A while back I promised I would tell you more about flying first class. As I prepare for my coach flight o Minnesota I find myself reflecting back on that experience so here it is.
If you haven't done it before, you really should give it a try if you ever have the opportunity. I was totally pampered for the whole flight. Before we even took off the flight attendant was taking drink orders--oh, and there was no big clanky cart for us--no, the flight attendant (her name was Joan) took our orders and went up to the galley, prepared them, and brought them back on a little tray. No little alcohol bottles for us--our drinks were made for us and served in glass glasses, not plastic.
As soon as it was safe for the flight attendants to be out of their seats they were taking drink orders again. I have to confess I didn't order a drink the first time around because I wasn't sure of the protacol and my seat partner (who REALLY didn't want to talk) wasn't ordering anything so I just waited and watched. No money was changing hands so I decided there must not be a charge. I wouldn't have minded paying for a drink but my money was in my briefcase and I didn't want to have to be digging for it. Anyway, I finally ordered something to drink as Joan came around asking if we would like mixed nuts. She had a stack of little ceramic bowls with perfectly straight sides so they would stack comfortably. I said I would like some and she put the little bowl on my tray and it was hot--so were the nuts! They were wonderful! Oh, and there wasn't a peanut to be found in those mixed nuts. No, just cashews, hazelnuts, and pistachios--how lovely. Then it got better. She came back around with little hot towels to wipe our greasy little fingers on. How cool is that?
As Joan came around to pick up our little towels, she told us our choices for dinner. I opted for the croissant with ham and cheese. It came on a tray with a tiny tablecloth on it. The sandwich was on a glass plate with a salad that had an artichoke heart, Greek olive, and a lovely Greek dressing. There was real silverware and a tiny, little wine glass which Joan was more than happy to refill as often as we wanted with the wine she carried in napkin-wrapped bottles.
Oh, and the seats were butter-soft leather, wide enough to be comfortable and far enough apart to be able to have at least six inches between my knees and the seat in front of me. That meant the seats could actually recline quite a ways without interfering with the person behind. It was more like I remember airplanes being when I first flew 30 years ago. No, the seats weren't leather but they were five across where they are now six across and there was leg room so the seats could recline enough to notice the difference.
The final luxury was a plate of chocolate chip cookies still hot from the oven. I don't think they were reheated because they were still soft and gooey in the middle but even if that was the case, they tasted freshly made and that really is all that counts, isn't it?
After such a lovely meal and a couple of Baileys, I leaned back and napped for the last half of the trip. It was quiet and.....I don't know how to say this but it had to do with not feeling surrounded by people. There was enough "breathing room" that I didn't feel I couldn't move.
I may never be content to fly coach again and the good news is that I know I will have enough money to fly first class whenever I really want to. It's only money, after all, right? If you ever get the chance, take advantage of it.
Enjoy!
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