[Previous entry: "A Healthy Skepticism"] [Next entry: "Really Personal"]
05/09/2007: "Upwardly Mobile"
I have had the fortune to travel a bit in my life. Since I lived in Austria for 3 years traveling extensively and have been bouncing to Germany these past six months, I have been on quite a few flights. But I have never upgraded to business or first class, until this recent trip. In the past, I have always squeezed into Economy with the rest of the crowd, grateful for a few peanuts and a glass of juice. I am usually not interested in the movie, but for nothing else to do, I crane my head around the person in front to try and make out the video on a bad screen many aisles away.
Through a series of fortunate events, this last trip home from London to San Francisco (10 hours) I was able to fly business class. It soon became obvious to me why they call it “class.” When I got my ticket, instead of telling me a gate he told me which lounge to report to. Sometimes I had seen those double glass doors hidden away and never knew what lay behind. As I walked in, I was greeted by a nice receptionist who checked my ticket and told me she would let me know when the plane was ready. Inside was a plush lounge with leather chairs, beautiful tables, office setups, Web stations, magazine racks, food and drink. As I sat there enjoying all of these amenities, I kept thinking any minute someone would tell me I was in the wrong place.
An announcement came for my plane with instructions of where to go. As I arrived at the gate, I walked with my other classmates passed the crowd that was starting to cue up and those trying to sleep in the small uncomfortable chairs. We had a separate entrance and went right in. I arrived at my seat and fell in love. Here was a full recliner with personal entertainment center. As I sat and played with the various controls I was greeted with a tray of drinks. I set it on the little spot on my armrest and continued to explore. The pocket in front had a goodie bag with eye mask, earplugs, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc. And there was a flat panel screen that came up from my armrest and allowed me to watch up to three of the six movies that ran continuously.
Once in flight, I reclined the seat (which went all the way down) and raised the leg rest. I then noticed that the pillow and blanket were also upgraded. As I drifted off to sleep, I thought about the folks where I usually sit.
glad it worked out for u will try again
Just recently, on our trip to China, we were so lucky to get on 'First Class" it was a 15 hour flight, I had my own living cornner, sipping champange before take-off, saw all the latest movies. 
Didn't even think about the folks in coach. 