Well let’s just put one in there anyway

    All airlines that I’m aware of have been operating fully non-smoking flights for as long as I can remember. And to my knowledge, even when some weirdos allowed smoking, it was forbidden in the toilets. So why on earth are brand new planes still equipped with an ashtray in the toilets? That’s mind-boggling. I mean it even weighs more than just a door so you’d think they’d get removed in the name of fuel economy :)

Seats for midgets

    A word of warning: avoid economy class in Cathay Pacific’s new Airbus A330s if you’re tall. I’m 6’2″ and the seat on the right is designed for people classified as midgets from my point of view. The problem lies in the unadjustable, molded-to-shape seat back, pictured on the right, lower part of the photo. Unfortunately, with my height, the seat ends way too soon and the molded upper part jabs me somewhere around my shoulder blades. The head rest becomes an awkward neck rest and the whole contraption is uncomfortable as hell. Worst I’ve ever experienced. It took four pillows and two blankets to cover it sufficiently to just survive.

Does Finland have to be 100% more expensive?

    While in New Zealand earlier this month, I ate at Subway a couple of times when in a hurry. The following points struck me as somewhat unfair:

  • The prices, as numbers, were more or less the same as in Finland. The problem: 1 Euro = approximately 2.08 New Zealand dollars, meaning it was >50% cheaper in NZ.
  • When you order a meal, you get two cookies instead of one like in Finland.
  • Soft drinks come with free, unlimited refills, unlike the different sizes you have to pay for varying amounts over here.

    • *hmph* Is it only our God-forsaken location way up here near the North Pole that gives us such ridiculous prices? Or could it involve some lack of competition also?