About this episode
From springbok biltong and A380 landings to navigating the world solo as a woman, this episode packs in travel chaos, comedy, and a whole lot of smart advice. ? This Week on Landings and Layovers We're back with a packed episode featuring travel misadventures, smart gear upgrades, some very real talk about traveling as a woman, and a jaw-dropping fare from Vancouver to Aruba that's making us rethink our summer plans. Here's what's inside: ? Marty's VIP behind-the-scenes tour of United Airlines' Denver ramp (yes, there's an A380 involved) ?? What really happens when your budget flight turns out way better than expected ???? Tracy joins us to talk solo female travel, hostel hacks, and why Vietnam tops her list ? The truth about backpacks, broken roller wheels, and what travel gear is actually worth your money ? Why you might want to stop planning every second of your trip ? Fare of the Week (Sponsored by Notiflyr.com) Vancouver ? Aruba | Summer 2026 | ~$500 USD roundtrip ?? Book a tropical escape from the Pacific Northwest to the Caribbean with this long-range fare. ?? 10-hour journey ?? Operated by United (with Air Canada likely to follow) ?? Perfect for beating the summer fog or Canadian winter in advance ? Tip: Watch for this to go live on both airlines as schedules expand! ?? Guest Spotlight: Tracy Tracy's been everywhere — from high school in Singapore to backpacking Southeast Asia to living in China. She joined us to talk: What it's really like traveling solo as a woman How safety strategies change based on country, community, and culture Why having your own private room at a hostel can be worth every cent How not to get stuck zipping and unzipping your top-loading backpack 12 times a day
