Passenger discrimination; Belgium on the double; Cheap air fares to the East
Something to Declare: The column that gives the global picture
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Your support makes all the difference.Something to Declare: The column that gives the global picture
Warning of the week:why your airline may decline to let you flyThe world's safest airline, Southwest, didn't get where it is today by allowing all and sundry on its planes. These are some of the passengers who may be denied boarding on one of the airline's flights: "Persons whose conduct is or has been known to be disorderly, abusive, offensive, threatening, intimidating, or violent.
Persons who are barefoot and over five years of age.
Persons who wear or have on or about their persons concealed or unconcealed deadly or dangerous weapons.
Persons who have an offensive odour, except where such condition is the result of a qualified disability.
Manacled persons in the custody of law-enforcement personnel; persons brought into the airport in manacles; persons who have resisted escorts; or escorted persons who express to Carrier's Employees an objection to being transported on the flight.
Persons who are unwilling or unable to abide with Carrier's non-smoking rules."
Other airlines have similar conditions.
Destination of the week: Zeebrugge
The number of car-ferry routes serving the Belgian port doubles from 1 May, when P&O Stena Line (087 0600 0600; www.posl.com) re-opens the route from Dover. The company's existing freight-only run is being sold as a cheap, "no-frills" car-carrying service. The maximum return fare for a car and four people this year is £210, even on peak summer weekends.
P&O North Sea Ferries (01482 377177) sails nightly from Hull to Zeebrugge.
Bargain of the week: cheap flights to Java and Thailand via Jordan
Since British Airways gave up flying to Jakarta, the Indonesian capital has been difficult and expensive to reach. But if you change planes in Amman, Royal Jordanian will take you there and back for £331, travelling out in May or June. There are two flights a week, which stop en route at Kuala Lumpur (available at £7 more). Bangkok is served three times a week, again at £331 return. These fares are available only through discount agents such as Trailfinders (020-7938 3939).
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