Living Outside The Lines: Flying First Class, Up In The Sky

For our upcoming anniversary, my husband and I planned a trip to Canada. In thirty-two years of marriage we’d not had a honeymoon or a real vacation. We’ve traveled frequently, but never…

Becky J Miller | Exclusive to Corridor News

Sociology and Wikipedia tell us that social class is a set of subjectively defined concepts centered on models of social stratification where people are grouped according to hierarchical social categories such as upper, middle and lower classes.

In “real-speak” class distinctions boil down to those who have much money and those who do not. No matter how you slice it, people with money generally are afforded greater luxuries.

Seriously, no judgment, but truthfully, the amount of money in the bank determines whether we eat chicken or filet mignon, whether we shop at Saks Fifth Avenue or JCPenney, whether we wear Miss Me jeans or Levis, whether we drive a Porsche or a Chevrolet, and whether we vacation in Port Aransas or Cabo San Lucas. It is my humble opinion that class distinctions scream loudest when it comes to the airlines, and honestly it has been a source of great frustration for me. It is reasonable to say that in my lifetime I’ve flown a lot, always coach. When purchasing airline tickets my husband looks for the most direct, least expensive route. First class tickets generally cost twice as much as coach, and the intention has always been to arrive at our destination, without sacrificing our first-born child.

Still, I always look longingly at the first class passengers who are afforded a separate and shorter line at the airport check in counter, who are permitted to board the plane first without having to fight anyone for storage space, whose larger seats allow for more leg room, who are not forced to sit by a random stranger, who are served better food, and who only have to compete with twenty-five passengers for the bathroom, not 200!

For our upcoming anniversary, my husband and I planned a trip to Canada. In thirty-two years of marriage we’d not had a honeymoon or a real vacation. We’ve traveled frequently, but never with the sole purpose of fun and relaxation. I was already excited about spring break at Niagara Falls, and then my husband surprised me with an upgrade to FIRST CLASS tickets!!! I was OVER THE MOON!!

Does money buy happiness? Of course not, but boy did it make our 32^nd wedding anniversary trip just a little more spectacular. I’ll admit, being given the royal treatment was a treat, it didn’t help with the intrusive airport security check, but it sure made everything else so much more pleasant.

My favorite parts, were, well, all of it. I’m chronically impatient, so smaller/no lines were definitely a plus. These days, unless one flies first class, meals are served only on international fights. However, flying first class means a healthy (oatmeal, fresh fruit, organic yogurt) and delicious breakfast served on real china, with real glasses, real silverware, and cloth napkins!

Also, if one is so inclined, alcoholic beverages are complimentary to first class passengers. So, if you like mimosas with your oatmeal, go for it. And the seating arrangements? I like the window; my husband prefers the aisle, so guess what normally happens? You got it; I get stuck in the middle seat sandwiched between my appealing husband and some bad-breathed stranger. That uncomfortable situation doesn’t occur in first class though, because there is no third seat.

I warned my husband. I was already spoiled rotten in so many other ways. Now that I’ve flown first class there may be no turning back. Guess I better start buying lottery tickets to finance my new addiction.

Until Next Time,
Becky J. Miller
“Warrior Princess”

Becky J Miller is a contributor and is exclusive to SM Corridor News. You can read more of Becky’s columns in Lifestyle.