Flying Business Class Overseas

This is my Business Class seat on my way to Tokyo. I have flown Business Class before but these are the new Delta planes that are used primarily for international travel. 

What is super nice about this type of seat is that they recline to lay completely flat and there are usb ports for recharging your devices. If you have ever flown coach on a long flight, you know how terribly uncomfortable and cramped it can be even for short, domestic flights.  I am pretty sure that those seats are only tolerable for children except my nephew who may forever shun coach class now that he's seen this crazy seat. I had a similar type of plane on the way from Tokyo to Hong Kong, which was great because by then I was super tired from the 13.5 hour flight to get to Tokyo.  When you want to sleep, laying flat makes a really long flight not only comfortable but quite so.

I doubt I will be so lucky on the way home. :)  

By the way, don't even think this is an affordable luxury.  On a good day, Business Class flights booked well in advance are several thousand dollars depending on where your journey takes you.  For business travel with a flight over 12 hours in duration, most clients do throw in Business Class, as a general rule.  However, a trip like I just made which was just over 20 hours in total duration, booked within 24 hours was the most expensive flight I have ever paid for in my life.  Take a wild guess and you will be off by $10,000 dollars.  I made my Dad guess and he was shocked. So was I. This flight was just under $12,000.  Now, this is reimbursed by my client when I submit my expenses, which I have already done. LOL!  However, what you are probably concluding by now is that I had to pay out of my own pocket first... GULP.  

I had to wrangle with American Express who kindly upped my business credit card but it only covered 8K.  Taking a wild chance, I used my card anyway to see if I could push the limit, pun intended, and whaddya know, my first lucky break. It went through!  Problem solved. But still, I was a little freaked out at having such an enormous charge. My client offered to pay my expenses as soon as I hit town so this should be resolved before the bill is due.  Let's pray it works out that way! :)

Getting a job these days is EXPENSIVE. And, well, I have to go to China just to get one. LOL! But I was all too willing to go the distance for such an extraordinary experience.  Thanks to the support and encouragement of my family, husband and friends, I was eager to do what so many Westerners dream about... I am experiencing the Far East.