Background and introduction This was my first reservation through the Amex Companion Ticket system. I never thought I would land one of these, traveling to Buenos Aires just a couple of weeks before Christmas. But suddenly, all the planets just snapped into line. By chance my family had traveled ahead of me good luck in finding four O-class seats , by chance I held a revenue reservation that was refundable, and on a whim I checked availability on the ANA site-- and lo and behold-- there it was!
One extremely helpful reservation agent in Tallinn? In a matter of 12 minutes the ticket was ready, which set me back 95, EB points in addition to "fuel surcharge" whatever At the airport. The LH staff helping direct people to the right check-in counters in the main departure hall didn't have a clue about the location of the terminal. But I found it. If any of you know Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon, you know that Scandinavians are fairly frugal, puritan, egalitarian ascetics at least a couple of us.
So watching three ultra-polite German security agents handle your beat-up dollar guitar like it were the Dead Sea Scrolls while your personal assistant awaits you "on the other side" makes you feel slightly embarrassed. Boarding and first impression. I have reached an insight: Being escorted by your personal assistant, only carrying a bathing duck, to a waiting chauffeured Porsche Cayenne does not hurt.
Jeeves escorted me upstairs, introduced the staff to me, who then proceeded to take care of my jacket and every need for the subsequent 14 hours. The purser stopped by 2A to wish me welcome aboard. Of the eight chairs, four were occupied this evening- one Asian gentleman in 1A who went straight into pyjamas mode and were not to be seen until Brazilian airspace, and a British couple in 3DG.
The 1A gentleman impressed me- I think I shall never achieve the level of spirituality and serenity required to pass LH First meal service. No go. Everybody found their Rimowa amenity kit along with the Kim-Il-Sung-style pyjamas. The seat and entertainmentsystem. The seat in the "new" LH First cabin is, as many will know, different from the version.
