Traveller letters: Qantas non-stop flights to London - what will the toilets be like?

To management's credit, a cold-packed breakfast was provided and we checked out while the hotel systems were down. By mid-morning on the Tuesday there was an email in my inbox with a personal apology and a "credit" for the cost of the night of accommodation.

The hotel's manager had tried to phone earlier with the apology, however, could not reach me. It was a situation that could have been much worse, however, the experience, whilst slightly inconvenient, saw a response that is an excellent example of exceeding customer expectations.

Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook, NSW

TREASURE HUNT

Congratulations on the cover story by Brian Johnson on the treasures of the Islamic world (Traveller, April 22). I have visited quite a few of them, including a couple of hamams in Turkey. There is certainly a wealth of wonderful experiences out there.

I was quite surprised that neither your writer nor your guest contributors mentioned Uzbekistan.

In my opinion one of the most breathtaking Islamic buildings is the Gur Emir, Tamerlane's tomb in Samarkand, followed by the Shah-i-Zinda the necropolis of mausoleums also in Samarkand. I also heard the most beautiful call to prayer, sung in person not a recording, from the Tellya Sheikh Mosque in Tashkent.

Jennifer Farrer, Castle Hill, NSW

CUTTING REMARKS

The painful cut on the top of my thumb is almost healed. Tomorrow it will be gone and with it my last physical connection with Uzbekistan.

It happened at an unlikely roadside stop in the middle of the desert during a seven-hour drive from Bukhara to Samarkand. As I eased the smoky meat off the skewers I hardly noticed it at the time. But the healing cut keeps reminding me of the wonderful bread, salads and shashliks of Central Asia. Strangely, I will miss it.

Paul Blume, Petersham, NSW

BAD DREAM

Who's going to keep the toilets cleaned and refreshed for the second 17-hour leg of the journey on the new Qantas Dreamliner service from Melbourne to London via one stop in Perth?

Having travelled to London via Dubai twice in the last six months within seven hours of the 14-hour flight from Melbourne and return, the toilets were in a disgusting state.

Allan Hill, Beaumaris, VIC

FIRST-RATE EMIRATES

On April 18 , my wife and I flew from Prague to Dubai with Emirates when, about two hours into the flight, I experienced a significant and potentially dangerous medical condition. Within minutes of reporting this to the cabin attendants the response and attention was prompt, efficient and professional.

My condition was stabilised and frequent checks of my progress were made over the next few hours. Phone calls were made to a medical adviser and this resulted in arrangements being made for me to see a doctor at Dubai Airport.

Transport from the plane to the medical centre was arranged and accompanied by two ambulance personnel who continued the investigations. Subsequent tests and examination by the doctor determined that my condition had improved sufficiently to safely continue on the connecting flight to Sydney.

Cabin crews on both flights, Dubai Airport staff and ground crews assisting our boarding on the second flight all displayed a very high level of professionalism, caring and regular attention which was a reflection on the significant and thorough training that they had obviously received.

My wife and I wish to thank all those concerned and appreciate the attitude of Emirates Airline and their staff.

Cliff Hensby, Church Point NSW

SINGLE MINDED

I'm a big fan of Traveller, delighting in learning about a wide range of destinations, experiences and activities on offer. But what I rarely get is fares, deals and advice for solo travellers and my own travel experience confirms that I'm not the only one out there.

I know I get slugged for travelling on my own but I continue to do it. So why not lend us a hand? It's as easy as adding the single supplement to a featured article. There's always prices given for two. It wouldn't take much to add the single supplement.

Isobel Kachoyan, Oatley, NSW

HARD TO STOMACH

My advice to Chris Isles of Warriewood (Traveller letters, April 29) who laments that he is treated like a second-class citizen for choosing the meat option on flights, is to preorder the vegetarian meal and he can feel like a first-class citizen too, simple.

Of course, you will also feel better in your health and conscience and your environmental impact will be decreased as well. If you don't care for the suffering of animals so you can enjoy your airline food, which will probably be rubbery anyway, continue as you will, but don't tell those that care to just bring their own.

Andy Leonard, St Peters, NSW

PLANE FACTS

Pauline Nunan raised the issue of carbon emissions from flights (Traveller letters, April 29). Fuel is the major operating expense and obviously the main source of pollutants. I'd suggest the aviation industry is probably more proactive with the problem than the car or many other industries.

Look at the ongoing engine development, the use of lightweight construction materials, flights getting to the most fuel-efficient cruising altitude and speed, more efficient design, external for drag and lift, internal for increased payload, passenger load and scheduling. The days of almost empty planes has finished with reduction on the number of flights but an increase in the payload.

Some simple questions – do you own a car? How many seats? How often are they occupied? Do you consciously consider efficiency every time you drive?

Pak Shorty, Nyatnyatan, Bali

Send us your travel-related opinions and experiences

Letters may be edited for space, legal or other reasons. Preference will be given to letters of 50-100 words or less. Email us at travellerletters@fairfaxmedia.com.au and, importantly, include your name, address and phone number.