John Walton
@thatjohn.bsky.social
Editor in chief of @theupfront.media: in-depth independent aviation journalism for the digital age. Subscribe today!
Journo, Japan travel expert, bon vivant, lover of gardens, fan of 22°C, crocheter, Champagne enthusiast.
Big 🏳️🌈 w/the 🏳️⚧️, 🇫🇷 in 🇪🇺, he/him.
Journo, Japan travel expert, bon vivant, lover of gardens, fan of 22°C, crocheter, Champagne enthusiast.
Big 🏳️🌈 w/the 🏳️⚧️, 🇫🇷 in 🇪🇺, he/him.
Pinned
John Walton
@thatjohn.bsky.social
· Jan 1
Happy New Year, friends!
One of my resolutions for 2026 is to avoid infinite-scroll short video (TikTok, Reels, Shorts) as much as possible.
I'm genuinely convinced the dopamine jolts involved in mindless scrolling are bad for my brain.
So I'm trying to watch more 10-30 minute video instead…
One of my resolutions for 2026 is to avoid infinite-scroll short video (TikTok, Reels, Shorts) as much as possible.
I'm genuinely convinced the dopamine jolts involved in mindless scrolling are bad for my brain.
So I'm trying to watch more 10-30 minute video instead…
Ah, thank you — in terms of rules, are you saying it won't work as easyJet Free Personal Item but would work as Paid Carry-On?
Basically I'm keen to understand if the extra couple days of clothes on a Japan rail trip would tip it over the "can use it as carryon in Europe" line.
Basically I'm keen to understand if the extra couple days of clothes on a Japan rail trip would tip it over the "can use it as carryon in Europe" line.
February 10, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Ah, thank you — in terms of rules, are you saying it won't work as easyJet Free Personal Item but would work as Paid Carry-On?
Basically I'm keen to understand if the extra couple days of clothes on a Japan rail trip would tip it over the "can use it as carryon in Europe" line.
Basically I'm keen to understand if the extra couple days of clothes on a Japan rail trip would tip it over the "can use it as carryon in Europe" line.
rahaeli elizabeth lastname
this is the most egregious understatement of a thread and indeed a day that is FILLED with them
i am both making this face and chortling myself nearly off a chair right now
this is the most egregious understatement of a thread and indeed a day that is FILLED with them
i am both making this face and chortling myself nearly off a chair right now
a close up of a woman 's face with a smile on it .
Alt: Daenerys wincesmiling meme
media.tenor.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:29 PM
rahaeli elizabeth lastname
this is the most egregious understatement of a thread and indeed a day that is FILLED with them
i am both making this face and chortling myself nearly off a chair right now
this is the most egregious understatement of a thread and indeed a day that is FILLED with them
i am both making this face and chortling myself nearly off a chair right now
Mate… this header graphic is in extremely poor taste.
February 10, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Mate… this header graphic is in extremely poor taste.
Did you consider the 44L version by any chance? I'm not usually as constrained by carryon dimensions and I'm 6'3" so am tempted by something a bit bigger.
February 10, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Did you consider the 44L version by any chance? I'm not usually as constrained by carryon dimensions and I'm 6'3" so am tempted by something a bit bigger.
Oh, I wish that had a passthrough!
February 10, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Oh, I wish that had a passthrough!
Yeah — I realise I have weird criteria because:
• elderly millennial back needs backpack not duffle/tote
• 3-5 day Japan trip packing requirements
• absolutely must have passthrough
• rarely need to worry about airline limits
• need to use as pro work bag sometimes
• elderly millennial back needs backpack not duffle/tote
• 3-5 day Japan trip packing requirements
• absolutely must have passthrough
• rarely need to worry about airline limits
• need to use as pro work bag sometimes
February 10, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Yeah — I realise I have weird criteria because:
• elderly millennial back needs backpack not duffle/tote
• 3-5 day Japan trip packing requirements
• absolutely must have passthrough
• rarely need to worry about airline limits
• need to use as pro work bag sometimes
• elderly millennial back needs backpack not duffle/tote
• 3-5 day Japan trip packing requirements
• absolutely must have passthrough
• rarely need to worry about airline limits
• need to use as pro work bag sometimes
OMG yes the onebag spreadsheet! I love it but also super keen for actual friend recs, so if you have one you love I am, as we (do not) say, tout oreilles.
