Business Class...Is it that different?

As Dorothy says, “this ain’t Kansas!” It begins when you check-in…you actually get to go past everyone to that empty line. Then you go to the pre-flight lounge – which ain’t your local cafeteria. In addition to tables with AC connections, you’ll find a buffet with such things as quiche, all manner of fruit, crackers and cheeses, various Asian dishes (after all, we’re flying Singapore Air), and – of course - a fully stocked bar with wine, beer, and whiskey.

-seats – no, Lazy Boy loungers (that recline into a nearly flat bed)

-Starship Enterprise(like) control panel

-14 inch video screen in the seat in front of you

-drinks before takeoff

-a hot towel to wash your face

-drinks after you take off

-cloth hand towels in the lavatory

-A/C outlet for your laptop

-a light over your shoulder so you don’t have to disturb the person next to you

-booties so you can take your shoes off and not stink up the cabin

-eye shades for sleeping

-row mates who own their own business (mine was Danish, lives in Laguna Beach and owns a furniture company – yep, he’s been to Grand Rapids and Holland.

-row mates who own their own business who buy expensive jewelry from the catalog

-dinner that is cooked on board

-drinks with your dinner (did I mention they serve Guinness?!)

-desert choices from fresh fruit, to an assortment of cheese and crackers, to ice cream

-after dinner drinks

-a hot (scented) towel to wash up after dinner

-audio/video: news feeds to video games, movies (80 of them!) to sports documentaries (big surprise - I watched a preview of the 2010 Ryder Cup venue in Wales)

Seriously, it’s like transforming your living room into a first class restaurant/theater with two people waiting on you hand and foot. Occasionally I’ve had the thought…oh, there are a couple hundred other people on this plane somewhere… “must be down in the hold”