happy landings

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happy landings pl (normally plural, singular happy landing)

1. (travel, especially aviation) Successful arrivals on land (by air or water), without any untoward incidents.
   • 2009, Barbara Ehrenreich, Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America, →ISBN, page 198:

     We want our airplane pilots to anticipate failed engines as well as happy landings.

   • 2017 January 20, Simon Calder, “Discover the other side of Florida – Kissimmee”, in Independent, UK, retrieved 5 June 2018:

     Happy landings: every minute of every hour of every day, an average of 38 people touch down at Orlando airport, gateway to the centre of the Sunshine State.

2. (idiomatic, by extension) Successful outcome or outcomes.
   • 1973 June 18, “American Notes: Eureka! Something Works!”, in Time, retrieved 5 June 2018:

     But one set of Washington policies is all happy landings: the Government's campaign to stop skyjackers is working.

   • 2002, Andrea Van Steenhouse, Empty Nest...Full Heart: The Journey from Home to College, →ISBN, page 47:

     He missed much of his senior year, drifted, but finally graduated. He hasn't gone to college and realizes now that he wants that experience. […] Some of these stories have happy landings.

• (somewhat dated) Used as an expression of farewell or of general good wishes, as in:

2000 May 17, David Stout, “Helen Thomas, Washington Fixture, Resigns as U.P.I. Reporter”, in New York Times, retrieved 5 June 2018:

Ms. Thomas, 79, said in a statement released by U.P.I.: […] "I wish the new owners all the best, great stories and happy landings."