Travel Tech Q&A: Dodo's Larry Kestelman

You can't run a successful internet service provider in this country without a lot of air travel, and it's no different for Larry Kestelman, founder of Dodo.

Larry Kestelman
(Credit: Dodo)

What tech do you travel with and why?

My laptop, because the time I get on the plane gives me the chance to catch up on all my emails. When I land, and as soon as I can connect to the internet, I press send on all my emails and they go spreading around the world.

What tech do you miss from home?

My home automation pad, which works from my iPad and controls everything in the house. When I travel I have to re-adapt to the old world of the single remote!

Most memorable travel story/experience.

Being a boat lover, I would have to say travelling with friends on a boat around the Italian and French coasts would be by far my most memorable travel experience. You can't beat the combination of water, boats and friends.

Personal travel advice/tip?

Plan ahead as much as you can so that everything runs smoothly. Consider all the things that could go wrong because who knows — they might!

What was your biggest travel disaster?

It was a disaster which in the end was diverted. Cutting it short, a taxi driver in London stole my travel bags with all of my things — documents, money, laptop and a lot of valuables after he'd dropped us off at the airport. Our flight was leaving in three hours and the thought of trying to track down a London cabbie in the heart of London before we boarded was very stressful.

We managed to access a video recording of the cab driver from the hotel we were staying at and got security to rewind the tape and find out the driver's number plates. The police ended up finding him and making him return my possessions. Needless to say it was off to the station for him. It was a very interesting experience and a miracle the police found him.

What is the best airport you've visited and why?

Hong Kong — everything runs like clockwork. I love the fact that the airport actually extends out into the mainland city so you can check-in in town, hop on a train and just go straight to the gate without needing to worry about your bags or standing in queues.

What is your dream travel tech to have on planes/in airports/at hotels?

In this day and age I'd love for there to be internet wherever I go, especially on planes. Even though there's roaming internet, it's extraordinarily expensive and hard to keep in touch. Flights can be very long so it would be amazing if you could continue communicating with the world while on board.

In some ways it's good that there's down time, there are arguments for both; however, you do have the choice to switch it off. One internet connection around the world on one plan would be amazing.