How Jet Plane Crew subscriber Sandra become a contributor for the LA Times

One of the best parts of running The Jet Plane Crew is seeing all your success stories.

We’ve had members land an article assignment for National Geographic, their first press trip, paid brand partnerships, and more.

Today, we’re talking to Sandra about her recent win — being accepted as a contributor for the LA Times!

Tell us about your work and where people can find you online.

I run COI Traveler, a solo female travel blog focused on Africa, Asia, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

COI stands for Carry-On Included, and it started with my love for traveling with my carry-on as a MUST, but grew into something bigger about making travel feel doable and accessible.

I’m also now a contributing writer for LA Times Studios. Everything I share also lives at @coitraveler on all major platforms and coitraveler.com, and my LA Times features are at latimes.com/studios/sandra-awodele.

How did you learn about the opportunity with the LA Times?

Honestly, through the Jet Plane Crew. I saw it come through the community email/Substack and jumped on it. I would not have found it on my own.

What made you want to apply?

LA Times carries real weight, and the Studios division focuses specifically on travel and destination content, which is exactly my goal.

I’m Nigerian-American, and I write a lot about Africa since I visit each year, so I wanted my work on those stories to exist somewhere that takes them more seriously.

What was the application process like?

Pretty straightforward. I submitted writing samples and made sure my pitch reflected my niche clearly.

I think they’re looking for writers who have a specific point of view, not just strong writing.

Having my blog already established and some press features I spent last year building behind me helped show I wasn’t starting from zero.

What qualifications did you highlight to stand out from other applications (especially given that it’s a regional publication)?

I didn’t try to be a generalist. I made it clear that I specialize in Black travel and Africa, solo female travel, and destinations that don’t always get covered well in mainstream travel media.

Being Nigerian gave me cultural credibility for that content that I leaned into. I also included press features from Forbes, Yahoo, and AFAR to show I was already operating in media spaces, not just blogging.

How are you hoping this opportunity benefits you professionally?

A LA Times byline changes how people see you; tourism boards, PR agencies, and other publications. It opens doors that my blog alone can’t. It’s also pushing my writing in a new direction.

The narrative essay style they use is more demanding than SEO content and honestly more fun. I wanted to grow the freelance journalism side of what I do alongside my blog and short-form content, and this feels like the right foundation for that.

What advice would you give to others looking to become a contributor for a major media outlet?

Build something first. A publication wants proof that you have a voice, an audience, and clips that show you can write at that level. Get your platform in order, say yes to expert quote opportunities (you can find them on Quoted.com), and pitch from a place of proof rather than just potential.

And honestly, apply even when you feel like you’re not quite ready or a great fit. You probably are closer than you think.

Would you recommend the Jet Plane Crew to others?

Definitely. I already have. This opportunity came directly from being in this community. There’s a difference between following travel accounts online and actually being in a space where people share real resources and real opportunities. For anyone trying to grow in travel or media, I’d say get in the room.

Do you have a win you want to share? You can get a free month of first class membership. DM or email me at jenruiz@jenonajetplane.com if interested.