New Youngstown to Chicago flight is uber comfortable, Vindy's 6-foot reporter concludes

By KALEA HALL

khall@vindy.com

CHICAGO

We arrived at the bustling Terminal 3, Concourse L of Chicago O’Hare International Airport just before 10 a.m. today.

Outside Gate L2A is the smell of coffee – a necessity for me after I finish a few interviews.

I had just gotten off a historic flight: The first from Youngstown to Chicago on the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport’s new Great Lakes Jet Express service.

The new air service’s goal is to connect Youngstown to the world and the world to Youngstown.

The comfortable Embraer ERJ-145 jet seats 49 people. On this flight, 36 passengers made the trip.

Notice, I said comfortable. I am 6 feet tall and this plane was so comfortable, I nearly dozed off.

But I had some cloud watching to do after that invigorating liftoff.

MY JOURNEY

What an assignment: I have always wanted to spend the day at the airport just watching as people take off for home, vacation or business.

We live in a world with seven continents and more than 190 countries. These countries are filled with new experiences, differences and adventures that travelers dream of – well, at least this one does.

I have been outside of the United States four times, and I do my best to go on as many domestic adventures as I can every year.

When I was in Peru during the summer 2011, I got the itch for travel, but it didn’t come easy. I had to get over the fear. The fear that makes you want what you know and nothing else. The fear that makes you want to sit in the corner with a blanket and a warm cup of tea. I was afraid, like so many are, of getting out of my comfort zone.

But, as cliché as it may sound, staying grounded in one spot is not living life to the fullest.

I learned to prefer the journey.

I have just flown from Youngstown to Chicago and I have hundreds of destinations to choose from. O’Hare International Airport has about 1,106 daily direct flights to 157 U.S. cities and about 132 daily direct flights to 58 international destinations, as of June 2016, according to the airport’s website.

Read more about Kalea's trip and what awaits you through the new service in Chicago.