"Turning Left"

So, what is all this fuss about flying Business Class.....otherwise known as "Turning Left" as you board the plane?

We were really interested to see if our experience measured up to the hype.....if the experience really is a world away from that of "self-loading-freight" class where it can be quite an endurance test on long haul flights.

 From the outset, everything was plush...so plush that we sort of looked at each other sheepishly as if to say...should we be here? The Business Class facilities at the airport kept us fed and entertained (watching activities on the tarmac) while we waited to board. From the lounge to the loo (with showers and cloth hand towels) it was all as "flash as a rat with a gold tooth!"
A range and varieties of food and nibbles, a well appointed bar, a business centre and leather lounges to, well, "lounge" in. Certainly a different experience to waiting at the gate.

We had priority boarding and then we were directed to our seats and .....oh man...this is what greeted us. A little personal cocoon (we had the love-seat style) two screens each, mini bar, elbow room, electric flat bed seat, personal attention and unlimited supplies of food and drink in the dedicated bar at the back of the Business Class section.....oh baby!!

Can you imagine Mike and I in the middle of the night (well 8.00am Sydney time) on that couch to the left sipping double Baileys on ice?

We all had a really comfortable flight (as you can gather form this) and we all agreed that entertainment system was fantastic, the meals terrific, nibbles, drinks, noise cancelling headphones and well appointed pamper packs made the experience even more special. 

But the very best thing, the piece de resistance was being able to lie flat with a special mattress and sleep.....oh joy....because, on aeroplanes, sleep is hard to come by .......and, at best, is an uncomfortable trial that comes in "fits-and-starts" in "cattle class."
So for me it is 13/10 for the seating alone because we all got pretty good sleep ......some of us  a bit more than others.

Little things like proper cutlery and linen and  delicate plates of hot nuts with your drink. No food trolley...instead you make an order which is brought to you on a tray......and it was mighty fine. Delicious food, any number of fancy scotches and nice wine to choose from.....better than the clean skins at home!

And guess what?.....the on board loo had cloth hand towels as well which is impressive......and a window to look out of!

So, is "Turning Left" all that it is cracked up to be? ......hell yes!......and more.

It is horrendously expensive for ordinary people but it actually takes the drudgery and pain out of air travel. Your holiday begins when you board the aircraft, not when you arrive at your destination after suffering the experience of getting there.

In the end you are still in a highly unnatural environment, cooped up in a narrow,  highly pressurised aluminium tube at 40,000 ft travelling at mach .86 for hours and hours.... but if that is what you have to do, then Business Class certainly ensures you do it in comfort and style. 

In short, as an ex-teacher and ex-nurse we would never have been able to afford it ourselves and having had the experience, it is now going to be very, very ....very difficult to "Turn Right" when boarding  plane in the future!