Flying In A Class of One’s Own

I've done my share of flying and have found that sleeping in an airplane is like doing gymnastics in a gravel pit. Everything is lumpy and grating and in the morning your joints are so stiff they feel like they are wrapped in duct tape. I recently had my first business class flight with Qantas. It was an unusual perk and truly lovely. I classify the length of an airplane trip by the number of movies I can watch. Across Canada, from BC to Ontario say, is a two-feature stint. To London, England – at least four. On the Qantas flight from Los Angeles to Brisbane I used a term borrowed from the Tour de France and reserved for the longest, steepest, mountain climbs - “Beyond Classification.” There were 60 movies to choose from as well as 200 TV programs, 20 radio channels, 150 CD’s, a moving map and 10 interactive games.   Before boarding, my husband and I were already getting conditioned to comfort by spending our waiting time in the First Class Lounge. That was a nice touch because we could pass the two hour wait in the exclusive Business Qantas club - lovely snacks, wines, internet, newspapers and soft, plush leather chairs. Nice to be away from the all the clamour and crowds.   Aboard the Qantas jumbo we were escorted to our Skybed cabin. There were three rows, only seven seats wide, with spacious aisles. The sleeping pod/seat had a 21 cm screen on the back of every seat for the multi channel entertainment options. The noise cancellation headset blocked out every bit of noise and left you in perfect peace and quiet. Each seat had a personal telephone, text messaging, massager and laptop power outlet. The private cabin light adjusted to interior ambience that immediately relaxed one. If there was any tension left, the subtle massage feature took care of it – what a massage. We watched a video on how the “chair” converted by push button to a full, flat bed with various positions in-between. It was fun to test ride every possible configuration. We could take off our shoes and store them in a bin and pull on the socks provided by Qantas. Jackets hung up on jacket on a retractable coat hook.     And then there was the menu.   “Ah, madam, I see you have chosen the snapper poached in coconut milk with garam masala, fragrant rice and snow peas. Neil Perry designed meals are such a delight. May I suggest a wine to complement?” Such fun playing the grand dame. Because our flight was more than eight hours we chose our breakfast so that it would be ready we awoke. Each guest was give a Marc Newson designed amenity kit with products from Ultraceutical, cotton knitted socks, eyeshades and even Peter Morrissey pyjamas if you so wished. I knew nothing of the Ultracelutical products from Australia but they were incredible. I am still hoarding the tube of Ultra ACE Eye and Lip Treatment Serum with Retinol, Vitamin C & E,Hyaluronan, AHA and Caffeine.   When we reached Brisbane we got to deplane first and our bags were among the first to be ready for collection. There was a moment of guilt as I looked at the other weary passengers waiting, for we were the chosen few. My wish was that each and every one of them could have at least one go at business class so they would have some idea of the other half lives. We’ll be with the crowd again soon. Lian Couper

 

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