I can’t recall a time, when offered one of those plastic pearly flutes of sparkling wine (so rarely actual Champagne, unless it’s Air France or Emirates or maybe Cathay) …I can’t recall ever saying, “No, just a water, thanks.” And when they’ve truly upgraded you and served you the bubbly in a real glass, I know we have lots of time before takeoff.
I’ve never paid for a first-class ticket, nor has my company (whatever that company happened to be at the time), but you often get upgraded on certain domestic segments when you’ve sprung for business class over an ocean. And now that I have enough miles to circle the globe a dozen times, I sometimes win the lottery on my own “status,” though competition these days is fierce. Forget it coming out of LAX or JFK.
Even though the bubbles and the sugar may consign me to a headache later, I always take the offered glass (or plastic tulip, like we’re at a classmate’s wedding) and say a silent toast to my window seat and the marvelous sun of fortune that has smiled upon me. A silent thankfulness, and a few moments to sit in that glow of pure contentment as we wait on the ramp.
Wherever you travel today, I hope a celebration awaits you as well.
No matter where your travels take you, be thankful for the glass!