Five minutes before boarding my flight, my phone pinged with the text message every traveller hopes for but few ever receive: “You’ve been upgraded to Business Class…”
Suddenly, my mental preparation for the endurance test of a 15-hour economy flight turned into excitement and eagerness to board the plane.
Moments later, I was boarding in zone 1 and settling into seat 2A. With two windows, a large pillow, duvet and even a mattress cover, I knew I was in for a treat.
The business class cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 layout with dividers between the middle seats, and the 11 rows are split into two cabins. Each seat is a private pod, so there’s no need to speak to or even make eye contact with fellow passengers if you don’t want to.
During take-off, I felt somewhat exposed on the aisle side until I discovered an armrest (stowed during take-off) that rises up to enclose that side of the pod. Under this armrest is a handy stowage area perfect for a water bottle.
On the window side, a large flat area provides a spacious feel but doesn’t really serve a purpose (I suspect it’s above the footwell of the seat behind). There’s also a compartment housing the remote control for the entertainment system, charging ports and the headphone jack—ideal for my phone, AirPods, glasses and battery pack (and even a book, if I still read them!).
The amenities kit includes an eye mask, dental kit, socks, earplugs and Acqua Di Parma hand cream. Slippers are also provided.
The seat has a multitude of adjustable settings, easily managed with a control panel set into the side of the seat.
A glass of champagne before take-off sets the tone, and dinner is served promptly after we’re airborne. Despite having eaten beforehand (I thought I was flying economy!), I managed to enjoy salmon rillettes, garlic bread, Korean barbecue-glazed chicken thighs and a lemon tart.
Other main course options included lamb shank, green curry sablefish and butternut squash cappellacci pasta. Dining on demand is also available for those who wish to eat later.
After dinner, I lie the bed flat to get some rest. At 1.88m tall, I found the bed long enough and the seatbelt provided plenty of slack, allowing me to sleep on my side. However, the table pressed against my legs, so I decided a slight recline was more comfortable and soon drifted off to sleep.
I woke with 5 hours and 30 minutes remaining, happy to have more time to experience the service and entertainment before landing. Within moments, a flight attendant was offering me a drink and snack. I opted for both and settled back to browse the films on the 18-inch HD touchscreen display.
After a journey across Canada in 500 Days in the Wild, I requested a snack of chicken pot pie and wedges, along with a chocolate biscuit.
Breakfast—pancakes or a parsley omelette served with fruit, bircher muesli and a croissant—arrived 90 minutes before landing, just as I was tensely watching Woody Harrelson’s deep sea diving ordeal in Last Breath.
The bathroom was spacious and even had a window (!), though the seatbelt sign was on for most of the flight, making it tricky to know the best time to visit (gone are the days when I could hold off for hours on end).
In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed my unexpected business class experience and would have happily stayed snuggled in my comfortable pod for at least another five hours. But alas, we arrived in Sydney, and I reluctantly bid farewell to my flying sanctuary and rejoined the real world.
AT A GLANCE
Flight Number: AC33
Date: June 02, 10:40pm
Route: Vancouver to Sydney
Flight Duration: 15 hours 40 minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 777
Seat: 2A
# Writer was travelling courtesy of Destination Canada
