First Class

• A word of advice: do not fly first class unless you can afford to do so on a regular basis. Flying coach isn’t all that bad until you know what you’re missing. And you’re missing a lot.
  

• Company policy allows for first class travel on flights longer than 5 hours, so I got to fly 1st on my way to London. I usually dread airports but when you fly first everything is just so much more enjoyable and stress-free. My ticket granted me access to the Admiral’s Club, where the carrot sticks were in ample supply and the Diet Cokes were flowing—all free of charge. My definition of heaven!
  

• Because first class has its own check-in, I breezed through security and had time to lounge for a bit in the club until my flight boarded. Of course the first class passengers get on the plane first, which was good because my flight was packed. Once I got on the plane, I found my window seat right up front. I knew it was going to be comfortable (it fully reclined) but I was still surprised by just how roomy it was. Even with my legs fully stretched out my toes couldn’t reach the seat in front of me!
  

• My flight was two hours delayed getting off the ground, and the person sitting next to me struck up a conversation. He turned out to be such an interesting character we kept on chatting straight through dinner until we both fell asleep. During our 4 hour chat I learned Dan is a native New Yorker who went to London for a two year assignment.... and decided to stay for another 20! I took this as a very good omen. Dan gave me fantastic suggestions of things to do and places to see, all things you're not likely to find in the Fodors guide. The hours disappeared while we talked, and before I knew it we had landed in London.