Free Upgrade to Business Class.

The year was 2012 and I was in my 9th standard. It was the final day of my mid-term exams and we had a parents teacher meeting.

Now I used to study in a boarding school and I had a 3pm flight to kolkata. My parents were busy at work so I had to travel alone.

After the exams ended, every other kid’s parents started showing up and they went ahead for the meeting. As soon as they got over with that, they left for home. I was counting my hours left to catch my flight and with every kid that got out i was growing impatient. A family friend of mine was asked to escort me out of the hostel. But as my parents couldn’t show up for the parents teacher meeting I was held back . Time was ticking and I had to get out in order to make it for my flight on time.

I managed to call up my mom and ask her to request the official issuing the passes to let me go. After some strenuous efforts, I was finally holding my gate pass. With only two hours left before departure. I had to reach the airport by 2 in order to check-in. I quickly connected with the transport guy who was supposed to take me to the airport. The 18km ride took me an hour owing to the traffic. And I made it to the airport with an hour left in hand.

I quickly rushed towards the check-in counters and skipped the queue as i was already late. I went ahead and presented my ticket and the woman sitting on the counter took a look at her monitor and with a sorry face said,”I am sorry sir, all seats are booked and the check in for your flight just finished a few minutes ago.” Being a kid, I didn’t know what to do. As i was travelling alone, i asked her to re-check. She meekly blurted out “I am sorry i can’t help”.

I was confused and scared but I knew I had to do something. I asked the women at the counter to talk to her manager. Thankfully the manager was nearby and i explained my scenario to him and requested him to help me out. He sat down in front of the monitor and in a few minutes i had my boarding pass in my hands. It was a relief. I hurried through the security checking and went ahead for the boarding.

Now comes the twist. I board the aircraft, looking at the seat number in my pass. It was 2B and i couldn’t find my seat. It seemed odd and i approached the cabin crew to help me out. That’s when the pot of luck hit me. The crew took a look at my seat number and pointed me towards the business class cabin, and at that moment any surprises coming my way was welcome. I was shown my seat. Oh and it wasn’t a normal seat, It was a single fluffy sofa. I made myself comfortable and still oddly happy with the upgrade. The crew welcomed me with a glass of coconut water and warm towels. For lunch I was shown the menu and I asked for a non-veg meal and to my surprise I was served a full course meal from starters to Chinese to Indian and desserts. The only thing I remember from the one hour flight was me feasting on the amazing food while my co-passenger looked at a 15 yr old gorging himself with the food in front of him.

Once i was done. The crew asked me if I needed anything else and i politely said ‘No’. After I landed, My mother was ready with lunch at home, and I asked her to put it away as I narrated her my whole experience. It was one amazing day and was equally satisfying.

Edit: The airline I traveled with was JetAirways. I highly recommend their business class.

Image source:Jet Airways B737-800 Business Class ✈ Mumbai to Goa 9W472 (NEAR BIRD STRIKE!)