What an interesting and bewildering start to my holiday. I am travelling with my friend Caroline whom I met on the Sicily photography trip. We shared a taxi from my house and had a fairly straightforward run to Heathrow. This was not the same for one couple on the trip. They were caught in a jam on the M25 caused by climate protestors on the motorway gantry. As such they missed the flight and had to fly out via Madrid the following day.

When I booked the holiday I intended to fly out to Cuba with Virgin. However due to operational challenges they pulled out of Cuba and I am now flying with Air France. I had a good deal – business out and premium back via Paris. I was happy enough with this but the reality was a nightmare.

We boarded the flight which was very full. The steward roughly pulled my backpack out of the overhead locker and said ”Oo duz ziz belong too?” I said me and could he please put it back as it had a lot of valuable camera equipment in it. He then proceeded to grab Caroline’s bag and again we said please do not put those bags at the front of the plane. At this stage he could easily have politely asked if maybe we could put them under the seats in front of us and we would have done this if asked courteously. However there was no opportunity. He shoved the bags back in the locker, slammed it shut, held up both thumbs, glared at us and said “Thank you both so much for your co-operation.” We were stunned. How very rude. Anyway we continued chatting and texting our tour group with some amusing pre-holiday banter. The steward conducted his safety briefing but glared at Caroline throughout it. He then came over, leant over the seats and said ”Have you got a problem with me? Are you laughing at me?” We said no. We were texting friends and nothing to do with him. Caroline started to explain to him that this was pretty appalling customer service and looked for his name tag at which stage he said” Not one more word. You are flying to Cuba, aren’t you? If you disrespect me any more I shall get the police to escort you off the plane in Paris.” You can imagine our surprise. It was intimidating and frightening and very upsetting. He continued to glare at us throughout the flight.

When we tried to board the next flight in Paris our boarding passes did not work. We were pulled to one-side and given a lecture on Air France’s policy on disruptive passengers. We were told to behave on the next flight and on this occasion would be allowed aboard. What the hell just happened? Absolute power being used abusively. Nothing we could do but suck it up. There will be a long letter of complaint from us.

Interestingly a man on our return flight recognised us. He said he had witnessed what had transpired and has never seen anything like it. He has given us the VIP number for customer services at Air France and is happy to be a witness to what happened. He said he told the steward to leave us alone and stop glaring. Never in all my years of flying have I experienced anything like this. Clearly the steward had some serious issues and was spoiling for a fight.

The rest of our journey was uneventful. I was concerned that my passport would be stamped which would necessitate obtaining a full visa for future travel to the US but the stamp now goes on the back of your tourist card. Phew!

The drive from the airport took about 40 minutes. The hotel is new and on the waterfront in Havana. We met our tutor Matt and the rest of the group over drinks at the bar. I roll up to bed at 01.40 and am pleased with my room – way better than I expected. I sleep soundly. Beer and Cuba libres have that effect…