WorldPerks mileage conundrum – less perky, more puzzled
We have considerable WorldPerks miles on Northwest and also SkyMiles on their partner, Delta. Is there any way to combine these miles for two business class tickets to South America?
Beth, USA
The Editors say,
"Airlines do permit you to use frequent flyer miles on their partner airlines. Normally this means you have accrued your miles on Carrier A and are using them on Carrier B. Combining FFP miles is more complicated though it is easier in North America. You may need to contact a mileage brokerage like Points.com. In any event, Northwest and Delta are set to merge."
Recalling a Robinson Crusoe escape in The Philippines
I few years ago I went to a resort that consisted just of wooden buildings constructed over a very tiny island. This place was in the middle of Lake Kayangan. The spot was frequented mostly by French tourists. I really need the name of this place. Thanks.
Fred, USA
The Editors say,
"The place you are looking for is perhaps Kubo Sa Dagat (House on the the Beach). It is on stilts in Coron Bay northwest off Uson Island. Kayangan Lake is on Coron island – there is no accommodation on the lake itself, or even on Coron Island as we understand."
Like to recommend my favourite PNG escape
I read your travel story on Papua New Guinea, and noticed that you are missing my favourite spot: Tufi (www.tufi-experience.com). This is a great resort that offers cultural attractions, trekking, canoeing, and world class diving. It’s very friendly and guests can arrange village stays.
Jan Hasselberg, Norway
The Editors say,
"Thanks for the recommendation. We have added a small mention of Tufi on our page."
Big noses beware of Economy Class Syndrome
[Am I suffering from] “Economy Class Claustrophobia”? It would be nice to know how close to your face a fully reclined seat in front of you would be if you wanted to sit in a near upright position.
Jim LeCuyer, USA
The Editors say,
"That’s a very good point, depending on the length of one’s nose. It is particularly problematic when trying to watch the TV screen on the back of the seat in front. Unfortunately it is not something airlines are seized of. We shall have our tape measures out."
Gulmarg glamour shocker for heritage hotel
I just went through your article on Gulmarg. I come from a family that opened the door to Gulmarg for the world. My family are hotel pioneers who started their first hotel in 1820 with over a 100 rooms. Your writer has wrongly mentioned Nedous [in the same breath as] the Kingsly, which is almost a market shack. If you do put up experiences by guest writers then it would be fair if they actually visited the hotels.
Zainab Nedou, India
The Editors say,
"As we understand it Nedous is not compared with Kingsley. The reference is to the general area where the hotels are located. As it turned out, Nedous was closed (for the season) when our writer visited. "
Why do department stores not sell online?
I visited Singapore recently and did loads of shopping for fashionable affordable clothing (much better than in the UK). Do you know if the department stores and other independent fashion stores in Singapore sell their items online? I have tried doing various searches that all drew blanks.
Mirukshi Brunton, UK
The Editors say,
"Yes Singapore shopping can be fun. Most department stores in Asia do not have online purchasing unfortunately. This is the preserve of specialist companies and some global brands."
How about some analysis of the premium economy seats that have started popping up everywhere?
More please on Premium Economy seats
How about some analysis of Premium Economy seats that are popping up? I flew THAI to and from the US and was reasonably satisfied (especially with the wider sitting area). They could provide a few more degrees of recline without interfering with the seat behind, though. I wonder how others like EVA and Singapore Airlines compare.
D Larry Fraser, USA
Any shopping tips for Shenzhen?
We are [visiting Hong Kong] in September, are there any sales on then? Also can you tell me what the Shenzhen shopping experience is like. Shenzhen is being strongly pushed in Australia.
Frances Iacono, Australia
The Editors say,
"The Hong Kong shopping sales periods are usually from July to August (the Hong Kong Shopping Festival) and from December to February (Winter Shopping Festival). Sales start trickling into the stores from May until the peak period at the end of July/August, and from October to January, just before Chinese New Year. Shenzhen can be fun and cheap. It is a favourite with Hong Kong residents for garments, furnishings and all-day massage parlour escapes for around HK$300. You will need to dress down substantially though and not wear anything loud and conspicuous. Safety can be an issue across the border."
