Sitting 12 Inches Away From Heaven

On a recent flight to Paris, I discovered what a difference 12 inches can make in the quality of food and service you receive. On the way over, I was in the bulkhead seat directly behind the First Class cabin, a tantalizing few inches away from good food, unlimited cocktails, real china, and deferential service.

On Air France (www.airfrance.us), First class passengers get their own liter bottle of water to keep at their seat. Economy passengers have to beg for a Dixie cup of water every time they get thirsty. First class gets real china, glassware, and silverware, while economy gets plastic foil-wrapped cups of liquid, plastic cutlery, and plastic microwave containers of food.

In economy, you get one free cocktail and a choice of two entrees, but in First Class, you get unlimited aperitifs, cocktails, wine and after-dinner liqueurs to accompany your four-course meal, which I had the opportunity to experience on my return flight. With a choice of duck foie gras terrine or sautéed shrimp for hors d’Oeuvres, lamb noisette, red snapper, or Mediterranean chicken for the entrée, a cheese course, and a dessert sampler, it was like flying in a gourmet restaurant. Air France also has a lovely wine list that includes a delicate champagne, a White Languedoc, a Burgundy and a Bordeaux.

When you’re on a long, transatlantic flight, those 12 inches can make a world of difference. You can arrive sleepless, stiff, cranky, and hungry or well-fed, rested, and ready to see the sights, and while the price difference makes it difficult for us to go First Class all the time, it’s well worth searching out good sale fares to avoid sitting in what is increasingly becoming a “cattle car” in economy. Maybe they should just rename “Economy” and call it “Second Class” because passengers are certainly treated in that manner just 12 inches behind the First and Business class cabins.