Most Romantic Small Towns

So, who's flying your plane, exactly? Maybe no one—at least for portions of the flight. According to a 2013 report by the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA), among a group of 500 pilots polled, 43 percent admitted to accidentally falling asleep while manning the plane, while 31 percent admitted to waking up from a nap to find their co-pilot sleeping, as well.

In fact, according to a report from the Air Accident Investigation & Aviation Safety Board, those masks only provide 12 minutes of continuous airflow on a 737. Luckily, that's typically just the amount of time needed for your flight to find a safe landing spot.

Though you might assume there's a standard procedure to follow if a passenger passes away mid-flight, what actually happens to your dearly departed cabin-mate varies greatly by airline and type of plane. While certain planes, like Singapore Airlines' Airbus A340-500 aircraft, were built with a special place to store bodies, according to one flight attendant, on many flights, the body will simply be moved to a back row and covered—except the head—until medical professionals on the ground can attend to the deceased.

ETOPS—or extended twin operations—is a designation that indicates the length of time a twin-engine plane can safely cruise with one inoperative engine. In 2014, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner earned 330-minute ETOPS certifications, meaning it can stay safely operational on just one engine for more than five hours before needing to land.

You may be a seasoned flyer with foolproof strategies for scoring overhead compartment space, getting upgrades, or taking a snooze when you hit cruising altitude, but even the most intrepid airplane travelers can be in the dark when it comes to what actually goes on in and around the cabin. Below, we've put together 46 fascinating airplane facts to answer all your questions about flying the friendly skies.

It's true. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, approximately 95 percent of those involved in plane crashes survive them. Much of this has to do with things like improved impact protection, fire safety measures, and evacuation methods.

Like Breckenridge, Vail, Colorado is also known for its ski resort and mountain vibes. If you're not a skier, indulge in one of the renowned spa or wellness treatments at centers located all throughout the town.

"From visiting one of the town's art galleries to enjoying beautiful sunset views at a waterfront restaurant to seeing a live performance, the romantic small town of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, has a lot to offer," according to New York Travel Guides.

Whitefish, Montana, is full of romantic things to do including visiting locally owned shops and galleries, having food with a magnificent view at the Summit House at Whitefish Mountain Resort, and skiing during the winter months.

As one of two small towns in Florida to make the top 20, Palm Beach earned its spot, thanks to its ninth-place ranking in romantic activities. Visitors can head to the Flagler Museum, play a round of golf, or take part in a historic walking tour of the town.

Founded in 1880, Ketchum, Idaho is in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. "The town has an incredible arts scene and a large variety of restaurants, plus the spectacular scenic beauty of the town adds to its romance," according to New York Travel Guides.

Not only is Natchez, Mississippi one of the most romantic small towns in the U.S., but it's also one of the oldest towns in America, founded in 1716. From cute bed and breakfasts and romantic hotels to horse-drawn carriage rides, there's a little something for everyone in this town.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas is located in the Ozark mountains and is known for its "beautiful historic district." Therefore, they scored high in the historic architecture and scenery category, which was weighted at 15 percent of the total.

Breckenridge is one of four towns in Colorado to make the list, placing eighth in the romantic places to stay category.

The romantic activities category was calculated based on the presence of certain romantic features in each small town, such as spas, horse-drawn carriage rides, horse-drawn sleigh rides, movie theaters, performing arts theaters, art galleries, and ski areas. It was weighted at 45 percent of the total, making it the highest of the four categories.

Stowe ranked 10th overall in the cozy coffee shops and restaurants category, which was calculated by determining the number of coffee shops with a high review score and the number of fine-dining restaurants in each small town.