On my trip to Switzerland and Germany this February, a thing happened which has not happened for a long time: I could fly business class (mostly because it was more than four hours long). The last time this happened was around 2002, when I was flying back and forth to Europe monthly for business.
I know what you are thinking: "Ah TB, what a sacrifice." I am here to stand in that gap for my readers.
Seat upon arrival:
Fancy plug and "essentials" kit:
Entertainment screen. For these long flights, I find tend to catch up on "movies I have not seen in the past year".
Dinner Menu:
White wine. Real glass:
Nifty reading lights:
Hot towel for hand and face wiping. These seem almost ubiquitous now, where before they were only on Japanese flights.
The "lay flat" seating arrangement. This is an amazing thing - for one of the first times ever, I got actual hours of sleep (instead of short minutes):
Pre-dinner snack:
Dinner:
Dessert, which was a cheese plate. I wish cheese plates would catch on more. They are delicious.
Breakfast:
Well thanks for for giving we Hoi Polloi the chance to see what the 1% get flying TB..........:)
ReplyDeleteNylon12, I am here to sacrifice on your behalf...
DeleteI have never experienced business class, or really any class other than cattle class. But once the kids have flown the nest, I have resolved to try it out on longer flights anyway when it is just two tickets.
ReplyDeleteEd, through the magic of credit card points, we had business class on our flight to Cambodia through Singapore. With a 17 hour flight, the ability to lay down and sleep made a huge difference upon our arrival - we could contemplate taking a city tour and walking around the airport instead of just collapsing into a chair until the next flight leg.
DeleteI always heard first class had fire places and butlers. Now I know that's probably understated.... ;)
ReplyDeleteAh STxAR, this is not first class, this is business class - a step down. First class was ahead of us in the cabin, a magical location we could not see (but obviously with fireplaces and butlers).
DeleteI swore after my last trip to Europe that somehow, some way, I would fly business class next time. That next time is yet to happen, but I strongly suspect when it does, I will be unable to keep that promise to myself. But I am happy for you.
ReplyDeleteBob, it is pricey (thus, my ability to do so because it met the company's requirements for such a trip). But I do have to say that I arrived in my trans-shipment point (Frankfurt) and was able to competently work a half day rather than being so exhausted that I could not muster a thought. In that sense, it was worth it.
DeleteOh my gosh, of course it was worth it. I am accustomed to arriving at my overseas destinations exhausted due to my lack of sleep. I don't travel in my job, so no chance my employer would foot the bill. But again, happy for you!
DeleteIronically, prior to this the last time I traveled overseas for business was over twenty years ago. Given the cost, I suspect I will not get to go on this sort of adventure again for a while.
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