Guest Writer Juliet P., San Jose CA: Whenever possible, we always go red-eye, flights that depart 10 pm or later. There are so many advantages, it just doesn’t make much sense for this retired couple to do it any other way.

First of all, many of our flights are on Southwest, the airline with no assigned seats. As a popular low-cost airline, most SW daylight flights are jam-packed. Typically, if you book an SW red-eye, usually not totally sold out, chances of getting a window seat in front are much better.

In popular vacation areas, including Florida, California, Nevada, Hawaii and elsewhere, home and condo owners need income, and their rental offers may be great bargains.

On your next vacation trip, would you rather spend it in a private home or apartment instead of a hotel? Of course, you won’t get daily maid service, breakfast in bed nor have a choice of three or four restaurants just downstairs. However, some advantages of renting a private residence, such as offered by airbnb.com, may be worth considering.

How many of our travel4seniors.com readers can remember seeing living Civil War veterans. Your elder editor was part of a high school cadet corps in 1941 that marched in a Philly parade honoring local survivors of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic).

More than 75 years after the War Between the States, some 20 very old guys in faded blue Union uniforms marched with us or rode in open cars. Their ages ranged from 90 to 105. Military reunions have always been important events after men and women returned from war. They then got together annually to relive old times.

Virgin Galactic flights from London to New York in less than four hours could be offered as soon as 2023. CEO Sir Richard Branson announced his company is working with Denver-based U.S. aircraft developer Boom to create the prototype.

It’s estimated that the initial intercontinental supersonic flights will be expensive, probably as high as $5,000. However, as competition grows and many airlines develop advanced aircraft, costs are expected to drop to current ticket prices. www.theguardian.com/business/2016/nov/15/richard-branson-supersonic-flight-virgin-boom