Are Aviation Bloggers Really Journalists?

In the 1990s, when I studied journalism at the University of Utah, my heroes were Edward R. Murrow, David Brinkley, Walter Cronkite, Bob Woodward, and Carl Bernstein. I believed firmly in the importance of the Fourth Estate—journalism as an institution supported by the Founding Fathers, ingrained in our culture, and necessary to democracy. Back then, newsrooms were filled with seasoned reporters who made a good (but not necessarily great)  living and supported their families through a long career of crafting stories, bound by journalistic ethics, fact-checking standards, and a shared mission to hold power accountable.

There was literally a wall in most news organizations between the editorial department and the advertising department.Of course, after graduating with a journalism degree and finding myself actually trying to make a living as a single mother in this profession, I quickly abandoned my aspirations and found some new ones in the marketing department.

But I still have a profound reverence for “real” journalism.

Fast forward to today, and the media landscape has changed dramatically. The rise of independent bloggers, YouTube commentators, and social media influencers has blurred the lines between professional journalism and personal opinion. This shift is especially evident in aviation media, where passionate pilots, engineers, and industry insiders now wield influence through blogs, podcasts, and self-published reports.

But are aviation bloggers really journalists? Do they adhere to the same ethical and professional standards that traditional reporters do? Or are we in an era where anyone with a Wi-Fi connection and strong opinions can claim the title of “aviation journalist”?

Before we explore aviation blogging, it’s important to acknowledge the role of major news agencies in shaping modern journalism.

Two of the most influential are the Associated Press (AP) and Reuters.

The Associated Press was founded in 1846 as a cooperative effort by five New York newspapers that sought to share the costs of transmitting news. Over time, it became one of the world’s most trusted sources of accurate, unbiased reporting. AP journalists follow strict editorial guidelines, ensuring rigorous fact-checking and balanced reporting.

Reuters was established in 1851 by Paul Reuter, who famously used carrier pigeons to transmit financial and general news across Europe. The agency became known for its speed and accuracy, eventually evolving into a global powerhouse of business, political, and aviation news.

These agencies set the gold standard for journalism, ensuring that breaking news and investigative reporting meet high ethical and professional benchmarks. Aviation reporting, when done well, follows the same principles of accuracy, source verification, and neutrality—but does the same apply to aviation blogging?

The Wright Brothers courted journalists from the newspapers of the day, and there have always been media figures like Jimmy Doolittle, Eddie Rickenbacker, Charles Lindbergh, and Howard Hughes in the headlines of newspapers.

Eventually, aviation developed some of its own media.

For decades, aviation journalism was dominated by traditional aviation magazines, newspapers, and broadcast media. Outlets like Flying Magazine, Aviation Week, and Business & Commercial Aviation were staffed by experienced reporters who meticulously covered aviation industry trends, air traffic control changes, aviation safety incidents, and technological advancements in business aviation.

However, as the economics of media shifted, traditional aviation publications faced declining print subscriptions, shrinking ad revenue, and increased competition from online platforms. The result was fewer full-time aviation reporters, leaner editorial teams, and a greater reliance on freelancers who weren’t always held to the same journalistic standards.

This vacuum created an opportunity for independent bloggers to step in—many of whom brought valuable expertise from within the aviation industry itself. Airline pilots, air traffic controllers, mechanics, and engineers began publishing firsthand accounts, technical analyses, and bold aviation opinions that readers found refreshing compared to corporate press releases and sanitized PR statements.

Jetwhine itself was built on this model—aviation commentary from real industry insiders. But does that automatically make all aviation bloggers journalists?

While blogging and journalism both involve storytelling and information-sharing, there are fundamental differences between the two.

Traditional journalism is built on principles of objectivity and neutrality. Reporters are trained to verify facts, interview multiple sources, and present a balanced perspective.

Bloggers, on the other hand, often start from a subjective viewpoint. Many aviation bloggers write from personal experience, advocating for or against policies, aircraft designs, or regulatory decisions. They may rely on anecdotal evidence rather than broad investigative work.

Journalists are expected to corroborate information through multiple, credible sources before publishing a story. In aviation reporting, this means fact-checking with industry regulators such as the FAA and EASA, manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus, and unions such as ALPA and NATCA.

By contrast, some aviation bloggers rely heavily on press releases, unofficial sources, or unverified rumors—particularly in fast-moving news cycles.

Established news organizations have editorial policies, legal teams, and professional codes of ethics to guide their work. If a journalist makes a major error, retractions and corrections follow. Bloggers, however, operate independently, with no formal accountability beyond reader backlash.

This can have real-world consequences. Misreporting on aviation safety incidents can fuel misinformation, create public panic, or damage reputations.

One of the longstanding ethical boundaries in journalism is that reporters should cover the news, not become the news. However, in today’s influencer-driven media, some aviation bloggers have blurred this line.

In 2019, aviation YouTuber Casey Neistat, known for his travel and airline reviews, found himself at the center of controversy when he accepted a free Emirates first-class flight and reviewed it on his channel. Critics questioned whether his glowing praise was genuine or influenced by the airline’s generosity. This raised broader concerns about conflicts of interest in aviation blogging and whether influencers should disclose sponsorships more transparently.

The most dramatic case occurred when aviation vlogger Trevor Jacob faked an airplane crash in 2021. Claiming an emergency forced him to parachute out of a Taylorcraft plane, his dramatic video quickly went viral. However, investigations revealed that he deliberately staged the event for views. This crossed the line from aviation storytelling into outright deception, undermining the credibility of legitimate aviation journalism.

While many aviation bloggers are enthusiasts first and reporters second, some have successfully blended industry expertise with journalistic integrity. In addition to Rob Mark and Jetwhine (of course) here are a few of my favorites.

• Jon Ostrower – The Air Current – Formerly with The Wall Street Journal and CNN, Ostrower’s blog provides investigative journalism on commercial aviation, aircraft manufacturing, and safety trends.

• Leeham News & Analysis – Specializing in business aviation and commercial aircraft, Leeham News is a trusted source for in-depth analysis of market trends.

• The Aviationist – David Cenciotti – A former Italian Air Force pilot, Cenciotti covers military aviation news, often breaking stories before major news outlets.

• FlightGlobal – Though more of a trade publication than a blog, FlightGlobal maintains high journalistic standards, regularly cited by major news organizations.

The democratization of aviation media has benefits. More voices mean more perspectives, more scrutiny of industry practices, and more engagement from the public. As the saying goes, “sunlight is the best disinfectant”—the more we discuss aviation issues, the better we can solve them.

However, not everyone with a blog is a journalist. True aviation journalism requires verification, accountability, and ethical reporting. The best aviation bloggers embrace those principles, while others merely share opinions, and some actively spread misinformation for clicks.

For readers, the key is media literacy—knowing which aviation sources to trust. And for aviation bloggers who aspire to be true journalists, the challenge is simple: hold yourself to the highest standards, because aviation deserves nothing less.