Freelance Writing for In-Flight Publications

Do you want a challenging goal for your writing career this year? How about aiming for the sky? Set yourself the challenge of getting published in an inflight publication , one of the publications provided by airlines in the seat pockets in front of passengers.

Many writers dream of getting featured in an in-flight magazine. Just imagine your story being read by travelers as they fly across the skies. Many of those magazines will eventually find new homes – from coffee tables to banks to dentists’waiting rooms – after passengers carry them away following their flights.

Why Write for In-flight Magazines?

There are a number of reasons why getting published in an inflight publication is a worthy challenge for your writing career.

Firstly, there’s the exposure. Secondly, you will have a very impressive publishing credit to add to your writing portfolio. Getting assigned other high-paying assignments will become much easier. Finally, you’ll be well paid. Most inflight publications pay very well, with many paying approximately a dollar per word.

Diverse Passengers, Diverse Topics

Don’t limit your feature article ideas to traditional travel writing. Even though a large number of airline passengers are on holiday others travel for business or other reasons. Also, since passengers come from different walks of life in-flight magazines publish feature articles and departments on quite a wide range of subjects. Their content often includes articles on travel and adventure, dining and entertainment, business, cultural events and the environment, and many other topics.

Don’t forget when pitching ideas to an in-flight publication that the airline’s destinations are critical. Every article should have a connection to the destinations and routes of the airline.

Did I Mention Competition?

There must be a catch, right? Well, getting published in an in-flight magazine is not going to be a walk in the park. You won’t be the only writer pitching your queries to these busy editors. To say it will be highly competitive is possibly an understatement.

Editors of inflight magazines demand a high quality of work, and they usually prefer to work with freelancers who have proven their professionalism. 

In-flight Magazines Are Not For Beginners

How about if you have just starting out in freelance writing? Start somewhere else. Try targeting some local publications. After you have a few pieces published start building up to regional magazines. As you build up your portfolio of published credits you will eventually be ready to target inflight publications and other leading publications.

Check out this huge list of In-flight magazines