Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

There are some things in life that an explanation just cannot possibly do justice. However, you know me, I’m never short for a word or two so I’ll certainly give this challenge a crack. Right now, at this very minute I am travelling on Etihad’s new Dreamliner (it’s a cool plane, for those not in aviation) and in business class. I suppose I should explain where we are going, but I’ll get to that in the next blog because right now I’ve got 14 hours of investigating to do.

Backing up a bit, Dave and I, some would say are a little indecisive at times, have spent the last few months procrastinating as to whether to fly economy or business. My airline industry friends ‘gently’ encouraged me to experience this once in a lifetime trip. So here we are.

Shortly after getting escorted to our seats, next to each other in the middle of the plane with raisable divider between, we were greeted with a glass of champagne -and i’m guessing they actually mean the real stuff. Dave, starts to investigate the functionality of all of the buttons. Here’s what my insider source has to say: the button that controls the seats allow the seat to move forward or back toward the foot rest. The seat itself has massaging functionality and ability to alter lumber support and cushion softness. It has multiple reclining options depending if you’re sitting, eating, sleeping, taking off – yes they’re all different. There’s no above the head reading light, but there are three other lights that have four options for dimming. The safety belt is cushioned, the chair has a large cushion and quality fluffy blanket. The compartment has a chair, detached foot rest both of which form a full length flat bed. There’s three tables, one that converts out of the wall, a side table and a bedside table. There’s s huge personal touchscreen tv and remote control, with a function that allows me to call Dave on the telephone, or message him through the tv – yes we’re sitting next to each other, and yes we’ve tried. In my “bedside table drawer” there’s an overnight amenities kit complete with socks, eye pillow, ear buds, toothbrush, and many types of creams for all occasions. My LUXE amenities kit is different to Dave’s, as there are 6 to collect – obviously. Personally, I was happy with the bathroom’s face mist that I swear carries the beautiful fragrant smell throughout the cabin. There’s all this, and then there’s the food. So I mentioned the champagne before take off, well before dinner are more drinks offered and warmed nuts….

Just after take off, the ‘Food and Beverage Manager’ explains to me I may choose to eat at a time that best suits me – as if he needs to be concerned I’m might get ‘hang-ry’. He asks me if I’ve eaten tonight, I tell a white lie and say no as I want to start trying it all immediately! There are 4 options each for entree, main, dessert. There’s cheese and fruit on top of that and an additional menu just “in case”. Even though I’ve just ordered champagne to accompany my warmed nuts, I take my waiters suggestion with wine on offer. He suggest the New Zealand Sav for entree but Chardonnay for main and an aperitif for dessert. It seems as though even waiters know when my face says “I don’t like Chardonnay but don’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth”, so he suggested a TASTING PLATE – I was surprised to see tasting meant real wine glasses filled from an award winning wine menu. What can I say to that? I’ll tell ya… I said “I’m not getting off this plane”!

Fortunately the compartments of business allow for full privacy, which is wonderful as once the food came, I embarrassingly became a bit trigger happy. The private dining table is folded down, complete with white linen table cloth and cloth for the tummy. The tray that the food is served on is metal with lots of silver dishes and real silver cutlery. At one point, I had nearly finished my real champagne, had a white wine, tasting glasses, sparkling water – that’s a lot of glasses considering I didn’t think we were allowed glass! I had an Arabic mezze for entree and Dave had smoked ocean trout – good portion sizes too. As the four mains, Dave had sauté gnocchi and pan fried barramundi for me, and, all food is freshly cooked. In addition to the warm dinner roll and butter, the Waiter serves a full selection of warm bread (the butter is even served in another little silver bowl – as opposed the the plastic containers down with the ‘double digit’ seated passengers). Although I really wanted to keep working my way down the menu, I just can’t fit any more. It’s time to put on the Etihad P.Js and slippers on in the extra large bathroom, return to my flat bed complete with turn down, watch a movie with full surround sound ear phones…… And guess what – I’m relaxed! Proved you wrong Mum, it’s possible!

Well, sort of. I have only slept for two hours because I’m far too excited for that, it’d be a waste to sleep when there is so much to do in 14hours. Dave woke up after 6 Hours, and I was missing. I felt too bad to use the call button, so went to the kitchen to talk with the lady about my wifi on my iPad – and no, it wasn’t on work emails, just an email to home. At that point in the kitchen, I had to disclose to the Etihad staff that I was in the industry, which probably explained why someone in business class had an iPad sticky taped together to hold in the glass. Anyway, I got into a lengthy chat about my favourite place in the world (India), aviation, and Dreamliners. I had to get to the bottom of what this beautiful smell in the cabin was – air fresher, the fancy kind. Here’s a couple of other cool things I learnt. The gentle hum of the plane is actually artificial. The Dreamliner is so quiet that it was making guests paranoid. The air-conditioner has a humidifier to reduce jet lag and dryness. The seats are made from Farari leather. Although the 737 is smaller than the A330, the business class seats in the 737 are bigger. We were lucky enough to get a tour of the first class after we landed. It’s really quite lonely, or personal – depending on which way you look at it. The chairs have the same functionality as business, but bigger. The main difference is they are in individual suites, with Arabic inspired screens providing guests with full privacy even though the screen doesn’t go to the ceiling.

Etihad – your goal was to make flying reimagined. You have certainly achieved that; from the lady at check in who so despretly was hoping she could find us a seat and graciously accepted my hug when we were ‘confirmed’, to the Food and Beverage Manager who treated us like royalty and to the ladies who delivered us a special, off-the-menu breakfast creation (matched with “quote” an extra special pink champagne / not in the menu). I think the timing of that treat worked out perfectly because we still had time for a full breakfast with proper cafe coffee …. Hate to say it, but getting very full now…

Although I said I’d never get used to business, I quite like being referred to as Mrs Morton or madam, albeit slightly uncomfortable when pampering your face with a warm, rose infused towel served to you on a silver soap dish while the double digits are walking past during boarding. When we boarded 14 hours ago, the F&B manager promised ‘this first timer’ would get a once in a life time, trip to remember – he was right. Just when you think that’s it, the team were so kind, they bought me into the kitchen to give me handmade thank you card. I honestly can’t fathom after a trip like this as to why they would be thanking me, but they said it was because I was smily and appreciative. They also made me a blank card to give to Dave for his birthday, and a card to mum and dad as I said I was writing to them. This experience has literally been ‘flying reimagined’.

Just over 18 hours ago I rushed home from work, packed in 3 minutes had a ‘shower in a can’ and got to the airport only to wait to see if we got on. At the end of this journey, I’m feeling relaxed, content, a tad bit spoilt, happy, thankful and thoroughly looking forward to the onward journey with my best mate.