Stories by Francis Zera

EDITOR-AT-LARGE / DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - SEATTLE, WA Francis Zera is a Seattle-based architectural, aerial, aviation, and commercial photographer, a freelance photojournalist, and a confirmed AvGeek.

https://www.zeraphoto.com
China Airlines A350 rolling up to the gate under a water cannon salute on its inaugural flight from Taipei

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) celebrated its 75th anniversary on July 9, 2024, followed by welcoming its fifth new international route this year, with China Airlines’ Taipei (TPE)-Seattle route just a few days later on July 14, using an Airbus A350-900. The schedule is as follows: SEA commenced flight operations on July 9, 1949. Things were […]

New route launches are always exciting, both for travelers wanting to visit the new location, and for we AvGeeks who get to cover the event itself. On May 31, Lufthansa launched new nonstop service between Seattle and Munich, using A350s for the route. The airline already provides daily service between Seattle and Frankfurt, with that […]

I'm still convinced that KBFI has the best runway view in the US. Photo by Adam Kephart

This is a continuation of my multi-part series on learning to fly. You can read the whole Fly With Francis series here. It’s been a good while since I’ve done a Learning to Fly post. Since the last time, I’ve completed my first biennial flight review, which is a mandatory mini-checkride done every two years with […]

LA sunsets are really all they're claimed to be.

A sunny break from the Pacific Northwest’s typically gloomy winter weather is always a pleasant opportunity. Last month I ventured south from Seattle for a couple days seeking some sun and planespotting. My wife and I stayed at our favorite LA hotel, the H Hotel Los Angeles. It’s walking distance from the airport and to […]