Cathay business class is for sardines
Last December [2007] I flew J class from Johannesburg on CX748. The new Cathay Pacific business class pod is a complete disaster. It is like a coffin, which prevents air circulation. The bed space is too narrow. You cannot hold up a newspaper so you have to stand up to read. British Airways has a cocoon double pod type enclosure with a sliding window partition. With the new Cathay business class seat layout you cannot talk to your family or business colleague or see your kids – the seats are facing inwards so you cannot see out of the windows either for takeoff and landing, the sun shines on the TV screen so you have to close the window blind too.
The poor hostesses have to struggle to pass the food over your TV and god knows what happens when it is a bumpy ride. The food tray cannot and does not swivel so once you are served you are stuck in there till the tray is taken away. There is an awkward car seat triple belt system with a cross strap that seems redundant given that you are wedged in like a sardine already.
Whoever designed this disaster should be seconded for the next 20 years to Cathay’s competitors to help bankrupt them. This is the most uncomfortable flight I have ever had on Cathay in 30 years. It was an unmitigated disaster. Five businessmen from South Africa who were opposite me said they will be flying on SAA in future. Rip out these seats immediately.
James Middleton, Hong Kong
The new Cathay business class pod is a disaster. The food tray does not swivel and you cannot look out of the window
Northwest is not a direction I’ll pick
Northwest B747-400s feature by far the worst business class seats I have ever been in – total junk and painful, on my flight to Japan from Minneapolis. Even the stewardess said the seats were junk. They may recline to 178 degrees but the near-horizontal angle keeps you sliding down into an uncomfortable position and there is no padding, just broken lumbar supports.
John Loban, USA
Spa in Bangalore gets high five
I would like to add the Fifth Element Spa in Bangalore to the places you mentioned [in the India spas article]. It’s an authentic Thai spa with all therapists certified and trained in Thailand. It is a one of a kind spa with rooms dedicated to each element – fire, air, earth and water. There’s a steam room and Jacuzzi too.
Priya Srivastava, India
Cruising in Asia without the crowds
I read your Asian cruise review with interest, as a first port of call for exploring the Asian market. I want to take my wife and eight-year-old on a smaller ship that does not have the crowds you alluded to. I have cruised on a 200ft schooner in the Caribbean and on the Golden Odyssey and Royal Odyssey in Greece. I thoroughly enjoyed them at the time. I am looking for something a little quieter for about two weeks. Thanks for the kick-start to my homework.
Greg Howard, UK
The Boeing 787 is a new generation aircraft
Looking at [Boeing and Airbus], the two aircraft and the corporate strategies employed by both companies, Boeing appears to be in a superior strategic position. Consider this. Should a general recession strike internationally the huge cost of the A-380 plus its extended breakeven point may mirror the problems with the Concorde – a great technical success, but not commercially viable in the long run.
Secondly, from a design perspective, the B-787 is the first commercially designed composite aircraft that shows the way “to the future” for design and operating efficiency. The Airbuses A-380 is the last of the mostly metal airliners so the two designs are on either side of the technology watershed. Just as the DC-3 rendered wood obsolete with its aluminium structure, so will the Boeing 787 Dreamliner surpass the A380. Lesson: National governments are the kiss of death to any money-making enterprise.
Jon Lawrence, USA
Scared of flying? Meditate on this
Kudos for your article on the little-talked-about but quite prevalent fear of flying. After years of terror-free flying, I developed a severe phobia with regard to air travel in my early 20s. This condition escalated to the point of uncontrollable tears, panic attacks and completely irrational, and morbid thoughts any time I had to fly. I banished myself to continental USA, and resorted to travel by trains and gruelling cross-country road trips.
At the height of my phobia, I convinced myself pre-take-off that my flight to Hawaii was doomed and threw a fit to get off the plane, which I did.
This went on for about four years and left me feeling not only physically stuck (since I never wanted to travel) but also totally insane and frustrated. I enrolled in the Northwest Airlines fear of flying program, which was a bit helpful but did not entirely cure me.
It wasn’t until I immersed myself in yoga and meditation that I was able to completely rid myself of my fears. These practices teach deep discipline, calm, mind control and, most practically, effective breathing techniques. During my early stages of "recovery" I had to take a 19-seater prop plane across Colorado‘s Rocky Mountains – the flight was about an hour and I sat meditating the entire time, free of tears and sweaty palms.
