CLASS ACTS
On a Qantas codeshare flight my wife and I were in premium economy from Hong Kong to London and return with Cathay Pacific. The only difference I could discern between it and economy was that there were seven seats across, not eight.
We had the same cabin staff, same meals and same service level as economy. There was no response to my cabin calls for a top-up of my glass of wine; they spent the next hour servicing the economy passengers. By comparison, Qantas and Virgin give what one expects: a class midway between economy and business.
- Chris Herbert
My partner and I, now both in our 70s, have flown premium economy ever since the class was introduced. On Qantas, British Airways, JAL and Cathay Pacific we have had nothing but good service, sufficient space and comfort and decent food and wine. It suits our budget and gives us many extra dollars to spend on the ground.
We were surprised that no-one in your "Come Fly With Me" letters (Traveller Letters, February 7-8) recommended Qantas. We certainly would, based on our travels, so it was gratifying to see a very complimentary review of their premium economy class in the same issue's Flight Test. This echoes our experiences exactly. To your reader, Scott Lawrie, we would say fly PE with confidence on any of these airlines.
- Max Oliver
It is surprising that none of the responses to Scott Lawrie's request mentioned Qantas' premium economy which, in my experience, is unsurpassed. The service is as Leonie Mulvihill described for her Emirates flight and as Emirates does not offer premium economy on its aircraft I suspect she was on a Qantas flight, code-sharing with Emirates.
- Brian Caller
I am embarrassed to see I credited Emirates with my praise for wonderful service in premium economy when it should have gone to Qantas. My sincerest apologies but my comments still apply.
- Leonie Mulvihill
LETTER OF THE WEEK
I travelled to New York with my daughter last year for some mother and daughter time after my husband died. It was a sad but lovely trip together. On the first day we decided to orientate ourselves in this fabulous city doing a double-decker bus tour.
However, before catching the bus, I felt unwell but not wanting to alarm my daughter, we boarded the bus to explore north Manhattan. Ten minutes into the tour a very strange feeling came upon me. I lost my vision and 15 minutes later fainted, much to the horror of my daughter who thought I was actually dead.
Not a good beginning to the tour! Fortunately there was an Australian who offered to help her and before she knew it, the bus driver and tour guide had prepared not only the nearest hospital emergency unit but had turned the bus around in an eight-lane road – in the middle of Manhattan – and took me to hospital.
How fortunate and grateful we were, especially as the doctor who treated me also had worked in Sydney. I cannot thank the hospital and those involved enough.
- Ruth McErlane
UTTER RUBBISH
Kayaking on Halong Bay is indeed a delightful experience (Traveller, January 31-February 1) but can only hope that steps have been taken to clean up the vast amount of surface rubbish in evidence on a trip some years ago – apparently generated by the floating villages. It was a dispiriting experience to paddle through polystyrene, plastic bottles, nappies and other detritus defacing this glorious World Heritage site.
- Gillian Appleton
COMO, SWEET COMO
Ah, evocative memories (Traveller, January 31-February 1). The main photo in the story "That's amore, by George" showed two premises, Aperitivi Wine Bar and Azalea. Aperitivi is run by a lovely couple, Franco (wine) and Jay (food).
Wine is the star here, and Franco has a prodigious knowledge. Food is secondary, but excellent nevertheless, with an uncanny knack of marrying particular food and wine.
Azalea sells exquisitely designed scarves and sweaters – expensive, but worth every euro. We did not stay in Argegno. Varenna was our choice – small, non-touristy, on the direct train line from Milan (one hour), wonderful local shops and restaurants (Albergo Del Sole was the standout), and an easy ferry ride to all other villages on Lake Como.
Our apartment in Villa Albertina, owned by the delightfully hospitable Enzo and Antonella, was fabulous. Enzo picked us up and drove us back to the station.
- Glynis Wattus
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
I am surprised your cover story, "Follow the leader" (Traveller, February 7-8) did not include as an attribute of a great guide a good general knowledge of their area of expertise. I've encountered many disappointing guides who were unable to answer fairly unexceptional queries. That said, a great guide does stay in one's memory for a very long time.
- Mary Purnell
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