Valentine’s Day: Romance on the Runway

You know you are in an aviation relationship when...

Meg Godlewski

Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

In honor of Valentine's Day, FLYING offers you some guidelines to help you determine your status. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Aviation is a definitive factor in relationships, either strengthening bonds through shared passion or creating divides for those who don't share the interest.
Finding a romantic partner who genuinely shares an aviator's passion for flying is presented as a significant challenge.
The article provides specific indicators, from flying on first dates to exchanging aviation-themed gifts, to help identify a truly "aviation-friendly relationship."

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When it comes to relationships, aviation does one of two things: It either draws you together or tears you apart. There is no middle of the road.

It is a challenge to find that person who shares your passion for going skyward. For this reason, many aviators are reluctant to quantify their romantic situations for fear it could jinx them, or result in the horrible conversation, “Where do we stand as a couple?” which, I submit, is the romantic version of having ATC tell you, “We have a number for you to call.”