My husband and I are frequent travelers, but we still struggle to feel comfortable on long flights — I’m a nervous flyer, and my husband is tall.
So, when planning our first European adventure together last year, we decided to splurge on our 10½-hour flight from Los Angeles to London.
At first, we spent about $4,300 on two Delta Premium Select tickets. Then, my husband realized that the premium seats weren’t much wider than those in economy — 18½ inches vs. 18 inches.
So, we upgraded to Delta One, the airline’s international business class, paying about $7,000 total for our two round-trip flights.
Though we could’ve spent that extra money on meals or other experiences at our destination, our upgraded flight was worth every penny for the comfort it gave us during our journey.
Here are a few highlights of our transatlantic experience.
We felt the vacation vibes as soon as we arrived at the airport.
Our Delta One tickets got us access to the expansive Delta Sky Club at LAX.
Along with two large buffet areas and a bar, the space had many comfortable seating zones and private bathrooms with showers.
It was fun having so many complimentary food options — including vegan ones — but we tried not to overdo it as we had already pre-selected meals for our flight.
When it was time to board the plane, we walked over to our gate and were among the first passengers welcomed.
My seat felt like my own personal cocoon.
As we settled into our seats, the friendly flight attendants offered us drinks and snacks right away.
Since the plane had a staggered layout and my husband and I both wanted window seats, my “suite” was one row behind his.
That meant we couldn’t hold hands, as we usually do, during takeoff. But rather than feeling nervous, I felt safely cocooned in my personal space.
The suite had a door to slide shut for privacy and side buttons for adjusting the seat’s angle and lighting.
I also appreciated the amenity kit.
The blanket and pillow were cozy, and the travel kit had some useful amenities, like slippers, lip balm, hand cream, and an eye mask.
I was hoping for a pair of pajamas, but those weren’t offered on our 8 p.m. flight.
The ability to fully recline was a game changer for my physical and mental comfort.
Once we leveled off, I was able to fully recline in the Delta One lie-flat seats. It was such a relief.
More than anything, the ability to lie down flat made the biggest difference in how much I enjoyed the long flight.
I was even able to fall asleep off and on — something I’m never able to do on a plane
The extra legroom made the long-haul flight more doable for my husband.
Unlike me, my husband doesn’t mind flying — he just doesn’t like the lack of space on most plane seats. At over 6 feet tall with a burly build and size-14 shoes, he’s always hoping for more legroom.
Fortunately, the Delta One suite delivered with its roomy seat and foot cubby.
My husband was so comfortable that he didn’t even bother taking off his shoes or fully reclining during the entire flight.
Our meals and snacks took things to new heights.
Our overnight flight included a three-course dinner and next-day breakfast, plus plenty of snacks and drinks.
We had ordered vegan options and were pleasantly surprised at how tasty the food was, from grain bowls to salads to plates with hummus and veggies.
The retractable table I ate on felt roomy and sturdy, and eating with real silverware, porcelain dishes, and cloth napkins elevated the experience.
The in-flight entertainment was an excellent distraction.
Watching TV on the nicely sized screen in front of me helped me forget I was in a flying metal tube thousands of feet above the ground.
Though Delta offered plenty of new movies and shows for me to stream, I ended up turning to old favorites like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and listening to soothing music.
Meanwhile, my husband was rocking out to a famous Bruce Springsteen concert from 1979.
All the comfort and rest resulted in us feeling virtually no jet lag when we landed in the UK.
All in all, our pricey flight was so enjoyable that I almost wished it lasted longer.
When we landed at Heathrow Airport the following afternoon, we didn’t even have jet lag. We just felt ready to take on the day.
Splurging isn’t always possible, but we’re keeping our options open for future flights. As they say, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.
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