With a Sense of Wonder

Leaving Dallas, TX

Yes, Flagship Business Class on American Airlines was everything I hoped it would be. Our travel-to-Tokyo day started by heading to the Admiral’s Club in Terminal A at DFW for breakfast, coffee, or cocktails if so inclined. No judgement. 

We headed to the gate with plenty of time to meander. As we boarded the plane, instead of the usual right turn down the aisles, we turned left into an oasis of … well, if not elegance then maybe less chaos. No fighting for overhead space … one overhead bin per seat. Each seat—four across the plane—is a pod of its own with window seats spanning two windows. There’s an 18-inch TV screen with access to movies, tv shows, and live TV. Three storage bins plus space for my backpack AND the duvet/pillow set. Yeah. Duvet and pillow.

Preflight Orange Juice as I settle in for 13-hr flight

First service, before we lift off, is a choice of orange juice or sparkling wine. Both, thank you’ll very much. Better enjoyed when combined. Once we’ve taken off there’s cocktail service, dinner—an appetizer of pickled veggies and prosciutto, salad of greens and Romano cheese with blue cheese vinaigrette, and a panko crusted prawn main dish (passed on dessert) with a continuing flow of wine or cocktails as you choose.

Dallas to Tokyo Flagship Business Class Dinner Menu

About 2 1/2 hours after take-off, lights were dimmed and everyone settled into watching a movie or lowering the seat and breaking out the duvet and pillow for a nap. A nap sounds prudent except that by that time it was  1:30 in the afternoon … 

I did manage to sleep for about two hours and felt pretty ragged when we landed in Tokyo at midnight Dallas time, or 2p Tokyo. And ragged is a gentle description. Might explain the cold.

My pod, on right side of plane, three from front

I clearly need to spend more quality time with a globe. I’m very good with maps; some might say a bit obsessed, but a globe would have explained to me why we flew north through Texas and Colorado, over Vancouver Island, up to Alaska flying over Cold Bay and south to Japan. I’m reminded once again that flat maps do not represent the truth. A good philosophy to keep in mind as we began the journey.

Comments

  1. So very cool!! I think I could get used to those kind of accommodations! Interesting that the quickest route is going around the ‘top’ of the world.

  2. Looks like the only way to fly from here on!! What luxury! A duvet? Ahhhhhh ….