British Airways is like…a Lincoln Continental

The adventure begins! BA flight 0052 SEA→LHR 8hr 50min. Departs 2210 Arrives 1520.

My goodness! I can’t believe I’m finally on my way! So far, so good. I didn’t cry going through security this time, that’s a plus. Still a few nerves but getting a bit drugged up (w/Melatonin, of course) helped me think take-off was ‘fun’. (For those of you who don’t know, if we could get to 41,000ft without taking off, I be a happy camper. I do NOT like the feeling of all those G’s (as in G-force, not $$$$$) smooshing me into my seat after lift off, and then if they feel the need to turn right away, and if there’s turbulence too…my goodness. No thank you!)

The flights: Boeing 777 (seating 3-3-3). Yay! I love BA! They have ‘cubicle’ seats! (Is it good to be in a cubicle away from work too? Hmmm…) Of course, that’s only for those privileged enough to be in World Business Class. Meanwhile, I’m back in the sardine cabin (38F). Unfortunately, the plane only had 32 rows, so I’m strapped to the tail feathers. Just kidding. There’s 39 rows. I’m practically sitting with the pilots! Or not. We’re kind of swinging around back here. But shoot, BA is so much more luxurious than say, NWA (no offence NWA. Actually, yes, offence. I don’t like you.), that even the turbulence feels plush! I think of it like this: most airlines I fly, the turbulence is like potholes in an old truck, where you really feel every bump. But BA, it’s like a Lincoln Continental or something, where the shocks are so excessive that you kind of float and roll over roadway ‘imperfections’. Not that I’m saying a Lincoln is a really luxury (or even desirable) car. I, myself, prefer feeling the road…as long as it’s in a BMW or Audi.

I was thrilled to find that they give you a pillow…and a blanket! (apparently, BA is less concerned about the pillow/blanket transmission of Swine Flu than other airlines, who I think, seem to have overlooked the greater risk of transmitting a respiratory virus via the RECIRCULATED AIR IN THE CABIN!) Any who, not only a pillow and blanket, but also…headphones! Socks! Sleep mask! Toothbrush & toothpaste! Flashback to 1992! I haven’t heard of these amenities on planes in eons! Could flying actually be fun again?! Well, I think it’s fun anyway. Ooh, one more thing (and maybe my favorite) the seats recline! As in, I really feel like I can lean back, rather than just moving a ¼ inch closer to the person behind you (which, coincidently, disables them from being able to use their tray table). Whoa. What if my seat was reclined during take off?...I might actually be lying down! Speaking of which, 11pm/7am: bedtime. Or breakfast…? Sigh. Shoot, now we’re swinging around like Crack-the-Whip at the ice rink again. If it gets really bumpy, I wonder if I could win a whiplash lawsuit…?