Travel addicts know exactly what its like to plan a trip. So many considerations; manage a budget, get time off time (how much time, when is a good time), location, style of holiday, what to wear, how to pack....
I'm no different! For the last thirty years, I've ben an avid traveller - clocking up thousands of kilometres every year just to get to my destination. Some of my favourite trips have been last minute ones with little planning, and some of the most memorable have been where I was able to tack on a few days to a business trip.
I was fortunate to land a job many many years ago that afforded me the opportunity to travel for work which meant that not only did I clock up miles (and points), I rarely had to pay for my flights. But despite it being travel for business, I was never permitted to travel in business class (as per company policy), until I joined my current company.
For the past four years, I have been flying in business class (mostly) for my trips, of which there have been many! Business class, let me tell you - is special! There is a comfy lounge, loads of leg room, seats that become flatbeds, champagne, and little toiletry bags of nice things. And more champagne. Did I mention champagne?
My most recent trip, I won the sky lottery. I was upgraded to a FIRST CLASS apartment on Etihad Airways - just like another redhead Australian girl, Nicole Kidman.
Flying from Sydney to Berlin meant that my first class experience was of the long haul variety, 14hrs to Abu Dhabi, a couple of hours in the First Class Lounge, then another 8hrs to my destination. And return! For those 2 x 27hrs worth of travel - I was the ultimate princess rockstar sans attitude. Or maybe with just a little attitude, and a little bit of boast posting on social media. But just a little.
Flying Business and First Class on Etihad begins before you even arrive at the airport because it includes a chauffeur limousine to drive you to the airport where the check in process is red carpet all the way. I seriously regretted not buying a new outfit for the experience.
I enjoyed a glass or two of Bollinger in the Etihad Lounge in Sydney Airport pre flight, and once boarded and arrived at my seat (1A), a few more glass before take off. I was personally introduced to my chef (Darryl) and my lovely hostess (Amy) who continued to look after me and bring me amazing treats throughout the flight.
But let me tell you about my little space. Oh my! 1A was everything I thought it would be. A spacious little cabin with a wide beige leather chair the reclines completely to a flatbed. The space was so generous that I couldn't even stretch my legs to reach the other side. Admittedly I don't have the longest legs in the world, but you get the visual.
I watched movies on the big screen in my apartment. I drank more champagne and ate al la carte, the best Wagyu Steak I've ever had the pleasure of putting in my mouth.
I even had a shower - at 30,000 feet! Yes, I stood in the bathroom of the A380, naked (admittedly consumed with anxiety that if we hit turbulence I would need to race back to my seat in the nude!) and I used every product in my First Class toiletries kit! (sorry, no photos of the shower for very good reason)
When I returned from my shower, I found a lovely bed waiting for me...... to sleep for a full eight hours! My neighbour snored a little, but the Bose headphones soon fixed that.
On arrival in Abu Dhabi, we disembarked on the tarmac - where a private car awaited my arrival to drive me to the terminal LIKE A ROCKSTAR!
The rest of the journey was pretty much the same. Customer service to rival none, comfort and luxury that would make the Queen feel at home and and experience I may never get to repeat. I made the most of my First Class indulgence, and while I may have come across at times as a little smug - it was pure excitement.
I'm no different! For the last thirty years, I've ben an avid traveller - clocking up thousands of kilometres every year just to get to my destination. Some of my favourite trips have been last minute ones with little planning, and some of the most memorable have been where I was able to tack on a few days to a business trip.
I was fortunate to land a job many many years ago that afforded me the opportunity to travel for work which meant that not only did I clock up miles (and points), I rarely had to pay for my flights. But despite it being travel for business, I was never permitted to travel in business class (as per company policy), until I joined my current company.
For the past four years, I have been flying in business class (mostly) for my trips, of which there have been many! Business class, let me tell you - is special! There is a comfy lounge, loads of leg room, seats that become flatbeds, champagne, and little toiletry bags of nice things. And more champagne. Did I mention champagne?
My most recent trip, I won the sky lottery. I was upgraded to a FIRST CLASS apartment on Etihad Airways - just like another redhead Australian girl, Nicole Kidman.
Flying from Sydney to Berlin meant that my first class experience was of the long haul variety, 14hrs to Abu Dhabi, a couple of hours in the First Class Lounge, then another 8hrs to my destination. And return! For those 2 x 27hrs worth of travel - I was the ultimate princess rockstar sans attitude. Or maybe with just a little attitude, and a little bit of boast posting on social media. But just a little.
Flying Business and First Class on Etihad begins before you even arrive at the airport because it includes a chauffeur limousine to drive you to the airport where the check in process is red carpet all the way. I seriously regretted not buying a new outfit for the experience.
I enjoyed a glass or two of Bollinger in the Etihad Lounge in Sydney Airport pre flight, and once boarded and arrived at my seat (1A), a few more glass before take off. I was personally introduced to my chef (Darryl) and my lovely hostess (Amy) who continued to look after me and bring me amazing treats throughout the flight.
But let me tell you about my little space. Oh my! 1A was everything I thought it would be. A spacious little cabin with a wide beige leather chair the reclines completely to a flatbed. The space was so generous that I couldn't even stretch my legs to reach the other side. Admittedly I don't have the longest legs in the world, but you get the visual.
I even had a shower - at 30,000 feet! Yes, I stood in the bathroom of the A380, naked (admittedly consumed with anxiety that if we hit turbulence I would need to race back to my seat in the nude!) and I used every product in my First Class toiletries kit! (sorry, no photos of the shower for very good reason)
When I returned from my shower, I found a lovely bed waiting for me...... to sleep for a full eight hours! My neighbour snored a little, but the Bose headphones soon fixed that.
On arrival in Abu Dhabi, we disembarked on the tarmac - where a private car awaited my arrival to drive me to the terminal LIKE A ROCKSTAR!
The rest of the journey was pretty much the same. Customer service to rival none, comfort and luxury that would make the Queen feel at home and and experience I may never get to repeat. I made the most of my First Class indulgence, and while I may have come across at times as a little smug - it was pure excitement.
***Not a sponsored post***
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