I won the Raffle(s)!

First, I need to apologize to my loyal readers for the dearth of updates lately. As some of you know, I decided to make use of the return leg of my plane ticket before it expired and jet home for a quick end of summer visit. The rush to get things finished before leaving meant I had to neglect my blog. The rush, rush since I've been home has meant I haven't had a chance to post anything before now.

On September 1, I took the day off work to get ready in the morning, and then leisurely make my way out to the airport for my 6:30 pm flight to Vancouver. With my Japan fiasco still fresh in my mind, I wanted to check in for my flight with plenty of time to avoid any chance of missing my flight. This strategy would end up paying great dividends, but I didn't know that at the time.

With a few hours to kill, I wandered around the airport, looking forward to my flight on the always excellent Singapore Airlines. As I made my way to the gate when they called my flight I saw a cute Korean woman coming towards me. I realized after she greeted me by name that she was the same woman that had checked me in at the desk earlier. I guess my charm and charisma made quite the impression because she informed me that they needed to upgrade someone to Raffles Class, and that "I selected you." She took my economy class boarding pass from me, and put a shiny silver "Raffles Class" pass in my hand, and led me to the First Class/Raffles Class boarding gate. I was so shocked and momentarily stunned, not quite realizing what was going on, that I didn't really have a chance to thank her properly. I really regret that, because the following ten hours was quite possibly the most fantastic experience I have ever had!

The experience began when I was greeted by name and shown to my seat. And what a seat it was! I sat down and almost lost myself in all the room. It was like a La-z-boy in the sky! In this picture you can get an idea for how much leg room there was. Before, I was impressed with how each seat in economy had its own television screen and on-demand movies. Well, that screen now seems absolutely puny after enjoying the monstrous 15" beauties in Raffles Class. Oh, and the headsets were Bose noise-callelling full size plush headphones. Amazing!

There were five flight attendants in Raffles Class (aka business class) to look after the every need of myself and my 29 fellow Raffles Class passengers. The nonstop attention began before take-off when we were offered pre-departure drinks. After the five course meal, served on china and linen table cloth, I was stuffed, and ready for a snooze. That was when I was really blown away, and started laughing out loud at my incredible good fortune. I discovered that a magic button on my console converted my seat into a fully reclining bed! Unbelievable! With the full size pillow and blanket, I couldn't have been more comfortable.


Called the "SpaceBed," Raffles Class seats are apparently the longest business class beds available on any airline flying. The seat cushion was developed for NASA and conforms to contours of a passenger's body, and when fully deployed are 6.5 feet in length. Truly a thing of beauty!

After getting this sweet taste of how incredible flying can be, it is going to be really rough having to take my seat in economy for the flight back to Korea. At least when I get the tray table shoved in my face as the person in front of me reclines his seat I'll be able to savour the sweet memories of my time in Raffles Class!