Traveller letters: Jetstar's new terminal and its inaccessibility is a disgrace

SHUTTERING EXPERIENCE

I too experienced a cabin in darkness flying to Kuala Lumpur last month (Traveller Letters). We left Melbourne at 10.30am and after lunch was served we were asked to close the window shutters.

When I questioned why, I was told it was because of the brightness of the sun. Understandable on a long haul east/west flight but not good enough on an eight-hour flight with little time difference between the two cities. I agree that it is much better to stay awake in the daylight hours and find it frustrating to be in a darkened environment.

Susie Mioni, Hawthorn East, VIC

HELSINKI AND BACK

We recently paid $6000 each for two business class returns to Europe on Finnair​. On the nearly 12-hour return flight from Helsinki to Singapore one of our two seats could not be reclined making the entire journey extremely uncomfortable. Before take off the cabin supervisor attempted to rectify the problem electronically and manually, without success.

Later in the flight we were given a €200 voucher as short-term compensation and were advised to pursue Finnair for a higher level of compensation, commensurate with the distance flown and the amount paid for the flight.

Finnair has since declined to provide such compensation. In hindsight we should have demanded to be offloaded pending availability of fully-operable seats on the next suitable flight.

Ian Stuart, Lindfield, NSW

DON'T GO THERE

I am sick and tired of people extolling the virtues of travelling to Iran (Traveller, November 21 & 22)) and encouraging others to travel there. I feel we should be boycotting this country. True, the individuals they meet may be nice and friendly, but you shouldn't forget the official policies of the leaders and the country

This is a country that threatens genocide and is developing nuclear weapons that threaten the whole region. They support terrorist groups such as Hezbollah. They have public executions for minor crimes as well as for homosexuality. They stone people for adultery and keep the population in a state of fear with their secret police. They suppress the rights of women.

Isaac Rochwerger, Caulfield, VIC

OH CANADA

Having read the recent letters about Air Canada's in-flight entertainment system problems, I am beginning to wonder whether Air Canada really has an in-flight entertainment system - or is it just too hard to fix?

We had the same experience on an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Sydney - in October 2010. And we were offered, as compensation, the same travel credit deal for future travel with Air Canada as offered recently.

James Starkey, Burradoo, NSW

POWER TRIP

The power and reach of Traveller Letters is not to be underestimated. In my June 21, 2014 letter regarding tipping in London I mentioned how the ticket price to four of the five historic royal palaces (Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Banqueting House and Kensington Palace but not Kew Palace) automatically included "a small [10 per cent] voluntary donation to Historic Royal Palaces". Now, when buying online you have to "opt-in" to pay the "donation prices", rather than having to "opt-out" of making a "voluntary donation" as was the case last year. More power to Traveller Letters.

Maurice Critchley, Kenthurst, NSW

CHUCKING A WOBBLY

I am around 180 centimetres in height, and have travelled economy class to Japan twice yearly for some time, flying Jetstar's A330 and B787 (both comfortable, quiet and with just enough leg room), Qantas B747 (planes are out of the ark: uncomfortable, noisy, and barely enough leg room) and JAL (which up to now, had rated between the other two).

However, my last trip with JAL on a discounted $995 return ticket placed me on a B777 with more leg room than one could ever have dreamed.

I could easily horizontally place, and wobble back and forth, my hand between my knee and the seat in front of me. Such a relaxed trip resulted. Japan trips on JAL from now.

Ian Hunter, Lewisham, NSW

WE WELCOME YOUR TRAVEL-RELATED OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES

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