With ticketing issues it's pretty much the wild west as many have pointed out. The OW comes into only pretty much with lounge access and boarding plus luggage limits. I'm a regular on QF to London and DFW so AA beyond that. Ocassionaly Cathay. Now Plat status is recognised on board only by QF and...

The only 'other' airline internationally would be someone like Emirates, Cathay or Singapore who all fly into the major capital cities with multiple frequencies. I'm One World Emerald and QFF Plat so Qantas is default setting but have a choice of OW. Local based is really Qantas with VA hanging o...

On that oft discussed terminal transfer, the free bus is the most painless. Otherwise bags and all down two sets of escalators to the train platform, navigating the entry gates at the station, and doing the same one stop later. Plus $6.70 lighter for a three minute ride. In a parallel universe or...

Look into The Biltmore in Mayfair. Not cheap by any means but for a special occasion it is worth it.

Continental Europe can be hit and miss and especially where English is less spoken. Bizarrely my personal experience has been a lot with easyjet between London and Madrid. Very efficient and with little problem unlike Iberia as you have found