The change did not happen overnight but overtime my fears dissipated entirely. I no longer need to meditate on flights but if I feel any sort of panic set in I will tap back into these techniques. I hope this advice is of help to others.
Pua Mench, Hong Kong
Turbulent travels and sweaty palms
I have been scared of flying ever since I can recall. It does not matter what airline or what kind of aircraft – I cannot take turbulence. I seem to have gotten over mild turbulence issues but bad weather coupled with the aircraft dropping takes my breath away for all the wrong reasons. My husband is from the travel trade and he has been counselling me for 15 years but this is the only aspect that he has failed to help me with.
Even as a young girl I do not remember ever going on a ferris wheel or merry-go-round. But how to get over this [fear of flying] because I love visiting new places and I would like to accompany my husband on trips? Maybe I need to learn the art of teleportation.
Meena Srinivasan, India
Your tagline [comparing first class travellers with first class idiots, at page top] is the least "smart" marketing I have ever seen
Crash test dummies on new Cathay seat
I don’t know what genius at Cathay Pacific approved the new "fixed back" economy seats, but I suspect they are short and need to stand on a box to brush their teeth. The seat doesn’t "recline", it slides you forward into the seat in front. Now if, as I do, you start with your knees touching the seat in front, then the sight of me reclining must look something like a slow motion video of a crash test dummy in action.
Dummy probably sums it up. Cathay are dummies for installing such a contraption and I’d be a dummy if I ever fly Cathay again.
Stephen Robinson, Australia
Miles or metric? It’s time to choose
Your [Airbus vs Boeing] article is beautifully written. I have only one suggestion. When discussing the range of competing aircraft it is perhaps better to use just one measure. Your article uses kilometres as well as nautical miles. Still, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
S J Cullen, USA
Who the heck is calling me a moron?
“The only difference between first class travellers and first class idiots is the price they pay. So which one are you?” This tagline is the least “smart” marketing I have seen on any travel site and I am sure that any other company would be well challenged to come up with a more demeaning phrase. It’s a great way to chase away us customers with more than 14 brain cells. Smart? I think not. Were you drinking at the time?
Craven Morehead, Indonesia
The Editors say,
"Well, the joke’s on us. The editors are restocking the fridge with better lager."
Shanghai’s Blue Room stays bopping all night
Has anyone checked out The Blues Room [Shanghai nightlife]? It’s a new all night (at least till 4am) venue at 146 Tongren Lu, right off Nanjing West. There’s a really hot band and the place is friendly. We are a couple of American music nuts – were walking by around 11pm and were attracted by the sound of the blues. We found ourselves staying all night. The best part is when all the other clubs in town are closed, their musicians come over and it turns into an amazing jazz jam.
Larry Harriton, USA
Terrible trouble with habals and hubels
[Re your story on Cebu], it is "habal habal". It might take some time for locals to understand what "hubel hubel" is, although in my experience living in Cebu for five years, I never had the need to ever ride one.
Dylam Gozum, Philippines
Back door to Boeing computer
It would be worth finding out from Boeing whether or not their B787 is fitted with the "back door" into the flight computer called Home Run, which enables the powers that be to control the aircraft remotely in case of terrorist hijackings.
Peter Dell, UK
It behooves me to write
I’ve always wondered why Indian writers feel the need to be overtly dramatic in their literary endeavours? You’ll find an unnecessary number of adjectives. Then there is the over-use of archaic British expressions. Verghese no doubt thinks he has impressed readers (Airbus vs Boeing) with his excessive use of ridiculous expressions, for instance “Boeing's Small Wet Dream proceeds apace...” Quite the contrary. Perhaps the editor should proofread articles more carefully before publishing them.
Ram Kumar, USA
The Editors say,
"Thanks for the cogent comments. All true. Vijay Verghese."
Thanks for the Tioman review. Not only did you make me want to go, you made me want to know more about the locals
Finding Tioman in France
I just finished reading your Tioman review. This is great. I mean, I was wondering if I should go spend five days with my girlfriend in Tioman or find some other place. Well, not only did you make me really want to go, you also made me want to get to know more about the locals. Thanks again for this review and I hope to read more like this one.
