What are the motifs in Small World by David Lodge?

Travel is a recurring idea. Much of Small World takes place in London's Heathrow Airport and the web of local and international airports that get the academic community to its diverse conferences. The hubbub, confusion, frustration, tedium and impersonality of the terminals and aircraft are aptly depicted, in an era before 9/11 and the emphasis on security. One character, an airline employee, is an individualist, paying attention to nice travelers and assigning them to seats beside those who seem to be compatible, while relegating nasty travelers to terrible seats.