HE MAKES it a point to bring noise-cancelling headphones on board planes so that he won't have to talk to the people seated next to him. The only time Claude Ringuet broke the silence was in 2001, when he discovered that his flight companion was none other than former tennis champion, Patrick Rafter.
Despite his unsociable behaviour on flights, Ringuet, an Australian who has been based in Singapore for the last five years, is far from reticent when talking about charity work.
The 36-year-old, who is an executive in a global consulting business, has worked with the Salvation Army on a regular basis and also shaved his head to raise awareness about cancer.
Come February next year, he will be spending eight days in the Arctic Circle with his own team of four wild husky dogs as part of Across The Divide, an event that hopes to raise funds for the global humanitarian organisation, Concern Worldwide. The funds raised will go towards reducing HIV cases in South-east Asia, as well as disaster recovery in Thailand, India and Bangladesh.
Which is your favourite airport?
I have two favourites actually. I'm not being biased here, but Changi Airport is pretty efficient and everything just works really well. The new Terminal 3 is fantastic - I fly to Sydney from there all the time. The second one which is very interesting is the domestic airport in Bora Bora, Tahiti. You fly in, and along both sides of the runway is pure white sand and crystal-clear water. It's not really efficient but I love it. It's so relaxing.
Ever had an airline or airport lose your luggage?
Every time I've lost my luggage, it's been in Heathrow Airport. In 1998, I waited two days for my luggage, which they said they would send to me but it never arrived. I had some pretty valuable stuff inside too, such as cameras and work documents. I got some compensation but it was the minimal amount they had to give. They seem to have quite a nasty habit of losing bags.
Which airlines do you think have the best food and service?
Singapore Airlines probably has the best food. The crew is very efficient and very friendly. At times, it can be a little too much - like when crew members wake you up to serve you food. The food they serve on Qantas Business Class is fantastic, too.
As for good service, there was once, on a flight from Singapore to London on Singapore Airlines that I couldn't get to sleep, so one of the crew members spent an hour talking to me and even brought out a bottle of champagne.
Ever had an interesting experience on a flight?
I've had really bad turbulence before on a flight from Sydney to Taiwan in 2002 on China Airlines. There was a typhoon off the coast of Taiwan and the turbulence was so bad that people who didn't have their seatbelts on hit their heads on the ceiling. A lot of people were sick on the plane as well.
In 2001, on my way from Sydney to Melbourne, I actually sat next to Patrick Rafter who used to be Australia's No. 1 tennis player. I recognised him immediately. We talked the whole way about him playing at Wimbledon and making the finals.
How do you handle jetlag?
I get jetlag only after long-haul flights, so when I go to Europe or the United States, I try to get a flight that lands at night. As soon as I get off the plane, I go for a walk or to the gym and have a light meal after that. By the next morning, I'm fine.
What do you always carry with you on flights?
I always carry noise-cancelling headphones. I'm not very sociable on planes. I'll just plug into the KrisFlyer Entertainment on Singapore Airlines so I can't hear anything but the music I'm listening to or the movie that I'm watching. I carry moisturiser as well because my skin dries very fast. I put it on before and during the flight. I also always take a good book with me.
Ever had your flight delayed?
I was flying from Singapore to New York and we had to stop over in Chicago which was snowed in. I sat around for four hours until I was told that the flight was going to leave the next morning instead. So I just found four chairs and slept on them. It didn't leave the next day either, so we ended up in a five-star hotel on Michigan Avenue which the airline paid for.
What drink do you always order on board?
I usually get mineral water and a glass of red wine, which helps me to unwind on the flight and get some good sleep.
What do you think of budget airlines?
Some of them, such as Jetstar, are very good. The only problem is that they don't get really good schedules. I wouldn't use them for business but for leisure, they're okay.