Matthias Lefranc, France
Serious business a jolly good read
I recently came across your article on the web (small airlines of Asia) and would like to congratulate [the author] on his writing skills, which make serious reading really enjoyable. The prose is funny and original.
Shab Peerally, Mauritius
A380 is limited by its sheer size
I THINK both the Airbus A380 and the Boeing B787 (Airbus vs Boeing) will have their place, however, I think Airbus may end up disappointed. The idea that luxury [and size] is the key for long flights is misplaced. The A380 will be a hit with carriers that like to cram as many people as they can through major international hubs.
Overall, Boeing will eventually be the winner. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has a chance to change the way people travel. Trends indicate people like to fly from smaller airports in the US directly to destinations in Europe. Flights like Nashville, TN, to Berlin, Tokyo to San Diego and Kansas City to Dublin can actually become cost effective.
Lastly, as your article points out, the B 787 doesn’t require airports to redesign aprons and gates. Right off the bat, the A 380 will only be able to fly to specific airports that have made a huge investment to [accommodate its bulk].
Mike Daly, USA
Keep the Airbus vs Boeing story going
Vijay Verghese is a fantastic writer – he’s entertaining, sharp, educative, and forthright. I want the [Airbus vs Boeing] story to keep going.
Barbara Berger, USA
The A380 is impressively large but I'm not keen on evacuating from the second deck with several hundred people...
You want me to deplane with 799 others?
A B747 is bad enough at the luggage rack with 400-plus passengers deplaning. Don’t expect me to deplane with 799 others and wait for luggage, customs, taxis, etc. Not going to happen! I will stay with smaller aircraft for my business and personal travel.
Richard Coffy, USA
The B787 will usher in a new era
The B787 Dreamliner will revolutionize air travel because of the advanced technology behind it as well as the economy of operating it. Just as the Boeing 707 and B-747 opened new chapters in air travel, the B-787 will usher in a new era.
A S Mathew, USA
Bali stories are spot on
I have lived in Bali 12 years and know the place well. I write guidebooks and articles. I just want to say that Vijay Verghese’s piece on Bali is excellent. It is well written, well informed, and opinionated to a perfect degree.
Susi Johnston, Indonesia
Things are greener in Nepal
While I enjoyed reading about the various possibilities for golfing in Asia, one country that you omitted and in fact leave out regularly is Nepal. Nepal has at least four beautiful golf courses with spectacular mountain views and excellent facilities. These are sadly forgotten. Please do give some thought to what Nepal has to offer to the discerning traveller.
Maria Boyd, China
The Editors say,
"Good point. We certainly have Nepal in our sights – we have the Annapurna circuit on site already – and now that things have settled down, we shall do a trawl before long."
Kuala Lumpur shopping is tops
I am a Malaysian, and a KL-ite (bred in Kuala Lumpur). Your article on Kuala Lumpur shopping is very comprehensive and up to date. Browsing through the website, yours is one of the more hardworking travel sites, concise and yet not sloppy with details. Keep it up.
Joyce Ngiam, Malaysia
There appears to be a flourishing bag pilfering racket at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and no one cares...
Baggage theft at Kuala Lumpur Airport
I flew Malaysia Airlines to Bombay via Kuala Lumpur on 30 March, 2007 (MH73) in business class. I opened my bag upon arrival in Bombay to find the contents in disarray. The bag was still locked when I opened it, the lock did not seem as if it had been tampered with. A proper search of my bag revealed a slew of missing items - a pouch containing gold and diamond jewellery, and all the perfume bottles that I had carried as gifts. The empty cartons of the perfumes were left behind in my bag.
This is the second time we have had such an experience. The first one was in December 2006, when my husband travelled on MAS to Bangalore but again via KL and had a mobile phone stolen from his bag in exactly the same way. The lock was intact when he opened it, but item was missing from inside.
I have complained to Malaysia Airlines and I have not even received a reply.
As for my husband's complaint, they said they were not responsible for “valuables” packed in checked-in luggage. If, [as a fare-paying passenger], I lock a bag and hand it over to an airline, why on earth is it not responsible for handing the bag back with everything intact? Are perfume bottles not to be checked in any more? They can't be carried as hand baggage either.
