London Heathrow, with its long queues, surly staff and clapped-out amenities, is the airport our readers most like to avoid.

A small plane on a scenic flight forced an Air New Zealand Airbus A320 to take evasive action over Auckland - terrifying passengers, who clung to their seats as the big plane sharply changed course.

Our early arrival - nearly two and a half hours before flying time so we might relax and have something to eat - was completely blown by the check-in.