Flying can be a really fun experience, especially when the planets align and everything comes together well. Throughout my travels I have gradually built up a list of things that make for a brilliant flight.
While many of these things are out of my control, this can be mitigated by choosing the right airline. In my case, I regularly fly those I have experience with, which means I know what I’ll get and that they generally do a great job.
No-One Sitting Next To You
Nothing puts a smile on my dial like the seat beside me being free on a flight. In economy class it means you and the person on the other side have an extra tray, an extra arm rest, and a whole seat to share for your bits and pieces. It really is the holy grail of coach class travel.
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- I do miss Qatar Airways’ old business class, where if the seat was free, you sat in one and slept in the other.
In business class it means you can get up and down as you please without disturbing the person next to you. You also have a whole extra seat to play with. This can mean you sit in one and use the other as your bed on airlines that still have 2-2-2 cabins. Alternatively you can use the other seat for visitors or to keep your things on, especially in domestic business cabins.
New Release Movies
Movies are a very important part when flying long-haul. They keep people quiet and they pass the time. I don’t visit the cinema very often so it’s nice to catch up on my movies when heading to far flung continents such as Australia.
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- Classic movies are good too!
Just in case nothing good has come out, a bunch of classic movies are good too. It’s comforting to settle in with a familar favourite. Either way, a sad movie selection makes for a sad flight.
Perfect Friendly Service
Cabin crew can make or break a flight. I want someone who smiles at me when I smile at them, is friendly to me and treats me like a human being. When I go to the galley to get something, I expect to be treated like a guest and not a nuisance.
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- Yes, I would like a top up – thank you!
Happily almost all the cabin crew I have met have been very nice to me so I am quite lucky. They really do have such a big influence on whether it is a brilliant flight or not.
Series Box Sets
Delight ensues when I come across episodes of a series I want to see. One Cathay Pacific flight I was on had episodes of the UK version of Dragon’s Den and I was in heaven! These make a nice alternative to movies.
When it’s a series that requires you to see the beginning, the first episodes should be made available for viewing. I’ve actually watched a whole series on Netflix based on a few episodes I caught in flight.
Delicious Dining
Airline food is essentially your restaurant in the sky. Food should be nicely presented, substantial enough and of decent quality. Most meals I have devoured have been quite good.
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- SWISS served this in business class on a Zurich to Dublin flight and it was unforgettable!
As you move up to business class and first class, choices are important as is presentation to give that premium feel. When I have delicious and well presented food I am very happy indeed!
Unexpected Amenities
When flying Royal Jordanian in Crown Class, I’ll never forget how I was given a gift at the end of the flight. Once it was some kind of Jordanian pottery and another time a travel alarm clock. Random, but good! KLM are famous for giving out Delft houses to their business class passengers. It certainly makes a trip memorable and is great promotional tool.
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- The KLM miniature houses are quite collectable.
Whether it’s pyjamas in business and first class, slippers in first class, amenity kits in economy class – I love receiving them, using them or wearing them. One time a bunch of people from a forum and I received a goodie bag from Aer Lingus with a model plane, an Aer Lingus teddy bear, some postcards and so on. That was a great surprise and made it a brilliant flight.
Overall Thoughts
Of course, there are a bunch of other things that enhance the whole experience. No waiting for a check-in desk when you need one would be up there, not to mention zipping straight through security (as one does at the British Airways First Wing). A quiet and comfortable lounge helps too.
What say you? Do you agree that these things all make for a brilliant flight? Is there anything I’ve missed that makes your day when flying? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image via Qatar Airways.
KLM houses via KLM.
