Sep

Is our love affair with airlines ending?

Mark Pawlak Category

Adventure Travel, airlines, airport, Flight, flying, Gatwick, London, Planes, Switzerland, Travel

The 1960’s were the golden era for the airlines. To fly then was glamorous, exclusive and fashionable. Airlines were all vying for business and were trying to outdo each other with opulence. Fast-forward to today, and it’s a very different world; such is the drive for profits, it has pitted holiday travellers, business folk and adventure sports tourists against the airlines. And the cause of the schism: hand luggage.

But are new restrictions actually slowing down journey times? It took so long getting through the gate on a recent budget airline flight to Switzerland, the plane was delayed. And the pilot was not impressed; his words to passengers over the intercom gave it all away: “I’d like to apologise on behalf of my crew for the delay in getting underway; this was due to the extended time spent boarding at Gatwick….”

So, while airlines need to make more money, it appears that their vigilance in getting a bag through could not only be driving us mad, but also holding up the flight timetable.

All this has fuelled some bad feelings between passengers and carriers. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has moved to help things improve; the overhead bag space in some Boeing 747 planes is to double. Hotels too are doing their bit, offering to cover the costs of visitors’ checked bags.

But the negative feeling remains. Departure lounges are full of people filling their pockets, hiding their handbags under jumpers and preparing to pass the last inspection.

Stood just out of sight at the gate is the porter, ready to take your additional bag away to the hold as the check-in desk take your credit card for a quick spin; current charges for one carrier: £35, cough!

And it’s not as if there is any flexibility, even the shop purchases you are encouraged to make need to be stashed in your cabin bag – so the water you bought to replace the water you handed in at security and your duty frees need to be squeezed in, too.

There’s definitely a different feeling to flying; the anticipation of getting away on an adventure sports holiday has been spoiled. It’s now a drama just to get off the ground, when the real challenge should be waiting for you after landing, in the mountains of Nepal and on the slopes of Austria?

So why do we fly? Well, it’s because we have to, although once the high-speed rail network really gets up to speed…

About the author

Mark Pawlak wrote 170 articles on this blog.

Editor at Adventure Sports Holidays, Mark's love affair with travel and the challenges of adventure sports continues... "You could save all year for a two-week, all-inclusive, doss by the pool, booze and buffet binge. Or, with a little planning and some good equipment, get off your arse and plan an adventure!"

Mark Pawlak September 3, 2010 at 2:51 pm
I love flying, I even enjoy airline food. Well I did until it changed to be a tube of Pringles, a cheese sandwich and a free palm derma-peel from the cup of instant coffee.

If they could open the windows they could charge for the air that comes in….

Such a shame, as the rest of the experience is fantastic. Last trip was to Germany and have another booked to France. Just need to check my bag fits and I’m wearing a coat with big pockets.
Luke September 6, 2010 at 2:41 pm
I don’t want to name names but a certain Irish airline was providing super cheap flights to Oslo, Norway. I knew it was not the main airport but being called Oslo Torp it had to be close to Oslo……?

How wrong I was…..! It was 110km away from Oslo (not even in the same state) and the bus to get from the airport to the city which was run by the airline was expensive and meant overall it cost more than flying BA!

I think it is the low cost airlines that have changed the face of air travel to make it much less enjoyable but of course a lot more affordable. Having said that the super cheap flights of a few years ago seem to have dried up……
Lucy September 8, 2010 at 5:00 pm
After loosing my luggage, charging me at the last minute for my cabin-bag and dripping ice-cold water on me from a vent in the ceiling, I vowed never to fly on the cheapest of cheap airlines every again…but three months later I was on my way to Spain, having paid £30 for my seat. My new motto is, ‘if the saving’s big enough, I’ll fly cheap’, but have decided to lower my expectations of customer service and comfort from low to non-existent. Since then, I’ve been less disappointed!
Andy Jarosz September 10, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Pretty well summed up Mark. The glamour of flying disappeared some time ago, and the continuous drive to cut costs and scrape ancillary revenue has made the whole experience an unpleasant one. You have to pay through the nose to sit up front if you want any of that old magic that used to be part of the experience. There’s an opportunity there for European rail to build that glamour in their product, and it would be a real shame to see Eurostar going the same way as airlines and penny-pinching, though I can see it happening.
Mark Pawlak September 10, 2010 at 4:07 pm
(Andy)Having used German trains I can confirm they fit the stereotype, such a great way to travel. Just beware booking ahead on saver deals: miss your connection and you have to pay all over again!

(Luke) Yes they gave us the world, it just feels that they want to charge us it , as well. (Lucy) I remember reading BA had the worst baggage loss record, just shows money can’t buy you everything

Eurostar to Paris beats flying everytime, for now…

Is our love affair with airlines ending?

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