February 10, 2026 at 9:57 AM
OMG yes the onebag spreadsheet! I love it but also super keen for actual friend recs, so if you have one you love I am, as we (do not) say, tout oreilles.
What on EARTH would possess you to say "ask AI" to a question asking for personal recommendations? Absolute gen AI brainmelt behaviour.
February 10, 2026 at 9:21 AM
What on EARTH would possess you to say "ask AI" to a question asking for personal recommendations? Absolute gen AI brainmelt behaviour.
Friends, does anyone have a recommendation for a sturdy travel backpack, European fullsize carryon (not "personal item") size, with:
• suitcase pass-through
• 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in)
• 3 days' clothes + laptop
• water bottle holder
• small pockets for easy plane-train gadget/gubbins access
• suitcase pass-through
• 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in)
• 3 days' clothes + laptop
• water bottle holder
• small pockets for easy plane-train gadget/gubbins access
February 10, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Friends, does anyone have a recommendation for a sturdy travel backpack, European fullsize carryon (not "personal item") size, with:
• suitcase pass-through
• 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in)
• 3 days' clothes + laptop
• water bottle holder
• small pockets for easy plane-train gadget/gubbins access
• suitcase pass-through
• 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in)
• 3 days' clothes + laptop
• water bottle holder
• small pockets for easy plane-train gadget/gubbins access
Right?! Erika Vikman is one of my favorite IDGAF Finns. She brought this one to the ESC last year and it was my douze points :
youtu.be/V3vbVd1ynnk
youtu.be/V3vbVd1ynnk
Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME (LIVE) | Finland 🇫🇮 | Grand Final | Eurovision 2025
YouTube video by Eurovision Song Contest
youtu.be
February 9, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Right?! Erika Vikman is one of my favorite IDGAF Finns. She brought this one to the ESC last year and it was my douze points :
youtu.be/V3vbVd1ynnk
youtu.be/V3vbVd1ynnk
not if you want to say “viral music video”!
[meme noise] Fifteen grammatical cases latair…
help me Oulu sandwich daddy you’re my only hope
[meme noise] Fifteen grammatical cases latair…
help me Oulu sandwich daddy you’re my only hope
February 9, 2026 at 9:22 PM
not if you want to say “viral music video”!
[meme noise] Fifteen grammatical cases latair…
help me Oulu sandwich daddy you’re my only hope
[meme noise] Fifteen grammatical cases latair…
help me Oulu sandwich daddy you’re my only hope
Post a banger that isn’t in English
(Why yes, “virallinen musiikivideo” means exactly what you think it means. Congratulations, you speak Finnish now.)
youtu.be/6aLb6vJ_TkI
(Why yes, “virallinen musiikivideo” means exactly what you think it means. Congratulations, you speak Finnish now.)
youtu.be/6aLb6vJ_TkI
February 9, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Post a banger that isn’t in English
(Why yes, “virallinen musiikivideo” means exactly what you think it means. Congratulations, you speak Finnish now.)
youtu.be/6aLb6vJ_TkI
(Why yes, “virallinen musiikivideo” means exactly what you think it means. Congratulations, you speak Finnish now.)
youtu.be/6aLb6vJ_TkI
Welcome back, friend! I hope your maternity leave was everything you wanted.
February 9, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Welcome back, friend! I hope your maternity leave was everything you wanted.
Ooh ooh ooh do it with one of the protagonists being a sturdy teacher type from a historic boarding school set in the Alps — Skiing Werewolves Go To The Chalet School!
