I opened the Delta app to check the seating chart for my flight to Lisbon for the 17th time. I was looking for a seat in Comfort + or Premium economy, but thanks to a flight full of Swifties, there was nothing left but Delta One.
However, the price was coming down.
To set the scene: it’s 6 am on a Monday morning. I’ve been awake since 4 after spending the entire weekend moving my belongings out of my apartment in Charleston and into storage. I’m en route to Denver for a three day work trip before turning around and flying to Portugal. Leading up to this, I’d been dealing with nightly disturbances from my upstairs neighbors that led to months of poor sleep.
I am exhausted.
I shoot off a text to get a second opinion: “Am I out of my mind to spend this much to upgrade to Delta One?!”
The consensus; probably. It was a good chunk of change. But was the ability to lay flat and actually sleep for the duration of the international flight going to be worth it when I landed? Also probably.
Before I could talk myself out of the recklessness of this decision, I clicked confirm.
I am a notoriously terrible flight sleeper, for numerous reasons.
I am usually so excited about my trip and destination, that the anticipation keeps me awake.
Flights are loud. Even with earplugs AND noise cancelling headphones.
It is extremely uncomfortable. If I am seated in economy, just FORGET ABOUT IT. I am privileged to be upgraded to Delta Comfort + on most flights because I have status, but even that is not the most forgiving for flights over a couple of hours.
Sidebar: I can’t be the only one who suffers from extreme tailbone discomfort when sitting on flights over 2 hours, right? This pain alone keeps me from sleeping, so much so I now travel with a memory foam neck pillow that I strictly use to sit on.
In the days leading up to my flight, I received an email to pick out my in-flight meal. A new perk! I typically try not to eat on overnight flights and just attempt to go straight to sleep, but given all the extras, I went ahead and made my choice. Lamb in the sky? Yes please.
When the day of my flight arrived, I felt that familiar excitement, along with a wave of anxiousness, settle over me. Excitement for my upcoming trip to Lisbon, to be flying in Delta One, to wake up in Europe. Anxiousness over the amount I spent to fly Delta One and whether I would actually be able to sleep.
I waited outside the gate for boarding to begin. As I walked down the jet bridge and to seat 4A, the expectations were high.
The seat was extremely spacious; I unloaded my overnight bag and water bottle onto the side table. I had an entire overhead bin to myself and placed my carry on suitcase and my weekender bag inside. A full size pillow and comforter were wrapped up for my use in flight. I sat down and familiarized myself with the controls of my seat, how to adjust the foot rest and fully recline. As I did, the flight attendants distributed champagne. Cheers, indeed.
The meal service was worth staying up for and only cost me about an hour of potential sleep. First, drinks and mixed nuts. My full meal consisted of seared tuna, salad, braised lamb with risotto and tiramisu for dessert. As soon as I finished, the flight attendants collected my tray so that I could get tucked in for some shut eye.
Reclining my seat completely, I was impressed with how comfortable the “bed” was. I stuck my earplugs in, put on my Delta eye mask and wrapped myself in the comforter and drifted off into…in-flight sleep.
When I woke up, I felt rested. Glancing at the time on the seat back screen, I estimated I got about 5 hours of sleep. My Oura ring confirmed. Was it the best sleep I’d ever gotten? For a flight, yes!
I opened the window shade and watched the sunrise over the clouds. With about an hour left before we landed, I was able to wash up and get myself ready for an early morning (8am) arrival into LIS.
As I gathered up my belongings to deplane, I thought about if it had been worth it. In all my previous flights to Europe, which is somewhere near 30, this was the best I’d ever felt upon arrival. Not just sleep wise either, but how my body felt in general. No aches and pains or stiffness. I didn’t feel like I immediately needed a nap or was running on fumes.
“This is how the other half lives!” I texted a friend.
I’ve created a monster.
Stephanie- I’m under the impression that only certain airlines are worth the first class ticket, but this might help me reconsider. Glad you had a lovely flight