The fact is there is a flourishing [and seemingly professional] pilfering racket at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. [Any bag in transit may be a target.] The sooner the airline does something about it, the better.
Isn’t this supposed to be Visit Malaysia Year?
Mohyna Srinivasan, Hongkong
Medical treatment for all
While I appreciate the benefits of affordable medical treatment [at the new Asian facilities], I can’t help but ask the question, “But what about the locals?” Are their medical needs being met or are they pushed aside every time a foreigner turns up with US dollars? I would personally consider it a moral issue to ascertain how this influx of foreign patients is affecting medical treatment for the local communities and how my participation [in medical tourism] contributes to this, be it beneficial or detrimental.
Rick Farquharson, Australia
The question is, are local people pushed aside every time a foreigner turns up with US dollars?
I’m still seeing stars in Asia
I travel for work through Asia and am challenged with various [hotel] star-rating systems. Sometimes there’s even no star system. Can you shed some light?
Dax Kiger, USA
The Editors say,
"Yes, standardisation is a problem in much of Asia. Some countries follow star ratings strictly, some not. Places where you might find the rating somewhat in line with expectations include Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, India metros, Korea, and Japan. Several of our stories focus on hotel reviews and you should get a fair idea of what each is about."
I travel for work through Asia and am constantly challenged by the various star ratings. Can you shed some light on this?
Bollywood blather has me in a lather
The following statement in your Bhutan story stinks of racism, and that coming from an Indian, too. What a shame. I quote – “Fortunately for Bhutan, a billion Indians are too busy watching B-grade Bollywood movies to consider levitating north.”
Suneel Sule, India
The Editors say,
"The sentence you quote is in lighter vein. It casts more light perhaps on how the author feels about B-grade Bollywood movies rather than India, Indians, and Bhutan. The author is Indian and proud of it."
In Cebu, head for an apartment
Being an old hand at visiting Cebu – and having stayed in almost all the 5-star resorts – I wanted to let you know that I recently took a gamble and stayed in a serviced apartment (booked over the Net) called SDR Apartments.
Whilst the outside of the building is not much to speak of, they have wonderful rooms (equal to most four and five-star resorts in Cebu) with free Internet, cable TV, kitchens and so on. The apartment was US$699 for the month.
This may come in handy for frequent travellers. The website is www.sdrapartments.com
James Walter, Cebu
More trees to battle Co2
The group, Flying Forest, do more than just plant trees to help neutralise the carbon emissions created by flights. They have chosen locations that bring much greater benefits to a number of people and habitats. They call it C3 (to combat Co2).
Flying Forest is also promoting income-development through agro forestry activities conducted by schools and orphanages in Southern Africa. While there are many ways to calculate exactly how much carbon emissions are being produced for any particular flight, Flying Forest plans to keep it simple. Paying for the trees. You can contribute at www.flyingforest.org
A passenger from the UK to Australia is responsible for more Co2 emissions than the average African in his or her lifetime.
Peter Collingwood, UK
Spaced out and still laughing
Happy to discover your website after reading a piece [the editor] wrote for the Weekend Australian about space travel. I can’t remember when I last read an article, laughed really hard, and then had to look up who wrote it. It’s not that I am interested in being a space tourist. I haven’t seen all I need on this orb yet, plus I have already thrown up all over Russia and that got me nowhere. It was just the sheer fun in your story telling. I think I am going to be a regular to your site.
Nadine Kay, Australia
Your guide beats Lonely Planet
I just wanted to say I have been to Hong Kong three times and I have the latest Lonely Planet guide but I still found your shopping tips incredibly helpful. I love all the ideas and I’ll be shopping in a lot of the places you recommend. Thanks a lot.
Chantelle Taylor, Australia
You saved our lives in Hong Kong
I would like to thank you for your story on Hong Kong shopping. Without it our holiday would have been a disaster. We arrived with our three children tired and exhausted after touring around Europe and narrowly escaping terrorist activity in London. We found it very difficult to find the great bargains and shopping experiences that we thought Hong Kong offered. After two days of wandering around, maps in hand, and being disappointed by the huge shopping malls that offered endless prices just as expensive as Australia, I began searching the Internet for someone to tell me where to go shopping for bargains and great places to go to.
