Winter Vacation '08 - The Flight - Chicago to Paris

As of October we were on the fence about whether we were going to try and take a trip for winter vacation this year. It's never a bad idea to save some money. And flights to a number of places that I wanted to visit were ridiculous (seriously, like $3600 for two round trips to Bogota). American had also conveniently blocked most of the days we wanted to travel from realistic redemption of my AAdvantage miles. So it was looking like a staycation. Then Judy's brother changed the equation a bit by offering some VIP upgrades that were going to expire if no one used them. These upgrades are magic. Pending availability, they take your coach fare seat and turn it into a business class seat. Big difference. Big difference in experience and big difference in value (a quick check of fares on AA.com shows that business class seats are ~6x - 7x the prices of coach seats - i.e., it's highly unlikely I'll be interested in paying full price for these seats anytime soon, so if I want to have this experience, the time was now).

So I renewed my research, found an okay fare to Paris, and vacation was on again. And we got to see 'how the other half lives' for a few hours.



We got a little champagne toast to kick off the flight. Or, in our case, kick off the 90 minute delay at the gate due to some weather and mechanical issues in Chicago. Still, a nice gesture.



Then they passed out these little cards which were to help hustle us through immigration in Paris. Great concept, but we wound up not even needing them.



Finally wheels up and the appetizers begin, stepping it up a level from domestic 'first' class service by adding a nice little cheese and sun dried tomatoes dish to the hot nuts.



Judy even got into the spirit of things with a little bloody mary while she fired up the entertainment system.



Then the meal began, almost restaurant style, with a salmon appetizer (and I passed mine to Judy).



Then the main course, which, given the limitations of airline food prep, wasn't all that bad.



Followed by a dessert, which was a highlight (serving ice cream is not as challenging as serving pork, I imagine).



Having gorged myself, it was time to relax. And this seat adjustment system up here is amazing. Just a whole different world. I've been fortunate enough to score the occasional domestic 'first' class upgrade between Chicago and New York and it's just absurd how different the experience is.



So I settled in with a book, some after dinner port and the trusty carmex (essential for a 9-hour flight).



Finally, after a good nap, it's breakfast time.



The whole flight was almost like a vacation in and of itself. What's that line from Ferris Bueller? "If you have the means, I highly recommend it". Or, cozy up to someone who has VIP upgrades they might share.