World’s best airline? Not in the economy cabin

Each week Traveller publishes a selection of rants, raves and travel tips from our readers. See below on how you can contribute.

November 14, 2026 — 5:00am

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Qatar Airways, named the world’s best airline nine times, may offer a great business class experience. In economy, good luck. On a recent flight from New York to Doha lasting more than 10 hours, I sat near a toilet that was not cleaned once. Cabin crew failed to collect passengers’ rubbish, which accumulated in the toilet bin until it overflowed. With nowhere else to put used paper towels and tissues, passengers left them on the liquid-soaked floor. When I complained, a flight attendant simply locked the toilet. No sign appeared, so passengers continued queuing to use it. To add to the frustration, the seat-back screen flight information had not been reset. It showed us flying from Doha to New York and gave no time to the destination. Nor were we told our flight was running late, leaving us stressed about a tight connection on arrival in Doha. Filthy floors in shared areas and indifferent cabin crew completed the experience. Economy passengers may pay less for their seats. They should not have to settle for basic hygiene and communication being treated as optional extras.
Simon Benedict, Moonee Ponds, Vic

Bento bust

I travelled from Melbourne to Tokyo (Narita) and back in Qantas business class. On both flights, the menu item I selected (bento box) had “run out” and I was asked if I’d like to order something from the economy class menu as other items were now taken by other passengers. Coupled with the very mediocre Aspire Lounge offered at Narita, my advice is to avoid Qantas business class altogether if food is a big part of your experience, Neil Perry or not.
James F, Glen Waverley, Vic

Priced out

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As someone who has travelled extensively, I’ve always read Traveller. But in recent times it has descended into only covering extremely expensive travel. You surprisingly reviewed an economy class flight – the option most people use. This contrasts with the usual serving of business class and even first class flight reviews. In these times most people cannot afford the $30,000-per-person cruises advertised and those of similar style that are reviewed within. What about some good budget travel ideas and reviews? Many trips reviewed are about being pampered on board with butlers, massages and fine dining, as the real world passes by outside a window that might as well be a TV screen.
Philip Dowle, Wickham, NSW

Editor’s note: Traveller aims to consistently review flights across all classes. Recently we have reviewed the economy classes of Malaysia Airlines, British Airways, Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand. (Though some readers may be interested to learn that it is actually our business class reviews that are the most popular.) We also aim to cover a wide range of travel experiences, from luxury to budget, and in fact have special collections dedicated to both, which you can find for luxury here and for affordable travel here.

Licence to thrill, or just to bill?

Another trip to Europe and another waste of $68 obtaining an International Driving Permit. Not once in 20 years have I ever been asked to show the permit when collecting my hire car, yet I always get one just in case (as the fine print when booking often requires one). Is this just a revenue exercise by auto clubs worldwide or maybe a relic belonging to an analogue world? Maybe it’s time to take the risk and ignore it for the next trip.
Nick Thorpe, Ivanhoe, Vic

Editors note: Quite a few European countries require foreign drivers to have an International Driving Permit (IDP). If you don’t have an IDP in a country that requires it, your car hire operator is within their rights to cancel your booking, and there might be a substantial penalty charge.

No money, down

I recently got a phone message saying: “Hey dad it’s me. I’ve lost my phone and cards. Can you help”. The kind of scam call you get every few months – but this one was for real. My son had accidentally left his phone and cards at the Emirates boarding gate in Dubai and landed in Budapest without any money. Luckily, he had his laptop to text me on WhatsApp and a friend on board to lend him some money. But it was a timely warning that if you are travelling anywhere, make sure you get that travel money card and put it away from your carry on luggage. Emirates arranged for him to pick it up on the return journey and all ended well.
Glenn Larner, Freshwater, NSW

Aisle or window?

We asked you for your views on where to sit on the plane? So do windows win, or do the aisles have it? Here’s a selection of your responses.

Window every time. It’s amazing how people are happy to pay big money and queue for ages to visit an observation deck, but shun the greatest views of the Earth. On my last trip I looked down at the Nile Delta, watched an amazing electrical-storm light show over Afghanistan, and viewed the Balkans’ summer peaks. Then there was the pass over Jakarta at night that looked as though the whole world was illuminated. Better than any movie on a small screen.
David Bonnici, North Melbourne, Vic

Give me the freedom of an aisle seat every day of the week. Especially on long-haul flights, the chance to freely visit the loo or stretch my legs without any awkward moments, along with the extra elbow and foot space in the aisle, is worth occasionally getting up for my fellow travellers to get out. Thankfully, my husband is a window seat guy so it works well.
Kelly Millar, Hawthorn, Vic

I’m definitely an “aisler”. Not sleeping on long-haul flights means that I walk – a lot. Easy access to the aisle means less disturbance for others and no guilt on my part. In addition, there are always a group of us non-sleeping, restless types that tend to gather at the cabin crew station and chat to whoever else is not sleeping. I’ve met some fascinating characters over the years.
Lorraine Hawdon, Narara, NSW

I love the window seat. Curling into the window frame like a possum, I love letting go of all sensations, putting noise-cancelling ear phones on, blanket tucked in – my happy space. I imagine life going on in the countryside below, feeling grateful that I am able to experience new cultures, languages and food, and to understand the history of civilisation.
Mary G Clarke, Mt Gravatt, Qld

Your say: Carry-on or checked?

When it comes to your packing preferences, do you go for carry-on luggage or checked, and what does this say about your travel style? Share your thoughts via the box below or email us at travellerletters@traveller.com.au. We’ll publish a selection of the responses in an upcoming edition.

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