Virtually unknown outside his native Romania, with a perfectly pencil-thin mustache and a voice that flutters in mid-air, Siminica packed cafes and clubs in Bucharest in the 1960s.

NPR: A Suave Romanian Sings the Falsetto Blues

But if you've had your fill of security checks, Space Mountain-size ticketing lines and the general cattle-call atmosphere of major airports, smaller air-transit hubs are packed with sweet surprises and can make for a less stressful and, dare we say it, far more pleasurable trip.

WSJ: Instant-Upgrade Airports

There is not one case of transmission on our sardine-packed public-transport system or through the air-conditioning systems in office buildings.

ECONOMIST: Preferential treatment

It took the jury just under three hours to reach their unanimous verdicts which were greeted with muted cheers and air-punches by family and friends of Ms Martin in the packed public gallery.

BBC: Millie Martin murder: Barry McCarney found guilty