Your advice was brilliant. Without it we would have gone home very unhappy. I only wish I had found your website sooner. I have to say that what I did find in the markets is that unless you can speak fluent Chinese or you are Chinese don’t even bother trying to bargain. It was just a waste of time. I found that it was a matter of looking around and finding the items with the price I wanted to pay. Food was fantastic and at very reasonable prices. The sandwich bars are a great place to take the kids. Thanks again
Kerryn, Australia
A great hotel recommendation
I accidentally came across your web page in my hunt for a Hong Kong hotel. I am so glad I did. I had a wonderful vacation in Hong Kong because of you. I stayed at the Gold Coast Hotel. This is a beautiful hotel, far from the city but almost everything can be found in their shopping complex. The staff are friendly and the rooms pleasant, and with a view. It’s a pity we could not stay longer. Thank you again.
Roshan Porobo, UAE
Useful insights into New Delhi
I just wanted to say thank you for your very useful review of hotels in New Delhi. I found the piece invaluable.
Warren Kalinko, Australia
Freebies always come at a price
Having just read one of your columns I feel compelled to write and say how right you are. I mean - next they’ll be charging you to breathe in hotels. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the TV series in which three smug and annoying travellers visit hotels incognito and make outrageous demands before assailing the general manager with their comments.
In one show the trio ask about a US$150 Amenities Charge on the bill.
The GM answers (with a straight face) that it is to cover the “free” facilities such as tennis, archery, beach volleyball etc.
Peter Dorney, Singapore
Big hype but little comfort
Staying at Casa Del Mar in Langkawi was something that I was really looking forward to, especially since I had not been back for a few years. I had read quite a few nice things about it (your site says it “oozes ambience”) and figured that I was making the right choice. Unfortunately the experience turned out to be really lacklustre.
Obviously the hotel has seen better days. Much of it is quite run down. Several things in my room didn’t work. The bathroom flooded. When I tried to have various items fixed, the manager laughed and said it was “the Malaysian way”. For US$150 a night I would recommend the Bon Ton Resort. More style, more class.
Hernie Mamat, Singapore
Qatar Club give it a miss
My husband and I have been members of Qatar’s Club for over two years and wonder if it is worth all the stress. We fly to Cebu in the Philippines twice a year and are silver members. Not once have our miles been added to our account without sarcastic e-mails and phone calls to the London office. We hand in the card at check-in, ask for the miles to be added, yet it has never happened.
They ask for proof of flight on our return, I send them boarding passes, still they refuse to add the mileage. As for family members, forget it. They refuse to add the miles then add them to the wrong account then deduct the wrong amounts. When trying to redeem mileage it is a nightmare. How can they say Silver Club can redeem within 48 hours? It took us nine weeks as they sent us a sector at a time, and then only for one of us. They claim to give you preference on seating – again a fallacy. Don’t bother.
Lynne Whitbread, UK
Where in the world is Burundi?
I was reading your article on small airlines and noticed that you included Burundi in Asia. Burundi is an African country and the local population is quite large, although their population has been reduced by civil wars. Perhaps you were thinking of Brunei?
Mike Walker, Japan
The Editors say,
"Thanks for the spot Mike. Actually the Burundi mention on Small Airlines is a lighter aside and not related to geography."
Budget airline disappoints
I booked a [Jetstar Asia] return flight from Singapore to Phuket in March, departing from Singapore on the 24th and returning on the 26th. I got to Phuket okay, but the return flight didn’t appear on the departures list and was simply rescheduled from 3pm to 8pm without any notice.
It cost me 108 pounds sterling to book a SilkAir flight instead, as well as much concern, as I was worried about missing my later connection from Singapore to Amsterdam, and then on to the UK. European budget airlines do not reschedule flights in this manner. Also the staff attitude to this problem on Phuket was dismissive. I can’t see how to claim a refund on their website, so it looks like I lost my money. What a disgrace.
Dr John Connell, Scotland
Best read on Beijing
I’m not even a quarter way through your Beijing article and already I’ve found it to be the most useful I’ve seen (guidebooks included). Thank you.
