Also, my billionaire escapades in France, some telly, Dennis goes swimming, and Jamie Laing's metamorphosis from MIC posh boy to budding national treasure...
£1 is not a lot though is it? Could you offer them £1.50 to NOT put your bag in the cage? Or how about introducing the idea of tipping the stewardess? Keep them hanging to the end of the flight for the £1.50. Maybe even £2 if you get your paper cup of warm ish PG tips with a smile along with not putting your bag in the hold?
Re: tipping the flight attendants-i’ve been flying for many many years, but recently saw an article about bringing snacks on board for the flight attendant to show your appreciation for the work they’re doing. I’ve never heard of that before, and I was surprised to hear about this concept. Anyone else heard of that?
I've read about flight attendant goody bags in parenting forums and frequent traveler forums. But I've never done it. I do offer my magazines to the flight attendants as I'm leaving, never sure if it's insulting or not. They're current! Who wouldn't want to spend an hour with a magazine or two?
I have not seen this! And I think it might feel quite weird?! 'Here you go, flight attendant, would you like a packet of Pret fruit and nuts? THEY COST ME NEARLY A TENNER!'
I had to use assisted boarding last year (wheelchair, fast track everywhere, platform lift to plane, you get the picture, bliss), and the lovely man who looked after me told me that lots of people have no need whatsoever for assisted boarding but request it anyway to avoid the boarding horror. And they have to take anyone who applies just in case….. should I be sharing this?
OOOH that is up there as a top tip with the Stansted Wetherspoons, thank you. Or maybe even better. But don't worry we'll keep it between us. Although if you have assisted boarding do you have to wait for everyone to pile off at the other end?
I feel your EasyJet pain. Once, I simply emptied my stuff into a plastic bag and wore the rest. Left the case behind. Suck on those lemons easyJet! I hate them with such passion.
Lovely read, makes me want to book a holiday, despite the airport horror. Did you know Boots have click and collect at their airport branches as well, so you can order it all ahead of time, choose the branch at the terminal you’re flying from, and collect before you fly. Dead easy.
You have beaten me to making this comment! It’s great tip - you can get exactly what you want rather than having to choose from the often more limited range in airports and you’re buying at normal online prices. Win/win.
The airport! The coffee! The gates! They NEVER open for me. I got a cold sweat even hearing you read this (GORGEOUS to have the audio - more please!) about airports. Never mind cashmere curtains?!
To your list of airport grievences I am adding...water stations. Apart from the one at Stanstead which I now know very well, finding the location at other airports is like searching for the planning permission documents in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy...in the basement, in a locked filing cabinet. It's like they want you to spend £7 on a bottle of water.
YES I said to someone else below I nearly put that one in and forgot! I agree. Sometimes they're near the loos that are 28 miles away. And quite re buying bottles of water. Dementing. 😐
My son spent a semester abroad in Barcelona (we are in the US) and frequently took Ryannair as well as another low cost airline that I can't remember the name of. All the students took larger travel backpacks to avoid paying for overhead carryon. These backpacks had the dimensions required by Ryanair, but the kids did sometimes stuff them a bit.
We flew with him from Barcelona to Rome and watched the flight attendants make mostly students put their backpacks into the metal box, as opposed to adults. My son's was deemed too full, so we just moved some of his stuff to ours. He told us he anecdotally heard a lot about students being charged because their backpacks were too big, so I'm not surprised about commissions for gate agents.
URGH, it's so mean spirited. I know, I know, rules are rules and the airlines are generally quite cheap anyway. But still, just makes it all such an ORDEAL!
If anyone goes to my favourite place, Soller in Majorca, pop into the train station, gorgeous Picasso and Miro work on display. Then get the old wooden train to Palma or the tram down to the beach, perfect.
Oh yes! Dip in the sea, Diet Coke outside the Esplendido, nip in and use their gorgeous, gorgeous loos then tram back up to the town. Just the nicest place in the world.
Hot tip - Birmingham Airport has scrapped all limitations on liquids in cabin baggage - probably not that convenient for you though - although you have to remember that it doesn't apply at Heathrow Terminal 2 - confusing when you go through both in under a month! I just wish those scanner machines could identify a hip replacement as not being intent on carrying metal on your person. I am still bodysearched at both airports!
Glad you enjoyed Belles Rives - it is really special.
They all seem to be changing their policies at different times. At Gatwick last week, though very welcome, it was causing chaos because I think various people (like me and my water bottle) had left things in their luggage which they would have remembered had they needed to pull out their little plastic bags. If that makes sense...
>The good news is Gatwick (and maybe others, but I don’t know about them) is now operating a policy where you no longer have to take your liquids out of your bag...
It was like this at Heathrow too! Actually I was impressed by the whole experience - I'd never actually used it before, and it was by far the calmest large airport I've ever seen. I've had domestic flights from local airfields that were more fuss.
(If you're ever landing in Toronto, my tip is that Terminal 1 arrivals is drastically more humane than Terminal 3.)
£1 is not a lot though is it? Could you offer them £1.50 to NOT put your bag in the cage? Or how about introducing the idea of tipping the stewardess? Keep them hanging to the end of the flight for the £1.50. Maybe even £2 if you get your paper cup of warm ish PG tips with a smile along with not putting your bag in the hold?
I would back this for the PG Tips thing alone. And maybe if they'd somehow consider fresh milk instead of UHT.
Maybe if you somehow suggested a £2.50 tip?
Re: tipping the flight attendants-i’ve been flying for many many years, but recently saw an article about bringing snacks on board for the flight attendant to show your appreciation for the work they’re doing. I’ve never heard of that before, and I was surprised to hear about this concept. Anyone else heard of that?
