the airport premises. No outside snacks or meals allowed.
Evaluating the Airlines
Airrack meticulously documented his journey, evaluating each flight based on four components:
- Price: How much did the experience cost?
- Comfort: Was the seat cozy or cramped?
- Service: Did the flight attendants go above and beyond?
- The X-factor: Leaving room for surprises, Airrack considered any unexpected delights or disappointments.
Challenges and Experiences
The adventure wasn’t without its hurdles. Airrack’s first three flights faced delays or cancellations, disrupting his meticulously planned flight map. United Airlines caused a delay, and Horizon Air’s scorching interior temperature prompted immediate deplaning. But several other flights made up for it with overall good experiences.
- Southwest Airlines: Impressed him with a coveted first-row seat due to their open seating model, but a long delay landed them in the C-tier ranking.
- Avelo: A low-cost airline that received a B-tier rating for its “pretty quick flush.”
- JSX: Known for its private “hop-on jet service,” JSX ranked C-tier alongside United.
A Change of Heart
Originally planning for the “most luxurious domestic flight” as his final leg, Airrack had a change of heart. Reflecting on his YouTube journey and the support from his mom, he decided to cancel his flight home. Instead, he booked the first available flight to reunite with his mom, realizing that after flying 30 flights in a week, it all felt the same.
“Not just the six days that I’ve been doing this video, but the four years I’ve been doing YouTube. Makes me think of my mom,” he said while explaining how much his mom supported him in his YouTube career.