On the Ground: I arrived at Newark Liberty Airport and was second in the Club World line to check in. The agent placed a sticker on my boarding pass to indicate express security check and gave me directions to the lounge on the second floor.

Pre-Flight: The British Airways Galleries Lounge was an elegant change from the rather dull halls of Newark’s airport, offering a variety of comfortable seats with easy access to highly desirable power outlets. As my flight was scheduled for 9:20 p.m., I arrived just as staff were serving dinner. A more formal dining area offered a buffet including an Asian station with a variety of noodle and rice dishes. Tempting as it was, I opted instead for a light snack of hummus and crudités, saving my appetite for the in-flight meal. The lounge attendants kept us posted on the status of our flight; when it was time for boarding, our gate was just steps away.

In-Flight: This was a very special flight for me, as it was my first experience flying on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. As I entered the plane, I was surprised by the seat configuration: My window seat in the front row was facing backward. This set-up allows each seat to have access to the aisle and a view of the window. The first thing I noticed was a drawer at the foot of my seat, the perfect space for my laptop, Kindle and iPhone. With my essentials in the drawer, I placed my carry-on in the massive overhead compartment. I accepted a glass of Champagne and an amenity kit filled with Elemis products from the in-flight crew and was ready to go.

In no time, we were set to depart. One of my favorite parts of flying is takeoff; however, facing backward was a different experience entirely. At first I did not enjoy the forward pull, but once off the ground I was delighted by the prolonged view of the ground below. Shortly after takeoff, an attendant asked for my dinner order. British Airways offers “Well-Being in the Air” selections as part of its commitment to providing healthy dining options during travel. I opted for the herb-roasted salmon with baby spinach and goat cheese and then indulged in the ricotta cheesecake and a Kir Royale cocktail. I selected a movie from the in-flight entertainment system, though I quickly found myself drifting off. I transitioned my seat into the fully flat position and went to sleep.

The Experience: The ultimate compliment for any flight is that there just wasn’t enough time, and that holds true with this flight. A short six hours later, the LED mood lighting gradually awakened us — I must admit I was not ready for the flight to end.

GT CHECKLIST

[checklist]
[item check=yes]Less than 10 minutes for check-in[/item]
[item check=yes]Friendly and helpful agents[/item]
[item check=yes]Priority tagged bags[/item]
[item check=yes]Airport lounge[/item]
[item check=yes]Complimentary in-lounge food[/item]
[item check=yes]Priority boarding[/item]
[item check=yes]Helpful and courteous flight attendants[/item]
[item check=yes]Pre-flight beverage service[/item]
[item check=yes]Pre-flight newspapers and magazines[/item]
[item check=yes]Extensive on-demand entertainment[/item]
[item check=yes]Amenity kits[/item]
[item]Slippers[/item]
[item check=yes]Lie-flat seat/bed[/item]
[item]Turn-down service[/item]
[item]In-flight menu with three entrée choices[/item]
[item check=yes]Top-shelf wines and liquors[/item]
[/checklist]