As we approach the end of our 12 Bloggers of Christmas series, we’re excited to introduce Paul Alpant Reavey, also known as Mr Plane Guy. Paul’s blog is a trusted destination for aviation enthusiasts and smart travellers alike, offering practical, no-nonsense advice on flying better for less. What sets Paul apart is not just his passion for travel, but the wealth of hands-on airline experience he brings to every post.

With a career spanning long-haul cabin crew, airline dispatch, and performance management at Gatwick, Paul has seen the aviation industry from every angle. He’s combined that insider knowledge with a genuine love of flying to create a blog that’s as useful as it is honest, helping readers navigate everything from points and miles to airport lounges, all with a healthy dose of transparency.

A Conversation with Mr Plane Guy

Get Blogged: Paul, your blog is a goldmine for anyone looking to travel smarter. Can you tell us how your background shaped Mr Plane Guy and what makes your approach unique?

Paul: My blog niche is aviation, flight news, plane points and miles, airport lounges and smart travel perks – no hype, just Plane Honest advice on flying better for less.

Since leaving college, I’ve worked across multiple sides of the airline world, from long-haul cabin crew with Virgin Atlantic, to airline dispatching, and later as an airline performance and delay manager overseeing operations at Gatwick. Those roles gave me a rare, behind-the-scenes understanding of how airlines, airports, and loyalty schemes really work.

Over time, I realised that this experience gave me an edge that many travel and aviation blogs don’t have. Combining that industry knowledge with a genuine passion for flying, I created Mr Plane Guy to help travellers fly better for less.

Get Blogged: That depth of experience is invaluable, and it’s clear your audience trusts you for it. Are there any collaborations from this year that really stand out?

Paul: One of my standout brand collaborations of 2025 came directly from staying true to my “Plane Honest” approach to travel content.

After a genuinely awful FlixBus journey from Lille to Bruges, I filmed and posted my (let’s just say) unfiltered reaction on social media. The video resonated far beyond my usual audience, quickly reaching nearly 200,000 views. FlixBus took notice, identifying me as their BIGGEST critic!

What followed turned into a brilliant example of how honest content can lead to meaningful brand partnerships. FlixBus took me on a trip to Bilbao for the UEFA Champions League Final, where I created lots of content for them, including this video.

The collaboration worked because it was rooted in transparency: I was able to show the brand at its best, without losing the trust of my audience. It remains one of my favourite partnerships of 2025. Not just for the scale and experience, but because it proved that authenticity and honesty can open doors to high-value, creative brand collaborations.

Watch the FlixBus Collaboration

Get Blogged: That’s a fantastic example of how transparency can actually strengthen partnerships. Not every collaboration is smooth sailing, though. Have you ever faced challenges working with brands?

Paul: I worked with quite a big supermarket chain last Christmas, promoting a travel card. They were really challenging to deal with, with various people leaving and then joining the project, and the parameters and goals kept changing. Influencers and bloggers can have a bad reputation as being difficult and demanding, but it is also the same with some brands. For me, if I can see that a brand’s expectations are unrealistic or unfair, don’t be afraid to walk away. Be professional and stick to your goals, values and standards and communicate them with clear contracts.

It made me appreciate the importance of structure and clarity. That’s why Get Blogged stands out because the briefs are clear, expectations are set upfront, and both creators and brands understand what’s being delivered and why.

Get Blogged: Fantastic feedback, thank you! We’ve found that structure and clarity really do make all the difference. Was there a moment when you felt especially valued by a brand or agency?

Paul: A small but genuinely meaningful thing was when a brand’s PR agency recently invited me out for lunch in London.

It might sound simple, but it made me feel truly valued as a collaborator. I don’t have the biggest audience, but it was clear they recognised my authority, experience, and influence within my niche, not just my follower numbers.

They’ve continued to stay in touch, invite me to industry events, and treat the relationship as an ongoing conversation rather than a one-off campaign. That kind of personal connection goes a long way, and it reinforces that credibility and trust still matter in this industry.

Get Blogged: Personal connection and mutual respect are so important, especially in a world obsessed with numbers. How do you decide if a brand is the right fit for you and your audience?

Paul: I look at the brand’s product, reputation, and how it would realistically fit into my audience’s travel behaviour. I also pay close attention to how a brand approaches compliance and authenticity. I’ve recently turned down a very well-paid opportunity because the expectations didn’t align with transparent disclosure and honest content, and that’s not something I’m willing to compromise on.

For me, the basics matter: clear briefs, fair terms.

Get Blogged: That’s a brilliant standard to set. What advice would you share with other bloggers hoping to build lasting, meaningful partnerships?

Paul: Have a clear strategy and know exactly who your ideal reader is. If you consistently create content that serves that person, in your own voice, style, and niche, the right brands will naturally find you. Chasing every opportunity usually dilutes your message and makes partnerships feel forced.

It’s also important to stay aligned with your mission while keeping an eye on digital trends. You should also be willing to adapt and pivot as the landscape changes. Formats, platforms, and expectations will evolve, but never at the expense of your core values.

Get Blogged: We’re seeing a real shift in the industry towards expertise and trust. What do you think will matter most for creators and brands going forward?

Paul: Expertise and authentic authority will matter more than ever. Brands are already shifting away from influencer reach alone and towards creators who bring real expertise, niche insight, and genuine trust, particularly those with credible voices and engaged communities, not just large follower counts. Also, as AI-generated content becomes increasingly widespread, human-led storytelling, real experience, and subject-matter depth will become key differentiators.

Get Blogged: That’s spot on. Finally, what would you say to anyone feeling lost in the numbers game or chasing the next big trend?

Paul: Don’t get caught up in the numbers game or chasing algorithms. Trends come and go, but authenticity and passion are what last.

Consistency, credibility, and enjoying what you do matter far more than trying to game the system.

Key Takeaways for Bloggers

• Expertise, transparency, and passion are your strongest assets. Don’t compromise them for short-term gains.
• Focus on serving your ideal reader and building genuine relationships with brands.
• Consistency and credibility will always outlast fleeting trends.

Key Takeaways for Brands

• Value creators for their insight, not just their reach. Recognise expertise and authority in your niche.
• Clear briefs and mutual respect make for the best partnerships.
• Personal connection and ongoing collaboration build trust and better results.

Follow Paul (Mr Plane Guy)

• Blog: mrplaneguy.com
• Instagram: @mr_planeguy
• TikTok: @mr_planeguy

Paul’s story is a brilliant reminder that in travel, as in blogging, it’s the honest voices and real expertise that help us all fly further. As we round off our 12 Bloggers of Christmas series, let’s celebrate the creators who are passionate, principled, and always ready to go the extra mile.

Stay tuned for the final feature and more inspiration from the Get Blogged community.