13-hours on a plane :: A diary of an OCD travel editor
T-minus 10 days
After having a friend read my first entries I was told that I need to chill on the excitement level... but I can’t. In the last week I’ve memorized everything there is to know about all three classes on Air New Zealand’s international flights, as well as the locations and setup of their International Lounges, including the recently refurbished lounge at LAX (which includes six shower suites) that I plan to take full advantage of. (I wonder how long one can hang out at an airport lounge; is 7 or 8 hours too much? Would they kick me out?)
I have, however, (mostly) managed to bring my excitement over flying in a 747 under control. Mind you, I’m still completely baffled by the airplane, the technology, and most of all how something so freakin’ big can lift off the ground and then fly across the ocean for 13-hours with about 450 people (not to mention many tons of food, water, fuel, etc.) on board. How do they do it? Simple :: Airplanes are magic.
OK, so I’m still fascinated/obsessed with this flight and the plane, but I’m going to try to hold back until I’m on-board; or at least within view of Boeing’s greatest achievement ever. I’ve got so many questions and am so curious about so many things it’s almost driving me (more) crazy (than I already am). How do they board so many people so efficiently? Where do they store all that food and water? Do people (mostly women I’m guessing) ever go into labor on a flight that long? What about deaths? How many shifts does the flight crew have? Why is the sky blue?
I’m telling you, inquiring minds want to know... or perhaps it’s just me. At any rate, how I’ve managed to avoid Wikiing all these questions is beyond me; I must not be feeling well... or perhaps I’m just too busy.
T-minus 45 hours
In case you’re not familiar with me from reading my other features or haven’t figured it out from the entries above, I can be quite obsessive, somewhat compulsive and, well, a little crazy. Example: It took me more than six hours to pack my bags today. (Although to be fair I was also running around my house doing laundry, looking up info on my flights, opening mail, checking out the Air New Zealand website again to see if anything in Business Premier had changed, and basically letting my ADD control me. Thank G-d I’ve got a boyfriend who’s patient and understanding. In fact he’s a saint- and good with tools!)
That said, I’m happy to finally be packed and I think I did a pretty good job of keeping it to a reasonable amount of clothing and bags. Even though I’m allowed one more because of my "gold status," I’m only bringing two checked bags (one large, stylish, bright orange TITAN suitcase and one quite small, rectangular TUMI) and two (fabulous Louis Vuitton) carry-ons. (Or if we’re being technical, one carry-on and one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase, laptop, or other small bag. In my case it’s kind of a combo tote-briefcase-laptop bag.)
T-minus 43 hours
I should have gone to bed hours ago given what I still have to do before leaving tomorrow, but I had to spend another hour looking at all of the fabulous things I’m going to experience on my flight to New Zealand two days from now. At this point I could easily represent the airline at a trade show, press conference, or pageant, reciting all of the amenities, facts and figures about Air New Zealand’s Business Premier cabin. I feel like I’ve known the seats, the service, the cabin, and the (newly redesigned) lounge for years, and yet I’ve never actually seen them in person.
Am I setting my expectations too high? Perhaps, although given the fully-flat beds and cocktails (made with NZ’s award-winning 42 Below vodka), I can’t imagine how I wouldn’t be in travel heaven. If you’ve got to be on a plane for 13-hours, this has simply got to be the best way to do it. (And yes, I know that there are a few Middle Eastern airlines that have two-person suites and showers. And while I’m sure their cabins are nice and the service excellent, I’m not willing to give my money -about $20,000 round-trip last time I checked- to companies whose profit supports a state that doesn’t allow women to vote or drive, but inflicts severe punishment or death on people suspected of being gay.)
T-minus 3 hours 30 minutes
OK, I can’t wait any longer; I’m headed to the airport. It’s a bit early still (Business Premier passengers only have to check-in two-hours before the flight, unlike the masses who have to be there three hours early), but I’m excited to check out the lounge and all of the amenities on offer. I mean, shower suites, NZ-inspired food, wine, and cocktails, a quiet zone, Relaxation Zone, Business Zone, and Entertainment Zone with portable video game players for kids (of any age)? That’s fantastic.
I’ve only been in LA for about 20-hours, but it’s time to get my get on and go to the airport. New Zealand, here I come!
