Business Class

I shouldn’t have done it. I knew it would be good; I just had no idea how good. When I booked my flight to Bali (using frequent flier miles) I cashed in a few extra and booked the last half of my flight in business class. Mistake. Huge, huge mistake. I fly economy a lot, and I have a feeling that I will now resent it. A lot.
It started with check in in Denpasar. I was able to skip the really, really long line and go to the special Thai Airways Royal Silk line. Nice. My bag was underweight, as you get 32 kilograms in business class rather than 20 in economy. I was also handed a pass for the “Prada Lounge” where I could wait for my flight. Of course I went to the lounge. There was plenty of free food, free internet and a reflexology station. And showers. I passed on the showers, and instead ate the noodles.
As I headed for the gate, I found myself feeling, well, a little entitled. Being called to the front of the line didn’t help. Nor did the orange juice I was served when I arrived at my seat. The OJ was followed by a hot towel and magazines, and then a menu for my four course in-flight meal. As the plane ascended to cruising altitude, I reclined my chair to a semi-recumbent position and put on the complimentary noise-cancelling headphones. By this time I was ready for my second hot towel of the flight and my snack that came before the pre-meal warm snack. I decided to put on my comfort socks and kicked back and watched a movie on the really big screen in the seat in front of me. Lunch arrived – shrimp and scallops, salad, chicken in soy sauce, and hot rolls served twice by the flight attendants. After lunch, they broke out the cheese tray with fresh fruit before serving a coconut tart for dessert. As we circled the airport before landing, I wasn’t even slightly disappointed that we had to circle for an extra few minutes. I welcomed it.
This phenomena repeated itself as I flew from Bangkok to Guangzhou. I got off the plane knowing that it would probably be a while before I flew business class again. Although, now that I have lived it, I feel more willing to pay for it. Or pray for an upgrade. Please, let me be upgraded. I can’t go back to coach.