Flying in Row 1 with My Mom

I recently went on a trip to Ohio with my mom for my cousin's wedding. Thanks to my sister's crazy status with United and some regional premier upgrades (RPUs) we were able to fly in the front round trip.

Airline mileage programs are really complicated. It actually takes some time to sit down and read the rules to understand what's going on. After all, it is bad for business to make redeeming free flights too easy. I think my sister and I know enough for us to get by and we do bounce questions off of each other. Please be aware that I am just talking about United MileagePlus. Each loyalty program has its own nuances.

Mom looking out the window in Seat 1A

I think we do forget that what we do know isn't actually common knowledge and there are a lot of people that don't actually know that much. One of these people is my Mom. Coupled with her personality it leads to some hilarious times at the airport and on the plane.

"Can I switch seats to sit with my friend?" - SFO-LAX in Seat 1E

I was recently on UA1247 SFO-LAX on a Boeing 737-900. BT and I had somehow managed to score a free upgrade to First due to my premier status with the airline. Unfortunately we ended up sitting separately with me sitting in 1E and him sitting in 3A.

Not sure where I got this photo

Flying US Domestic First Class

Flying in first class conjures up images of absolute luxury, service, space, and comfort. This is especially true these days when airlines are stuffing more people and bags in overhead bins on to less planes. I don't know anyone that enjoys having the seat in front of them end up in their lap when in recline. I certainly don't enjoy being touched by strangers as we "politely" fight for armrest space.

I've had the fortune of flying domestic first class due to my airline status on United Airlines for free a number of times. My most recent was on a short stint on SFO-LAX. 

How nice is it really? (Not international first class nice)

ANA First Square Seat, 1K 777-300ER

NH6 NRT-LAX The Second ANA First Square (JA732A)

This was a hard post to write because it meant reliving the sadness of a vacation coming to an end.
Yes we were flying on ANA Square again, but we really had a hard time leaving Tokyo. I've been to Japan about seven times now and I have so much fun each time. This time was no different. We got to go to new places and make some amazing new friends which made it especially hard to leave.

We got to the gate and saw a massive crowd. Boarding had not started yet. If you may recall my NH5 experience, we were literally the last to board. I was actually quite interested to see what being the first to board would be like this time.

Gate 57 Just Prior to Boarding

NRT ANA Suite Lounge Satellite 5

When you are having fun, time really flies by.

Here are the other entries associated with this trip report.
Ch 1: LAX First Class/Business Class Star Alliance Lounge
Ch 2: NH5 LAX-NRT The ANA First Square Experience
Ch 3: Seven Nights at the Conrad Tokyo
Ch 4: NRT ANA Suite Lounge Satellite 5
Ch 5: NH6 NRT-LAX The Second ANA First Square (JA732A)

Let's continue!

Before we knew it our time in Japan was ending. We made some great friends and even ended up doing drunken karaoke at a 747 themed karaoke club. Not kidding.

747 Themed Karaoke Club Wet Towels

The rest of the photos that night were too drunken for the internet.

NH5 LAX-NRT The First ANA First Square Experience

This is part 2 of a Tokyo trip report. For other parts please follow the links...

Ch 1: LAX First Class/Business Class Star Alliance Lounge
Ch 2: NH5 LAX-NRT The First ANA First Square Experience
Ch 3: Seven Nights at the Conrad Tokyo
Ch 4: NRT ANA Suite Lounge Satellite 5
Ch 5: NH6 NRT-LAX The Second ANA First Square (JA732A)

Now let's continue on to the F cabin behind the curtain...

First Class ONLY!