I always thought I didn't like to fly. What I learned on this trip was that I don't like to fly economy. In business class (and presumably first class) it's a whole other experience.

The tickets we had could be upgraded to first class on domestic flights or business class on international flights if there was space available. And on my flight from Los Angeles to London there was space available.

What's the difference between business class and economy?

· In business class a flight attendant asks if she can hang your coat.

· In economy you try and shove it in the overhead bin.

· In business class you have all the space you could ever want.

· In economy you are crammed into an area with no leg room.

· In business class you get real food.

· In economy you get something that has yet to be identified.

· In business class you travel.

· In economy you are transported.

I got on board and a flight attendant asked if she could hang my coat. Wow! What a surprise! As I sat down and was getting settled in, another flight attendant came around to ask if I'd like a glass of orange juice or champagne before we took off. How can you refuse an offer like that?

The seats were spacious. There was room both front and back and side to side. I could actually stretch my legs out in front of me without touching the seat ahead. When you tilted the seat back, it actually went BACK...not just an inch or two, but way back. Leg and foot rests allowed you to sit back in comfort, like a lounge chair in the sky.

Once we were airborne, a flight attendant came around again to offer drinks and nuts. By now she had my name, so it was "what would you like to drink, Ms. Duda?" The nuts were not the standard packet of peanuts they hand out in economy, but instead a glass dish with mixed nuts (cashews, almonds, walnuts, and not a peanut in the bunch).

Another flight attendant came around with menus and took our dinner orders. The filet mignon was quite nice! I'll scan the menu and put it in here later. Along with dinner, of course you needed something to drink. You had your choice of wine or other beverages. The dessert offerings included fruit and cheese or chocolate cheesecake. There was port to go with dessert and Starbuck's coffee for anyone who wanted it.

Before we landed there was breakfast -- you wouldn't want people to arrive in London hungry. They had choices of cereal or an omelet and steak.

In between meals you could relax and sleep or watch movies or read or whatever you liked. If you were bothered by the light you could take advantage of the eyeshade in the goody bag they provided. You could also find slippers, a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash, ear plugs, and hand lotion.

Oh yes, this is the only way to fly!

Coming home, I was brought back to reality. The flight was quite full and there was no room in business class. Another passenger said she would take another flight, going from London to San Francisco, then connecting to Los Angeles. The ticket agent checked and said the plane to San Francisco was even more crowded than the one to Los Angeles. Not only could they not guarantee the woman a place in business class, there was a good chance she wouldn't get on at all. She...and I...took our seats in the economy section. I was never more happy to land in Los Angeles!

London Scrapbook

Acknowledgement: Background from