Travel planning is only the START of any frequent traveller's nightmare. Don't be stupid. We are not talking about those privileged individuals who have their own secretary or travel planner to manage their travels. Nor are we talking about these same group of VIPs who get to fly on business or first class and receive elite/priority treatment. We are looking at the travelling life of one very ordinary folk who has to plan her own trips and fly by humble economy class. And that one very ordinary folk is obviously ME.
Part of travel planning involves the selection of airlines and then keeping my fingers, toes and tits crossed that it will be a pleasant flight. I airline hop like the springboks on the African fields. Not those musclely over-brutalised Springbok rugby players. Springbok - the animal. Not that I am given much of a choice. There are only that many airlines available that offers direct flights to the destinations ex-SA. And of course, PRICE is always the biggest deciding factor. My frequent flyer miles are as scattered as my jet-lagged brains. Neither here nor there.... just some figures logged inside some airlines systems, possibly ready to be purged out.
Having exhausted the airlines that I can utilise for my trips, I decided that I am back to where it all began - Singapore Airlines. Should I be happy or should I be sad? I am no patriotic Singaporean. I am just an economy class comfort-seeker traveller. I can only salivate knowlingly at those first class seats.... it is a privilege I cannot afford, perhaps ever. But it ain't a crime to dream... so maybe, just maybe one day.....
Part of travel planning involves the selection of airlines and then keeping my fingers, toes and tits crossed that it will be a pleasant flight. I airline hop like the springboks on the African fields. Not those musclely over-brutalised Springbok rugby players. Springbok - the animal. Not that I am given much of a choice. There are only that many airlines available that offers direct flights to the destinations ex-SA. And of course, PRICE is always the biggest deciding factor. My frequent flyer miles are as scattered as my jet-lagged brains. Neither here nor there.... just some figures logged inside some airlines systems, possibly ready to be purged out.
Having exhausted the airlines that I can utilise for my trips, I decided that I am back to where it all began - Singapore Airlines. Should I be happy or should I be sad? I am no patriotic Singaporean. I am just an economy class comfort-seeker traveller. I can only salivate knowlingly at those first class seats.... it is a privilege I cannot afford, perhaps ever. But it ain't a crime to dream... so maybe, just maybe one day.....
Chart 1 : British Airways & Singapore Airlines
Chart 2 : Cathay Pacific, Malaysian Airlines & South African Airways
Other airlines :
- Qantas - Avoid. Flipping strict on luggage weight and rude ground service.
- Iberia - They put my luggage on a different flight.... if not for that, the service ain't that bad.
- British Midlands - Nightmare experience with a delayed flight.
- Kulula - If you don't mind the lime-green seats.... budget airline but not that budget....
- Thai Airways - Too long ago to remember but nothing vile as far as I remember.
- Nok Air - Budget airline of Thai Airways. Not too bad for a budget airline though the flight delays can be annoying. But then again, maybe it was the chaos from the Tsunami.
Brain freeze. Can't remember any other airlines I've flown on.
Maybe... Just maybe... I'll get a free upgrade this time....
Don't I wish that every time?
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