February 9, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Ooh ooh ooh do it with one of the protagonists being a sturdy teacher type from a historic boarding school set in the Alps — Skiing Werewolves Go To The Chalet School!
waiting for a tabloid to bring out the Starmer Banana to slowly start oxidising on a table with a Tony Blair votive candle and several lovingly laminated stacks of focus group results
BREAKING: Keir Starmer is not resigning and will be 'concentrating on the job in hand', Downing Street has said
His mood this morning has been described as 'upbeat' and 'confident'
His mood this morning has been described as 'upbeat' and 'confident'
February 9, 2026 at 1:26 PM
waiting for a tabloid to bring out the Starmer Banana to slowly start oxidising on a table with a Tony Blair votive candle and several lovingly laminated stacks of focus group results
i am… not sure that is a unit in which eggs should be measured
February 9, 2026 at 1:20 PM
i am… not sure that is a unit in which eggs should be measured
honestly i'm more concerned about the ...eggs? packing foam? dismembered Peeps™?
February 9, 2026 at 1:03 PM
honestly i'm more concerned about the ...eggs? packing foam? dismembered Peeps™?
Massively excited for our @theupfront.media plans for the Aircraft Interiors Expo — before you leave the office for Hamburg, while you're at the show, and once you get back.
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If genuinely expert analysis of the important innovations in this part of aviation is important to you, subscribe today:
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February 9, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Massively excited for our @theupfront.media plans for the Aircraft Interiors Expo — before you leave the office for Hamburg, while you're at the show, and once you get back.
If genuinely expert analysis of the important innovations in this part of aviation is important to you, subscribe today:
If genuinely expert analysis of the important innovations in this part of aviation is important to you, subscribe today:
Harold Wood? Wood Green.
(Of course we are, but I can't stop thinking about it as Queen's Move — like HM is still Her Majesty in my mind, and the anthem is God Save The Queen.)
(Of course we are, but I can't stop thinking about it as Queen's Move — like HM is still Her Majesty in my mind, and the anthem is God Save The Queen.)
February 9, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Harold Wood? Wood Green.
(Of course we are, but I can't stop thinking about it as Queen's Move — like HM is still Her Majesty in my mind, and the anthem is God Save The Queen.)
(Of course we are, but I can't stop thinking about it as Queen's Move — like HM is still Her Majesty in my mind, and the anthem is God Save The Queen.)
…you come into my house, and you play an airport station?
Aerial shunt to London City Airport, which of course means you skip a turn, so then I'll go one stop down to King George V.
Aerial shunt to London City Airport, which of course means you skip a turn, so then I'll go one stop down to King George V.
February 9, 2026 at 9:30 AM
…you come into my house, and you play an airport station?
Aerial shunt to London City Airport, which of course means you skip a turn, so then I'll go one stop down to King George V.
Aerial shunt to London City Airport, which of course means you skip a turn, so then I'll go one stop down to King George V.
Ah yes, but it is in the 9 o'clock hour!
February 9, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Ah yes, but it is in the 9 o'clock hour!
Edgware Road (Bakerloo Line).
February 9, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Edgware Road (Bakerloo Line).
Early adopter and some faff about getting ACF certified maybe?
February 8, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Early adopter and some faff about getting ACF certified maybe?
Wait, why on earth does JetBlue need *both* overwing exits and the door behind the wing activated on a Cabin Flex A321neo? BA's has 20 more pax and only one overwing.
February 8, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Wait, why on earth does JetBlue need *both* overwing exits and the door behind the wing activated on a Cabin Flex A321neo? BA's has 20 more pax and only one overwing.
This is — or should be — true of airline reviews as well.
Regrettably, it all too often is not.
That's one of the reasons why I started @theupfront.media.
My latest: theupfront.media/onboard-leve...
Regrettably, it all too often is not.
That's one of the reasons why I started @theupfront.media.
My latest: theupfront.media/onboard-leve...
February 8, 2026 at 6:41 PM
This is — or should be — true of airline reviews as well.
Regrettably, it all too often is not.
That's one of the reasons why I started @theupfront.media.
My latest: theupfront.media/onboard-leve...
Regrettably, it all too often is not.
That's one of the reasons why I started @theupfront.media.
My latest: theupfront.media/onboard-leve...