Agree with much but the AFF staffer could have gone by rail, including overnight, between Rovaniemi and Helsinki. I have. Far more comfortable and scenic! Why fly within western or northern Europe/UK or much of Asia when trains are so enjoyable, and often faster?
As noted elsewhere with Federal Minister for Transport Catherine King's refusal to introduce a proper (or any) compensation scheme, it's one more example of evidence that politicians in Australia are way too close to the airline duopoly, especially QF.
Their Chairman's Lounge much loved memberships plus business class flights for not just themselves but family members (as we're seeing with what is perceived in the community as 'travel rorts' even though it may be within the independent authority's rules) mean decisions involving airlines are heavily compromised.
To add insult to injury, for senior office holders, family flights are uncapped. Since all of us love something that's 'free', that privilege can be abused yet still be within stipulated entitlements). Do FIFO workers who generate huge export income for Australia through mining iron ore and coal receive uncapped return flights to anywhere in Australia?
Politicians are happy to attack Woolworths and Coles that operate on net profit margins of under five per cent with each having hundreds of thousands of Australian-domiciled retail shareholders (of which I'm not one). With airlines, deals are made behind closed doors according to what the airlines regard as good policy. It's often to the detriment of travellers.
www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au
