Sweet

But, sadly, the generosity espoused is only ever one way. Airlines are not known for reciprocating such tenderness of thought towards their passengers.

Last month bad weather prevented me from getting over the Pennines - the Alps of England - to get my flight at Manchester. I lost my ticket, no refund. The airline wasn't Lufthansa, but I have no reason to believe LH would have behaved in a more generous way.

My travel insurance paid up, so I lost only the excess I am obliged to cover myself.

Lufthansa is fully able to insure against the risks associated with bad weather. Most likely it choses not to, and covers its risks in full. But whether it is insurance premiums or compensation payouts, provision for costs associated with bad weather should be wired into the airline's business plan. To urge us to give the airline a break from its obligations to us is as sensible as asking us to leave bags at home to save fuel costs.