I've read about flight attendant goody bags in parenting forums and frequent traveler forums. But I've never done it. I do offer my magazines to the flight attendants as I'm leaving, never sure if it's insulting or not. They're current! Who wouldn't want to spend an hour with a magazine or two?
I saw that article! It was a new one to me
I have not seen this! And I think it might feel quite weird?! 'Here you go, flight attendant, would you like a packet of Pret fruit and nuts? THEY COST ME NEARLY A TENNER!'
I had to use assisted boarding last year (wheelchair, fast track everywhere, platform lift to plane, you get the picture, bliss), and the lovely man who looked after me told me that lots of people have no need whatsoever for assisted boarding but request it anyway to avoid the boarding horror. And they have to take anyone who applies just in case….. should I be sharing this?
OOOH that is up there as a top tip with the Stansted Wetherspoons, thank you. Or maybe even better. But don't worry we'll keep it between us. Although if you have assisted boarding do you have to wait for everyone to pile off at the other end?
Depends on arrival airport and mood of cabin crew, so we shouldn’t hold our breath.
Ah ok, noted.
I’m with you on EVERYTHING airport-related
I feel your EasyJet pain. Once, I simply emptied my stuff into a plastic bag and wore the rest. Left the case behind. Suck on those lemons easyJet! I hate them with such passion.
I know me too, and my last few flights have been very delayed, and yet we do still all use them!
All that airport aggro suggests taking a train, where possible, is a better option!
I agree! I often wish Eurostar allowed dogs.
such a great gossippy stack
🥳😘
Sophia, this was so funny. Especially loved the security person with the Rod Stewart water bottle.
I was quite embarrassed. Although it was so early and I was SO DESPERATE for a coffee and running SO late that my stress overrode the shame.
Lovely read, makes me want to book a holiday, despite the airport horror. Did you know Boots have click and collect at their airport branches as well, so you can order it all ahead of time, choose the branch at the terminal you’re flying from, and collect before you fly. Dead easy.
I did NOT that is fascinating! Although Boots must be dreading the looming end of the 100ml thing when we can all revert to taking things from home...
You have beaten me to making this comment! It’s great tip - you can get exactly what you want rather than having to choose from the often more limited range in airports and you’re buying at normal online prices. Win/win.
The airport! The coffee! The gates! They NEVER open for me. I got a cold sweat even hearing you read this (GORGEOUS to have the audio - more please!) about airports. Never mind cashmere curtains?!
Oh GOOD ok, thank you. I may carry on just for you in that case. And yes cashmere curtains. De la Cuona cashmere curtains. FANCY.
Yes but the INFESTATION! The worry. No, no, no!
I know, imagine. You see ONE moth and never sleep again
Hi Sophie, new subscriber here! Love everything about this!
Hurrah, welcome!
To your list of airport grievences I am adding...water stations. Apart from the one at Stanstead which I now know very well, finding the location at other airports is like searching for the planning permission documents in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy...in the basement, in a locked filing cabinet. It's like they want you to spend £7 on a bottle of water.
YES I said to someone else below I nearly put that one in and forgot! I agree. Sometimes they're near the loos that are 28 miles away. And quite re buying bottles of water. Dementing. 😐
My son spent a semester abroad in Barcelona (we are in the US) and frequently took Ryannair as well as another low cost airline that I can't remember the name of. All the students took larger travel backpacks to avoid paying for overhead carryon. These backpacks had the dimensions required by Ryanair, but the kids did sometimes stuff them a bit.
We flew with him from Barcelona to Rome and watched the flight attendants make mostly students put their backpacks into the metal box, as opposed to adults. My son's was deemed too full, so we just moved some of his stuff to ours. He told us he anecdotally heard a lot about students being charged because their backpacks were too big, so I'm not surprised about commissions for gate agents.
URGH, it's so mean spirited. I know, I know, rules are rules and the airlines are generally quite cheap anyway. But still, just makes it all such an ORDEAL!
I have just booked a holiday in Tourettes-sur-Loop and am now disproportionately excited about how much bang I am going to get for my euro….
Oh it's SO gorgeous, lucky you. TWO boulangeries, both excellent.
If anyone goes to my favourite place, Soller in Majorca, pop into the train station, gorgeous Picasso and Miro work on display. Then get the old wooden train to Palma or the tram down to the beach, perfect.
NOTED, thank you!
Oh yes! Dip in the sea, Diet Coke outside the Esplendido, nip in and use their gorgeous, gorgeous loos then tram back up to the town. Just the nicest place in the world.
Hot tip - Birmingham Airport has scrapped all limitations on liquids in cabin baggage - probably not that convenient for you though - although you have to remember that it doesn't apply at Heathrow Terminal 2 - confusing when you go through both in under a month! I just wish those scanner machines could identify a hip replacement as not being intent on carrying metal on your person. I am still bodysearched at both airports!
Glad you enjoyed Belles Rives - it is really special.
They all seem to be changing their policies at different times. At Gatwick last week, though very welcome, it was causing chaos because I think various people (like me and my water bottle) had left things in their luggage which they would have remembered had they needed to pull out their little plastic bags. If that makes sense...
>The good news is Gatwick (and maybe others, but I don’t know about them) is now operating a policy where you no longer have to take your liquids out of your bag...
It was like this at Heathrow too! Actually I was impressed by the whole experience - I'd never actually used it before, and it was by far the calmest large airport I've ever seen. I've had domestic flights from local airfields that were more fuss.
(If you're ever landing in Toronto, my tip is that Terminal 1 arrivals is drastically more humane than Terminal 3.)
And the France photos are beautiful!
Yes I think they're slowly rolling it out in various airports. HUGE relief. I just need to remember to drain the old water bottle...