Business class on this plane is so bad, even the crew hates it

F for BA

British Airways is still flying its old business class on some routes.

For readers considering flying British Airways to Heathrow, think again. I recently flew business class return, paying more than $10,000. The aircraft was 20-plus years old and had a top-to-tail seat configuration not offered by other airlines for many years. It meant that when in “flat bed”, those passengers in window seats had to clamber over those in the aisle seats to get out – not easy for many and disturbing for most. It also involved the cabin crew leaning precariously around the seat capsule to deliver meals – one unfortunate man near me ended up with his meal in his lap. The wonderful cabin crew said they hated working on this aircraft, that it should not be used for long-haul flights and urged passengers to complain. I raised it with BA on return and was offered a weak apology and $150 in vouchers, which of course can’t be used here.
Judith Armstrong, Elwood, Vic

Gone in 300 seconds

Alan Joyce is gone in the flesh, but not in the spirit. I booked a flight between Brisbane and Melbourne on the Qantas website and after five minutes working through many digital pages got to the end, only to receive a “sorry cannot complete booking” message. I tried again a minute later and the $205 fare back to Brisbane was now $325, at least with booking confirmed this time. I know Qantas can increase fares anytime they like, but this is underhand. If Qantas negotiates an order with Airbus at $100 million and Airbus then bills them $150 million how would Qantas feel?
Richard Dowling, Blackburn, Vic

Unhappy birthday

I just found myself stereotyped by Qantas, or at least by their insurance agency. When I booked travel insurance for a trip the cost was $133 but, having just turned 70, it’s now $332. That’s a 150 per cent increase.
Don Easter, Dubbo, NSW

Letter of the week: Found in translation

The bright lights of Shinjuku.Credit: iStock

What a brilliant read was Barry Divola’s Tokyo story (Traveller, June 24). There is so much to gain from staying longer in one destination, as described by Barry, particularly in a city like Tokyo. I’d love to see more articles like this about cities and regions around the world instead of the rush to tick off the tourist sites. I laugh when people on tours spend two hours in a city and say they’ve been there. They really don’t know what they’re missing out on. I look forward to hearing about your next trip, Barry and family.
Merrin Wingfield, Hawthorn, Vic

Low rent

I can empathise with your reader who felt deceived by Europcar at London Heathrow (Traveller Letters, June 21), as the same disreputable action happened to us on a trip to the UK. The friendly check-in person offered us a free upgrade from a manual Toyota Corolla to a Ford Mondeo Estate diesel. But the car itself was barely roadworthy, as the brakes made a metal-on-metal grinding sound and, furthermore, the rental was for a month, and we had no idea that we were actually paying a daily upgrade fee. It was only close to our return date that our credit card statement showed the diabolical cost. We tried every option to cancel the payment through the credit card issuing bank, solicitors’ letters and approaches to the UK rental car industry association. Our Melbourne-based travel agent will now not book Europcar for any of their customers.
Mark Berg and Lynette Beacham, Caringbah South, NSW

No show

I booked a rental car for 13 days for mid-May through booking.com in February with a company in Dublin. I emailed them a month earlier to ensure it would be ready, and they replied “yes” but when I arrived to pick up the car it was actually Europcar and the car was not there at all. The desk person had a sales spiel encouraging me to upgrade to a bigger car with much more insurance and a higher daily rate as my preferred car had “not arrived back”. After she took nearly an hour I just wanted to get on my way. So I signed everything and didn’t argue. The extra cost more than doubled the original price that I had paid through booking.com. Europcar must train their staff to make more money by upgrading gullible customers like me.
Tim Rogers, Mosman, NSW

Take cover

Like your columnist, Michael Gebicki, my wife and I use our free credit card travel insurance (Traveller, March 17). But like most seniors we have pre-existing medical conditions which Westpac’s insurer Allianz declined to cover. So we decided to top up the credit card cover with Medibank Private’s international medical-only cover. We disclosed our conditions and got confirmation that they were covered, saving us a lot compared with a comprehensive policy from a regular travel insurer.
Michael Longhurst, Pottsville

Bali low

After a blissful four weeks in Bali travelling to those out-of-the-way spots recommended by Traveller, we were dismayed to learn our Virgin Australia flight had been cancelled due to the eruption of the volcano on a nearby island. Full marks to Virgin for communicating well and arranging a relief flight two days later. This took us 12 hours over our 30-day visa in Bali. Despite it being caused by a natural disaster, the immigration authorities at Denpasar airport levied each of us a $100 penalty. I am sure it would have come as a shock to a number of the other 14,000 passengers delayed by the eruption.
Gareth Lloyd, Mount Eliza, Vic

Grovey, baby

The Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias should be on any highlights list of Yosemite National Park, according to one reader.Credit: iStock

