We found an airline that has solved the carry-on bag space battle

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On a recent seven-week trip to Europe and the Balkans, we flew twice with Croatia Airlines and were amazed by their simple solution to an issue that is becoming increasingly frustrating for travellers.

Before mounting the stairs to the plane, passengers with small carry-on cases were directed to place them on a trolley. This was then loaded into the bottom of the plane for the journey. Once we reached our destination, the trolley was unloaded and positioned at the bottom of the stairs, allowing passengers to quickly retrieve their case and walk through arrivals without the need to wait for checked-in luggage. The result – a much faster boarding process, overhead bins that had plenty of space for smaller bags, and coats that weren’t crushed by small suitcases.
Mary Alexander, Camperdown, Vic

Letter of the week: Idyll time

My heart skipped a beat as I read Lee Tulloch’s piece about the Greek island of Hydra (Traveller, December 6). We, too, fell in love with this Bohemian paradise, retracing former resident Leonard Cohen’s footsteps by seeking out restaurants, bars and beaches where he once searched for inspiration and love. One day, as we rested in the shade of a tiny church, the caretaker unlocked the wooden doors and gestured for us to explore inside. When leaving, he picked a bunch of rosemary for me. Get lost as you walk Hydra and you’ll feel its magic.
Roxanne Le Blanc, Croydon, Vic

Poorly handled

During a recent two-week overseas trip flying with Singapore Airlines my bag did not arrive at my final destination. I received no proactive contact from their customer service staff or the baggage office handling the case for a full week, and then more silence until after I returned home. Despite repeated promises of daily updates, I was left in the dark and spent hours on hold, sending emails, and chasing answers. I was ultimately forced to contact third-party ground handlers in Singapore and Brisbane myself to even learn where my bag was last scanned and whether a search was ongoing. Instead of meaningful communication or evidence of an active search, I was repeatedly pushed to submit a compensation claim, so the case could be closed. As of the time of writing, the bag has still not been found, five weeks later. For a brand that positions itself as a premium airline, this experience felt anything but.
Hannah Crosby, Herston, Qld

Doona don’ts

Regarding your annual underrated and overrated travel list (Traveller, December 13), whoever is responsible for starting the trend of doona-only bedding needs to spend eternity in the fires of hell because that’s where I often thought I was on a recent trip to Europe. It was like revisiting the days before I was given HRT, as I threw the doona off, then pulled it up again as I got too cold, then threw it off. After a number of sleepless nights I simply pulled the offending quilt out of its cover and turned it into an often uncomfortable top sheet. Next time I travel I’m taking mine with me.
Debra Miniutti, Ashbury, NSW

Eyres and graces

My suggestion for an underrated travel experience is to take a tour to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, South Australia, and ensure it includes two things. Firstly, a flight over the lake to fully appreciate its magnificence and vastness. Secondly, ensure the tour stops at Nilpena Ediacara National Park in the Flinders Ranges. It’s where Ediacaran fossils have been found which date back around 550 million years. It is truly awe-inspiring, having travelled there in October this year with Lake Eyre Tours.
Lisa Clarke, Watsons Bay, NSW

Missing in inaction

Thank you, David Rymer, for your remarks about Virgin Australia’s reluctance to credit points from partner airlines (Traveller Letters, December 20). We had a similar experience after flying business class with Virgin partner airline ANA to Tokyo return in June this year. While my points were finally credited after months of delay, Virgin refuses to accept that my husband also flew with me on those flights. That’s despite the production of airline itineraries, e-ticket numbers and boarding passes as well an excuse that his name was incorrect, which is not true. ANA insists it is a matter for Virgin Australia. When frequent flyer members choose to fly a particular airline because of its partner benefits, surely it is false advertising if those partner benefits are not forthcoming. After six months we are still waiting for Velocity to credit the missing points.
Lindy Ross, Pialligo ACT

Pour service

I recently flew Qantas economy return from Sydney to Bangalore. The flight and service were fine, but the food was disappointing: stodgy, sloppy, bland and, a five out of 10, if that. On the return flight I ordered wine and was given a mini bottle with a paper cup. Seriously, a paper cup? I’ve flown JAL many times recently and their economy food is vastly better, and at least wine is served in a proper (even if plastic) glass. I’ve heard similar feedback from others regarding Qantas economy food. Qantas really needs to do better for its economy passengers.
Simone Kaiser, Mona Vale. NSW

Waste of time

As if massive fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions weren’t enough, we are now reminded by Amy Hiller (Traveller Letters, December 6) that another unwanted by-product of our lust for travel is cabin waste and leftover food. While the suggestion of redistribution of leftover airline meals is laudable, even if the logistics could be overcome, I have a feeling that individual countries’ quarantine laws relating to importation of fresh food and fruit for example, would probably make any such plan unworkable.
Ross MacPherson, Seaforth, NSW

Tall tale

Matt Peacock’s suggestion that plane seats be designated reclining or non-reclining (Traveller Letters, December 13) sounds like a dangerous invitation for airlines to charge, yet again, extra for something that was once a basic and universal human right. I would like the preferred seat to actually be one that reclines, or a seat behind one that doesn’t recline. As a tall person, my concern is often not so much being able to lean back, but ensuring that my precious patellas, already pressed up against the seat in front, aren’t completely crushed as the passenger in that seat decides it’s time for a snooze.
Ross Duncan, Potts Point, NSW

Push for trolleys

Why can’t our international airports provide free small trolleys for the use of passengers in the departure areas, as many overseas airports do? It’s often a long walk to a departure gate, and, besides, carrying an already heavy backpack or bag, especially for elderly travellers or those with children, is a severe disincentive for browsing the multiple shops that the airport owners would clearly like us to visit.
Catherine Rossiter, Fadden, ACT

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

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