April 4, 2005. 14:40 EDT and it’s time for our son to take us to Toronto International Airport to check in for our first flight, which will take us from Toronto to New York’s La Guardia airport. It’s a normal Monday afternoon so it takes us 40 minutes to check in, go through US immigration and .pass through the security line. We’re early, so I spend two hours working on e-mail while Nancy enjoys a book.

Our limo driver is waiting for us at the baggage claim area and fifteen minutes later we have our two bags and we’re off for the short drive to New York’s Kennedy airport. We’re flying Singapore Airlines (the best in the world) and they fly out of the new Terminal 4. There’s no one ahead of us in the First Class Check in line, so after being greeted by name by the courteous Singapore agent, the check-in is a breeze.

Singapore Airlines uses the Virgin Atlantic lounge for their first class passengers, so we check in with the concierge and explore the various areas of the lounge. We settle on a quiet bright corner where Nancy picks up her book again. Virgin charges for a wireless connection but the concierge suggested that I check the other hot spots which were free, so minutes later I piggy backed on the Varig connection and I’m live. Wireless sure make life a lot easier for road warriors such as myself.

It’s hard to describe the luxury of Singapore’s 1^st class cabin, so attached is a picture of Nancy and I having dinner. Basically we each had our own small suite. Leather seats, 15” TV screen and all the amenities of home. The meals are the equivalent of any 5 star restaurants. We started with Dom Perignon champagne and then moved on to caviar. Nancy is not a caviar fan so I got two helpings. What a treat! This was followed by soup, salad, and an entrée, dessert, liquors and cappuccino. You order your dinner before the flight. It’s called “Book the Cook”. Nancy had rack of lamb and I had lobster thermidor. Two hours from start to finish and it was excellent.

By the time we finished dinner it was11:30 and time for bed. While we were putting on our Gevenchy pajamas (provided by Singapore Airlines) the flight attendant made our seat go flat, added a thin mattress and was ready to pull a duvet over us when we got back from changing. (See the attached picture for a bird’s eye view of the two of us in our beds). Four hours of sleep and we were ready for breakfast. Freshly squeezed orange juice and another cappuccino sure hit the spot.

Hard to believe it was time to get ready for our approach to Frankfurt; the flight passed very quickly. This was my 6^th flight on Singapore Airlines and there is no question in my mind that Singapore Airlines provides the finest service, cabin ambience and hospitality of any airline in the world.

A long Day 1 but extremely enjoyable. We’re looking forward to a great time Europe. Stay tuned for Day 2 in my “Around the World in 30 Days” saga.

Alan Salmon
eClub One