Ben Groundwater’s guide to Yosemite National Park (Traveller, June 10) reminded me of the towering granite peaks, half dome and breathtaking glacier point. However, the piece omitted Mariposa Grove. Home to about 500 jaw-dropping mature giant sequoias – the world’s largest trees – this grove was critical to President Theodore Roosevelt’s decision to gazette Yosemite National Park in 1906. Mariposa Grove is awe-inspiring, a place to share. My father shared it with me in 1993, and I shared it with my wife in 2008. I can’t wait to visit again.
Luke Bulkeley, Florey, ACT

New Delhi, new friend

While staying at a five-star hotel in Delhi, I went to the bar for a beer, only to find it cost the equivalent of nearly $18 for a small bottle. Outraged, I stepped outside and hailed an auto rickshaw. I asked the driver if he spoke English. He said, yes, so I asked where I could get a beer. He smiled and said, “come to my place”. He grabbed a six-pack for the price of two hotel beers and I joined him at his home. I ended up having the best night and made a great friend in Delhi.
Phil Freeman, Killcare Heights, NSW

Tip of the week: Good, better, besties

ChatGPT proved a valuable companion in Vietnam for one reader.Credit: iStock

Inspired by Michael “The Tripologist” Gebicki’s advice earlier this year, I travelled solo in Vietnam for a fortnight with my new friend ChatGPT. She advised me where to sit on the 18-hour train journey to enjoy the best views between DaNang and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), and recommended a hotel near to the station. She recommended what to take on the trip and cautioned what “extras” might improve my comfort (flashlight, ear plugs, pillow, eye mask, food and power plug). Questions such as “is the tap water in HCMC drinkable?” and “is it appropriate to tip after a massage or personal tour?” were all answered, with further details provided upon request. Nothing proved too difficult. Just like we mere mortals, she makes occasional mistakes and some information needs verification. But I will never travel alone again. We are now besties.
Hilary Plehwe, Beaumaris, Vic

Gratuities advice

I wonder whether travellers advocating tipping when travelling overseas have heard of or believe in the so-called cost of living crisis in Australia? Perhaps it might be an idea for them to also donate money to local charities who look after Australians in need? No doubt, some of them do. Also, no doubt, many don’t.
Kirsten Walla, Vaucluse, NSW

Palma charmer

We cannot speak highly enough of the 14-room Portella Palma boutique hotel in Majorca, Spain. A convenient, beautifully-restored and converted private mansion, the hotel’s manager and staff are unfailingly considerate and friendly, with the in-house food simple but delightful and always available. We have been travelling Spain for three weeks now, staying in similar boutique places, but none reach the heights of Portella.
David Syme, Melbourne, Vic

Paradise found

The Blue Lagoon, Vanuatu.

I recently returned from a short holiday in Vanuatu. The tourist reliant economy is struggling after the 2024 earthquake, yet the locals remain warm and welcoming. We stayed at the delightful Mangoes Resort and indulged in its “trust the chef” degustation dinner, which was amazing. A leisurely day trip snorkelling and sailing on “Major Tom” was a highlight. We also enjoyed a morning river kayaking trip with Vanuatu Ecotours and in the afternoon a swim at the Blue Lagoon swimming hole. A perfect destination for a short holiday with the three-hour flight times a bonus.
Robert Druitt, Caves Beach, NSW

Never jack of Jacko

I recently travelled to Rarotonga in a group of six women. We opted to hire a car for four days which was great. We used Polynesian Car Rentals, which was reasonably priced plus easy to book online. The funniest part of the car was that the stereo was locked on Michael Jackson, and we could not change it. Hearing The Girl is Mine on high rotation always gave us a laugh on the drive.
Leisa Curtis, Bexley, NSW

High life

The Vertigo Bar, Bangkok.

Your story on the great bars of the world (Traveller, June 22) brought back magical memories of our first holiday, post lockdown, in Bangkok. We celebrated New Year’s Eve on the roof of the Banyan Tree hotel. The Vertigo Bar was on level 61, just a few floors up from our room. The views, entertainment and dinners were magnificent, and it was an unforgettable experience.
Rhoda Silber, Manly, NSW

Reader Stuart Ewing’s snail stencil helps his family spot their bags.Credit: Stuart Ewing

Cargo escargot

To identify our suitcases from all the others when travelling I have stencilled a yellow snail 10cm x 10cm on all six sides of the cases, easy to see even from the plane window when it is loading which gives us added peace of mind that our bags are still with us. Why a snail? Because travelling with a suitcase is similar to a snail carrying its house on its back.
Stuart Ewing, Chatswood, NSW

EDITOR’S NOTE What other unusual extents to our readers go to identify their luggage? Email, not snail mail, us here at Traveller at [e-mail] or via the box below.

The Letter of the Week writer wins three Hardie Grant travel books. See hardiegrant.com

The Tip of the Week writer wins a set of three Lonely Planet travel books. See shop.lonelyplanet.com