Here's a choice for your mode of transport for getting from Luang Prabang in central Laos to Chang Mai in northern Thailand.
(a) One hour on a plane; or
(b) Three days on bus and river boat?
Extreme cash shortages aside, it's obvious, isn't it?
Until you learn that Lao Airlines is reputed to have a dubious safety record.
'Crashed in Mountain Fog' screams the web headline.
'Cartwheeled Off Runway in High Winds' reads the International Air Safety report.
'Death, death, death' says the little voice in the back of your head as your cursor hovers over the booking confirmation button. It was with some trepidation therefore, that we boarded the twin prop at Luang Prabang Airport.
My seat wouldn't stay upright, squashing the knees of the Swiss lady in the row behind. Definitely not a good sign.
The window was a bit scratched. 'Has this plane done any cartwheels recently?', I tried to ask the stewardess.
Turbulance shortly after take off. 'THIS PLANE IS GOING DOWN!!!' I screamed to the bemused passengers as I clawed desperately at the door release handle.
A nice coffee and a tasty muffin later and I was asking Clare why BA couldn't provide such a quality service.
Eight crashes in eleven years say the statistics; but dig a little deeper and you find that they're all the Chinese made Y-12 aircraft operated by Lao Airlines for internal domestic flights. The French built ATR-72 used for international flights has a perfect safety record; better than the Qantas gold standard.
The moral of the story?
Fly Lao Airlines and if it goes wrong, blame the Chinese.
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