Dear Reader

WE ALL do irksome things when travelling. Some, however, are worse than others. My biggest bugbear? Passengers who are on their feet before the plane has even come to a stop.

I flew back from Portland, Oregon (pictured) last week and half the plane popped up almost as soon as we touched down at Heathrow and began taxiing along the rain-sodden runway.

Within seconds, the aisles were swarming with passengers squashed against one another and bashing strangers on the head with suitcases pulled down from the overhead lockers.

Why do some people feel the need to stand and queue immediately after the plane lands — even when they’re 30 rows deep? Psychology must have some part to play. Is it the subconscious desire to get the flight over and done with? Or an illusion of regaining control?

For me, unless you have a pressing flight connection, or a real need to stretch your legs, there’s no excuse; you should linger a little longer in your seat.

We should look to other countries on this matter. In Mexico, for example, rows disembark one by one and passengers are sternly told off by cabin crew when disobeying. It makes for a much more civilised affair.

After all, each of us have loved ones to see, comfy beds calling our names and meetings to rush off to.

Another bugbear we can all agree on is the astronomical increases in prices at certain times of the year — such as during the Easter holidays, with some families paying up to six times more for flights to hotspots compared to the week after.

Our cover story this week provides you with a definitive guide to dodging these sky-high prices during the peak seasons — just remember to stay seated in the plane when landing at your chosen destination.