

Episode 181: Swissair Flight 111
Jul 3, 2025
Join Maya Ventura, host of Queens of the Monsters, as she dives into a whirlwind of aviation adventures and absurdities. They discuss humorous insights on the evolution of in-flight entertainment and share nostalgic stories from air travel. The conversation takes a serious turn as they recount the tragic events of Swissair Flight 111, blending dark humor with the gravity of the incident. Maya's wit shines as they navigate through aviation quirks and fundraising anecdotes, creating a lively exploration of both the light and dark sides of flying.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Kelly's Swiss Air Childhood
- November Kelly flew frequently on Swiss Air as a child, commuting between London and Geneva alone.
- She recalls the attentive stewardesses and access to the cockpit, creating fond memories of the airline.
Electrical Design Flawed Fire Safety
- Cutting power to the cabin bus left the in-flight entertainment system powered, allowing a fire to continue unchecked.
- This design flaw severely worsened the fire by disabling cabin fans that otherwise would have helped airflow control.
Captain Fought Fire, Died Early
- Captain Zimmerman left his seat to fight the fire but was likely incapacitated or dead by the crash.
- His manual was found near him, suggesting he used it in a desperate attempt to deal with the emergency.