Top 3: Best Flights Ever

1. 2001 - Chicago to Hartford: I was going to visit my best friend in Connecticut for a weekend and was just settling when this guy approaches me and we have the following exchange:

Him: Excuse me, but you happen to be sitting next to an old friend of mine that I just bumped into here at the airport. Do you mind switching seats with me?

Me: Of course not, where are you sitting?

Him: 1A, thank you so much

Me: Not a problem. Enjoy catching up with your friend.

We trade tickets and I make my way up to first class. I plop myself down in my new, lush seat and take in the 1st class sights. Soon after take off I have the most memorable plane meal ever. Fresh baked muffins, a mimosa, eggs any way I wanted them. I wish I could travel like this always. I had the might to even steal the individual size salt and pepper shakers but I restrained myself.

2. 2001 - Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia: You'd think that the longest flight I've ever been on would be far from one of my best flight experiences, but you'd be so very wrong. Besides the fact that the airline I flew is the best ever, all 14 hours of this flight I'd do again in a heart beat. First of all I was given an exit row seat next to the window, and the middle seat was free. The flight attendant comes to me before take-off and politely asks if I would mind switching seats with someone a few rows back with a stiff leg. I don't think too hard about my decision because I know my short self doesn't really need all that leg room. The flight attendant tells me she is grateful for my generosity and says she'll do all she can to make sure I have a great flight.

Well, she told be no lie. Once I had gathered my things and was on my way to my new seat I realize she gave me an entire row to myself. I settled in and she brought me a cocktail. Even better. Then we take-off and after another cocktail and a bottle of wine with dinner I layout on my row and fall asleep for a good 5 hours, until another round of food and drinks is brought to me, as well as a water bottle to myself. I arrived in Sydney well rested and ready to take on Australia, rather than exhausted and delirious. Service goes a long way in my book, but I guess so does being a nice person on in a while.

3. 1998 - Washington D.C. to London: The best thing about this was the sheer amenities on board. I hadn't flown across the Atlantic since my trip to Finland and that was a couple of years earlier and was with a group. This time I was on my own, I was 19 and on my way to London for the first time. I get one the plane and there's a little gift pack on my seat, with socks, toothbrush and paste, sleep/eye mask and various other travel goodies. Then I settle into my seat and see the magnificent entertainment center on the chair back in front of me. I had a host of movies to choose from and could watch them according to my own schedule, plus I could opt to play video games. What made this great flight even better was the booze. A cocktail, then wine with dinner, the some Bailey's then all over a gain a few hours later. It was the first time I experienced the international flight liquor policy and I was loving it. I didn't love so much finding my way into London at 9 in the morning, while arguable drunk. I only wish the flight would have been longer to take more advantage.

Honorable mention: 2002 - Burbank, CA to Oakland CA: The flight attendants were what made this flight truly memorable. They gave their pre-take off lecture in versus, then as the flight was in slanted take-off mode they launched peanut bags down the aisle for people to take as they pleased and pass on to others. Once safely in the air they passed around a hat and people could donate $1 to a pool. They picked random seats to win the pot. It was a short flight, but sweet.