Sometimes Business Class is Just Necessary

Business class is a whole other world of travelling. It takes the base airplane amenities and then multiplies them by a factor of about 200. It's remarkable, really. I had more leg room than I knew what to do with, and I couldn't really sleep because I was always being offered champagne and food. Sounds like a hard life, but it's really not.

Cairo -> Amsterdam

The Cairo Airport seems miles ahead of many other airports in that it offers free wireless throughout. It's so convenient that showing up 6 hours before your flight isn't really that bad.

I boarded the plane and for the first time I was led into the business class cabin. This was followed by a bit of shock and awe, as I tried to comprehend the space between my seat and the one in front of me. Then I spotted the remote control for the chair ... and the private video console ... and the controller for said video console ... and the giant list of movies ... and the free champagne before takeoff. This was bound to be a decent flight. The flight attendant handed me a menu, at which I started drooling over. Smoked salmon at every meal. You can't go wrong with that.

I tuned into the movie 300, tilted my chair into a comfortable reclining position, and sipped champagne until breakfast came. Scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit, smoked salmon, cheese, potatoes, croissants, juice, champagne, a cinnamon bun...tasty.

Amsterdam Airport

I had received an invitation to the business lounge upon check-in at the Cairo Airport, so I was definitely looking forward to seeing what one of these was like. Turns out the one I was in was a bit crowded, but more surprisingly, Amsterdam Airport does not seem to offer free wireless. Go Cairo! However, the business lounge did sport a fully-stocked bar that was all free.

Amsterdam -> Chicago

I wasn't in the highest class this time, but all that meant was that I sat in the very front of the plane (where the cabin kind of forms a "V"). It was our own little room and there was probably about 10 people in there max. The same footroom was available, but this particular class lacked the giant movie listing and remote-controlled chair.

The food, however, was impressive. In business class, you don't get cheap plastic containers with food in them. No sir. You get a white cloth placed before you, with an appetizer course, a main course, and a dessert. All of which are on glass plates. Smoked salmon and champagne was again the order of the day. I don't think I could ever get sick of that.

Chicago Airport

Oh man, what a mess. I could tell I was in the USA about 30 seconds after stepping off the plane. Security guards were being very forceful in there speech, and the accent was just so prevalent. It took about an hour to get from where I arrived to where I currently am, waiting for my flight to Calgary.

The next flight is economy, so I don't expect anything special.