There are, as I've said, plane flights and then there are plane flights. Traveling as a foreigner on a national airline, you get treated as though you are never going to fly with them again, and they give you the seats SeatGuru says are the worst on the plane.
After all, someone has to sit on them.
But it's not just one airline, it's all of them. So far we have used China Southern, and Air Canada. You'd expect better from Air Canada but no, they are just as heartless and condescending as the rest.
However, I suspect all airlines the world over are the same, that the best seats go to their most important frequent fliers, then it goes downhill after that as they work through the frequent flyer list, then those who pay the most money, down to those who actively seek bargains but don't realise the consequences of their actions until they board.
Then the true nightmare begins.
Last to get food, last to get drinks, often no choice of meal as food cart gets to their end of the plane, if, of course, they didn't make a mistake in the number of meals they take on board.
Oh yes, then there's the overbookings and legitimate passengers dragged screaming from the plane, it does happen and all you will get is a polite apology, and that's the limit of their responsibility.
And if you're on a foreign airline, they just plead they don't speak or understand English, which is a blatant lie, but the bottom line us you can't do anything about it.
So, the reality of international travel on a budget is, you get what you pay for, so if it's a rock bottom price, prepare to sit in the worst seats on the plane, usually in the toilet rather than near it, and the possibility of not getting a meal choice or anything at all.
I've learned my lesson. Pay more and hope like hell you get more.
After all, someone has to sit on them.
But it's not just one airline, it's all of them. So far we have used China Southern, and Air Canada. You'd expect better from Air Canada but no, they are just as heartless and condescending as the rest.
However, I suspect all airlines the world over are the same, that the best seats go to their most important frequent fliers, then it goes downhill after that as they work through the frequent flyer list, then those who pay the most money, down to those who actively seek bargains but don't realise the consequences of their actions until they board.
Then the true nightmare begins.
Last to get food, last to get drinks, often no choice of meal as food cart gets to their end of the plane, if, of course, they didn't make a mistake in the number of meals they take on board.
Oh yes, then there's the overbookings and legitimate passengers dragged screaming from the plane, it does happen and all you will get is a polite apology, and that's the limit of their responsibility.
And if you're on a foreign airline, they just plead they don't speak or understand English, which is a blatant lie, but the bottom line us you can't do anything about it.
So, the reality of international travel on a budget is, you get what you pay for, so if it's a rock bottom price, prepare to sit in the worst seats on the plane, usually in the toilet rather than near it, and the possibility of not getting a meal choice or anything at all.
I've learned my lesson. Pay more and hope like hell you get more.
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