Last spring, I booked a Business Class flight on Thai Airways from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. It was going to be my first time in business. Upon arrival to Suvarnabhumi Airport I went to the ticket agent who said Royal Silk Business Class was full. She bumped me up to Royal First Class — what an excellent surprise!

Passengers were loaded onto buses, which took us to the stairway and provided a better view of the awaiting plane, a Star Alliance livery 747-400 (my first and only time on the 'Queen of the Skies'). This was the first time I turned left after entering a commercial aircraft.

A few passengers were running late, and the thoughtful Thai flight crew waited for them. Before we even left the gate, the First Class flight attendants handed out tea, water and hot towels. Soon after the delightful welcome, I took a short nap against the full-size pillow at my seat. When I woke up, we were being pushed back from the gate.

Breakfast was served as we reached cruising altitude, consisting of rice with prawns and mushrooms, a fruit dish of melon and pineapple, a roll with butter and jelly, water, and tea with milk, a thin slice of lime and brown sugar. The best part was figuring out how to use each piece of silverware.

After a delicious breakfast, I peered out the windows at the scenery below. Then I tested out the pillow again with a five minute nap, but not before experimenting with the seat controls. On approach, I wished the flight would last for hours. And then we landed.