Teresa

Sydney to Abu Dhabi business class

Who would have thought we would ever be able to afford to travel business class! I have always poo pooed it whenever Anthony mentioned it thinking that it was a lot of money to spend just to get to a destination. Only to realise now that travelling business class is a destination in itself!
So much leg room, so many ways you can adjust your seat. I think we have the equivalent of 3 seats each with room in front and to the side. Your very own locker that could fit a couple a carry on suitcases. Your individual space is big enough to stand in, get changed in, taking off shoes without knocking your head against the seat in front. Room to stash all your requirements – shelf for iPad and glasses and drink. Sitting with your feet up must be good for the circulation.

“Relaxing” is Anthony’s word for it. Even though we have a crying baby behind us beyond the curtain, it feels quite far away.

The blankets and pillow are extra thick, more like a quilt, velvety. I won’t need my travel pillow at all.
The level of service is great. We were welcomed with a hot towel, subtlety fragrant with hint of lavender. Then a sparkling mineral water. Special packet of goodies – toothpaste, lip balm, hand and body lotion etc…

We have ordered a drink before our meal – make mine gin and tonic in a tall glass.
Now our order for dinner has been taken. We have three choices each for starters, mains and dessert together with country style bread and selection of international cheeses. I’ve ordered roast duck salad with grilled artichokes, roasted hazelnuts, radish slices and Dijon mustard dressing; followed by Arabic spiced braised lamb shank, with aromatic rice, roasted vegetables and kabsa sauce; followed by seasonal fruit with cherry coulis.
There’s also a selection of food items that you can have anytime during the trip including baklava, and any number of drinks. Too much but the choice is there.
Our drinks came in real glasses complete with a swivel stick, together with a small dish of warmed spiced nuts. Yum. No plastic in business class!
Beautiful food and service.  I watch as the flight attendant brings a full bottle of wine to other passengers, filling glasses with a smile and nod of the head. Attentive. Everyone is served individually, no trundling trolleys here, just individual service. 
Then it’s my turn. A starched napkin for a table cloth, real cutlery, tiny salt and pepper grinders.  The duck salad was light, the bread roll had what seemed like lentils inside it. Lovely oil with balsamic vinegar and Ethiad butter. Delicious. Second course just like on a restaurant. Melt in your mouth lamb shank fell off the bone. But very tired and a little jiggly despite the space. Perhaps should have just gone to sleep without dinner.

Retired for sleep after dinner, putting the bed right down and snuggling under warm blanket. The plane’s lights were dimmed, and tiny lights in the ceiling looked like stars above our heads.
I had a good’s night’s sleep, even though it felt a little like I was sleeping on a board. Not a lot of room to turn around. Warm and cosy though. And so much better than the alternative in economy! 
You order breakfast when you feel like it. I think it was about 3.00am Abu Dhabi time. 
I felt like yogurt and granola but they’d run out. I’m a little annoyed – how could they run out? Why can’t I have yoghurt and granola? Do business class passengers eat a lot of yoghurt? 
But fresh fruit was beautifully presented and nicely chilled.  A refreshing cup of English breakfast tea, make that two, a few pastries and then more dozing, comfy, watching the plane’s passage across the screen.

Overall business class isn’t luxurious. You don’t have a hotel style bedroom. But considering that it’s on board a plane in the sky, it is a much more spacious alternative. More leg room, variable setting for your seat/ bed that you can adjust as needed without interfering with other passengers. Great for dozing. I certainly feel refreshed, as if I could go touring straight away, or definitely after a shower. 
Is it worth It, that’s the question? We need to compare it with our flight to Athens tomorrow. 

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