Silene De La Paz, United States
Listen up airlines, Big is Beautiful
Airlines should pay more attention to the needs of overweight people. Passenger comfort should be a priority. Airline seats, regardless of class, do not cater for us. Being an obese man, I find it hard to sit in the seats. I flew Business Class on Air France last year and found it uncomfortable. The only advantage was legroom. The side armrest pressed up against my thighs and the tray table, well, rested at an awkward position that made dining impossible. Seats in all classes should be redesigned to allow large people to be comfortable. Maybe airlines should employ a few obese men as consultants.
Alfredo Amorim, Macau
Laughing till I cried
I have just spent almost 30 minutes to finish reading your [Editor’s Page Check-In] article “Passage to India”, including about 15 minutes to just wipe the tears from laughing so much. Thank you for sharing your great sense of humour with such a positive attitude. After spending time in grey and snowy Berlin, followed by clear blue sky with a sharp, cold wind in Brussels, your stories sure warmed me up. Thanks again.
Angie Boonpramote, Thailand
We found your story on Kuala Lumpur to be an excellent guide. I shall keep printed copies [of your article] in my back pocket
A site that writes for us
This is the best site I’ve come across for sheer range of travel information, pictures, links and witty writing style. Bravo. I hope you don’t go the way of other travel sites that fawningly cater for advertisers forgetting that we, the travellers, are the only people that ultimately count.
Cynthia Bevan, United Kingdom
India those far pavilions
I just love your magazine and only from reading your article on Himachal, I know we will go there in the next 12 months. After moving to China over two years ago, I immediately signed up [for your online publication] and it really is great. Well produced, informative, amusing, it makes me dream of where in the world I will go next. My husband and I simply love India and we hope to spend much more time there between now and when we finally return to Europe… not for a few years yet, we hope. Keep up the good work!
Shelagh Lester-Smith, China
You’re so vein 30,000 miles aloft
Due to the lack of legroom in economy class and the real risk of deep vein thrombosis (I have a previous history), I have found a way of minimising the risk. Before each flight my family doctor prescribes enoxaparin sodium injections. I give myself the injection about an hour before flying. This is a blood-thinner. My doctor also provides a letter for the airline stating why I need to carry [the equipment] in my hand luggage. While it isn't an ideal situation, it does substantially reduce the risk of deep-vein thrombosis.
Sharon Quirk , United Kingdom
Sardine class on Singapore Airlines
I am a disabled traveller. We recently flew Singapore Airlines to London, Rome and back to Sydney. My travel agent had requested two special seats for my partner and myself. When we were shown our seats, we screwed up our noses in surprise. These were not special at all. We were sardine-canned for 23 hours! I suggest the airline put on more flights with fewer seats to make room for people. We were truly upset and angry.
Melissa Wilson, Australia
Thumbs up for Cebu
I skimmed through your article on Cebu. I don’t know how long you stayed here but you certainly did a very good job. Plus, I love your writing style, which is distinctly lacking in pomposity. Keep up the good work.
Jason Gonzales, Philippines
Thanks awfully US$1,000 times
I wish to thank you for your wonderful input and information on the web. My partner and I are getting ready to fly throughout Asia this summer and are going nuts trying to find affordable transport between [various] cities. Your wonderful articles allowed me a broader range of search and, in doing so, saved BIG bucks compared to the usual Travelocity.com...etc. Thank you approximately US$1,000 times.
Homer Gardin, USA
The Editors say,
"Thank you for your kind comments. Yes, online search can be a hair-pulling experience dominated as it is by retailers, which makes it hard to access real info, or talk directly with hotels and airlines. We're glad we could be of assistance."
Slim chance to earn fat miles
Your article on seating in airlines was well written, thank you. However I did not see where you touched the growing (excuse the pun) "American" problem of obesity, and the lacking accommodations for the extra space needed for this population. What airlines in the US have seating that will handle a wide load?
My point: An obese person who is required to purchase two seats, only gets air mileage credits for one seat. Even though I’m a very infrequent flyer, I think it’s unfair. What are your views on this?
Wide Body Traveller, (Name witheld), USA
The Editors say,
"You raise an excellent point. We agree, it is entirely unfair – the mileage issue that is. Let’s see if any airline cares to comment. In general, per capita weight has been going up worldwide for some time while cabin weight limitations etc were put in place decades ago when planes were practically pedal-powered. The new generation of aircraft are capable of handling heavier loads quite comfortably."
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