I got invited to the departmental steering committee meeting in Paris. It was a last minute affair — one minute I was going, the next I wasn’t, then it was on again. There was a bit of a scramble to get tickets earlier this week.

I got to the in-town check-in early. There was no wait at the counter where I was promptly told that business class was full so I was being upgraded to first. First class. On a 12-hour flight. Oh man.

The seats were huge — 79” long and 22” between the armrests. They also recline fully into a flat bed. Aside from the usual amenities kit we were given a comfy pajamas and slippers set. It was easy to cocoon myself, and not have to deal with the other passengers.

The entertainment program was the same on-demand as in Business. I watched Bewoulf during dinner. Now dinner, that was different from Business. It was full service, like in a restaurant. The menu:

Caviar and Balik Salmon with Krug grande cuvee

Lobster bisque

Mesclun salad with olive, sun-dried tomato and balsamic vinaigrette

Grilled beef tenderloin with gratin potato, asparagus, carrot and red capsicum
or
Pesto tortellini with tomato sauce and pinenut

Cheeses — cambozola, appenzeller, double gloucester and somerset brie

Fresh seasonal berries

Ice cream

Tea and coffee

I finished the film and went to sleep. Not blankets but a proper duvet. I managed to sleep for 6-ish hours, which is not bad nowadays.

As a flying experience went, it was extremely comfortable. I can only hope I can have another opportunity another time.