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| AUSSIES AND BEER |
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Aussies love a cold beer, but perhaps too much these days. Hand in hand with de-regulated pub hours comes binge drinking, and its culture has now permeated the mile high club. Citing unruly behavior, mostly from drunken mine workers heading home after a couple of weeks working in the parched desert, national carrier Qantas recently banned full strength beer and spirits on all flights within the state of Western Australia. This follows similar prohibitions on spirit sales on intrastate flights in other parts of the country. Low alcohol suds and wine are still available. The alcohol ban does not affect Qantas international flights. |
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| BEST AIRLINES |
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If you asked us for a ranking of the world’s best airlines, we reply anecdotally, but accurately: Qatar, Ethiad, and Singapore, in that order. Forget Emirates when travelling economy. They removed all foot rests for weight reasons, and even the longest legged passenger will sit uncomfortably with dangling appendages. |
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| BALIK SALMON |
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| Qatar Airline’s s latest promotions tout Balik salmon on First Class, which had us racing to our cooking library. Balik is smoked salmon prepared in the time-honoured traditions of the Russian Czars. Around 1974 Hans Gerd Kubel chanced a meeting with the grandson of the imperial court smoker Israel Kaplan, and the two embarked on recreating the original smoke ovens as they existed in the days of imperial Russia. But it was only in 1984 when the president of Caviar House tasted -- and later acquired -- the product that Balik’s reincarnation grew in stature. Basically, it’s Norwegian farmed salmon salted and cured in Switzerland. (Which has us asking, why isn’t it wild?) Fillet is the preferred cut, although true aficionados will probably rout for unctuous belly, if truth be known. Confusingly, “balik” is now being marketed by American competitors as simply the salmon’s centre cut, with no mention of its processing pedigree. Cathay Pacific also serves Balik salmon on its first class. |
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| AIRLINE LUGGAGE |
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Charging for checked in bags has always been an insult. And it’s only getting worse. After 9/11 we presumed airlines would improve on board security by discouraging large carry-ons. Alas, just the opposite has happened, and passengers are slugged ever increasing charges for checked luggage, and weight limits have dropped from 32 kg down to 22 kg. Meanwhile, boarding becomes more time-consuming, and fights for overhead compartments worse. |
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PREMIER BAGGAGE |
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United Airlines has a new travel option called Premier Baggage, geared for frequent travelers bogged down by baggage fees. It allows customers to purchase a yearly subscription that will cover two standard baggage check fees on an unlimited number of United and United Express operated flights for the year but not oversized and overweight bags. Better yet, up to eight companions traveling under the same confirmation number are also covered by this paid subscription of $249. In other words, 16 bags. For large groups, that is a plus!
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